Veterans Archives: Preserving the Stories of our Nations Heroes

Send us Fan Mail What if a single lifetime could encapsulate decades of service, adventure, and personal growth? Meet Dennis Flynn, a man whose extraordinary journey from a mischievous childhood in Royal Oak, Michigan, to a life of dedication in the Navy and Air Force, will leave you inspired. Dennis shares uproarious tales of his youthful escapades, like jumping off a garage roof with a bed sheet...

Send us Fan Mail Terry Brown's compelling journey through the military is nothing short of inspiring. From growing up in Flint, Michigan, to serving in the United States Navy, the Army National Guard, and the Naval Reserve, Terry shares the experiences that shaped him into the dedicated servicemember he is today. His heartfelt reflections on childhood struggles, the influence of his Marine st...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to move from the shifting sands of childhood to the structured rigor of military life, and then back again to civilian normalcy? In this episode, we bring you the compelling story of Brennan Lally, who vividly recounts his formative years in Jackson, Michigan. Growing up with frequent moves and a deep-seated love for sports, Brennan reflects on his family dynamic...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it was like to be a latchkey kid with a passion for mechanics and end up serving in the Vietnam War? Join us as we take an intimate look at the life of Daniel May, a Vietnam War veteran from Bloomington, Indiana. Daniel recounts his early years influenced by his father's World War II service, his transformative training at Fort Leonard Wood and Aberdeen Pro...

Send us Fan Mail What if your toughest obstacles became the catalysts for your greatest transformations? Today, we invite Brian Daniels, a former United States Army member, to take us on a deeply personal journey from his challenging childhood in Lansing, Michigan, to his inspiring life as a veteran and community leader. Listen closely as Brian recounts the complexities of growing up with an abusi...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how the values of respect, hard work, and punctuality can shape a person's entire life? Join us for an intimate conversation with Sergeant Major Retired Roy Lewis, as he takes us from his disciplined upbringing in Highland Falls, New York, to a fulfilling and transformative military career. Discover how sports and drama during his high school years became the fo...

Send us Fan Mail Lansing, Michigan's very own Keegan Jones takes us by the hand and leads us through the captivating twists and turns of her life, from a dance-loving tomboy to a valiant member of the United States Army. Her story proves that the metamorphosis of the human spirit is as profound as it is unpredictable, a narrative rich with the laughter of childhood, the rigor of military disc...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on an intimate exploration of one veteran's compelling voyage from the snow-tipped landscapes of Wisconsin to the vast expanse of the sea. Jenna Carlton's narrative, etched with the hues of triumph and the shadows of adversity, unfolds in this episode, where she shares her evolution from a small-town rebel to a decorated US Navy veteran. Her accounts of life on a...

Send us Fan Mail Terrence McMillan's story is one that stitches together a tapestry of family, service, and personal growth. From his earliest memories within the walls of a military family to the disciplined ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps, his narrative captures the essence of a life dedicated to serving beyond self. Throughout the episode, Terrence's vivid recollections bring us closer...

Send us Fan Mail When the conversation turned to the military in the Kraft family hot tub, young Nick Kraft could hardly have known it would pave the way for a character-defining career. Join us as Nick recounts his transformation from a Detroit teenager to a revered serviceman, taking us through the trials and triumphs that have shaped his life in and out of uniform. From his early days, shaped b...

Send us Fan Mail From the coal mines and coke ovens of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to the dynamic landscapes of military life, Sergeant Major George Butch Davis's story isn't just gripping—it's a profound reflection on the resilience required to serve. In our latest episode, we sit with Davis as he unravels his life's tapestry, colored by experiences that range from drill sergeant...

Send us Fan Mail When you hang up your uniform for the last time after two decades of military service, you're not just retiring a piece of clothing; you're transitioning an entire way of life. That's something Joel Burkhart, a soon-to-be retired member of the Michigan Army National Guard, knows all too well. We're honored to have Joel share his intimate journey from a young fa...

Send us Fan Mail From the nostalgic streets of Plymouth, Michigan to the rigorous training grounds of Fort Leonard Wood, our latest guest, Chris Vedder – a former Michigan Army National Guard member turned Army ROTC instructor – escorts us through a life steeped in military tradition and personal growth. In a rich recounting that commences with childhood dreams kindled by war films and familial le...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine stepping into a time machine, not to explore the distant future, but to journey through the past of an extraordinary individual. Gary Dunn's tale of transformation from a Detroit teenager to a seasoned Marine unfolds before us, transporting listeners across pivotal moments in American history. Born in 1949 to a family with a rich military heritage, Gary's life wa...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on an evocative trek through the life of Ray Rayl, whose roots in Michigan's soil were just the beginning of a journey that would take him across oceans and back. Our latest episode paints a portrait of a man whose adolescence was filled with the rigors of sports and study, and who made the consequential choice to join the US Marine Corps immediately following high sch...

Send us Fan Mail From the modest roots of Clare, Michigan, to the esteemed ranks of the United States Marine Corps, Larry Gulick's story is one of dedication and transformative experiences. Our conversation with Larry, a 21-year veteran, journeys through his compelling life narrative, unraveling the threads from his small-town childhood, the driving forces behind his enlistment, to the profou...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the extraordinary path of Ann Marie Colombo, whose story weaves through the tapestry of Detroit's working-class neighborhoods to the disciplined ranks of the United States Marine Corps. Ann Marie takes us on a nostalgic stroll through her formative years, influenced by a father whose bravery as a firefighter set the stage for her own legacy of service. As we chat, sh...

Send us Fan Mail Every life has its own unique cadence, a rhythm composed of trials, triumphs, and turning points. Master Sergeant Lon Richardson's melody is one of tradition and transformation—a symphony of service that echoes the legacy of his Navy veteran grandfather. Settle in as we trace Lon's journey from the tranquil shores of Lake Huron to the peaks of personal growth in Guantana...

Send us Fan Mail Ever faced a crossroads that completely rerouted the trajectory of your life? Major Ryan Reynolds shares his compelling narrative, where a high school athlete from Lennon, Michigan, becomes an esteemed military officer. Raised in a family where service ran deep, Ryan's candid conversation peels back the layers of his upbringing—the influence of a father employed at General Mo...

Send us Fan Mail As the first snowflakes of winter dust the Michigan landscape, we're reminded of the indomitable spirit of men like George Lantz. Born against this very backdrop in 1930, his life's story unfolds for us—a testament to resilience, hard work, and the bounties of nature. Step back in time with George's vivid recollections: from his youth on a family farm, with close ca...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what four decades of military service can teach a person about life, leadership, and overcoming adversity? Retired Lieutenant Colonel Greg Cooper, affectionately known as Coop, offers an enlightening perspective on these topics and so much more. With a story that spans from a tough upbringing in Lansing to the disciplined ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps and A...

Send us Fan Mail As the leaves of memory unfurl, today's conversation transports us to the heart of one man's life journey. My guest, Larry Vedder, a United States Army Reserve veteran and the man I'm proud to call my father, opens up about the tapestry of his early years, military service, and the profound influence of faith. Together, we walk through the streets of 1960s Detroit,...

Send us Fan Mail When Keith Terstriep walked into our studio, ready to unfold the map of his life—from a modest childhood in Davenport, Iowa, to the battlefields overseas and back to civilian life—it was clear we were in for an extraordinary tale. His narrative, a blend of heartache and humor, resilience and transformation, promises to grip your heart and compel you to reflect on your journey thro...

Send us Fan Mail As the oldest boy in a bustling family of six, Robert "Bob" Elliott's tale is one of mischief, leadership, and the seeds of service planted in the heartland of Central Illinois. Step back in time with us as Bob paints a vivid picture of a bygone era filled with outdoor adventures, school shenanigans, and the traditional family values that laid the groundwork for his...

Send us Fan Mail When the echoes of military life reverberate through a family tree, it's impossible not to listen to the stories they tell. Our guest, Joe Gregory, is no stranger to this call, having been steeped in a military tradition stretching back to his father's service in the Korean War. Join us on a profound journey that stitches together duty, leadership, and personal sacrifice...