Veterans Radio

Humor in war. If you laugh, you were there. People who have been to war have all experienced it. Get back home, tell a hilarious story about something over there, and…people just stare at you. Okay, so they have not been there and have no idea what makes the story funny – especially when the story is about danger. Well, on Veterans Radio, we and our listeners who have been there are going to tell...

Today’s broadcast is a replay of Sgt. David Hack’s interview with Gary Lillie. The beginning of the show is live with with Bob Gould’s interview with US Wings VP of Sales and Marketing, Bob Kruty. Followed by the March 5th program with Gary Lillie’s interview of Sgt. Hack.

Our first guest is author LTC Gene Boyer to discuss his book, INSIDE THE PRESIDENT'S HELICOPTER Inside The President’s Helicopter takes the reader on an incredible journey through America’s most controversial wars and presidential administrations–a real backstage view of the men and events that shaped world history, and Boyer was the fly on the wall.” — Ken Sewell, NYT bestselling author “If not f...

As early as 1839, Captain Charles Wilkes led the first U.S. Naval expedition into Antarctic waters. In 1929, Admiral Richard E. Byrd established a naval base at Little America I; led an expedition to explore further inland, and conducted the first flight over the South Pole. From 1934–35, the Second Byrd Expedition explored much further inland and also “wintered over.” The third Byrd Expedition, i...

Agent Orange, the gift that keeps on giving! Operation Ranch Hand was the code name of the Air Force Agent Orange spraying missions in Vietnam. Aircrews assigned to spray the defolient used a sardonic motto: “Only you can prevent forests”. But there were four other agents sprayed depending on what foliage or crop was to be destroyed. Host Gary Lillie and former Ranch Hand crew member Jack McManus...

While you were all enjoying your Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, did you take time to pause and say a prayer for our all volunteer military? Did you wonder what they were doing while you were celebrating your freedom with your family and friends? One of the greatest traditions in the United States Military is to try and serve a hot Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberr...

Tear In The Desert with Father Ron Moses Camarda. Don’t miss this powerful story of Navy Chaplain Father Ron Moses Camarda and his tour of duty at the Surgical Hospital in Fallujah, Iraq, during late 2004. He shares firsthand experiences from the Battle of Fallujah, where he ministered to more than 1,500 casualties and 81 fallen service members, including 12 who died in front of him. His unwaverin...

Left For Dead It was almost 21:00 hours on 29 January 1968, the night before the “Tet Offensive,” when Wendell Skinner’s helicopter crashed in Cambodia attempting to extract a Special Forces Long Range Patrol Team that had come in contact with a large force of Viet Cong and NVA. The LZ was a burned-out area in the jungle that was covered with ashes. As the helicopter made its approach, the ashes f...

April 12, 1944, Chiquita Mia, a B-24 bomber, crashed in Yugoslavia. She was one of 9,949 American Bombers downed over Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. Of the 82,000 men on those planes, 70,000 died, 12,000 became prisoners of war. A few escaped in occupied countries, always alive with the help of anti-Nazis to shield them. Join author William B. Hanford and host Dale Throneberry and learn...

Join hosts Gary Lillie and Bob Gould and their guest Peter Fletcher who talks about all things American: the history of the American flag, 4th of July, patriotic songs, etc.

Jonathan Myer / Forward Air Controllers Join host Gary Lillie and guest Jonathon Myer , an O-1E “Bird Dog” pilot who flew low and slow over the jungles, spotting and marking targets, while dodging anti-aircraft fire. One FAC pilot, Captain Hilliard A. Wilbanks , USAF, a friend of our guest, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for what he did to save an ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam...

Australia has long been a close friend of the United States so it was natural that their government would commit troops to Vietnam to help fight the communist invasion from the north. After all, there was a real threat to their country if it spread. Join host Gary Lillie and guest Allan Wood , to hear the story of one Australian in the Vietnam War ; and how his life has been since.

A Legacy of Two Fathers Jerry Yellin is an author and member of the Military Writers Society of America . Born in Newark, New Jersey on February 15, 1924, he graduated from high school in 1941 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday. After training at Luke Field, he became a fighter pilot in August 1943 and went on to serve in the Pacific Theater, including combat missions over Iwo...

The GI Bill, Then and Now. Formally known as the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 , it was far from an obvious, straightforward piece of legislation, but resulted from tense political maneuvering and complex negotiations. Unlikely coalitions emerged to shape and pass the bill, bringing together both New Deal Democrats and conservatives who had vehemently opposed Roosevelt’s social-welfare age...

Medal of Honor Recipient Sammy L. Davis Host Gary Lillie interviews Medal of Honor recipient Sammy L. Davis , who shares the gripping story of his extraordinary heroism during a brutal Viet Cong attack on a remote fire support base in Vietnam. Under intense mortar fire and a ground assault that closed in within yards of friendly positions, Davis fought back with relentless courage—manning a machin...

Jon Voight—From Vietnam War Protester to Vietnam Veteran Promoter Congress has declared March 29 of each year as National Vietnam Veterans Day. This year it falls on a Monday, so actor Jon Voight is spearheading a national movement to recognize Vietnam Veterans in a nationwide celebration on March 28, 2010. Jon Voight won an Academy Award for portraying a paraplegic Vietnam Veteran in the film Com...

Our guest today is Rick Briggs, Veterans Program Director Join host Dale Throneberry and his guest, Rick Briggs , Veterans Program Director for the Brain Injury Association of Michigan , to learn about some of the challenges faced by individuals who have experienced Traumatic Brain Injuries and what is being done to help our returning veterans recover. We will also be talking with some survivors o...

Bob Feller / Baseball Hall of Famer & WWII Navy Veteran Join host Gary Lillie and guest Bob Feller , the only retired Navy Chief who is a member of a major sports Hall of Fame. Nicknamed “The Heater from Van Meter,” Bob Feller’s 1936 debut in the major leagues was explosive, when, as a 17-year old rookie he struck out eight St. Louis Cardinals in three innings. He struck out 15 St Louis Brown...

Joseph Galloway (born November 13, 1941), is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. Galloway is a native of Refugio, Texas. He is the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers. During the Vietnam War , Galloway worked as a reporter for UPI, beginning in early 1965. Thirty-five years later, he was decorated...

Since just before World War II , the USO has been the bridge between the American people and our men and women in uniform, conveying the heartfelt appreciation and support of a grateful nation. Whether it is a quiet place to go for rest and relaxation, movies, refreshments, or a friendly face, the USO delivers its special brand of service to the military. For over 67 years, the USO has been there...

David Ballentine recalls his experiences as a young pilot flying an armed UH-1E with Marine Observation Squadron Six in Vietnam. Like any good war memoir, parts of the book are deadly serious, even sad, while others are filled with thrilling, often humorous descriptions of squadron life during the early stages of the war. The book provides little known detail about the missions, operations, and li...

CHRYSLER JEEP SUPERSTORES' THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN Months of preparation followed by three days of well-coordinated action make up “Thunder.” Check out our insider interviews with those responsible for carrying out this mission, as well as the pilots who fly the air show circuit, who will describe the inner workings of a large military aviation event. Join the Veterans Radio crew, Gary Lillie and Bo...

Ron Warhurst is currently the Cross Country Coach at the University of Michigan, earning seven Big Ten Championships. In his previous job, he was a Marine walking “Point” in Vietnam. After that, he was part of a six-man team that would enter enemy villages in the middle of the night and capture the local VC leaders. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and two Purple Hearts. Host Gary Lillie...

Quotes and music celebrating America’s history Guests include Theresa Sloat and her amazing rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

War is hell…that’s why we have the “DOC” . The grunts will tell you the “Docs” were the bravest men they ever knew, and this Saturday you will learn why. Join host Gary Lillie as he interviews Army Medic Ray Essenmacher and Navy Corpsman Rick Whitson; both of them combat ‘docs’ of the Vietnam War. Their stories will be graphic; and may wring out raw emotion. One thing is for sure; once you hear th...