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Telling the stories of our men & women in the military and those who support them.
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20 APR 2025 · Actor, musician and humanitarian Gary Sinise returns to American Warrior Radio to provide updates on his Foundation's programming in support of military and first responder families.
We also discuss Gary's son Mac who lost his battle against a rare form of cancer in 2024. Mac was a very talented composer and musician and he left his music behind as a legacy for all of us to enjoy. All proceeds from sales of the "Resurrection and Revival" albums benefit the Gary Sinise Foundation's programs.
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13 APR 2025 · The story of how the venerable Jeep came to be is an intriguing one full of twists and turns. The company that actually produced the first Jeep was NOT who many people would think. Paul Bruno is the foremost expert on the development of the Jeep.
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6 APR 2025 · The Modern War Institute is a program at West Point that provides an astounding amont of research via publications, podcasts and special events.
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30 MAR 2025 · CIA linguist David Tyson was a member of "Team Alpha", one of the first group of Americans inserted into Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks. He would be embroiled in the uprising at Qala-i-Jangi prison during which CIA paramilitary officer Mike Spann would become the first American killed in Afghanistan.
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24 MAR 2025 · Commander Brian Wierzbiki, Chief of Public Engagment for the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration joins us to discuss how they are supporting events all across the US in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
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17 MAR 2025 · "Brothers After War" is a documentary by Jake Radenmacher. In the film he checks back in with several of the service members he was embedded with for this "Brothers At War" award winning documentary. I highly recommend both Veterans and civilians watch this film. There is healing here...
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9 MAR 2025 · Navy Veteran and tax law attorney Hubert Johnson shares tips for military members and Veteran entreprenuers.
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2 MAR 2025 · Nick Padlo was a sophomore at West Point when the 9/11 attacks occurred. He would go on to serve two tours of duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Armed with an MBA from Stanford University, Padlo made a good transition to the civilian sector, taking a job with a successful business. It seemed he had the world at his feet. But all was not well in his life. He experienced a divorce and along the way he started drinking and experimenting with drugs. The feelings that he was trying to numb became worse because of his addictions. On 2018 he found himself in a Dallas hotel with a half empty bottle of liquor and a gun trying to decide if that would be his last day on earth. Instead, he did a web search for rehab. Padlo clarifies that if someone is asking themselves if they are drinking too much, or if family members suggest it, then there is a 90% certainty that there is a problem. “When you start having negotiations with yourself, you’ve crossed some sort of a line.” He says the main question one should ask is whether the relationship with alcohol is blessing you and your family. Padlo had to do rehab twice before it “took”. Padlo shares three issues that are particular to Veterans that can complicate addiction and recovery. Padlo committed to devote the rest of his career to helping other people dealing with addictions and he founded Sophros Recovery. In mythology “Sophrosyne” describes a well-balanced state that leads to temperance, moderation and prudence. While Sophros is affiliated with all major insurances, they also have scholarships they can offer. “If we can’t help you we will find someplace that will.” TAKEAWAY: “Nothing changes if nothing changes. If you are hearing this and need some help or know someone who does – do something!"
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23 FEB 2025 · The Van of Valor program is the brainchild of Kevin and Lauren Wallace. Their mission is to travel to all of the lower 48 states and record the stories of at least 100 Purple Heart recipients or Gold Star families. Kevin had served in the Air Force for seven years when the opportunity came up to become a Combat Photographer. On April 3, 2011 Kevin was attached to a team of 12 cavalry scouts tasked with establishing an observation post in a set of ruins in Northwest Afghanistan. Kevin sensed that something was amiss when their meeting with the village elders was less than cordial. They began taking fire while exiting the village but were able to make it back to the ruins. Kevin and his 11 comrades were engaged on three sides by more than 100 Taliban fighters, some of whom were using women and children as shields. During the attack, an RPG came so close to Kevin that it singed his beard. It exploded behind him, peppering Kevin, four of the scouts and their working dog with shrapnel. He would be awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star w/ Valor for that battle. The couple had discussed traveling the lower states and bought a used Fed-X van with 300,000 miles, converting it to a travel van. Lauren says she was inspired start the Van of Valor project after personally witnessing the impact that shared trauma has among Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families. If anyone knows of a Purple Heart story that needs to be told, please check the Van of Valor website to see if your community is along their planned route. You can also track their progress at the website. Kevin and Laura are accepting donations to offset the costs of the journey. TAKEAWAY: “We are asking people to dig up a lot from their past and make people uncomfortable so that the grander public can understand the sacrifice that Gold Star families and those who see combat suffer from.”
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16 FEB 2025 · “Jeep Show; A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge” is a fictional work by author Robert B. O’Connor that sheds light on a unique and little know effort during World War II. Military Occupational Specialist Code 442 was assigned to some names you may recognize; Mickey Rooney, Sammy Davis Jr, Mel Brooks and Red Buttons. They were part of a special morale initiative to provide entertainment to troops on the front lines in areas deemed too dangerous for USO tours. Jeep Show units consisted of 3 soldiers who would provide the equivalent of a traveling vaudeville show. Because front line troops were constantly on the move, these contingents would conduct several performances a day. Robert B. O’Connor first became aware of this unique program when he was an executive with Proctor & Gamble. He was researching a failed marketing scheme led by Jim Hetzer called “The Oxydol Circus.” Hetzer’s family informed O’Connor that their father was involved with Jeep Shows during WWII. Hezter would become the basis for the fictional main character in O’Connor’s novel. Interestingly, he chose to also place the REAL Mickey Rooney in the novel. We spend some time discussing Rooney’s career and his possible motivation for volunteering during World War II. Rooney was awarded a Bronze Star for his role with the Jeep Shows. O’Connor chose to involve his main character in the Battle of Bulge, not only because it was a significant part of the war in Europe but also because it highlighted the often unrecognized role of “Team SNAFU” during that clash. Team SNAFU described the role of traditionally non-combat personnel like clerks, supply and medical personnel who were forced to take up arms in the protection of Bastogne. Jeep Show is a delightful and compelling novel that puts readers right on the front lines and introduces us to the often unheralded contributions of support troops like those who carried the 442 MOS.
Telling the stories of our men & women in the military and those who support them.
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| Author | Talk Media Network |
| Organization | Talk Media Network |
| Categories | History , Documentary , Personal Journals |
| Website | americanwarriorradio.com |
| info@talkmedianetwork.com |
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