Culture Shock

Three veterans who joined less than a year before 9/11 share their stories of enlistment, service and life after wearing the uniform. Victor Inzunza and Eddie Falcon join host Rosa del Duca in a panel discussion.
Victor Inzunza grew up in Stockton, California. In 2001, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served with 1st battalion 2nd Marines. He did two tours in Iraq, one in 2003 and one in 2004. After his enlistment, he graduated from University of the Pacific with a B.A. in English and received an MFA in Poetry from University of San Francisco. USF chose Victor as its 1st Lawrence Ferlinghetti Fellowship recipient in poetry. His work has appeared in the literary arts magazine Calliope, After Action Review, an anthology by Warrior Writers, and Tin House. He works as a Policy Analyst for the veteran’s rights organization, Swords to Plowshares. Victor lives in San Francisco.

Eddie Falcón served for 4 years in the USAF as an active duty enlisted aircrew member. He was stationed in Little Rock Air Force Base. He completed 4 short overseas tours, 2 in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan, as well as performed medical evacuations in Hurricane Katrina. Eddie is a California native and moved back to his home state after separation from the military in 2005. He resides in Bay Area where he received a Masters degree in Spanish and has worked in high school education since 2012.
He has enjoyed writing since a teenager. He started writing poetry and to this day writes lyrics for his personal Hip Hop music. He is currently a board member of Warrior Writers, facilitates writing workshops for veterans and civilians, and organizes events for these writers to share their work in public.
Eddie is also a member of the Bay Area Aztec Dance community, plays the piano, is a fan of the NBA, is a cyclist, enjoys billiards, produces music, reads comic books, and practices sober living.

Support the show