Some advice from his father led Charlie Gebhardt to a career that would have him in the cockpit of one airplane or another for more 20,000 hours. Charlie was born in Greenwich Village about 20 minutes from Grand Central Station and close to West Point. He planned to attend West point until his father informed there was a place just like it where one gets to fly airplanes. That idea appealed to Charlie much more than slogging through the mud. [...]
(L-R) Co-host John Eslinger, WWII Vet Al Arreola & BBG The purpose of the Collings Foundation is to organize and support living history events that enable Americans to learn more about their heritage through direct participation. We broadcast today’s show from under the wing of a B-17 bomber taking part in the Collings Foundation “Wings of Freedom” Tour. Tiffany Denlinger, half of the Denlinger Team at Nova Home Loans begins our show by sharing information about the Veterans [...]
Echo in Ramadi is definitely NOT your typical book about war. Instead, author Scott Huesing wanted to give readers a look into the power of human connection and brotherhood that allowed his company of Marines to fight and win in one of the deadliest regions on the planet. Capt. Scott Huesing calls in a "danger close" GMLRS strike in Ramadi Scott served a total of 24 years in the Marine Corps, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer. [...]
Peter Sherayko volunteered for the Air Force just as the Vietnam War was getting started. He then volunteered to go to Vietnam. (L-R) Peter Sherayko, BBG, John Eslinger Upon returning home he continued his college education but was becoming disillusioned with his field of choice. Following a fluke conversation with a radio show, Peter decided he wanted to become a radio disc jockey. Coincidentally, the commander of the local Air National Guard squadron owned the local radio station. [...]
Maj. Gen. Pat Halloran (L) with Guest Host John Eslinger SR-71 pilot Pat Halloran grew up on a farm in Minnesota and had no interest in planes. He studied music in college with the goal of becoming a high school band director. But when he took a break to tour with a dance band in order to earn tuition money, he became eligible for the draft. His number came up the GI Bill seemed a better option to pay [...]
BBG with Doug Stanton Doug Stanton probably never thought he would see his name in lights. But that is precisely what happened when the movie “12 Strong” debuted in January. The film is based upon Doug’s second bestselling book “Horse Soldiers”. His first book, “In Harm’s Way” (recounting the World War II sinking of the USS Indianapolis) spent more than six months on the New York Times bestseller list. In this episode we talk with Doug Stanton about [...]
Bleeding is the top cause of preventable death in the US. It is estimated that 20% of the persons who have died from traumatic situations could have survived if their bleeding was stemmed in time. Almost all of us know someone who has been trained in CPR – what about bleeding? National Stop the Bleed Day (March 31) seeks to raise awareness about the issues and providing training to as many people as possible. This episode we are joined by two [...]
The first Havok Journal check-in of the year with editor Scott Faith. Havok Journal is an online publication with articles heavily focusing on military and law enforcement issues. Our discussion features multiple topics covered by Havok Journal authors so far this year including: New Year’s Resolutions for Veterans While studies have shown that resolutions themselves rarely “stick”, the process of self-evaluation and writing resolutions can be very beneficial. Havok Journal polled their writers and listed their top 8 resolutions for [...]
Jason Redman tried to join the Army, but the Navy got him instead. Good thing because he became a member of one of our nation’s most elite special forces – a SEAL. Accepted into the Seaman to Admiral Program, Redman was in his first semester of college when the 9/11 attacks occurred and he wanted to drop out to rejoin his team. However, one of the most respected officers in the SEAL teams uttered some prophetic words; “This war will [...]
Hank Robinson, Hanro Studios Freedom Blues is Hank Robinson’s monument of honor to his fellow warfighters and Veterans. He is our first featured Veteran Entrepreneur story for 2018. Hank is a Veteran of three deployments himself; Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He joined right after the 9/11 attacks. During his 9/12 Army career he earned a Bronze Star with Valor and an Army Commendation Medal with Valor. But when he separated, he found himself unable to find work, getting [...]