Living History with Alex

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Bill Stallcup—a fellow coin collector, church volunteer, and military-artifact enthusiast—to explore the stories stamped into metal: from Roman emperors and “widow’s mites” to 1776 Delaware paper money and classic U.S. coins like Large Cents, Indian Heads, Morgans, and Walking Liberties. 🌟 Topics Covered 🪙 How it started: inheriting a...

In this episode of Living History with Alex , we sit down with Ralph Fernandez , a retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue lieutenant with 27 years of service and a veteran member of Florida Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue . From fast-paced firehouse life in Miami to deployments across the U.S. and the Caribbean, Ralph shares what it’s really like to respond to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and lar...

In this episode of Living History with Alex , we sit down with Brandon Post , a Miami-Dade firefighter with 24 years of service, an international extrication competitor, and a world-traveling FEMA rescue specialist. From lifesaving missions in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina to teaching extrication tactics across the world, Brandon shares a powerful look into the courage, skill, and heart behind moder...

In this episode of Living History with Alex , we sit down with Robert “OV” Oyarvide , a retired U.S. Air Force jet mechanic whose career spanned the Cold War, Desert Storm, and multiple deployments across Europe and the Middle East. From maintaining F-111s, F-5 aggressors, U-2s, A-10s, and F-16s to training pilots during the Soviet threat, OV shares an inside look at the aircraft, missions, and da...

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Colonel Tom Oatmeyer, a U.S. Air Force veteran whose 30-year career took him from the skies over Vietnam to the rebuilding of Homestead Air Force Base after Hurricane Andrew. From flying F-4 Phantoms over Southeast Asia to piloting F-16 Fighting Falcons during the 1980s and ’90s, Oatmeyer’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and a...

In this episode of Living History with Alex , we sit down with Jim Loretta , a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War. Born in Mexico to American parents, Jim shares his journey from college to the draft, his time with the 20th Engineer Group in the Mekong Delta, and the challenges of serving during one of the most divisive times in American history. From surviving a helicopter crash...

In this episode of Living History with Alex , we sit down with Mr. José Carbia , philosophy teacher and history club leader at Archimedean Academy. Born and raised in Miami, José shares how his father—a respected principal and educator—inspired his passion for teaching, philosophy, and the Socratic method. Through his journey, we explore the timeless relevance of ethics, Socrates’ legacy, and the...

In this heartfelt segment of Living History with Alex , we sit down with a proud veteran who shares timeless advice about education, heritage, and identity . He reminds us to never forget where we come from, to cherish our family roots, and to honor the wisdom of older generations. Drawing from his experience in the military and law enforcement, he emphasizes the power of education, the value of r...

In this episode of Living History with Alex , we sit down with Tom Visney , a retired Marine whose career spanned the Cold War, embassy duty in Latin America, the Army National Guard, and deployments to Bosnia. From joining the Marine Corps at just 18, to serving as a tank crewman, embassy guard in Nicaragua and Argentina, and later as a counterintelligence interrogator, Tom’s journey is one of re...

📍 Why it’s the Miami-Dade Military Museum—and where to find it ⚓ Service timeline: Reserve (1981–84) → Active Duty (~’98/’99) → GWOT recall → Honorable discharge (2012) 🗞️ A decade as Navy Public Affairs in Miami and what “service” looks like at home 🏗️ How the museum was rescued: $1 federal sale, $3M move, GOB 2005 funding, moved in 2010, opened Veterans Day 2023 🧱 Record feat: largest buildin...

In this episode of Living History with Alex , we sit down with Chief Richard Tedlow — a retired Navy hospital corpsman and Chief Medical Officer for the Naval Sea Cadets at the Miami Military Museum. From growing up in 1950s Miami to serving 26 years as a Navy corpsman and 50 years as a pediatric nurse, Chief Tedlow shares his inspiring journey of medicine, service, and mentorship. 🌟 Topics Cover...

In this episode of Living History with Alex , we sit down with retired U.S. Air Force veteran Joe Colburn , whose career spanned the Cold War, Hurricane Andrew, 9/11, and deployment to Iraq. Joe opens up about his decades of service, the challenges of deployment, and how military values continue to shape his life today. ✈️ Why he joined the Air Force in 1983 and his role as a weapons instructor 🌍...

From maintaining F-16s in the Cold War to escorting U.S. presidents, retired Air Force crew chief and police lieutenant Tom Carrigan shares a lifetime of service, unforgettable stories, and lessons on leadership with 6th-grade historian Alex. -- In this special episode of Living History with Alex , 6th-grade historian and passionate storyteller Alex sits down with Mr. Tom Carrigan , a man whose li...

🎙️ Living History with Alex — Episode: Don Jackson, Veteran & Voice of the Game In this inspiring episode, Alex sits down with Don Jackson — Vietnam-era Air Force veteran, former military logistician, and legendary voice behind the mic for teams like the Miami Heat , Miami Marlins , FIU , and more. From serving overseas in the Philippines, Korea, and England to becoming the first and only Blac...