Veterans Archives: Preserving the Stories of our Nations Heroes

Send us Fan Mail The journey from soldier to survivor is rarely straightforward, but Chris Belan's path stands as a testament to the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. Growing up in a proud Polish-Ukrainian family in Michigan, Chris carried forward his family's military tradition by joining the Army in 1987, beginning a career that would test the limits of his endurance. When...

Send us Fan Mail Amy Bungart takes us through her remarkable journey from 1970s Pennsylvania farmlands to the frontlines of Operation Desert Storm. With candid humor and stark honesty, she recounts growing up in a world where kids played outside until the streetlights came on and garden hoses served as drinking fountains—a stark contrast to her later experiences facing down Scud missiles at an amm...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your entire childhood is defined by constant change? Ben Annarino takes us on a remarkable journey from his unstable early years—where he attended 13 different schools in 13 years—to finding structure and purpose in the United States Marine Corps. Ben's story is a masterclass in resilience. As a child, he quickly learned to be a "chameleon," adapti...

Send us Fan Mail Andrew Pavlica takes us through his profound military journey as a tank gunner in the U.S. Army, revealing the complex human experience behind the uniform. From his early days at Fort Knox training on M1A2 tanks to the dusty streets of Iraq during two combat deployments, Andrew shares stories that few civilians ever hear. The heart of this conversation centers on what Andrew calls...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a Marine Corps veteran with a knack for creative problem-solving enters the cutthroat world of automotive sales? This candid conversation takes you deep into the dealership trenches of 1980s Detroit, where commission schemes, management betrayals, and customer psychology collide in unexpected ways. You'll follow one man's remarkable journey from his fir...

Send us Fan Mail John Bureman's life unfolds like a vivid tapestry woven with military tradition, global adventures, personal struggles, and profound redemption. Born on a military base in England to an American Air Force father and a German war bride mother, John's earliest memories trace back to small-town Kansas before an unexpected diplomatic assignment catapulted his family to Lima,...

Send us Fan Mail The power of service takes many forms throughout a lifetime, as Air Force veteran Kipp Brand eloquently demonstrates in this moving conversation about resilience, purpose, and finding meaning after military service. Born in Detroit and raised in Harrison Township during the 1950s and 60s, Kipp shares vivid memories of a childhood spent outdoors with friends who remain in his life...

Send us Fan Mail "When I joined the Army Band, nobody told me I'd be probing for landmines in Bosnia or providing convoy security in Desert Storm," Rick Teeter reflects, his voice carrying the weight of unexpected experiences that defined his remarkable 25-year military career. Beginning with a cold call from a recruiter during his senior year in East Texas, Teeter's journey to...

Send us Fan Mail Jimi Threet never expected military service to be his path forward. Growing up poor in Anderson, Indiana—a town featured in an HBO documentary about industrial decline—he struggled in school and saw limited options. With a 1.8 GPA and little direction, the Army became his unexpected salvation at age 17. What followed was a remarkable journey spanning two enlistments, combat deploy...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a 25-year-old father of one decides to finally pursue his long-held desire to serve in the military? In this candid conversation, Mike Brunger takes us on an unlikely journey from small-town Michigan to overseas deployments and eventually becoming one of the state's top military recruiters. Growing up in rural Michigan as the oldest of ten siblings, Mike&apo...

Send us Fan Mail What does true character look like? For Brad Budzynski, a former US Marine Corps infantryman who served during the initial invasion of Iraq, the answer came through the crucible of combat. His journey from small-town Michigan to the frontlines reveals how military service strips away pretense and exposes who we really are under pressure. Brad's candid conversation takes us th...

Send us Fan Mail Dale Throneberry's life reads like an American odyssey—from carefree days on the Jersey Shore to the perilous skies above Vietnam and eventually to the broadcast booth where he helps fellow veterans find their voices. Born in 1946 to a World War II veteran father, Dale's journey weaves through the defining moments of late 20th century America with remarkable candor and i...

Send us Fan Mail Air Force veteran Jon Bureman takes us through his remarkable life journey from military child to signals intelligence specialist to recovery advocate. Born at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Texas, John's childhood spanned continents as his family moved between military installations in Japan, Maine, and back to Japan again. These constant relocations shaped his search for ident...

Send us Fan Mail Art Hill's remarkable journey from rural Michigan to World War II service and beyond captivates with its blend of humor, resilience, and unexpected adventures. Born in 1926 in Ionia, Michigan, Art grew up in Vicksburg during the Great Depression in a household with nine siblings. His childhood memories paint a vivid picture of rural American life – from trapping muskrats for...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into an unforgettable journey with Robert Dolenz, a Vietnam veteran whose life reflects resilience, faith, and the complexities of navigating personal and collective trauma. Born just weeks after Pearl Harbor, Robert's early life was shaped by family struggles, including the illness and eventual loss of his father. As he shares his experiences, listeners will understand...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Bill Kelley, who transformed his life from a childhood spent milking cows on a Michigan farm to serving in the United States Navy. He shares compelling stories filled with nostalgia and humor from his formative years, where hard work and family values shaped his character. Discover how his transition to military life presented chall...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring episode where we delve into the remarkable life of Vern Evans, a 94-year-old veteran whose experiences span nearly a century. Vern shares his childhood memories of growing up in West Dallas, Wisconsin, where hardships on a family farm instilled in him core values such as hard work and resilience. Moving to Michigan, he faced the challenges of rural life wi...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the awe-inspiring journey of George Durayton, a man whose legacy is rooted in resilience, service, and a commitment to helping others. George's life unfolds against the backdrop of the Great Depression, where he learned the values of hard work and determination while growing up in a large family in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As you listen, you’ll hear how his life chan...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a heartfelt episode featuring Ted Kinnee, a veteran whose journey from childhood in Lansing to service in Vietnam reflects the essence of resilience and determination. Ted shares moving insights about growing up in a tight-knit family, the challenges he faced as a young man, and the pivotal decision to enlist in the Army during the turbulent times of the late 1960s. He...

Send us Fan Mail In this riveting episode, we journey through the extraordinary experiences of Don Roach, a United States Marine who navigated the bruising landscape of war in Vietnam. With stories that intertwine humor with harrowing encounters, Don illuminates the realities of life on the frontlines, where bravery and the bonds of brotherhood become essential for survival. Listeners are drawn in...

Send us Fan Mail Prepare for an exhilarating journey into the past as Don Roach shares his gripping stories from Vietnam, immersing listeners in the authentic experiences of a U.S. Marine. In this episode, we dive into harrowing situations, playful moments between soldiers, and the unforgettable sights that define the dual realities of war. The tension of nighttime sounds brings unease as Don reca...

Send us Fan Mail Picture this: you're on a flight to a war zone, and a stewardess unexpectedly finds herself in your lap. That's just one of the many vivid memories shared by our guest, former United States Marine Corps member Don Roach. Don takes us on a roller coaster ride through his rigorous marksmanship training with the M14 rifles, sharing tales of high-pressure competitions and th...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a childhood filled with family adventures, creative play, and an insatiable curiosity collides with the disciplined world of the Marine Corps? Join us as we explore the fascinating journey of Don Roach, a United States Marine Corps veteran, whose life story is a vibrant tapestry of resilience, family influence, and an enduring passion for aviation and education....

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a young man's life is profoundly shaped by his parents' separation, a mother's career in law enforcement, and the relentless pull of military ambition? Meet AJ McKinney, whose journey from Rockford, Illinois, to the front lines of the United States Army is nothing short of transformative. In our latest episode, AJ opens up about the challenges of s...

Send us Fan Mail What if a single train trip could shape the course of your life? Join us as we sit down with Richard Little, whose life journey began with his mother's spontaneous decision to travel from Detroit to Tennessee shortly after his birth. Richard's rich narrative unfolds across the backdrop of post-World War II Europe, bustling with historical significance and personal anecdo...