Michael Reyka's father rarely spoke of the war. He was part of the 180th Infantry Regiment of 45th Division that relentlessly pursued the German Army north through France as was almost wiped out when they were surrounded at Fremifontaine. Michael retraced his father's journey and compiled the story in his book Stand of the Thunderbirds: 180th Infantry Regiment and the Battle of Fremifontaine.
Jennifer is the founder of the Pacific Atrocities Education project. We discuss WWII "Comfort Women", the notorious Japanese Unit 731 and other topics.
Assigned to work the Pentagon following the 9/11 attacks, Navy Chaplain Larry Cripps was forced to confront his own Vietnam Combat Trauma. His book "The Hope of War: A Chaplain's Journey to Abiding Faith, Enduring Hope and Love Under Fire" has been described as a "field manual for applying spirituality in practical ways".
Michael Durant was the pilot of Super 64, the second helicopter shot down during the Battle of Mogadishu. He was the sole survivor and spent 11 days in Somali captivity.
Base Camp for Veterans provides equine therapy for Veterans and their families.
Ryan McDermott led an infantry platoon that was the first to cross the Euphrates River during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "What surprised me most wasn’t the trauma of combat—it was the quiet collapse that came after.” Ryan wrote "Downriver" to help others who might be struggling.
Bob Breault was one of the first Air Force pilots to fly "Wild Weasel" missions in Vietnam. He would be awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters. Following his Air Force career he would become one of the world's foremost experts in the optics industry.
South Dakota farm boy Doug Hegdahl described his experience as "the most embarrassing capture of the Vietnam War". He convinced his captors that he was nothing but an ignorant country bumpkin - a ruse that would make him one of the war's most unlikely heroes. Author Marc Leepson joins us to share Doug's story.
A 2022 USO tour was a game changer for Country Music star Darryl Worely. It inspired him to write the 9/11 themed "Have You Forgotten" which spent seven weeks at number one on the country music billboard charts. He is a steadfast advocate for our military families.
They are the newest branch of DOD. But what do they do and what are their tools? Col. Brandon P. Alford, Commander, US Space Forces Southern, joins us.