Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia

In this episode of Veteran Story Hour, Zach Hale sits down with Tom Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, Air Force medic, and lifelong witness to the human cost of war.Tom begins with his early military service in the Army before joining the Air Force in search of real medical work. That path eventually took him to Vietnam, where he served at Bien Hoa and became part of a generation asked to carry out impossible duties under impossible circumstances. He recalls the explosion at Bien Hoa Air Base, medevac missions, treating Vietnamese civilians and children, working with leprosy and battlefield trauma, and the haunting moments that have stayed with him for the rest of his life.A central part of Tom’s story is his connection to William H. Pitsenbarger, the Air Force pararescueman who gave his life while helping save wounded soldiers and who was later awarded the Medal of Honor. Tom reflects on Pitsenbarger’s courage, the decades-long fight to see his actions properly recognized, and the importance of keeping his memory alive.This conversation also addresses PTSD, survivor guilt, the burden carried by medics, and the quiet work veterans continue to do for one another long after their service ends. Tom speaks with honesty about the memories that return, the wounds that remain, and the people who helped him keep going.This is a difficult but important episode, one rooted in service, sacrifice, memory, and the responsibility to listen.CONNECT & SUPPORTSupport the Mission:Website: ⁠⁠https://saluteofvirginia.org/⁠⁠Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: ⁠⁠https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/give⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/⁠⁠Nominate a Veteran:Know a veteran with a story? Send us their name and a brief reason why at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We'll handle the rest.

A Waynesboro police officer.A late start in the Army National Guard.A deployment to Syria.And a life completely transformed by faith.On this episode of Voices of Valor, Zach Hale sits down with Doug Williams to talk about military service, leadership, law enforcement, family, and finding purpose in unexpected places.Doug shares stories from joining the Guard at 29, surviving Basic Training during COVID, deploying across Syria in small teams, and learning leadership the hard way — sometimes from soldiers younger than him. He also opens up about his walk with Christ, the regrets that shaped him, and why he believes service to others is the highest calling.There are laughs.There are powerful moments.And there are truths every veteran, first responder, and family member will understand.If you’ve ever wondered how military service changes a person — this episode answers that question.CONNECT & SUPPORTSupport the Mission:Website: ⁠https://saluteofvirginia.org/⁠Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: ⁠https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/give⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/⁠Nominate a Veteran:Know a veteran with a story? Send us their name and a brief reason why at ⁠[email protected]⁠. We'll handle the rest.

Christopher Martin was 17 when college became impossible. At 18, post-9/11, he chose submarines. Five years as a Sonar Technician on the USS Nebraska—seven patrols, listening to the ocean at 500 feet below the surface. The transition home landed him making $100 per glass break detector, then seven years delivering refrigerators. Through the DCMA Keystone Internship Program, Chris finally finds himself inspecting Navy navigation systems at Northrop Grumman, protecting the same submarines he served on, now going on 14 years.And he calls it all luck.Ladies and gentlemen, Christopher Martin: Sonar Technician, Nuclear Deterrence, and the Long Way Home.CONNECT & SUPPORTSupport the Mission:Website: https://saluteofvirginia.org/Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/giveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/Nominate a Veteran:Know a veteran with a story? Send us their name and a brief reason why at [email protected]. We'll handle the rest.Veteran Employment Resources:DCMA Keystone Internship Program: https://www.dcma.mil (Careers/Internships)USA Jobs Federal Employment Portal: https://www.usajobs.govVirginia Department of Veterans Services: https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/

Melissa Patrick spent 28 years in Army Intelligence — from being the first woman in an ROTC classroom at VMI in 1975, to earning master parachutist wings while afraid of heights, to leading NATO intelligence in Afghanistan. After retiring as a Colonel, her civilian work analyzing vehicle attacks led directly to the MRAP decision that saved American lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now she runs a VFW district and a charity bike ride that's raised nearly $300K for combat veterans. She almost didn't think she had a story. She was wrong.CONNECT & SUPPORT:10th Annual Ride — September 12, 2026 (25th Anniversary of 9/11)Valley Veterans Ride for Heroes: https://valleyvetsrideforheroes.com/Valley Veterans Ride for Heroes (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/ValleyVeteransRideForHeroesValley Veterans Ride for Heroes (Email): [email protected] Crest Foundation: https://bouldercrest.org/Goal: $50,000 for combat veterans dealing with PTSDSALUTE of VirginiaWebsite: https://saluteofvirginia.org/Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/giveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/Nominate a veteran to be interviewed: [email protected] this episode moved you, please leave a rating and review — it helps other listeners find these stories.Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/15536490/join CREDITS:Hosted by John Fairbanks and Zach HaleA production of SALUTE of Virginia (501(c)(3))

Most veterans face a digital and emotional divide that can feel impossible to bridge — but Tech for Troops is rewriting that story. Join John and Zach as they introduce Tech for Troops in this episode and discover how a Virginia-based nonprofit is transforming veteran lives through technology, community, and purpose. From refurbishing over 600 tons of e-waste to creating gaming bunkers that foster camaraderie and healing, Tech for Troops proves that giving veterans the tools and support they need isn’t just charity — it’s a lifeline.You'll hear how their innovative programs, like aiming for zero, tackle veteran suicide, unemployment, and homelessness head-on. We break down how donated computers are transformed into powerful community building blocks, offering not only access but hope. Plus, learn about upcoming local events like the "Vibe Training" class, designed to empower veterans with essential digital skills and confidence — all for just fifty bucks. This is workforce development that actually works, especially when paired with the unbreakable bonds of gaming and camaraderie.We explore the surprising therapeutic benefits of gaming for PTSD and anxiety, how online bunkers emulate the squad-based spirit of military missions, and how tech-enabled community networks are reconnecting veterans to purpose and belonging. If you’ve ever underestimated the power of virtual spaces or wondered how technology can heal wounds both seen and unseen, this episode is your eye-opener.Perfect for veterans, family members, veteran-supporters, and anyone committed to innovative solutions for mental health and community resilience. Tech for Troops isn’t just refurbishing computers — they’re restoring hope, one soldier at a time. Whether you're donating, volunteering, or seeking support, you'll find a blueprint for making a meaningful difference.Join us as we spotlight veterans helping veterans through tech, gaming, and shared purpose. Don’t miss this inspiring look at a movement that proves heroism isn’t just in combat — it’s in connection.CONNECT & SUPPORT:Tech for Troops: https://techfortroops.org/Website: https://saluteofvirginia.org/Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/giveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/Nominate a veteran to be interviewed: [email protected] this episode moved you, please leave a rating and review — it helps other listeners find these stories.CREDITS:Hosted by John Fairbanks and Zach HaleA production of SALUTE of Virginia (501(c)(3))

In this episode of Veteran Story Hour, we talk with Banita Teixeira, a United States Navy veteran who served from 1998–2007 during one of the most transformative periods in modern military history.Banita shares stories from -Joining the Navy at 18Serving aboard the USS KearsargeLife in naval aviation squadronsThe impact of 9/11 on military operationsLeadership as a noncommissioned officerNavigating military life as a motherThe challenges of spouse co-location and deploymentsShe also reflects on the difficult decision to leave the Navy to prioritize raising her daughters — and what it means today to watch one of them serve in the United States Marine Corps.This episode dives deep into military life, resilience, faith, leadership, and the legacy of service passed between generations.CONNECT & SUPPORT:Website: https://saluteofvirginia.org/Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/giveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/Nominate a veteran to be interviewed: [email protected] this episode moved you, please leave a rating and review — it helps other listeners find these stories.CREDITS:Hosted by John Fairbanks and Zach HaleA production of SALUTE of Virginia (501(c)(3))

Wanda Vest Hulse: "Just Because I Did a Drafting Class" | Army VeteranShe joined the Army because she scored high in mechanical and hated school. A recruiter pointed her toward Illustrator — MOS 81 Echo — and what followed is the single most fun military career we have ever recorded on this show.In this episode, Wanda shares the full arc — from a high school drafting class at Valley Career and Technical Center, to drawing Cold War war plans by hand with top secret clearance in the Netherlands, to pitching on an all-male Army softball team called the Beef Blood Brothers Plus One, to driving the General's Mercedes across Germany during Reforger exercises. Every door opened into something better. And when the military was done, all of it funneled into what she does now: teaching ninth graders how to build, break, and create in her technology and engineering classes at Waynesboro High School.KEY MOMENTS:- MOS 81 Echo: Army Illustrator — "The recruiter said it was close enough to engineering"- Holdover barracks in basic training — "They did my duty for me. I just showed up to formation."- Top secret clearance and Site R at Fort Ritchie, Maryland- Drawing Cold War contingency war plans by hand in the Netherlands- Pitching on the all-male softball team: the Beef Blood Brothers Plus One- Being the first Black person some Germans in a rural village had ever met- The engineering career, the four-year degree, and arguing with engineers who underestimated her- Landing the teaching job at Waynesboro High School — "They called me over a name and address"ABOUT OUR GUEST:Wanda Diane Vest Hulse served in the United States Army in the 1980s as an Illustrator (MOS 81 Echo), later reclassified as Graphic Documentation Specialist. She completed basic training at Fort Jackson, trained at Lowry Air Force Base, and was stationed at Fort Ritchie, Maryland (where she held top secret clearance and worked with Site R) and in Maastricht, the Netherlands, where she served with the Allied Reserve Corps of Four. She participated in Reforger 87 exercises across Germany. After service, Wanda earned an associate degree from Blue Ridge Community College and a bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering Design and Technology from Old Dominion University. She currently teaches technology and engineering at Waynesboro High School, where she is beloved by students and colleagues alike.WATCH THE FULL VIDEO:YouTube: https://youtu.be/uh6hob5Jh2ICONNECT & SUPPORT:Website: https://saluteofvirginia.org/Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/giveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/Nominate a veteran to be interviewed: [email protected] this episode moved you, please leave a rating and review — it helps other listeners find these stories.CREDITS:Hosted by John Fairbanks and Zach HaleA production of SALUTE of Virginia (501(c)(3))

What if supporting veterans was less about words and more about meaningful action? At a time when many organizations spend heavily on marketing and salaries, one grassroots effort proves every dollar goes directly to those who need it most—no admin fees, no middlemen, just pure impact.In this special episode recorded live at Virginia’s Foundry during the annual Salute Christmas Benefit, you'll discover how community, tradition, and relentless passion come together to support our heroes. From a veteran-led hunting retreat in West Virginia to innovative wellness programs at James Madison University, these stories reveal a powerful truth: when people unite around shared purpose, real change happens.You'll hear from Jason Cotton, a 27-year Army veteran, who turned a simple idea into an annual bonding experience that builds brotherhood and sustains spirits. Empowerment 3 students and staff share how they’re creating accessible mental health support and mentorship programs that are free for veterans—because true support is about action, not just words.And it’s not just about the big, organized events. This episode captures the raw, emotional moments of veterans sharing stories of sacrifice, survival, and survival skills like processing their own meat—passing down traditions that sustain both body and soul. These grassroots efforts are shaping the future by remembering our roots, embracing the old ways, and blending them with new technologies and strategies for the next generation.Why does this matter? Because with society’s focus on digital innovation, these timeless skills and community bonds provide a vital balance—something AI or social media can’t replace. This episode challenges you to look beyond surface support, to see the real power of local action and volunteer-driven initiatives that respect our veterans’ sacrifices and help them thrive.Whether you're a veteran, a supporter, or someone who believes in community-led change, this episode will inspire you to act. It’s about knowing that your involvement—big or small—can make a difference that lasts generations.Join us to celebrate stories of resilience, brotherhood, and the transformative impact of giving back—because these are the veteran stories that truly matter.Perfect for supporters, veterans, and community-minded listeners ready to see real impact. Hit play and be part of something bigger.---🔗 Links & ResourcesSALUTE of Virginia – Veteran-led nonprofit supporting veterans across Virginia🌐 https://saluteofvirginia.org📱 Instagram / Facebook: @saluteofvirginiaThe Foundry at Basic City Beer Co. – Live recording location for the SALUTE Christmas Benefit📍 Waynesboro, VA🌐 https://basiccitybeer.comEmpowerment³ (James Madison University) – Free wellness, mentorship & suicide-prevention programs for veterans🎓 James Madison University📧 Contact: [email protected]🌐 https://www.jmu.edu/empowerment3/Veterans Hunting Retreat (SALUTE of Virginia) – Annual retreat focused on connection & community🏔 Hosted at Lodestar Mountain Inn, West Virginia🌐 https://lodestarmountaininn.com---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

This Drill Sergeant Quit Drinking, Smoked since he was 10, and Once Led 60 Soldiers to a Football Game… Alone.”Meet Ricky Fiscus: former Cold War soldier, reluctant drill sergeant, Girl Scout leader (yep, really), and certified badass. In this episode, Ricky recounts how a few stray bullets from his side hustle as a drug mule’s driver rerouted him straight into the Army—where he’d end up yelling at recruits, dodging Russian shepherds on border patrol, and inventing the left-handed M16 brass deflector (no, seriously).There’s heartache. There’s hilarity. There’s a guy locked in an office because the MPs kept dragging him back. There’s a Girl Scout troop full of daughters from mothers who didn’t want to lead—and Ricky saying, “Fine, I’ll do it.”From lighting cigarettes at 10 to quitting drinking cold turkey after a heart attack, Ricky’s story isn’t just a veteran’s tale—it’s a survival guide told with gravel, grit, and the kind of wisdom you can’t get from a manual.It’s Veteran Story Hour with Ricky. Enjoy.---Resources & Info:→ Learn more about SALUTE of Virginia: https://saluteofvirginia.org/→ Contact: [email protected] | Find flyers and schedules at the Salute building---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Alec Gunn thought he was joining the Army to be GI Joe. God had other plans.From combat medic to counselor, from military school to ministry, Alec’s path has been anything but straight. But every detour came with a purpose — even the one that stopped him in his tracks: a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis in 2019.In this conversation, Alec opens up about the diagnosis that shook his world — and the faith that steadied him through it. We talk about how God used every uniform Alec wore to prepare him for his true calling, why he kept showing up even through chemo, and his ongoing need for a living donor.This is a story about:The call to serve — even when it hurtsThe quiet courage to ask for helpThe difference between counseling with advice… and counseling with truthAnd how Alec came to believe that God’s plan never wastes painIf you’ve ever wondered why your life took the turn it did — or how you’re supposed to keep going when you’re worn out and worn down — this is the episode for you.---Resources & Info:→ Work directly with Alec: Speaking Life→ Contact: [email protected] | Find flyers and schedules at the Salute building---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

In this episode, we sit down with Army veteran and former wildland firefighter Jordan, whose story bridges combat, trauma, soil science, and community. After serving with the 173rd Airborne and deploying to Afghanistan, Jordan pursued forestry, hotshot wildfire crews, and helicopter rappel operations — a career path that collided hard with PTSD triggers tied to smoke, radios, and even sleeping bags. His mental health journey ultimately pushed him to redefine what resilience looks like.And that’s where gardening comes in.Jordan’s passion for soil, native plants, and regenerative growing became more than a hobby — it became a lifeline. Now back in the Shenandoah Valley, he’s building Veterans Garden of Augusta, a community-first initiative designed to give veterans accessible garden plots, horticulture-based healing, education, and a place to belong. In just one week, his idea sparked a chain of “green lights”: mentors, land offers, local org support, master gardeners, apple trees, and more.We talk about:navigating PTSD triggers and career transitionthe science of soil and why gardening became his therapythe lack of veteran-friendly growing spaces in Augusta Countyhis plan for wheelchair-accessible beds, PTSD-conscious design, and “stew gardens”how SALUTE of Virginia is partnering with him to launch VGA under fiscal sponsorshipthe role of community, kids, and finding purpose againThis episode captures the exact moment a veteran’s new mission is born — equal parts messy, hopeful, funny, raw, and deeply inspiring.---Resources & Info:→ ⁠Veterans Garden of Augusta Co.→ Contact: [email protected] | Find flyers and schedules at the Salute building---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Emerson Pell: 100 Years of Service, Sacrifice, and FaithIn this profoundly moving episode of Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, we sit down in the home of Emerson Pell, a Navy veteran of World War II who is just months away from his 101st birthday. Emerson shares stories that span a century — from growing up without electricity in rural West Virginia, to enlisting in the Navy at 17, to surviving a seaplane crash in the waters near the Panama Canal, to witnessing sharks circling the wreck in the dark hours of the night. He takes us into the world of early radar technology, aerial gunnery, and life aboard seaplanes during the war — and he reminds us what courage looked like at 17 when America needed him most. But this story is also about today. Emerson opens up about the fears he had when hospice was first mentioned, the comfort he’s found in the care provided by Augusta Health, and the people whose compassion he says “saved his life.” With humor, honesty, and the wisdom of 100 years, Emerson talks about family, faith, love, loss, and what it means to live a good life — and why veterans must know the resources available to them before it’s too late.Recorded with his children, caregivers, and hospice team nearby, this is one of the most intimate and important conversations we’ve ever captured.A living century of American history — in one man’s voice.Resources & Info:→ ⁠Hospice of the Shenandoah: The amazing team that care for Emerson, Hospice of the Shenandoah takes a team-based approach to ensuring the patient is comfortable, supported in body and spirit, and treated with dignity. → ⁠SALUTE of Virginia: Supporting veterans, building community, providing resources, connections, and support across Virginia→ Contact: Get in contact with SALUTE of Virginia at [email protected] | Find flyers and schedules at the Salute building in Waynesboro---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Steven Wheelbarger grew up in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Marines called his family landline in 1990 — and by the following week, he was swearing in at MEPs. What followed was a 20-plus year career that stretched across continents, combat zones, and decades of change.In this conversation, Steven walks us through that journey — from being a 19-year-old combat engineer landing in Saudi Arabia just before the Gulf War, to working with multinational forces in Thailand, to returning again and again to Iraq to help rebuild what war had broken. He talks candidly about minefields in Guantanamo, the friendships that come from shared hardship, and the kind of leadership that believes “Marines didn’t join to sit in the barracks.”But it’s what Steven has done since active duty that may leave the biggest impression. After facing his own battles with PTSD and depression, Steven now leads peer support groups across the Shenandoah Valley through Salute — creating space for veterans to find connection, share truth, and heal.This episode is about more than service. It’s about the long road home, the friends you lose, and the ones you find. And it’s about choosing, every week, to show up for the next person in line.Resources & Info:→ Salute Veteran Support Network→ Peer group locations: Broadway, Harrisonburg, Fishersville, Lexington, and more→ Contact: [email protected] | Find flyers and schedules at the Salute building---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

In a world that often forgets the labor it took to build it, this is the story of a man who never did.At 18, Rob Beaton stared at a Navy recruiting sign from a traffic light in the searing Texas heat. Thirty-five years later, he retired as a Navy Commander with a pension, a family intact, and a lifetime of lessons shaped by swabbing decks, late-night watches, and decisions that pulled him across oceans and into the lives of thousands of sailors.This week, Veteran Story Hour steps outside the arena and into the barracks, exploring what it means to build something lasting—out of sweat, out of mistakes, out of pure endurance. The episode chronicles the journey from small-town Iowa to Okinawa, Cuba, Corpus Christi, and finally, Waynesboro, Virginia, where service hasn’t stopped—it’s only changed uniforms.This is an intimate conversation about mentorship, failure, leadership, and why the American Legion still matters—not just as a place for old war stories, but as a living, breathing part of a community trying to reconnect across generations.If you've ever wondered what it costs to serve—and what it gives back—this one’s for you.CONNECT WITH AMERICAN LEGION POST 340:🌐 https://www.legionpost340.org/📖 https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost340Virginia📧 [email protected] & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Deborah Grassman spent 30 years as a VA hospice nurse practitioner, sitting at the bedside of over 10,000 dying veterans. And what she witnessed changed everything we think we know about trauma, healing, and what veterans actually need from us.This isn't a comfortable conversation.It's not supposed to be.Deborah identified something she calls Soul Injury—a wound beyond PTSD, beyond moral injury—that separates people from their true selves. It's caused by unmourned loss, unforgiven guilt, and the fear of helplessness that gets buried so deep, it sabotages lives for decades.In this episode, Deborah breaks down:Why most veteran "thank yous" miss the mark completelyThe untold stories that get carried to the graveHow the Fallen Comrade Ceremony she pioneered creates space for healing ⁠Who We Are - Opus Peace⁠What dying veterans taught her about living fullyWhy stoicism becomes a prison instead of a doorThis episode will challenge how you think about service, sacrifice, and what it truly means to honor those who served.Because healing our nation after war? That's on ALL of us.CONNECT WITH DEBORAH GRASSMAN & OPUS PEACE:🌐 Opus Peace: ⁠https://opuspeace.org⁠📖 Soul Injury Resources: ⁠https://soulinjury.org⁠READ DEBORAH'S BOOKS:📚 Peace at Last: Stories of Hope and Healing for Veterans and Their FamiliesAmazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Peace-Last-Stories-Veterans-Families/dp/0918339723⁠Opus Peace Store: ⁠https://opuspeace.org/Shop/Peace-at-Last⁠📚 The Hero Within: Redeeming the Destiny We Were Born to FulfillAmazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Hero-Within-Deborah-Grassman/dp/0918339766⁠---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

It is time for co-host, Zach Hale, to tell his story. In this episode of Veteran Story Hour, Zach shares his journey from rural Virginia to EOD training, through the long nights of medical work, and into the heart of a marriage that taught him what strength really means.This is a story about growing up twice — once in uniform, and once in love. About the weight of duty, the quiet battles no one sees, and the woman who helped him rediscover what it means to feel.For every veteran, spouse, or listener who’s ever had to start over — this conversation reminds us: the mission might end, but the purpose doesn’t.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

On this special spotlight episode of Veteran Story Hour, we sit down with Kara from Dynamic Aviation — a Shenandoah Valley company doing extraordinary work behind the scenes of national and global crises.From spraying vaccine-laced bait across forests to combat rabies, to helping contain the screw worm crisis threatening U.S. livestock, Dynamic Aviation modifies aircraft to serve communities in crisis. But the mission doesn’t stop in the air. Kara discusses their efforts on the ground — supporting veterans through job transitions, hosting internship programs for local high schoolers, and creating meaningful career pathways that don’t require a college degree.We also get a behind-the-scenes look at their annual Halloween-themed golf tournament, benefiting Salute of Virginia.This is an episode about innovation, service, and showing up for others — and what it means when a company chooses impact over publicity.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

On September 11, 2001, America changed. For Chris Spence, it wasn't a distant tragedy—it was a call to action. MSG Spence recounts the earliest days of the U.S. response in Afghanistan, where he carried a piece of the towers with him into war. From horseback missions with General Dostum to satellite comms improvisation on hostile hillsides, Spence brings us inside the uncertainty, improvisation, and moral weight of modern warfare in Afghanistan.MSG Spence is responsible for one of the most iconic photos of the war during this time of the Horse Soldiers. Donald Rumsfeld held this image up during his speech at Fort Bragg, Doug Stanton wrote the book Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan, adapted to the movie 12 Strong by Jerry Bruckheimer, and then influenced the 'America's Response Monument' (Horse Soldier Statue) overlooking the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.But this isn’t just a war story. It’s a reflection on what happens when a nation forgets its promises—to its allies, to its own soldiers, and to the civilians who believed. As the war collapsed two decades later, Spence watched history repeat itself. This episode is not only a firsthand account—it’s a meditation on consequence.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Jim Belcher Jr. joins us to unravel the quiet heroism and generational trauma of a family shaped by both sides of World War II. His father survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the greatest naval disaster in U.S. history. His mother, a Japanese civilian, spent her youth dodging American bombs, caring for siblings in air raid shelters, and surviving the fire that consumed her childhood schools. Their marriage—an improbable union of enemy nations—became the foundation of Jim’s worldview, and his mission.Drawing from decades of speaking across the country, Belcher delivers more than memory—he delivers context. With the clarity of a historian and the vulnerability of a son, he reflects on the silence that followed service, the propaganda that shaped both nations, and the ways in which America’s wars have grown longer and less defined.From the PTSD that went untreated in his father’s generation to the modern soldier burdened by rules of engagement written by politicians, Belcher’s insight is unflinching. So too is his call to action: to teach students not just what happened, but why it matters now.This is not a celebration of war, nor a condemnation—it is an honest reckoning with how nations remember, and how families carry the weight of what history leaves behind.A powerful listen for veterans, educators, and citizens who still believe memory should serve a purpose.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Jim Wood has been a soldier, a rock drummer, a nightclub boss, a gun instructor, and now a city councilman in Waynesboro. He’s opened for Kiss, swapped stories with Pantera, and earned the call sign “Doom” in Iraq.But the story everybody remembers? The night he accidentally sang “I Touch Myself” over the comms while laying down fire from a .50 cal.This week on Veteran Story Hour: Voice of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, Jim takes us from the hollers of Southwest Virginia to the chaos of Iraq, from CBGB’s in New York to city politics in the Valley. It’s hilarious, raw, and at its core — a story about service, identity, and the bonds that last a lifetime.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

In this episode, we sit down with Saul Herrera — a West Point graduate, former Army aviation commander, and current global director with the nonprofit Exodus Road. What unfolds is a decades-spanning narrative of discipline, danger, and duty — from flying Blackhawks in Bosnia and near-misses over the Afghan horizon to leading covert counter-human trafficking operations across Latin America.Herrera's story is one of contrasts — the son of Mexican immigrants navigating dual cultural identities in 1980s California; the twin who followed a chance encounter with a colonel into a career at one of the world’s most elite military academies; the veteran whose final missions weren’t in combat zones, but in brothels, posing as a buyer to rescue trafficked minors.In a time where global instability often steals headlines, this conversation reminds us that true leadership may begin with listening — to teachers, to instincts, and to the call of something greater than oneself.---Over 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery right now. But they’re not statistics – they’re human beings with names, dreams, and stories that matter.Learn more about The Exodus Road and its mission: https://theexodusroad.com/---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

William Cunningham didn’t take the typical route to becoming an Army officer — unless you count flaming out at West Point, skipping Harvard, and getting commissioned via ROTC after a whole lot of bureaucratic whiplash. In this episode of Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, presented by SALUTE of Virginia, Will takes us through the ups, downs, and full-on faceplants of navigating the military system when you're smart enough to see its flaws but still stubborn enough to stay in. He’s honest. He’s funny. And he’s the first to admit that sometimes the things that feel like failure are just the start of a better story.We cover bad leadership, unexpected mentors, a few shout-outs to Hennessy, and the moment Will gave back his West Point ring — and everything it represented. It’s a story about rebuilding purpose, letting go of shame, and redefining what it means to serve with integrity.If you’ve ever questioned the system, your worth, or what comes next — this episode is for you.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Born as the twelfth child in a family left fatherless, Fidel Ramirez grew up in the alleys and asphalt of inner-city Cleveland, where survival was the only curriculum. Before he turned sixteen, he'd witnessed death, joined gangs, run paper routes, and been locked up — but he never stopped trying to find a way out.In this gripping conversation, Ramirez walks us through a life shaped by circumstance, shadowed by trauma, and redeemed by a relentless spirit. From juvenile detention to an honor camp in Ohio, from the jungles of Vietnam to a face-off with the FBI, his story isn’t just about war or crime or punishment — it’s about resilience, hard-earned wisdom, and a second chance that came not from luck, but from grit.This episode captures the voice of a man who once considered robbing a bank — and instead walked into a legal aid office and began a seven-year fight to reclaim his name and benefits. It’s a story about justice. About America. And about what it really takes to change a life.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

As a soldier in the Virginia Army National Guard, Bryan and his team cleared obstacles, swept for IEDs, and set up barriers behind moving convoys, making sure the road stayed safe for the next mission. Not ahead of the danger — in it. Right where the risk hides in plain sight.But this isn’t just a war story. It’s a brotherhood story. Because Bryan deployed with people he knew — friends from back home, guys he’d grown up with, and coached with. That kind of bond doesn’t happen in basic training. It happens when your war is local — and your team feels like family.He tells it all with humor, humility, and the kind of honesty that sneaks up on you. Including the injury that ended his career and sent him home with an honorable discharge — and a whole lot of questions about what comes next when the uniform’s gone but the mission isn’t.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Mark Baldwin’s path to the Marine Corps did not begin with a speech about service or a flag waving in the breeze. It began with a friend offering free lunch and a recruiter willing to bend the rules. He didn’t have a diploma, didn’t have much direction, but what he did have was an instinct for survival — something honed in childhood and hardened in uniform.In this unflinching episode of Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, presented by SALUTE of Virginia, Baldwin recounts a life forged in movement and disruption: 13 schools, a prison sentence for his father, no graduation cap, no roadmap. The Marine Corps took him in anyway. And in that institutional embrace — imperfect, demanding, deeply consequential — Baldwin found both belonging and burden.Over 21 years, he moved from scrubbing floors to overseeing critical personnel operations. He deployed to Iraq during some of the war’s bloodiest stretches, managing detainee transport, watching wounded Marines carried in from the desert, giving his blood as others gave their limbs. He stayed in the background, but he saw everything.What emerges here is not a tale of battlefield glory, but something quieter and more enduring: how men grow in the shadows, how empathy is born from hardship, and how parenting — the most personal of all legacies — becomes a second chance at writing history.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Across America, there are people who see a gap and decide to fill it. Leah Hale is one of them.In this episode of Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, presented by SALUTE of Virginia, we step into the story of a woman who — without military rank or résumé — earned the trust of a skeptical, tight-knit community of veterans through something more powerful than orders: action. From a three-person brunch in a small apartment complex to a growing hub of resources, conversation, and connection in Waynesboro, SALUTE of Virginia was never about bureaucracy. It was about belonging.With candor and clarity, Leah shares how the absence of structure during her own family’s transition out of military life exposed a wider national problem: veterans and their families face not just the trauma of war, but the disorientation of peace. And they often face it alone. Through community-driven events, peer-led mental health initiatives, and a growing coalition of nonprofits and service providers, Leah’s vision for SALUTE has become a model of grassroots transformation.This is not just a story about what’s broken. It’s a story about what people can build when they decide enough is enough. It’s about coffee, connection, and the quiet dignity of service — not just in uniform, but long after.---Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heardEvery veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.

Full episodes being released 2x/month starting Memorial Day 2025Every veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation. Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come. Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.