Posted on Oct 26, 2017
Martha Raddatz and Eric Bourquin here to discuss the new Iraq War feature: ‘The Long Road Home’ on Nat Geo. What questions do you have?
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MARTHA RADDATZ
Martha Raddatz is chief global affairs correspondent at ABC News and co-anchor of “This Week With George Stephanopoulos.” She has covered national security, foreign policy and politics for decades, reporting from the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House and conflict zones around the world. Raddatz is the author of “The Long Road Home—A Story of War and Family,” a highly acclaimed book about a battle in Iraq, which made both The New York Times and The Washington Post best-seller lists. The Washington Post described the work as "a masterpiece of literary non-fiction that rivals any war-related classic that has preceded it." She is also on the board of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports wounded veterans and their families.
ERIC BOURQUIN
Eric Bourquin is a production consultant and a U.S. Army veteran that was Involved in the April 4, 2004 battle. Born in Dallas, he was raised all over central Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in College Station, Texas, in winter 1998 and went on to train as an infantryman while completing basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Arriving at Fort Hood, Texas, in April 2001, Bourquin went on to serve in the 1st Cavalry Division and 1st Infantry Division in various leadership positions and completed three Army combat deployments in support of the global war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. After medically retiring in 2013 with 15 years of service, Bourquin has spent his time focusing on his wife, Leslie, and his children — healing, helping others and enjoying new experiences.
About “The Long Road Home”
From Academy Award-nominated executive producer Mike Medavoy and based on The New York Times best-selling book Martha Raddatz, National Geographic’s "The Long Road Home" relives a heroic fight for survival during the Iraq War, when the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood was ferociously ambushed on April 4, 2004, in Sadr City, Baghdad — a day that came to be known as “Black Sunday.” The series cuts between the action on the ground in Iraq and that of the homefront back in Texas, where wives and families await news for 48 hellish hours, expecting the worst. Starring Michael Kelly, Jason Ritter, Kate Bosworth, Sarah Wayne Callies, Noel Fisher and Jeremy Sisto, the eight-part miniseries premieres Tuesday, November 7th at 9/8C on National Geographic.
MARTHA RADDATZ
Martha Raddatz is chief global affairs correspondent at ABC News and co-anchor of “This Week With George Stephanopoulos.” She has covered national security, foreign policy and politics for decades, reporting from the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House and conflict zones around the world. Raddatz is the author of “The Long Road Home—A Story of War and Family,” a highly acclaimed book about a battle in Iraq, which made both The New York Times and The Washington Post best-seller lists. The Washington Post described the work as "a masterpiece of literary non-fiction that rivals any war-related classic that has preceded it." She is also on the board of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports wounded veterans and their families.
ERIC BOURQUIN
Eric Bourquin is a production consultant and a U.S. Army veteran that was Involved in the April 4, 2004 battle. Born in Dallas, he was raised all over central Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in College Station, Texas, in winter 1998 and went on to train as an infantryman while completing basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Arriving at Fort Hood, Texas, in April 2001, Bourquin went on to serve in the 1st Cavalry Division and 1st Infantry Division in various leadership positions and completed three Army combat deployments in support of the global war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. After medically retiring in 2013 with 15 years of service, Bourquin has spent his time focusing on his wife, Leslie, and his children — healing, helping others and enjoying new experiences.
About “The Long Road Home”
From Academy Award-nominated executive producer Mike Medavoy and based on The New York Times best-selling book Martha Raddatz, National Geographic’s "The Long Road Home" relives a heroic fight for survival during the Iraq War, when the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood was ferociously ambushed on April 4, 2004, in Sadr City, Baghdad — a day that came to be known as “Black Sunday.” The series cuts between the action on the ground in Iraq and that of the homefront back in Texas, where wives and families await news for 48 hellish hours, expecting the worst. Starring Michael Kelly, Jason Ritter, Kate Bosworth, Sarah Wayne Callies, Noel Fisher and Jeremy Sisto, the eight-part miniseries premieres Tuesday, November 7th at 9/8C on National Geographic.
Posted in these groups: 
Entertainment
Military service
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Military History
Q&A
Entertainment Military service Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Military History Q&A
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
So question to Martha Raddatz. As a reporter, what is the queue you personally use as feedback that your pushing too hard or too far with the questions? There have been instances in the past on TV where I have seen the reporter not give any space or know when to back off a bit from the questioning.
Martha Raddatz
I think the most important thing to do when asking questions is to listen to the answers. And to sense when you are pushing too far. And I think that is what it is--just a sense. And not everyone has it! I am never going to push someone telling me an emotional story too far. I just want to listen and "feel" how far they want to go.
This question is to Ms. Raddatz, how many people from 1st Squadron, 2d ACR did you interview?
SPC Stephen Jester
From what I understand, as a medic for 3rd squadron, 2 ACR in country at that time, is that our troopers played a significant role is saving the the lives of the soldiers in 1st cav during that battle. Going back for resupply several times just to be sent back out again. All this because the commander of that unit was to proud to listen to the advice of those who have been there already of not going to Sadr Coty and to take great heed if they do. Any thoughts?
SSG (Join to see)
First of all 1st CAV didn’t listen to shit we told them. That’s the main reason they got destroyed that day. I don’t even want to watch this show because it will just kiss me off of how inaccurate it is. Not once during the trailers or commercials did I see a mention of 1st Squadron 2 ACR, you know, they guys that had to go rescue their asses out of Sadr City.
SGT Benjamin Hayhurst
First of all, the show is showing the elements of your unit that came out and helped us that day.
Second, I find it incresible that you think that we managed to screw up relations in sector in four days. That is how long we had been there. And 2acr was still in control of the area until after the ambush had started. So explain how an uprising that had to have been planned out weeks (or more) in advance was the fault of the incoming unit?
Second, I find it incresible that you think that we managed to screw up relations in sector in four days. That is how long we had been there. And 2acr was still in control of the area until after the ambush had started. So explain how an uprising that had to have been planned out weeks (or more) in advance was the fault of the incoming unit?
I am not sure I will be able to watch it. Despite my best efforts to the contrary, I remember the April uprising quite vividly. That was a really bad time to be in Iraq. I hope it is done in good taste and not a glorification of the violence.
SPC Erich Guenther
National Geographic has pretty high standards in that regard, they would not air anything that glorified war. They have a lot of past experience with bush conflicts while attempting to do animal documentaries. They also did a pretty good job on their special with the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. They don't really take political sides but rather tell the story through other peoples perspectives.
SGT David T.
SPC Erich Guenther - I like their stuff on animals lol. I just don't watch a lot of stuff about war unless the word star is in front of it lol
SFC Eric Bourquin
This is not a glorification of the violence of war. This is about fallen warriors, families and what they endure while being with a service member. I hope you are able to identify with it when it airs.
Hey everyone. While we wait for more questions, I just want to put a plug in for "The Long Road Home." It is such a powerful series, and so realistic. It is tough to watch but you will be stunned by its realism. The producers and the cast have taken great care in bringing this to the screen. And NatGeochannel has made an enormous investment of talent and time to bring this story to the world. I know it sounds trite to say "Must See TV" but you will truly be missing out if you don't watch all eight parts---AND the documentary that I did on the "real" soldiers and families that will air right after part 8 on December 19th---that is called "The Heroes of the Long Road Home" (and Eric Bourquin is among them---he would be too modest to tell you that himself)
No questions to ask you, just wanted to thank you for all the great work you have done on film.
Martha Raddatz
Thank you so much. So many people worked so hard on this. It has been an emotional and profound experience.
Eric I saw you last night (12/19) on “The Long Road Home”, talking and visiting with Martha Raddatz. I was again impressed with you and your determination to focus on healing, family and helping your fellow brothers. I wish you the very best in all you do. You are among the best of the best! Thank you brother!
OK, so after the first three segments, am I understanding that the Brigade deployed without it's tanks and most of it's Bradley's and other Armored Vehicles? Then the relieved unit had turned in the ammo for the main guns of their tanks? Didn't we learn anything in Mogadishu? Fighting in unarmored HUMVEE's is pretty suicidal. Do you know why they chose not to patrol in the Bradley's or was that directed to keep a low profile?
SGT Benjamin Hayhurst
We were told that this was a "hearts and minds" operation, and that we were leaving behind the heavy equipment to present a less intimidating presence. IMO, the uprising was planned to take advantage of the confusion during the changover of units.
CPT Lawrence Cable
SGT Benjamin Hayhurst - Yes, I understand that too. But after experiences in Africa and Somalia with both UN and US peacekeepers, it should be apparent that these peacekeeping missions can go from peacekeeping to the armed zombie apocalypse very quickly. The low profile that puts soldiers at risk just burns my ass.
Just finished The Rescue at lunch.
Just finished The Rescue at lunch.
SGT Benjamin Hayhurst
CPT Lawrence Cable - I thibk it had a lot to do with the lack of violence eithin the city the year prior to us arriving. I don't pereonally know of any other units that intentionaly left behind gear (I could be wrong about that). Don't believe that we as soldiers did not take lessons from Black Hawk Down. For instance, many of us were carrying nods.
CPT Lawrence Cable
SGT Benjamin Hayhurst - But the people planning the mission at the top didn't learn the lessons. So once again we send troops into built up areas without armor vehicles or support.
I know that American's tend to be focused on what involves us and not the rest of the world, but just Google "Peacekeepers Under Fire", then you'll understand why I think the attitude the top planners had going into the operation was wrong.
I know that American's tend to be focused on what involves us and not the rest of the world, but just Google "Peacekeepers Under Fire", then you'll understand why I think the attitude the top planners had going into the operation was wrong.
SFC Jim Ruether
Ms. Raddatz, Do you think that your news network at ABC is giving an even hand to what President Trump is trying to do to make America Great Again? I see people beat this man up on a daily basis and sometimes with no other apparent motive than to punish him for an earlier statement he may or may not have made or just to beat him up because of his policies and the fact they may not fall in line with the rest of America. I hear reporters say that they are speaking for the voters in America when they criticize our president but have yet to see any interviews being done here in the fly over states and the blue collar country of the Midwest. I understand that you were born in Idaho Falls, ID and raised in Utah. Do you feel your news agency represent the folks that live in either of these two states and their support for President Trump.
SFC Jim Ruether
Eric Bourquin I saw the movie trailer and was impressed by the realism portrayed in this movie and you yourself as a soldier in it. Maybe if the people in America can see what our young men and women face daily when in a combat zone they will have more appreciation for the injuries sustained, both the obvious with traumatic amputation but also maybe the less obvious with brain injury and psychological injuries that aren't so obvious. Then when they hear about the high rate of suicide by our soldiers, sailors and airmen they will take an active roll in trying to prevent as much of it as they can. Thanks for your portrayal and service to our country.
SFC Eric Bourquin
Thanks Jim for your support. I think people in America will see the hardships that our military endures and what the cost of sacrifice actually is.
Question for Eric Bourquin. I served during the Reagan era and enlisted from my home state of Wisconsin. I am curious if you got STOP LOSSED at all and if you did, did that play into your decision to stay in the Army at all?
SFC Eric Bourquin
SPC Guenther, I did not get stopped loss. I did choose to reenlist a about 3/4's of the way through of the '04 deployment.
How does the typical liberal leanings of the entertainment & news industry interfere with your ability to deliver a worthy, truthful, accurate, and compelling story about military life and the associated sacrifices by veterans and their families?
Martha Raddatz
You will see no political leanings in this mini-series. They stayed true to the book and it is an incredibly truthful, raw look at combat and military life. The most realistic I have ever seen.
SFC Eric Bourquin
Top, I can't think of a way that anything could interfere with her ability to deliver a worthy, truthful, accurate and compelling story about military life and the associated sacrifices by the veterans and their families. Martha wrote the book on how to write the book.
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