Roger Alvarez (left) did not graduate from high school, despite the efforts of former teacher Antero Garcia. "I just wanted you to know," Alvarez tells him, "I always respected you. ... You looked at me and you paid attention." StoryCorps hide caption
Clela Rorex (right) tells her friend Sue Larson that she doesn't regret her decision to grant the controversial marriage licenses. StoryCorps hide caption
Growing up, Dekalb Walcott III wanted to be just like his father, Dekalb Walcott Jr., a fire chief for the Chicago Fire Department. Dekalb Walcott Jr. retired in 2009, but not before the two had the opportunity to work alongside each other. StoryCorps hide caption
Patty Woods, right, speaks to Cedar Lay for StoryCorps. StoryCorps hide caption
Patrick Haggerty dresses in drag in 1959. As a teen, Haggerty learned from his father never to "sneak" around his identity. Courtesy of Patrick Haggerty hide caption
On a visit to StoryCorps, Cheri Lindsay, 25, and Phillip Lindsay, 52, discussed a rare skin condition they share, and how they both have coped. StoryCorps hide caption
In June 1964, James Brock dumped acid into the water at the Monson Motor Lodge in St. Augustine, Fla. He was trying to disrupt swimmers who were protesting the hotel's whites-only policy. Bettmann/Corbis hide caption
Thompson Williams with his son, Kiamichi-tet Williams. Thompson remembers his father, Melford Williams, as someone who "could swear with the best of them" but was never angry with anyone. StoryCorps hide caption
On a visit to StoryCorps, Storm Reyes told her son, Jeremy Hagquist, about growing up as a farm laborer. Reyes eventually went to night school and worked in a library for more than 30 years. StoryCorps hide caption
Jon Meadows was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and to Afghanistan in 2012. He and his wife, Melissa, have had to cope with the consequences of the traumatic brain injury he suffered in Afghanistan. StoryCorps hide caption
MaCherie Dunbar (right), with her girlfriend, Barb Maglaqui, an active duty Air National Guard medic. Dunbar, who is currently enrolled at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, hopes to retire from the Air Force this year. StoryCorps hide caption
Carlos Rocha, 40, is serving a 30-year sentence for possession of a weapon and murder. Courtesy of the Danville Correctional Center hide caption
Eddie Lanier (right) and David Wright became friends when Eddie was homeless in Durham, N.C. StoryCorps hide caption
Frank Tempone with his son Jack at StoryCorps in Chicago. StoryCorps hide caption