The Power of Voice

Here is the link for the podcast below: http://storycorps.org/listen/stories/max-voelz/

            “She died on an incident that I sent her on.” is about a married couple, Max and Kimberly Voelz, who severed in the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in 2003 in Iraq. Kimberly Voelz was sent on a mission to defuse an explosive. The bomb exploded and took off her leg. Max Voelz went to the hospital and stayed by his wife’s side until she passed. Max still receives letters from the government saying, “Mrs. Voelz we are sorry for the lost of your husband…” which makes Max feel like him and his wife do not exist. (Voelz)

            As I was looking through the podcasts that were available Max Voelz’s picture caught my eye. I also read the short summary and felt like this would be perfect for the project. After listening to the podcast, I felt bad for how Mr. Voelz has been treated and for what he has been through. Losing his wife on a mission that he sent her on is devastating.

            Hearing Max Voelz’s voice and reading a story is completely different. Hearing Mr. Voelz narrate his story about him telling his wife that he “loved her and didn’t want her to die,” (Voelz) is extremely emotionally evoking. Also hearing him say that he feels “like no one knows that (they) exist,” (Voelz) makes me feel horrible because for what he has done for our country and for what he has lost. Losing the love of your life under any circumstances is terrible, but hearing him talk about it really makes me think. I know when I read a story in the newspaper or online it doesn’t evoke as much feeling to actually hearing the story from the person firsthand.

            If I had to record my own StoryCorps episode, my story would be about leaving my home behind and moving to a different country. I am from Martinez, California and I am currently living in Incheon, South Korea. I would like to tell people to not be afraid to move another country, even if you can’t speak the language or if you know nothing of the country’s culture. My transition from an American culture to an Asian culture took some time to get used to but I now know what to do and what not to do. Plus you have to think about all of the opportunities you will have to experience while in a new environment and all the people you could meet and network with. Life is meant to be experienced and you shouldn’t be afraid of change.

Reference:

Voelz, M. (Performer). (n.d.). “She died on an incident that I sent her on.” [Audio podcast]. StoryCorps. Retrieved from http://storycorps.org/listen/stories/max-voelz/