Warriors & Watchmen: Havoc’s Birthday, 9/11 Reflections, and a Vietnam Vet’s Wisdom

Welcome Home, Big Mac: A Lifetime of Service For Leonard “Big Mac” McDonald, service didn’t end when he came home from Vietnam. In this episode of Warriors & Watchmen, Eric “CJ3 Actual” Thomas, “Big Roger” Singh, and Guy “Guy in the Sky” Waybright sit down with Vietnam veteran and longtime friend Leonard McDonald for a candid conversation about a lifetime of answering the call. From military service to law enforcement in Loudoun County and a seat on the Leesburg Town Council, Mac shares how his commitment to serving others continued long after he took off the uniform. The conversation goes beyond war stories. Mac and the crew open up about finding purpose after the military, protecting their families from the weight of difficult experiences, and the brotherhood that connects veterans across generations. They discuss their experiences with post-traumatic stress, the memories that never completely fade, and why two simple words—“welcome home”—still carry so much meaning. With September 11 on their minds, the group reflects on patriotism, the unity they remember afterward, and their concerns about how history and values are passed to the next generation. Faith, family, personal responsibility, and the importance of listening—even when people disagree—run through a conversation filled with heartfelt moments and the crew’s unmistakably unfiltered humor. Plus, the crew celebrates Havoc’s ninth birthday, talks honestly about the eventual retirement of a trusted service dog, and shares how community support helps sustain the CJ3 Foundation’s mental health mission. It’s an episode about remembering the past, showing up for one another, and continuing to serve.