Podcast Archives - American Warrior Radio

Mon 12/8/2025

Vietnam Corpsman Dr. Jesse Brewer

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-12-08T14:36:03-07:00December 8th, 2025|

Jesse Brewer enlisted in Navy in 1966 and deployed to Vietnam in 1968. He is authorized to wear the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with four battle stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. He also received the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award for demonstrating dedicated leadership and exemplary professionalism as an NCO. Jesse Brewer (R) in Vietnam After leaving the Navy in 1970, he would enter the Army, complete his [...]

Tue 12/2/2025

Chief Michael G. Becker

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-12-02T11:08:48-07:00December 2nd, 2025|

Michael G. Becker entered the Air Force as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician. Before his 26 year career ended, he would serve as the Command Chief for one of the Air Force’s largest bases, responsible for 46,000 personnel and $51 billion in assets. I had the privilege of working with Chief Becker during his time serving at our local Air Force base. When I asked him about his plans post Air Force, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t [...]

Mon 11/24/2025

Letters From the Front – Ian Gindes & Patrick Zimmerli

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-11-24T17:51:35-07:00November 24th, 2025|

“Letters From the Front” is a unique project that takes letters sent home from the battle front and puts them to musical scores featuring four voices and a piano. Twelve letters spanning from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War will be transcribed. Classical pianist and Illinois National Guard member Ian Gindes is the project’s Executive Producer. New York and Paris based composer Patrick Zimmerli will be taking the lead on composition. The idea was born out of a series [...]

Thu 11/20/2025

The Importance of the Guard and Reserves

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-11-20T12:38:32-07:00November 20th, 2025|

Our nation’s National Guard and Reserve units play a critical role in our nation’s defense. However, their contributions are often overlooked by the civilian population. Retired Major General Ted Maxwell, former commander of the Arizona Air National Guard joins us for a conversation. While all our military branches except the Space Force have a reserve component, the National Guard only includes Army and Air Force units. The Guard comprises 38% of our total uniformed manpower with 432,460 members. Standing alone, [...]

Mon 10/27/2025

“Lucky” Ekman – The Heroism of Bob Lodge

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-10-28T07:55:01-07:00October 27th, 2025|

Leonard “Lucky” Ekman wanted to serve our nation but the Dean at his military school discouraged him from applying to Air Force Academy because “It will take 50 years before that place amounts to anything.” Lucky graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1963 and in 2021 was named an AF Academy Distinguished Graduate. Bob Lodge and Roger Locher in their F4 Phantom He was Top Gun in his F-105 class at Nellis Air Force Base and was [...]

Mon 10/20/2025

Military Suicide – Angelina “Strike” Stephens

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-10-20T17:44:49-07:00October 20th, 2025|

Military suicide is a scourge in our nation. As someone who has never been impacted by a suicide in my family, I have always struggled to understand. Lt. Col. Angelina “Strike” Stephens opened my eyes. “Strike” had been an Air Force ambassador for suicide prevention for over a decade. She says she knew what it looked like on someone else and knew what it sounded like. In many ways, suicide became a dominant theme in her military career. The first [...]

Sun 10/12/2025

Havok Journal Update – Charles Faint

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-10-12T15:49:17-07:00October 12th, 2025|

Havok Journal owner joins us for a discussion about some of his recent articles. The Havok Journal serves as the voice of the Veteran community through a focus on current affairs and articles of interest to the general public, and the Veteran community in particular. "Pecuniam Infinitum, Belli Infinitum: The Aid You’re Giving Gaza is Making the Conflict Worse" We begin with a discussion about how humanitarian aid flowing into conflict zones may serve to prolong the war. A study [...]

Tue 10/7/2025

“The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 – From Tragedy to Triumph

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-10-07T09:00:09-07:00October 7th, 2025|

“The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 – From Tragedy to Triumph” is a new documentary scheduled to be released in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the attacks. Producer Chris Meek and Director Michael Gier join us to discuss the project. Chris experienced the attacks firsthand and was responsible for getting 29 people to safety. He would go on to found Soldier Strong, a non-profit helping Veterans by donating revolutionary medical devices. Michael is an award-winning director and founder of [...]

Mon 9/29/2025

Special Operations Warrior Foundation – Clay Hutmacher

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-09-29T15:52:25-07:00September 29th, 2025|

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides comprehensive educational funding and advocacy for the children of fallen Special Operators. They also offer immediate financial assistance to severely wounded, ill and injured Special Operations personnel. Clay Hutmacher currently serves as the Foundation’s President and CEO. Clay served our nation for 40 years in both the Marine Corps and the Army, retiring at the rank of Major General. Clay had served six and half years in the Marines when he saw a brochure about [...]

Tue 9/23/2025

“Surviving Vietnam” – Diana Nickell

Ben Buehler-Garcia2025-09-23T11:51:47-07:00September 23rd, 2025|

“Surviving Vietnam” is a collaboration between Vietnam Veteran Dennis Nickell and his wife Diana. After surviving fourteen months in the jungles of Vietnam, Dennis came home to face a second struggle for survival against the demons of drugs, alcohol and violence. Diana was with him almost the entire time. The American Psychiatric Association did not formally acknowledge PTSD as a diagnosable condition until 1980. Many Vietnam Veterans struggled to get answers and treatment. Dennis was briefly committed to the psyche [...]