December 22, 2024: Richard Sherman Photography // The Debrief Project

This week’s first guest is photographer and US Navy Veteran Richard ShermanRichard Sherman is a Navy Gulf War veteran and a professional photographer who recently published “Never Home: Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned,” which honors the more than 207,000 men and women who are memorialized in America’s 23 overseas WWI and WWII cemeteries. He traveled and photographed all 23 American overseas WWI and WWII military cemeteries over the course of six years (8 trips to 3 continents): from Normandy to Tunisia, from Florence to Manila, and from England to Luxembourg. The book features more than 50 biographies of those who never made it home: from names you know, like Roosevelt and Patton, to ones you never heard of like Vinsant and Summers. The book includes more than 225 photos including several of his images from the 75th anniversary ceremony of the D-Day landings at Normandy American Cemetery.The Foreword of the book was written by Vice Admiral Doug Crowder (Ret.), the former Commander of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet (Asia). Learn more about the book here. We also hear from Robert S. Colella, President and Founder of The Debrief ProjectDale speaks with Bobby Colella, who served in the United States Army Infantry for 21 years reaching the rank of First Sergeant. Bobby’s service includes 27 months leading soldiers in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005 (Ramadi/Fallujah) and 2005-2006 (Baqubah). After retiring as a First Sergeant in 2010, Bobby was recruited by a private contractor and supported both Operation Iraqi Freedom from Kuwait and Operation Enduring Freedom in Kabul, Afghanistan. After two years overseas, Bobby returned to Central Florida and continued his work with PEO-STRI in Research Park as a Subject Matter Expert and later as a Military Analyst for the U.S. Army’s SOF Training Systems, Engagement Skills Trainer Program until January 2016.In 2012, Bobby published “Battle for Baqubah: Killing Our Way Out.” In 2016, Bobby shifted his career toward the healthcare industry, where he held the position of director of new hire training and operations for AdventHealth’s Central and East Florida Divisions (15 hospitals and growing). Though Bobby’s post-military career was focused on supporting the training of newly hired nurses and other clinical staff, Bobby has maintained his passion for taking care of the troops and giving back to his community through various volunteer programs including assisting with establishing the Orlando and Daytona Beach Chapters of Team Red, White, and Blue and current administrative director for Redemption Community Biker Church in Daytona Beach. Bobby recently retired from AdventHealth to focus on The Debrief Project and its mission. Learn more about The Debrief Project here, and tune in to hear from Bobby himself about this nonprofit aimed at helping Veterans tell their stories.