Special Event: Honor, Heal, Empower, Unite with Michael R. Rodríguez Global War On Terrorism Memorial Foundation (Live at The Military Women's Memorial, Arlington)

Broadcasting live from the Military Women’s Memorial next door to Arlington National Cemetery, this episode tackles a profound and difficult question: What if the biggest threat to veterans' heritage isn't time, but silence?To help answer that, we welcome Michael "Rod" Rodríguez, the President and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation. Rod is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret with ten deployments under his belt , coming from a deeply rooted, multi-generational military family. From his early days as a young private delivering food during a famine in Somalia to his time serving as a sniper , Rod shares how a lifetime of service inspired him to take on a sacred mission: leading the historic, congressionally designated effort to build a national memorial right on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. What You’ll Hear in This Episode:A Historic First: Learn how this landmark breaks history as the very first National War memorial to be planned and authorized during an ongoing conflict.The "Impossible Bill": Rod details the grueling legislative battle to secure an exemption from the Commemorative Works Act of 1986—which originally required a conflict to be over for ten years before a national memorial could be built—ultimately leading to a bill signed into law by President Biden.Honoring the Unseen: Discover how the memorial is designed to be the most inclusive tribute ever built, honoring not just 3.7 million post-9/11 uniformed service members, but also the more than 3,400 non-uniformed personnel who stepped up to serve.The Core Pillars: Explore the four foundational tenants driving the project's mission: Honor, Heal, Empower, and Unite.A Moving Design Preview: Rod shares a unique sneak peek into the upcoming design unveil, including a footprint motif featuring steel inserts to depict the heavy weight of war , as well as empty footprints acknowledging those lost to the invisible wars fought at home.About the Guest:Michael "Rod" Rodríguez is a retired Green Beret whose entire family embodies a legacy of service. He is the grandson of World War II veterans, the son of a Vietnam veteran, the husband of a 21-year military veteran, and the proud father of an 82nd Airborne Division soldier with four deployments of his own.Where to Listen:Story Behind the Stone is available on the Wreaths Across America Radio Network via iHeartRadio, Audacity, and TuneIn. You can also catch the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.