”Gold Star Families and the History of American Barbecue” - TPR’s In Focus: Weekend - May 27, 2023

As we think about Memorial Day, we remember the Gold Star Families of military members who have died in the line of duty.
Today we’ll talk by Skype with James Edward Brown of Troy. His beloved son John Eli Brown died while serving as a member of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Barbecue is America in a mouthful, according to veteran journalist Jim Auchmutey, who comes from a long line of Georgia pit-masters. Jim Auchmutey served The Atlanta Journal Constitution for almost three decades as a reporter and editor, winning the Writer of the Year award from the Cox Newspaper Chain. He’s also been honored by the James Beard Foundation. The book, Smoke Lore: A Short History of Barbecue in America Is Jim’s tribute to a favorite food.