(Photo courtesy of Lori Stoll)

Jay Kopelman shares his story about adopting a dog named Lava in Iraq.

Thousands of U.S. soldiers have been returning to so-called normal lives as the nation’s involvement in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is winding down, but the transition is hugely challenging for the vets and their families.

Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Arizona State University's Tempe campus, retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman will present the Barrett Honors College’s Rhodes Lecture. It is called “From Baghdad to America: Life After War.”

Kopelman also wrote a bestselling book with a similar title, "From Baghdad to America: Life After War For a Marine and His Rescued Dog."