Podcasts about veterans breakfast club

The World War II Story Share live Zoom event, hosted on July 9th by the Ray Harris Jr. of This History of WW2 Podcast and Tony Lupo and Ryan Fairfield of The Warrior Next Door Podcast, with special guest and moderator Shaun Hall of the Veterans Breakfast Club, provided an interactive platform for participants to honor the legacies of the war. The two-hour recorded program brought together members of their audience to share personal and family accounts of bravery, sacrifice, and wartime experiences, ensuring these historical narratives remain preserved. In addition to fostering community connection and historical remembrance among attendees, select stories shared during the live broadcast were earmarked for potential feature spots on future podcast episodes!Support the show

Six Marines raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945, became one of the most enduring images in American history. But what about the company behind the flag? Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a conversation with Marine veteran and author Billy Myers, who has spent years researching the remarkable story of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines—the unit whose men climbed Suribachi and whose members raised both the first and second flags over Iwo Jima. Myers' forthcoming book tells the story of Easy Company from its formation through the brutal battle for Iwo Jima and beyond. Drawing on letters, diaries, military records, and family accounts, he introduces the ordinary young Americans who became part of one of World War II's most iconic moments. If Band of Brothers told the story of Easy Company in Europe, Myers aims to tell the story of Easy Company in the Pacific. A Marine Corps veteran himself, Myers enlisted at seventeen and served four years before earning degrees from Northwestern State University and The Ohio State University. He later spent nearly three decades coaching football and baseball in Louisiana, bringing the same commitment to teamwork, leadership, and perseverance to his historical research. Our conversation will explore not only the famous flag raising but also the men whose lives have too often been overshadowed by a single photograph. We'll discuss the savage fighting on Iwo Jima, the bonds forged within Easy Company, the challenges of reconstructing its history eighty years later, and why these Marines still matter today. As always, we'll leave plenty of time for audience questions, comments, and stories. Veterans, family members, students, history lovers, and all who wish to learn are warmly welcome.

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a conversation with retired Army Colonel Frank Hancock, commander of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during Operation Desert Storm, about his remarkable new book, Operation Desert Storm: How Two Young Intelligence Analysts and an Infantry Battalion Changed the War in Iraq. At the heart of the book is an extraordinary story that has remained untold for more than three decades. Just 48 hours before the 101st Airborne launched the largest helicopter air assault in American military history, two young intelligence soldiers—Captain Jose Delgado and Sergeant Jesus Gonzalez—discovered a critical flaw in the division's battle plan that had escaped every higher headquarters. They identified an Iraqi bunker-and-trench complex directly in the landing zone of the lead assault company. Their discovery forced commanders to revise the plan at the last minute and may well have prevented a devastating disaster. That dramatic episode opens the door to a much larger story. Hancock takes us inside General Norman Schwarzkopf's bold “Hail Mary” offensive, which sent the 101st Airborne deep into Iraq to sever the Euphrates Valley in one of the most ambitious operational maneuvers undertaken by the U.S. military since the Inchon landing during the Korean War. He explains how the division planned and executed the largest helicopter air assault in U.S. history, what worked, what nearly went wrong, and why the operation became a defining moment in modern American warfare. Drawing on recollections from soldiers throughout the battalion—from privates to colonels—Hancock reconstructs the operation from every level of command. Along the way, he also explores a larger question: How did the U.S. Army recover from Vietnam? Desert Storm showcased an Army that had spent nearly two decades studying its failures, rebuilding its doctrine, embracing new technologies, and developing leaders capable of executing extraordinarily complex operations. The campaign's stunning success did not happen by accident—it was the product of lessons painfully learned after Vietnam. As always, we'll leave plenty of time for audience questions, comments, and stories. Veterans, family members, and all who wish to learn are warmly welcome.

Join Glenn Flickinger and the Veterans Breakfast Club for a live conversation with author Gregg Jones about his acclaimed book, Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero's Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II. Jones tells the remarkable story of Ben Kuroki, a Japanese American farm boy from Nebraska who became one of World War II's most extraordinary airmen. At a time when more than 100,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated in the United States, Kuroki fought for his country in the skies over Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific, completing 58 combat missions and becoming a powerful voice against prejudice and hate. This program explores Kuroki's wartime service, his fight to prove his loyalty, and the larger story of Japanese American patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience during World War II. Gregg Jones brings new attention to a forgotten American hero whose life challenges us to think deeply about courage, citizenship, racism, and what it means to serve. #BenKuroki #WWII #VeteransBreakfastClub

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation about the military experience, past and present. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Shaun Hall at shaun@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued. Whether you have something to share or simply want to listen and learn, we welcome you to be part of the conversation!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a special VBC LIVE program on Monday, June 22 at 7pm ET exploring the history and human experience of the Berlin Airlift—one of the defining moments of the early Cold War. In June 1948, the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin, cutting off food, fuel, and supplies to more than two million civilians. Rather than abandon the city or risk war, the United States and its allies launched a massive airlift—flying around the clock to keep Berlin alive. For nearly a year, aircraft landed every few minutes, delivering coal, food, and hope to a city under siege. This program brings together those who lived this history—and those working to preserve it. We're honored to welcome Bibi LeBlanc, a native of West Berlin and founder of Voices of the Berlin Airlift, an oral history project gathering memories from Berliners, veterans, and families connected to the Airlift. Bibi is racing to capture these stories while firsthand voices are still with us—and invites others to contribute. We'll also hear from Dagmar Weiss Snodgrass, a Berlin child who lived through the Airlift and paid tribute to famed Airlift pilot Gail Halvorsen, Uncle Wiggly Wings: My Love and Admiration for Berlin's Candy Bomber. Also joining us is Ralph Dionne, who served at Rhein-Main Air Base in 1948 as both an aircraft mechanic and later a flight engineer on C-54 transport aircraft. Ralph completed 74 missions into Berlin and logged 300 flight hours, offering a rare, firsthand view of the precision and discipline required to sustain the Airlift from both the ground and the cockpit. Joining them is Denise Halvorsen Williams, daughter of Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen—the “Candy Bomber” whose small parachutes of sweets brought joy to Berlin's children. Through her work with the Candy Bomber Foundation, Denise carries forward a legacy of compassion that reminds us how small acts can resonate across generations. We also invite anyone with personal or family connections to the Berlin Airlift—pilots, ground crew, Berlin civilians, or descendants—to join the conversation and share their stories. #BerlinAirlift #ColdWarHistory #VeteransStories #OralHistory #CandyBomber #BerlinHistory #USAirForceHistory #MilitaryHistory #WWIIAftermath #VBC #VeteransBreakfastClub

Join us for a remarkable story of survival, courage, chance, and resilience as Doug Cervi shares the life of Holocaust survivor David Wisnia (1926–2021), whose experiences spanned some of the darkest and most consequential events of the twentieth century. Born into a Jewish family in Warsaw, Poland, David was a gifted singer whose voice would help save his life after he was deported to Auschwitz at age sixteen. There, amid unimaginable brutality, he survived by performing for Nazi guards and fellow prisoners. He endured the horrors of Auschwitz, a death march across Europe, and a daring escape before being liberated by soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division. Remarkably, the teenager who emerged from the camps went on to serve as an interpreter with the American Army as it advanced into Germany. Years later, David built a new life in the United States, becoming a cantor, educator, and tireless witness to history. His story gained international attention through the memoir One Voice, Two Lives, which recounts both his wartime experiences and a long-hidden chapter of love and survival in Auschwitz. Doug Cervi, who worked closely with David on preserving and sharing his story, returns to the Veterans Breakfast Club to recount David's extraordinary journey and reflect on the responsibility of keeping eyewitness history alive after the witnesses themselves are gone. This program offers a powerful firsthand window into the Holocaust, liberation, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club on Thursday, June 4 at 7:00pm ET for a special livestream conversation with historian Nicholas Evan Sarantakes about his acclaimed new book The Battle of Manila: Poisoned Victory in the Pacific War. In February 1945, American and Japanese forces fought one of the most brutal urban battles of World War II: the month-long struggle for Manila. Often overshadowed by Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the Battle of Manila became the third-bloodiest city battle of the war, leaving much of the Philippine capital destroyed and more than 100,000 Filipino civilians dead. Sarantakes' groundbreaking book examines the campaign from American, Japanese, and Filipino perspectives, revealing the chaos of house-to-house fighting, the role of Filipino guerrillas, and the devastating human cost of liberation. Nicholas Evan Sarantakes is a professor at the U.S. Naval War College and an award-winning historian whose work explores the Pacific War, military strategy, and American foreign policy. His new study sheds light on a pivotal but often overlooked campaign that helped determine the final outcome of World War II in the Pacific. #BattleOfManila #WWII #WorldWarII #PacificWar #Philippines #MilitaryHistory #USArmy #DouglasMacArthur #NicholasSarantakes #VeteransBreakfastClub #WW2History #HistoryLivestream #Manila1945 #PacificTheater #WWIIHistory

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a special Memorial Day virtual event on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 7:00pm ET. This live, online conversation invites veterans, families, and friends to gather in an open, heartfelt space to honor and remember those who have fallen in service to our nation. The event will take place on Zoom and will also be streamed live to Facebook and YouTube. Join us on Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6402618738 We especially welcome the family of Capt. William Boyd Graves, a Wyoming soldier killed in Vietnam whose voice has unexpectedly returned nearly 50 years later. After decades of silence, Graves' family recently discovered a series of audio tapes he recorded during the Vietnam War—an extraordinary time capsule of humor, fear, longing, and daily life from a young American officer serving far from home. The discovery became the subject of a widely read article, “Voice From Vietnam: Nearly 50 Years After Wyoming Man Died, Family Discovers Tapes.” Joining us live will be Graves' sister Linda Fabian and other members of the Graves family, who will share memories of William, reflect on hearing his voice again after all these years, and discuss what the tapes have meant to their family. During the program, we will also play selections from the recordings themselves, allowing audiences to hear Capt. Graves in his own words. This special Memorial Day conversation is about remembrance, family, loss, and the enduring humanity behind military service. It's also a rare opportunity to encounter the Vietnam War not through history books, but through the preserved voice of one man who lived it. The Veterans Breakfast Club creates communities of listening where veterans, families, historians, and the public come together to share stories and preserve personal history. Our programs are informal, conversational, and open to all. #MemorialDay #VietnamWar #Veterans #WilliamBoydGraves #VietnamVeteran #MilitaryHistory #POWMIA #VeteransStories #OralHistory #USArmy #Vietnam #MemorialDay2026 #VeteransBreakfastClub Often remembered as the calm, steady “GI's General” of World War II, General Omar Bradley commanded more American soldiers in combat than any other officer in U.S. history. Yet compared to Eisenhower, Patton, and MacArthur, Bradley remains a surprisingly enigmatic figure. Was he the humble soldiers' general of popular memory? A cautious strategist? A political insider? Or something more complicated? Join Greatest Generation LIVE for a fascinating conversation with military historian Dr. David W. Hogan, Jr., former Director of Histories at the U.S. Army Center of Military History and one of the nation's leading experts on Bradley. Hogan has spent decades researching the U.S. Army in World War II and is currently completing a major biography of Bradley, Omar Nelson Bradley: The GI's General. Drawing on years of archival research, Hogan will explore Bradley's rise from small-town Missouri to the highest ranks of the American military, his relationships with Eisenhower and Patton, his command during Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, and his postwar role as the nation's first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the early Cold War. This program will examine not only Bradley the general, but Bradley the man — modest, disciplined, intensely loyal, and still debated by historians today. #OmarBradley #WWII #GreatestGeneration #MilitaryHistory #WorldWarII #Dday #BattleOfTheBulge #USArmy #Veterans #History #Patton #Eisenhower #KoreanWar #VBC #VeteransBreakfastClub

Join VBC LIVE on Thursday, May 7 at 7PM (ET) for a conversation with World War II Marine veteran Neal McCallum, who fought in the Battle of Okinawa 81 years ago. At just 18 years old, McCallum landed on Okinawa with Fox Company, 29th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division, part of the massive U.S. invasion force that stormed the island on Easter Sunday April 1, 1945y. He served as an infantryman in a mortar section and fought through some of the fiercest combat of the war, including the deadly struggle for Sugar Loaf Hill, where Marines suffered staggering losses. On May 19, 1945, McCallum was seriously wounded by enemy fire, just one day after his close friend was killed in action. The Battle of Okinawa was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater and one of the bloodiest. The battle raged over 82 days. Whenit was over, more 12,000 Americans were dead and another 37,000 wounded. Japanese casualties were many times that number. And, perhaps most tragic, 100,000–200,000 Okinawan civilians were dead. Fought across ridges, caves, and fortified positions, Okinawa became a war of attrition with kamikaze attacks. The scale of the destruction gave a U.S. forces a yardstick for estimating the cost of invading mainland Japan. Battle of Okinawa, World War II Pacific, US Marines WWII, Okinawa 1945, Neal McCallum, WWII veteran interview, Sugar Loaf Hill, Pacific War history, VBC Live, Veterans Breakfast Club, WWII stories, military history livestream #WWII #BattleOfOkinawa #USMarines #VeteransStories #MilitaryHistory #VBC #PacificWar #Okinawa #WW2Veteran #HistoryLive

[00:00 - 01:10] Introduction and Welcome Hosts Shaun, Todd, and Glenn welcome viewers. Overview of the Veterans Breakfast Club mission: creating communities of listening around veterans and their stories. Invitation to join live Zoom sessions and watch on Facebook or YouTube. [01:10 - 06:40] Upcoming Events and Programs Announcement of Thursday night's "Greatest Generation Live" focusing on World War II and the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa. Introduction of two Okinawa veterans guests: Neil Mallalum (99 years old) and James Wheeler (104 years old). Discussion of their service, experiences, and upcoming program details. Mention of in-person breakfasts and the BBC magazine distribution. [06:40 - 34:00] Why Veterans Wear Black Caps - Open Discussion Jim Roberts poses the question: Why do veterans wear black caps? (Jim shares his personal experience and reflections on wearing his Vietnam unit hat.) Discussion about the symbolism of hats for veterans as identifiers and conversation starters. Mixed feelings about public reactions to hats and "Thank you for your service" comments. Ben Dawson (Air Force veteran) talks about pride and connection through hats. Baltimore Ben shares his evolving attitude toward wearing veteran hats and public recognition. Chris Perolo discusses the military tradition of headgear and its role in identity. John Per shares his pride in his Army Security Agency hat and its role in connecting with fellow veterans. Patrick Hughes talks about his separate brigade service and pride in his hat. Ron comments on the professional look and versatility of black hats. Al Smith shares mixed feelings about wearing hats and recognition. Rick Weber tells the story of the "Lobcocks" nickname and its significance. Mark Spearigio discusses his late adoption of wearing hats due to Vietnam War reception and the healing aspect of acknowledgment. Sue Watson shares her father's Marine Corps hats and the significance of the Eoima survivor hat. Discussion about family members wearing veteran hats or apparel. Civilians working with veterans share their experiences with public recognition. John Terry and others discuss the importance of hats as conversation starters and symbols of pride. [34:00 - 55:50] Special Guest: Bill Peters and Army Security Agency Story Bill Peters joins to share a story about a photo of Army Security Agency veterans in Vietnam. Description of the photo location (Dong Ba Thin near Cameron Bay) and unit activities. Discussion about the casual dress in the photo and life in Vietnam. Bill shares his homecoming experience and current involvement with military honor guards. Plans for an upcoming Army Security Agency anniversary program. [55:50 - 01:17:40] Anniversary of the Kent State Shooting - Historical Context and Veteran Memories Greg Yoast provides a detailed history of the Kent State shooting on May 4, 1970. Explanation of the political and social climate leading to the incident, including Nixon's Cambodia incursion. Todd and veterans share personal memories and reflections on the event. Don Nemch recalls the impact and significance of Kent State and related protests. Ben Dawson and others discuss the National Guard's role and the atmosphere on campuses. John Terry shares his experience as a ROC instructor during ongoing protests. Bill Rios shares his story as a two-war veteran and Vietnam War protester, including his draft experience and later service in the National Guard during the Gulf War. Discussion about the complexity and divisiveness of the Kent State incident and its lasting impact on veterans and the nation. [01:17:40 - End] Closing Remarks and Upcoming Programs Thanks to participants and viewers. Reminder to join the upcoming Battle of Okinawa program. Encouragement to support the Veterans Breakfast Club through membership and participation. This breakdown captures the main topics and flow of the conversation, providing viewers with a clear guide to the video content.

What happens between the battlefield and home? Aeromedical, an Emmy Award–winning documentary by Rebecca Abbott and Tim Malloy, takes you inside U.S. Air Force aeromedical evacuation missions that move wounded service members from combat zones to advanced care—often within hours, and sometimes back to the United States within days. Filmed in Afghanistan, Germany, and the U.S., the documentary captures a life-saving system nearly a century in the making, from its beginnings in 1918 to today's flying intensive care units aboard C-17, C-130, and KC-135 aircraft. The result is a survival rate approaching 98%. More than a story of combat, Aeromedical reveals the skill, urgency, and quiet dedication of the doctors, nurses, technicians, and aircrews—many from the National Guard and Reserve—who keep the wounded alive in the air. Following the 28-minute film, join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a live conversation and Q&A with the filmmakers and aeromedical crew members. This VBC LIVE program offers a different view of war—not the fight itself, but the effort to bring people home. #Aeromedical #USAirForce #Medevac #MilitaryMedicine #Veterans #DocumentaryFilm #VBC #VeteransBreakfastClub #Landstuhl #Ramstein #C17 #C130 #KC135 #WarStories #MilitaryHistory #NationalGuard #Reserves #AfghanistanWar

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation about the military experience, past and present. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Shaun Hall at shaun@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued. This event is free and open to all. To join the conversation live on Zoom, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6402618738. Or tune in on Facebook or YouTube at 7:00pm ET. Whether you have something to share or simply want to listen and learn, we welcome you to be part of the conversation!

We welcome Army intelligence veteran Bethany Redmond to share her story. She didn't grow up aiming for the military. She was a language and humanities student from Los Alamos, New Mexico — not the stereotypical path into national security — until an Army recruiter's call at the end of high school nudged her into service. From there she found herself in Army intelligence, where listening, pattern recognition, and human judgment mattered more than guns or glory. After her military service, Bethany continued on a path that few Americans ever see up close: counterintelligence. She worked protecting critical research and personnel at Los Alamos National Laboratory, one of the nation's premier science and national security institutions. Today she is a leader in protective intelligence, helping organizations understand how ordinary activities — travel, publication histories, personnel movements — can create vulnerabilities exploited by foreign actors and insider threats. In this Veterans Breakfast Club conversation we'll explore the real work behind national security “behind the scenes,” what counterintelligence looks like in the 21st century, and how the habits veterans learn in uniform translate to protecting the nation in new arenas.

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation about the military experience, past and present. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Shaun Hall at shaun@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued. This event is free and open to all. To join the conversation live on Zoom, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6402618738. Or tune in on Facebook or YouTube at 7:00pm ET on February 2. Whether you have something to share or simply want to listen and learn, we welcome you to be part of the conversation! We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a powerful livestream conversation with Michael Archer, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and author of A Patch of Ground: Khe Sanh, a firsthand account of one of the most intense and contested battles of the Vietnam War. Michael Archer is not writing as a distant historian or outside observer. He was a Marine at Khe Sanh. He lived on that patch of ground, endured the siege, and carried its weight with him long after leaving Vietnam. His book is rooted in direct experience—what it meant to be young, scared, exhausted, and determined, holding a remote combat base under constant artillery fire while the world debated whether Khe Sanh would become another Dien Bien Phu. A Patch of Ground is spare, unsentimental, and deeply personal. Archer writes about daily life under siege: patrols, bunkers, incoming rounds, boredom and terror existing side by side, and the bonds formed among Marines who depended on one another to survive. He also writes about memory—how Khe Sanh stayed with him, how veterans carry places like that inside them, and why telling the story matters decades later. In this conversation, we'll focus squarely on Archer's Marine Corps service and his experience at Khe Sanh: what he remembers, what surprised him looking back, and what gets lost when battles are reduced to maps, timelines, and strategic arguments. We'll talk about why Khe Sanh became such a symbol during the war, what it felt like on the ground to be part of that symbol, and how writing the book helped Archer make sense of an experience that never really ends. This is a conversation about combat, memory, and bearing witness—told by a Marine who was there, on that ground, and who has spent years finding the words to describe it. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

In this Veterans Breakfast Club livestream, we sit down with filmmaker Steven Grayhm to talk about Sheepdog, an independent feature film that takes a hard, honest look at combat trauma, recovery, and the long road home. Grayhm not only stars in the film, but also wrote, produced, and directed it—an unusual level of authorship that reflects how personal the project is. Sheepdog centers on Calvin Cole (Grayhm), a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran who is court-ordered into treatment and placed under the care of a VA trauma therapist-in-training (played by Madsen), who is juggling her clinical work with night shifts at a diner to pay for school. Calvin's fragile attempt to hold himself together is further tested when his father-in-law, a retired Vietnam veteran (Curtis Hall), appears at his door fresh out of prison. As Calvin's instinct to run from his past collapses, the film traces how accountability, compassion, and hard-earned trust can open a path toward healing. Shot on location in Western Massachusetts, Sheepdog aims to lift the veil on post-traumatic stress and the veteran suicide crisis, while also focusing on the often-overlooked idea of post-traumatic growth. Rather than offering easy answers, the film shows the physical and psychological consequences of trauma—and the slow, uneven work of recovery—through grounded performances and lived-in settings. Film critic Tony Toscana called it “one of the best films of the year.” We'll ask Grayhm about how Sheepdog came to be: years spent listening to veterans' stories, studying trauma and VA treatment models, and working closely with veterans and clinicians to get the details right. He'll reflect on why he felt compelled to tell this story himself, why authenticity matters more than spectacle, and what it takes to bring an independently made, veteran-centered film from script to screen. This livestream will explore the making of Sheepdog, the responsibilities of telling veterans' stories on film, and what cinema can—and cannot—do when it comes to understanding trauma, recovery, and the complicated work of coming home. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation about the military experience, past and present. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Shaun Hall at shaun@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued. This event is free and open to all. To join the conversation live on Zoom, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6402618738. Or tune in on Facebook or YouTube at 7:00pm ET on June 9. Whether you have something to share or simply want to listen and learn, we welcome you to be part of the conversation! We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

For the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, the Veterans Breakfast Club goes deep with Marine Corps veteran and classical scholar Dr. Josh Cannon about the ancient truths of war. Join this conversation with an  Iraq veteran, anthropologist, and author, whose new book Fatal Second Helen: A Modern Veteran's Iliad bridges the 2,600-year-old world of Homer's Iliad with the modern battlefield of Iraq. Cannon served as an Arabic cryptologic linguist with the Marine Corps from 2000 to 2005, deploying twice to Iraq—first with the invasion in 2003 and again in 2004. After his service, he pursued graduate studies in linguistics and archaeology at the University of Chicago, earning a PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Now a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, Cannon brings both the scholar's lens and the veteran's heart to Homer's tale of rage, loss, and honor. In Fatal Second Helen, Cannon retells Homer's epic in clear, vivid prose, weaving in his own combat experiences and reflections on the warrior's life. It's a book that asks timeless questions: What draws people to war? What do they bring back from it? And what can ancient heroes like Achilles teach modern warriors about grief, pride, and the search for meaning? As Cannon writes in his essay “Glorious But Dead—Was It Worth It?”, he has lived the same paradox Homer captured 26 centuries ago: the beauty and the tragedy of battle, the brotherhood and the loss, the impossible attempt to make sense of it all. This conversation promises to be part literary journey, part war story, and part meditation on how veterans across millennia have wrestled with the same enduring human truths. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation about the military experience, past and present. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Shaun Hall at shaun@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued. This event is free and open to all. To join the conversation live on Zoom, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6402618738. Or tune in on Facebook or YouTube at 7:00pm ET on June 9. Whether you have something to share or simply want to listen and learn, we welcome you to be part of the conversation! We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a special livestream conversation with Elliot Ackerman, decorated Marine, CIA officer, acclaimed novelist, and co-chair of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation. Ackerman served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine Raider and special operations officer, earning the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, and Purple Heart. His experiences on the front lines, particularly during the Second Battle of Fallujah—profoundly shaped his worldview and continue to inform his writing about war, morality, and memory. Since leaving the Marines, Ackerman has become one of America's most distinguished voices on the human cost and complexity of modern warfare. His novels and memoirs—including Green on Blue, Dark at the Crossing (a National Book Award finalist), Waiting for Eden, Places and Names: On War, Revolution, and Returning, The Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan, 2034: A Novel of the Next World War (co-authored with Admiral James Stavridis), and Halcyon—explore what it means to serve, to lose, and to come home changed. In addition to his literary career, Ackerman serves as co-chair of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation, which is leading the effort to build a national memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring all who served in the post-9/11 wars. He has spoken passionately about ensuring that this memorial reflects not only the valor of service but also the complexity and enduring impact of America's longest conflict. This conversation will trace Ackerman's journey from the Marine Corps to the written page, exploring how combat, conscience, and storytelling intersect in his work. We'll also discuss his vision for the Global War on Terror Memorial and how remembrance can bridge the gap between those who served and those who did not. Learn more about Elliot Ackerman at his Penguin Random House Speakers page and read his reflections on the memorial project at the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation.

The Veterans Breakfast Club invites you to join us on Thursday, October 16 at 7:00pm Eastern for a special online conversation with author Brenda Partridge-Brown about her new book, Echoes of a Little Brown Soldier Girl. The program will be held on VBC Zoom and livestreamed to our Facebook and YouTube pages. Brenda's book tells the story of her mother, Willie Belle Irvin-Partridge, who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. Known as the “Six Triple Eight,” the 6888th was the only all-female, predominantly Black U.S. Army unit sent overseas. Their task was both monumental and essential: to clear a massive backlog of more than 17 million pieces of undelivered mail and restore the flow of letters that sustained morale for American troops in Europe. With the motto “No Mail, Low Morale,” the women of the 6888th completed in just three months what had been expected to take six, all while facing racism, sexism, and the daily challenges of wartime service. Through family memories, archival research, and military records, Brenda Partridge-Brown reconstructs her mother's remarkable story and places it in the broader context of a unit whose achievements remained largely overlooked for decades. She also describes the long struggle to secure public recognition for the 6888th, which culminated in the award of the Congressional Gold Medal in 2022. This program is an opportunity to hear about an extraordinary group of women who made history, and about one daughter's journey to bring her mother's service out of the shadows and into the light. Join us on October 16 as we honor the legacy of the 6888th and listen to the echoes of a “little brown soldier girl” whose courage and devotion deserve to be remembered. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation about the military experience, past and present. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation.  All are also invited to email Shaun Hall at shaun@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued. This event is free and open to all. To join the conversation live on Zoom, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6402618738. Or tune in on Facebook or YouTube at 7:00pm ET on October 6. Whether you have something to share or simply want to listen and learn, we welcome you to be part of the conversation! We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an unforgettable evening with Colonel John R. Bates, USMC (Ret.), whose extraordinary 39-year career in the United States Marine Corps (1966–2005) spans three wars, five decades, and a lifetime of service defined by courage, conviction, and grit. Col. Bates enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966, dropping out of college to join the fight in Vietnam. There, as a young infantryman with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, he endured some of the most harrowing combat of the war—earning three Purple Hearts for wounds suffered in battle. The first came when he was struck in the chest by machine-gun fire—“like standing over home plate with Mark McGwire swinging for the fences,” he recalls. The second came from a hand grenade explosion that drove searing shrapnel into his leg. The third was the most brutal: he fell into a North Vietnamese punji pit and was impaled through the foot by a three-foot bamboo stake, coated with water buffalo manure to ensure infection. After spending 23 days in intensive care, Bates defied medical orders, walked out of the hospital in a pair of boots and a hospital gown, caught a ride to the airfield, and returned to his platoon—still spitting up blood. “They needed more trigger-pullers,” he said simply. But the Marine Corps discharged him less than two years into his enlistment due to the severity of his wounds. He refused to stay out. Over the next seven years, Bates earned a bachelor's and two master's degrees while working as a brakeman, heavy equipment operator, and substitute teacher. All the while, he trained daily to prove he still had what it took to wear the uniform. He submitted five applications for readmission to the Corps—finally earning acceptance in 1975, not by sympathy, but by sheer persistence. “Quite honestly, I think I wore them down,” he said. As an officer, Col. Bates served around the globe, including in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He held numerous command positions, culminating in a dramatic parachute landing into his own retirement ceremony in 2005 at Camp Pendleton. Along the way, he promoted his own son to the rank of Marine captain, honoring a legacy of service that began with his father, Leland Bates, who flew 51 combat missions in World War II. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

We've asked 26-year Army and Pennsylvania National Guard veteran Matt P. Cahill to join us to talk about his Green Star Families of America (greenstarfamilies.org) nonprofit. Matt served as a medic in Iraq and later endured his own battles with PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, and the lasting wounds of war. Out of these experiences, Matt founded  a nonprofit dedicated to honoring and supporting the families of veterans who have died by suicide. Much like the Gold Star tradition that recognizes families of those killed in action, Green Star Families seeks federal recognition of a Green Star Service Banner as a national symbol of remembrance and dignity for survivors of veteran suicide. Matt, now also an advocate and social worker in training, has made it his mission to reduce stigma, build community, and fight for the visibility of these families who often grieve in silence. His work has already inspired legislative efforts, public awareness campaigns, and partnerships across the veteran community. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Todd DePastino at todd@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued.

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a special Open Conversation as we come together to remember the events of September 11, 2001, reflect on their lasting impact, and honor the lives lost and forever changed. This is not a panel or a presentation—it's a space for listening and sharing, open to all. Whether you recall exactly where you were that morning or you've only known a post-9/11 world, we invite you to bring your memories, your thoughts, and your questions. Veterans, civilians, first responders, military families, and people of all generations are welcome. Together, we'll reflect on the moments that shaped a generation—what we saw, what we felt, and what followed in the days, weeks, and years after. This is a chance to mark the day in community, with compassion and honesty, in the spirit of remembrance and connection. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for conversation with M.P. Woodward, Navy veteran and bestselling author of Tom Clancy: Line of Demarcation, the newest installment in the legendary Jack Ryan series. We'll talk spycraft, storytelling, and how real-world experience in military intelligence shapes his fiction writing. Before becoming a full-time writer, M.P. Woodward served as a Naval Intelligence Officer with the U.S. Pacific Command, where he scripted war-game scenarios focused on the Middle East and coordinated joint missions with Special Forces, the CIA, and the NSA. He deployed multiple times to the Persian Gulf and Far East and served on a senior admiral's flag staff, often acting as liaison to foreign military officers. These experiences gave him a deep well of operational and diplomatic knowledge—one he draws from to deliver techno-thrillers that feel one step ahead of the headlines. In Line of Demarcation, Woodward thrusts President Jack Ryan into the center of an escalating crisis as Russia's war in Ukraine edges toward global catastrophe. Meanwhile, Jack Ryan Jr. undertakes a covert mission in occupied territory that could determine the fate of nations. With geopolitical intrigue and explosive action, the novel delivers all the hallmarks of classic Clancy—filtered through Woodward's sharp, informed lens. Don't miss this chance to hear from one of today's most authentic voices in military fiction. We'll discuss his path from the Navy to the bestseller list, and how his service continues to inform his storytelling today. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an unforgettable conversation with Marine veteran and author Brennan Morton, whose acclaimed memoir Valhalla Boys: Marine Recon Sniper in Iraq is being hailed as one of the most powerful and literary war memoirs of the post-9/11 generation. Valhalla Boys isn't your typical “boots-on-the-ground” war story. It's a raw, reflective, and often poetic meditation on combat, brotherhood, and the darkness that war leaves behind. Drawing comparisons to Tim O'Brien, Kurt Vonnegut, and Joseph Heller, Morton invites readers not just into the battlefield, but into the mind of a Marine Recon sniper struggling to make sense of a war with no clear front lines—and no clear purpose. In this live conversation, Brennan will share his journey from book-loving kid to Marine, from warfighter to writer, and from battlefield survivor to memoirist. He'll discuss the emotional toll of his two deployments in Iraq, the bonds forged in training and tested in combat, and the haunting question that echoes through every page of his book: Was it worth it? We'll hear the stories behind the stories—what it meant to patrol the streets of Iraq during the height of the insurgency, the grief of losing half his platoon, the moment he nearly pulled the trigger on a four-year-old child, and how writing became a form of healing after returning home. This program is for anyone seeking to understand what military service can do to the soul—veterans, family members, readers of war literature, and citizens trying to grasp the human cost of conflict. Valhalla Boys is available now from Casemate Publishers, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. YouTube.com/@veteransbreakfastclub Facebook.com/veteransbreakfastclub #VeteransBreakfastClub #ValhallaBoys #BrennanMorton #IraqWarMemoir #MarineRecon #WarLiterature #PTSD #VeteranVoices #MilitaryStorytelling #CasematePublishers #TimOBrien #Vonnegut #JosephHeller #StorytellingHeals #VeteranWriters #VBCEvents We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

The Veterans Breakfast Club is honored to welcome Ross Meador, author of the critically acclaimed memoir Carried Away: A Memoir of Rescue and Survival Among the Orphans of the Viet Nam War, for a 90-minute livestream conversation on Sunday, August 18 at 7:00pm ET. Ross Meador's story is not your typical Vietnam War narrative. In 1975, just before the fall of Saigon, 17-year-old Ross was living in Vietnam with his missionary parents. Amid the chaos and collapse of the South Vietnamese government, Ross became swept up in the desperate efforts to evacuate and protect hundreds of orphaned children left behind in the final days of the war. Carried Away recounts Meador's personal experience as a teenager witnessing—and helping with—what became known as Operation Babylift, the humanitarian effort to rescue thousands of Vietnamese orphans. But Meador's account digs deeper. His story is one of survival, identity, moral conflict, and healing, all told with the clarity of a witness who saw the war not from the battlefield, but from the margins—among the displaced, forgotten, and frightened. This event will explore: Ross's unique perspective as a young civilian during the fall of Saigon His firsthand role in the rescue and evacuation of orphans The emotional and moral complexities of wartime humanitarianism How he came to write his memoir decades later—and why it matters today. As noted in the Novels Alive review, Meador's memoir “treads unfamiliar territory in Vietnam War literature,” offering “a rare glimpse into a lesser-known front of compassion and courage.” #RossMeador #CarriedAway #VietnamWarMemoir #OperationBabylift #VeteransBreakfastClub #VBCLive #VietnamOrphans #FallOfSaigon #WarAndCompassion #VietnamHistory We're grateful to UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event!

Thirty-five years ago, in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the United States launched Operation Desert Shield, the largest American military deployment since Vietnam. On Monday, August 11 at 7:00pm ET, the Veterans Breakfast Club hosts a special 90-minute livestream conversation with veterans who served during this critical moment in modern military history. Operation Desert Shield began in August 1990, just days after Saddam Hussein's forces stormed into Kuwait. As the world watched with rising alarm, President George H. W. Bush ordered a massive mobilization to defend Saudi Arabiaand deter further Iraqi aggression. Over the next six months, more than 500,000 American troops—alongside coalition partners from 34 nations—were deployed to the Persian Gulf, building up a formidable military force in the desert. Joining us will be Scott C. Stump, a Marine veteran who is President, CEO, and founder of the National Desert Storm Memorial Association. Scott served in eastern Saudi Arabia and Bahrain during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and conceived the memorial idea and has led the charge ever since. He marshaled private fundraising—including critical support from Kuwait—and steered the association through years of design approvals, legislative hurdles, and permit process. The National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial is now rising near the Lincoln and Vietnam Veterans Memorials on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. It honors roughly 700,000 Americans who served in the Gulf War of 1990–91, grounded in a concept first envisioned in 2010 and formally authorized by Congress in 2014. Stump's determined leadership helped secure the March 6, 2025 construction permit and kick off building work, with a projected dedication in spring 2026—bringing to fruition a memorial born of both personal service and long‑term advocacy This program will also focus on the Desert Shield buildup itself—the staging, logistics, training, and uncertainty that defined Desert Shield: What was it like to deploy to Saudi Arabia in the sweltering heat of 1990? How did troops prepare for a possible war that was still months away? What do veterans remember about the sense of anticipation, camaraderie, and tension on the ground? How did Desert Shield set the stage for the lightning-fast Desert Storm offensive that followed in January 1991? Though Desert Shield is often overshadowed by the brief but intense ground campaign of Desert Storm, it was a vital operation in its own right. It marked a new era of rapid deployment, joint operations, and coalition warfare, and proved that the U.S. military could project overwhelming force across the globe in a matter of weeks. Join us to commemorate this important anniversary and honor the service of those who stood ready in the desert long before the shooting began. #DesertShield35 #OperationDesertShield #GulfWarVeterans #VeteransBreakfastClub #VBCLive #MilitaryDeployment #GulfWarAnniversary #DesertShieldStories #ModernMilitaryHistory We're grateful to UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event!

The Veterans Breakfast Club proudly celebrates the U.S. Coast Guard's 235th birthday with a special 90-minute livestream event on Monday, August 4 at 7:00pm ET. Join us as we talk with Coast Guard veterans about what makes their service so distinct—and so essential to the nation's security and safety. Founded on August 4, 1790, the Coast Guard is the oldest continuous seagoing service in the United States. Unlike other branches, the USCG has a dual mission: military operations during wartime and law enforcement, search and rescue, and maritime safety during peacetime. It is the only military branch that operates under the Department of Homeland Security (except during wartime, when it may transfer to the Department of the Navy). What sets the Coast Guard apart? Maritime law enforcement: The Coast Guard has the authority to board, search, seize, and arrest vessels suspected of violating federal law. Search and rescue operations: From hurricanes to sinking ships, the Coast Guard is the first call in times of maritime crisis. Icebreaking and navigation aid: Coasties operate in Arctic and Great Lakes regions to maintain critical shipping lanes and place navigational buoys. Drug and migrant interdiction: They play a front-line role in combating illegal trafficking on the high seas. In this special birthday celebration, we'll hear from Coast Guard veterans who served aboard cutters, on coastal patrol, in aviation, and at isolated duty stations. They'll share stories of adventure, service, and resilience—from intercepting narco-subs in the Caribbean to medevac missions in the Bering Sea. We'll explore what it means to be “Always Ready”—Semper Paratus—and why Coast Guard veterans are proud to serve in a branch that blends military rigor with humanitarian urgency. Help us mark this important anniversary by honoring the stories of those who serve in America's maritime guardian force. #USCoastGuard #CoastGuardBirthday #SemperParatus #VeteransBreakfastClub #VBCLive #MaritimeService #SearchAndRescue #MilitaryVeterans #CoastGuardStories We're grateful to UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club on the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, Monday, July 28, at 7:00pm ET for a special livestream conversation about the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Father Emil Kapaun, U.S. Army chaplain, Medal of Honor recipient, and Servant of God now on the path to sainthood. Our guest will be Ray Kapaun, Father Emil's devoted nephew and family spokesperson, who has spent decades gathering stories, preserving memories, and promoting his uncle's legacy of faith, sacrifice, and service. With deep personal insight and moving anecdotes, Ray will share not just what made his uncle a great chaplain, but what made him a saintly man—and why his story still resonates powerfully today. Born in 1916 in the farming community of Pilsen, Kansas, Emil Kapaun grew up working on farm equipment and studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1940 and joined the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps during World War II, serving in the Burma-India Theater. But it was in Korea, during the early months of the Korean War, that Father Kapaun's heroic ministry made him a legend among soldiers and prisoners of war alike. Assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Kapaun was known for celebrating Mass from the hood of a jeep, riding his bike from unit to unit under fire, and fearlessly ministering to troops in foxholes. During the Battle of Unsan in November 1950, he repeatedly braved enemy fire to rescue the wounded. When given the opportunity to evacuate, he refused—choosing instead to stay behind with the injured and surrender alongside them. He was marched to Pyoktong Prison Camp in North Korea, where he spent the last seven months of his life tending to sick and starving fellow POWs. He stole food, built fires in secret, offered prayers, washed clothes, and lifted spirits—risking severe punishment each time. Fellow prisoners credit him with saving hundreds of lives through simple acts of compassion, courage, and faith. He died in captivity on May 23, 1951. For his heroism, Father Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2013. His military decorations also include the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star with “V” Device, and the Legion of Merit, among many others. In the Catholic Church, Father Kapaun is now known as Venerable Emil Kapaun, a title bestowed by Pope Francis in 2021. This designation—the second step in the four-step canonization process—acknowledges that Father Kapaun offered his life in an act of heroic charity. The Diocese of Wichita continues to investigate reported miracles attributed to his intercession, the next step toward beatification and eventual sainthood. Ray Kapaun, who will join us for this VBC Live program, was just a boy when he began hearing stories about his uncle. Over the years, he's met and stayed close with the soldiers who knew Father Emil in life, including the few remaining POWs who spent time in that North Korean prison camp. His efforts helped bring his uncle's remains home in 2021—70 years after his death—and laid to rest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. Ray sees Father Kapaun as more than a war hero or Catholic martyr. He sees him as a model of human compassion—someone who looked past creed, rank, or politics to serve people simply because they needed help. “He just always put everybody else ahead of his own needs,” Ray says. “He gives hope… He saw the soul in people.” This livestream will be a heartfelt exploration of that legacy. It's a story of service beyond self, faith under fire, and the power of simple kindness in the darkest of places. We're grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

Do you know how many belt loops are on Marine Dress Blues? Or what the Air Force equivalent of the Navy Seabees is called? How about the command used to remove an individual from formation—but not end it? Then step up and play VBC Jeopardy!, our 90-minute live and interactive trivia night where everyone can be a contestant, and the only requirement is a love for learning and laughter. Join us Monday, July 21 at 7:00pm ET for a special Veterans Breakfast Club livestream hosted on YouTube. This Jeopardy-style game is unlike any other. There's no buzzer, no formal sign-up—just hop into the chat and type your answer when a clue appears on the screen. Whether you're a seasoned vet, a military spouse, a trivia junkie, or just someone who loves good fun with great people, this game is for you. We play two rounds of Jeopardy with clues based on the military experience, culture, and history. Everyone in our Zoom room can raise their hand and answer a question. We'll be testing your knowledge across categories like Military Slang, Branch Traditions, Famous Battles, Rank & Insignia, and more. Expect real questions like: “THIS FAMOUS STRATEGIC BOMBING CAMPAIGN LASTED FROM 1965-1968.” “IN THE COAST GUARD, EVERY SHIP LONGER THAN 65 FEET IS CALLED THIS.” “THE NUMBER OF NAVY ADMIRALS TO BECOME U.S. PRESIDENT.” If you've joined a Veterans Breakfast Club event before, you know it's about connection, camaraderie, and celebrating the service of those who've worn the uniform. VBC Jeopardy! adds a twist of fun and competition to that mix—with a whole lot of trivia you didn't know you knew. No registration, no pressure—just bring your best guesses. #VBCLive #MilitaryTrivia #VeteransJeopardy #MilitaryHistory #VeteransBreakfastClub #JeopardyNight #MilitaryFun #LiveTrivia We're grateful to UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event!

The Veterans Breakfast Club proudly presents a special 90-minute livestream with Wayne Vansant, Navy veteran and renowned illustrator of some of the most historically accurate war comics ever published. The event goes live on Monday, July 14 at 7:00pm ET, and will be hosted on our VBC Online Events platform. Wayne Vansant is best known for his groundbreaking work on The ‘Nam—Marvel Comics' landmark series that brought the Vietnam War to life through the eyes of the soldiers who fought it. Launched in 1986 and developed by Vietnam veterans and journalists, The ‘Nam stood apart for its realistic, month-by-month portrayal of a single soldier's tour of duty. Vansant took over the art after issue #13 and helped turn the book into a cult classic, praised for its authenticity, visual storytelling, and deep respect for those who served. Wayne brings a unique perspective to his art. He served as a radioman in the U.S. Navy from 1970 to 1973 during the Vietnam War, and that firsthand experience has shaped his entire career. Unlike most comic book creators, Vansant insists on historical accuracy—studying uniforms, weapons, terrain, and tactics in painstaking detail to ensure his depictions are as true to life as possible. In addition to The ‘Nam, Vansant has created graphic novels and illustrated histories such as Normandy, Gettysburg, The Vietnam War: A Graphic History, Katusha, Bombing Nazi Germany, and The Red Baron. His work is celebrated for blending action with education, making military history accessible and compelling for all readers. As this profile on War Is Boring explains, Vansant sees his comics not as entertainment alone, but as a form of remembrance and a visual archive for future generations. Whether you're a fan of military history, comics, or just want to hear from a veteran who's spent a lifetime documenting war in ink and color, you won't want to miss this conversation. #WayneVansant #TheNam #VietnamWar #MilitaryComics #VeteransBreakfastClub #WarArt #GraphicHistory #VietnamVeteran #VBCOnline We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 7:00pm ET. This online event, part of our ongoing VBC Open Conversation series, invites veterans from all eras of service—as well as families, friends, and supporters—to come together and share stories, memories, and insights about the military experience, past and present. The program will be held on Zoom and streamed live to Facebook and YouTube. VBC Open Conversations are exactly what they sound like: unscripted, interactive gatherings where the agenda is shaped by those who attend. There are no formal presentations or set topics—just real people sharing real experiences. Whether it's swapping boot camp stories, discussing combat tours, reflecting on the transition to civilian life, or exploring current issues facing today's military and veteran communities, these conversations cover it all. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Todd DePastino at todd@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued. This event is free and open to all. Whether you have something to share or simply want to listen and learn, we welcome you to be part of the conversation! We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

For the first time in our Veterans Breakfast Club history, we're shining a spotlight on an essential but often invisible force in America's recent wars: military contractors. Join us for this important livestream conversation with Ron Farina, Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and author of Out of the Shadows, and a panel of former contractors who served alongside U.S. forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones under Department of Defense contracts. We also welcome Rob Kugler, a Marine Corps veteran, whose brother, Mike, served as a military contractor and was killed in Iraq in 2007. This profound loss propelled Rob into a mission of healing and storytelling. In his memoir, A Dog Named Beautiful, Rob chronicles his cross-country journey with his three-legged chocolate lab, Bella. This heartfelt narrative captures the essence of love, loss, and the road to recovery. Through his travels, Rob found solace and a renewed purpose, connecting with countless individuals and sharing stories that underscore the human cost of war. Also joining us are Traci Protzenko and Colette Protzenko Sparks, sisters of Paul Protzenko, who was killed in action on July 9, 2011 in Panjshir, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Paul dedicated his life to the service of his country and its people. He proudly served in the Army's 82nd Airborne stationed overseas in Vicenza, Italy, retiring with the rank of Sergeant. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he spent the next 21 years as a State Trooper. He earned the Life Saving Medal twice during his tenure. Immediately upon retirement from the State Police in 2009, he left for Afghanistan to become part of a Police Mentoring Team that trained the Afghan National Police Force. Paul was stationed for the better part of 2 years in the Panjshir Province of Afghanistan. During this time, he was instrumental in bringing the first Crime Scene Investigation Class to the Afghan National Police Force. This innovative class was well received and written up in the Army magazine, “Stars and Stripes.” Paul was killed on July 9, 2011 on the way to the Darah Police Station by an Afghan National Directorate of Security. This growing reliance on civilian contractors raises fundamental questions: Are contractors part of the military profession? Do they share the same code of conduct, sense of duty, and social obligation? How do they view their roles—and how do traditional military personnel view them? Research shows that many contractors come from law enforcement or prior military backgrounds, but often operate with different motivations, typically driven more by economic incentives than by the vocational calling traditionally associated with military service. Their training and operational directives are frequently dictated by government contracts, but they exist outside the chain of command and military legal structure. This “securitized management of violence” blurs the line between soldier and mercenary—and challenges long-held notions of military professionalism. Despite their integral role, contractors often return home to no welcome, no resources, and no community. They lack access to VA services, often receive no formal recognition, and are largely absent from public memory. As Ron Farina emphasizes in his work, these “invisible warriors” bear many of the same wounds as veterans—PTSD, moral injury, survivor's guilt—but without the support structure uniformed veterans rely on. This program will feature the voices of those contractors. They'll speak about their motivations, missions, relationships with military personnel, and the personal struggles they've faced in service and upon returning home. We'll also discuss the broader ethical, legal, and economic implications of America's unprecedented reliance on private military firms—some of which now rival the defense budgets of small nations. Let's give voice to those who served without a uniform but with no less courage, commitment, and consequence. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Seventy-five years ago, on June 25, 1950, North Korean forces launched a surprise invasion across the 38th parallel into South Korea, setting off a brutal and complex conflict that would last three years, claim millions of lives, and shape the Cold War. The Korean War—often called the “Forgotten War”—began with tanks rolling into Seoul at dawn and ended with a hard-fought armistice that still holds today. To mark this important anniversary, the Veterans Breakfast Club is honored to host a special livestream conversation with Ryan Walkowski, military history researcher and author of the forthcoming Combat in Korea: Eighteen Veterans Remember the War. Joining Ryan will be several Korean War veterans he interviewed for the book—men who fought in the harsh winters and rugged mountains of the Korean Peninsula and who carry vivid memories of that distant, often overlooked war. Walkowski, whose grandfather served in Korea, has traveled the country collecting stories from veterans of all branches. His mission is simple: to make sure these stories are heard and remembered. The result is a remarkable oral history project that captures the grit, sacrifice, and humanity of those who served in Korea between 1950 and 1953. This VBC program will bring those voices to life. You'll hear firsthand accounts of combat, survival, and camaraderie from veterans who were there—at the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, and the 38th Parallel. You'll also hear from Walkowski about why he took on this project and how these veterans' stories shed new light on a war that deserves far more attention. As always, we invite viewers to participate, ask questions, and share reflections as we remember the war that began 75 years ago and the veterans who lived it. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 7:00pm ET. This online event, part of our ongoing VBC Open Conversation series, invites veterans from all eras of service—as well as families, friends, and supporters—to come together and share stories, memories, and insights about the military experience, past and present. VBC Open Conversations are exactly what they sound like: unscripted, interactive gatherings where the agenda is shaped by those who attend. There are no formal presentations or set topics—just real people sharing real experiences. Whether it's swapping boot camp stories, discussing combat tours, reflecting on the transition to civilian life, or exploring current issues facing today's military and veteran communities, these conversations cover it all. One of our storytellers on June 9 will be USAF veteran John JC Miller, whom we've invited on to share a unique story from Southeast Asia in the 1970s. John entered the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1965 and graduated in June 1969. John's military career was wide-ranging and reflective of the changing cultural and institutional dynamics of the era. He first served 18 months in Manpower (AFSC 7464, management engineering), followed by 10 months in an Information Office role (AFSC 7921), and then 30 months in the Race Relations field (AFSC 7364), where he helped pioneer programs aimed at improving understanding and cohesion among service members. His final duty station was at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield in Thailand, a major B-52 bomber base during the Vietnam War. There, from 1973 to 1974, John spent 489 days working with flight crews under intense stress and frequent interpersonal conflict. Despite the challenges, he found the experience deeply rewarding. The human relations courses he facilitated earned a 97% effectiveness rating, with participants reporting meaningful improvements in cross-cultural understanding and morale. After separating from the Air Force, John took a prolonged break from traditional employment, allowing time to process the profound impacts of his service. We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Todd DePastino at todd@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they'd like to discuss. The Veterans Breakfast Club's mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone's voice is valued. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a special Memorial Day virtual event on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 7:00pm ET. This live, online conversation invites veterans, families, and friends to gather in an open, heartfelt space to honor and remember those who have fallen in service to our nation.  Memorial Day is a time of national reflection and remembrance—a day dedicated to honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday began in the aftermath of the Civil War and has grown into a solemn tradition observed across the country with parades, ceremonies, and personal acts of remembrance. At the Veterans Breakfast Club, where our mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, we see Memorial Day as a powerful opportunity to ensure that the stories of the fallen continue to be shared and remembered. Our Memorial Day livestream will not be a formal ceremony but a casual, interactive conversation. We invite veterans to speak from the heart about their own experiences, to share memories of comrades who never made it home, and to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service. Family members, friends, and civilians are also encouraged to participate, whether by sharing a remembrance or simply listening in respect and reflection. We expect the conversation to be deeply moving, as participants express personal stories of sacrifice and loss. By hosting the event in the evening—after parades and public commemorations have ended—we aim to create a quiet, meaningful space for community connection and shared remembrance. Memorial Day is about more than ceremonies; it's about keeping alive the legacies of the fallen through the stories we tell. We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Veterans Day Open Conversation ranges far and wide settling on this first opening question: is it right and proper to wish a veteran a "Happy Veterans Day." The consensus among our veterans is that it isn't, though Todd offers a tepid dissent.  In the course of the conversation, we also examine the distinctions made between Veterans and "Combat Veterans," "Vietnam Veterans" and "Vietnam Era Veterans," and the propriety of saying "thank you for your service." Some veterans feel awkward or uncomfortable when people say "Happy Veterans Day" or "Thank you for your service." Younger veterans, in particular, often feel these phrases are too generic. It seems an empty, overused phrase that lacks genuine understanding. Some don't view their service as extraordinary, but rather as a job they signed up for and completed. For them, the phrase “thank you for your service” can feel impersonal, as if it's used to satisfy social etiquette rather than express true appreciation. Some even feel it allows civilians to alleviate guilt about not having served themselves, without truly engaging with the challenges veterans face. For some, the recognition doesn't align with the pride they take in their service or with the fact that they volunteered for it, unlike those who served in past wars when there was a draft. Acknowledging a veteran in a way that opens the door to more meaningful interaction can feel more genuine. Instead of only expressing thanks, some veterans suggest engaging more personally: ask about their specific roles, current lives, or goals. For those who wish to show appreciation, actions like volunteering or educating oneself on veterans' issues are more meaningful ways to honor their sacrifices and uphold the freedoms they served to protect. The Veterans Breakfast Club isn't  just for veterans. It's for everyone who wants to understand the lives of those who served. Whether you're a veteran seeking camaraderie, a civilian wanting to learn, or simply someone who appreciates the value of service, the VBC welcomes you . Join us online – become part of their mission to honor stories, build bridges, and ensure that every day is Veterans Day. We're grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

VBC Scuttlebutt Open Conversation poses the question: does the term “combat veteran” demean the service of “rear echelon” soldiers, sailors, and Marines? Author and Vietnam veteran Marc Leepson thinks it does. We discuss this question.  Leepson published an article in Vietnam magazine in 2019, recently reprinted on Vietnam War website cherrieswriter.com, titled “What Did You Do in Vietnam?” Leepson writes: I admire and respect every Vietnam veteran who served in the combat arms. . . . . But using “combat veteran” obliquely demeans the service of all of us clerks, cooks, truck drivers and other rear-echelon types. I realize that most people who use that term don't intend to minimize or mock the wartime service of hundreds of thousands of other veterans, but that's exactly what it does. I was astonished to see British journalist Max Hastings go out of his way in his recent, big history of the war, Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy 1945-1975, to deride the service of anyone who wasn't humping the boonies in Vietnam. How else to interpret this snarky, condescending sentence in which he sums up all rear echeloners' war service: “Maybe two-thirds of the men who came home calling themselves veterans—entitled to wear the medal and talk about their PTSD troubles—had been exposed to no greater risk than a man might incur from ill-judged sex or ‘bad shit' drugs.” I understand that infantrymen could have negative feelings about us rear echeloners, but we were doing the jobs the military asked us to. And in Vietnam, contrary to Hastings' ridiculous generalization, you were in danger no matter where you were. Although there are no official statistics, the best estimate is that 75 to 90 percent of those who served in Vietnam were in support units. That's more than 2 million men and women who came home without the label “combat veteran.” My suggestion to fellow veterans and those who never put on the uniform: Please consider dropping “combat veteran” from your vocabulary and replace it with “war veteran.” Or “Vietnam War veteran.” Or “Iraq War veteran” or “Afghanistan War veteran.” We're curious to know how many in our Veterans Breakfast Club group feel similarly. We'd also like to hear from those who think that distinguishing between comabt and non-combat service is a reasonable and even necessary way of acknowledging the different kinds of Armed Forces service. The VBC has a strong and long track record of serious and civil conversations that divide the veterans and military community, and this conversation will be no different. And, of course, we'll also talk about any other subjects you might like to bring up. So, join our friendly, interactive gathering of veterans, friends of veterans, and history nerds discussing whatever aspects of military service, past or present, or the veterans community that are on your minds. Join us to swap stories, good and bad, at home and overseas, old and new. At the VBC, veterans from every era and branch are drawn together by the warm glow of shared purpose. These stories aren't just for veterans; they're for everyone who wants to understand the lives of those who served. Whether you're a veteran seeking camaraderie, a civilian wanting to learn, or simply someone who appreciates the value of service, the VBC welcomes you with open arms. Join us online – become part of their mission to honor stories, build bridges, and ensure that every day is Veterans Day. #combatveteran   #veterans #usmc  #veteran #militaryhistory #interview #vietnam #vet #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #virtualevents #virtual #zoom #zoomevents #liveevent #webinar #military #army #usarmy #navy #usnavy #marinecorps #marines #airforce #pilot #aviators #coastguard #nonprofit #501c3 #history #militaryveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteraninterview #veteranshistoryproject #veteransoralhistory #veteranowned #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #vietnam #vietnamwar #vietnamveterans #koreanwar #coldwar #greatestgeneration #wwii #ww2 #worldwarii #worldwar2 #war #americanhistory #oralhistory #podcast #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #roundtable #breakfast #generation911

Peggy Munro Scholberg is delighted to at last bring her mother's telling of her story from World War II to publication. Peggy and her husband Bill live in Apple Valley, Minnesota, where they raised two sons. Together, they retraced her parents' European travels and delved into World War II history. Following her career as a pharmacy manager,Peggy now revels in retirement. Mirroring her mother's passion, Peggy delights in culinary experimentation, while inheriting her father's fondness for sports.   “Based on a 67-year-old autobiographical manuscript, ‘Girls in a World at War' offers a far-too-rare view of war from a smart, adventurous, and independent-minded woman serving as a WAC dietician in an Army General Hospital in France. There, she learns first-hand the grim realities of war, a world tipped in a precarious balance between military rigidity and lawless savagery. True to its original author's voice and experience, ‘Girls in a World at War' resists contemporary cliches about the Greatest Generation to expose the good and the bad, the nobility and the meanness, of people thrown together with the fate of the globe at stake.” ~Todd DePastino is the author of Bill Mauldin: A Life Up Front and Executive Director of Veterans Breakfast Club.  http://kirkhousepublishers.comThe Douglas Coleman Show VE (Video Edition) offers video promotional packages for authors.Please see our website for complete details.  http://douglascolemanshow.com  Please help us to continue to bring you quality content by showing your support for our show.  https://fundrazr.com/e2CLX2?ref=ab_eCTqb8_ab_31eRtAh53pq31eRtAh53pq

Episode 2842 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Navy Captain Michael J. Estocin his Congressional Medal of Honor award. Information featured in this episode comes from a story that appeared on the Veterans Breakfast Club website and was … Continue reading →

We have another fast-moving, free-for-all Open Conversation with the Veterans Breakfast Club. This is National Nurses Week, in honor of Florence Nightengale's birthday on May 12, so we discuss military nursing and ask our nurses about their service. We also ask veterans who were treated--and perhaps lives were saved--by nurses in battle zones around the world.    Nancy Smoyer asks what Vietnam War movies are the best and worthy of screening for a course on the war. We'll discuss the relative merits of Hamburger Hilll, Coming Home, We Were Soldiers, and The Ugly American.  Vietnam Marine veteran Ron Farina wonders what movies and books fed his generation's ideas of war before they headed off to Southeast Asia to liberate the land from Communism. Marilyn Pignataro from PALS Skyhope non-profit will tell us about her remarkable organization, which uses a network of planes and pilots to provide free medical and compassion flights for patients and veterans. Nadia Rupniak's father was a hero. But she never knew his story until after he was gone. She'll talk about Marcin Rupniak's service in World War II, which included the Polish  War Order of Virtuti Militari. The award is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war. U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran Bob Connor gives us an update to his long work identifying and recovering Vietnamese and American remains from the Vietnam War. He has news about a probably identification and US POW MIA remains, including a witness who saw the burial of a POW who died after a forced march. Bob works with the Vietnamese government and US Department of Defense Prisoner of War Accounting Agency to search for more than 1,200 US service members who are still missing from the Vietnam War. Thank you to our sponsors Tobacco Free Adagio Health and UPMC for Life

War Movie is a five-part documentary series that examines not only the history of war in American cinema but how this medium has shaped our country's perspective on conflict, foreign policy, race, masculinity, and national identity. Cinematic depictions of military conflict have been common since the first crank of a shutter. From early films like The Birth of a Nation to recent entries The Hurt Locker and Dunkirk, the atrocities of war have never strayed far from the silver screen. Whether praised by critics or criticized by veterans who were there, war films play an integral part of our cultural understanding. War Movie looks at the history of these films and attempts to understand why we're compelled to experience and re-imagine our own violence on screen. Rather than a simple survey, War Movie examines our complex psychological relationship with the genre. By interviewing cinema studies scholars, creatives that bring these films to life and veteran perspectives, War Movie unpacks the over one-hundred-year history of military conflict on screen. Join Shaun Hall, Documentarian Evan Mulgrave, and WAR MOVIE Director, Producer, Editor, Cinematographer, and Writer Steve Summers as we discuss his incredible series.   IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28633748/   War Movie on Amazon Prime – https://bit.ly/3P59DNi   Purchase on Blu-ray - https://www.amazon.com/War-Movie-American-Battle-Blu-Ray/dp/B0CNKT9CVC   Thank you to our sponsors:   UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare   Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/   To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview  

Dogs for Our Brave's mission is to provide professionally trained service dogs at no cost to veterans who have suffered debilitating injury or illness while in service to our country. Their goal is to use rescue dogs at every opportunity, thus saving two lives at once. In order to fully realize their mission without adding financial burden, they also provide a continuum of free support that covers all food, veterinary care, and pharmaceuticals for the life of the dog.   Bryan Pieschel has joined the DFOB Team as the first Director of Veteran Services. Bryan served as an active-duty US Army medic from 2004-2009. During his time in service, Bryan served as both a lead company medic and lead battalion medic attached to a mechanized engineer unit. His unit deployed to Iraq in October 2005 with the purpose of conducting and training Route Clearance missions (IED hunters). The battalion saw significant action in combat which led to multiple KIA's and numerous significantly injured soldiers. Bryan was one of the injured, during a night mission in Sept 2006 his vehicle was struck by an EFP (explosively formed projectile) that threw him into the back of the vehicle rendering him unconscious for several minutes, which resulted in him being awarded a Purple Heart. Upon returning to the states in Nov 2006, Bryan began to experience significant symptoms of PTSD and despite receiving great care, the symptoms would ultimately lead to him being medically retired in 2009. Despite his Retirement from active duty, the mission to serve his brothers and sisters in arms remains.   After being medically retired from the Army, Bryan returned to St. Louis and began working with his other passion in life, coaching kids, and teenagers in the sport of volleyball.   Listen to the Scuttlebutt this week to hear Bryan's story firsthand and how Dogs for Our Brave is serving veterans in need.     Dogs for Our Brave - https://www.dfob.org/about/our-story/   Bryan Pieschel - https://www.dfob.org/team/bryan-pieschel/   Thank you to our sponsors:   UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare   Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/   To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview

Victoria Kelly is the author of Homefront, Mrs. Houdini, and When the Men Go Off to War. ​ Victoria graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard University. She received her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and her M.Phil. in Creative Writing from Trinity College Dublin, where she was a U.S. Mitchell Scholar.​​ Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Best American Poetry, The Autumn House Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, Prairie Schooner, Southwest Review and dozens of other journals and anthologies. Her novel Mrs. Houdini was a People Magazine Best New Book, a USA Today New and Noteworthy Book, a Jeopardy Pick and a Publishers Weekly Starred Debut. Her new book HOMEFRONT is inspired by her experiences as the wife of a fighter pilot during three wartime deployments, this collection follows women whose lives have been impacted by war and military service as they struggle with their fragile ideas of home. In “Prayers of an American Wife,” a Navy wife grapples with loneliness when she discovers that her neighbor, also a Navy wife, is having an affair while their husbands are deployed on the same aircraft carrier. Tensions rise in “The Strangers of Dubai” as a soldier on leave tries to buy his wife a souvenir from an Afghan vendor. After attending eight funerals with fellow military wives whose husbands died in the Iraq war, the protagonist in “Finding the Good Light” divorces her Navy husband and tries to start a new life as a movie star. These, along with the eleven other stories in this collection, explore the emotional landscape of the resilient women who remain on the homefront. Kelly's stories offer readers an intimate, eye-opening look into the sacrifices and steadfastness of military family members. https://www.victoria-kelly.com/ Homefront - https://bit.ly/49im7cD Thank you to our sponsors: UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/ To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview  

Charles Warner is a veteran and social anthropologist studying at the University of Leuven, Belgium. His research interests primarily revolve around war veterans (a.k.a. the emerging field of “Veterans Studies”), strategic peacebuilding, and post-conflict dialogue/resolution in Southeast Europe. Within this research, he incorporates or centers visual art and poetry/prose-poetry/narrative nonfiction to express ethnographic engagements, research insights, temporality and polyvocal (re)presentation. His PhD project, tentatively titled "The Veterans Eclectic: Engaging voices of past war & visions of future peace in Former Yugoslavia," is guided by two research questions: 1) Do former combatants embrace the identity of "veteran," maintain veteran-oriented organizations, and connect internationally after the battlefields have gone silent? If yes, how? 2) How might mapping and understanding cross-border veteran relationships influence current or new approaches to peace and stability between former battlefield foes? In pursuit of these questions, Charlie conducted two+ years of relational ethnographic fieldwork and participant observation alongside war veterans in Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Kosovo. This fieldwork has generated new insights into veteran culture and relations, their social visibility (or lack thereof), transnational relations, performative materiality, and veteran considerations of the future. Speaking more broadly, this research seeks to strengthen collaborations between social anthropology and the political sciences while contributing to Veterans Studies (thus challenging North Atlantic-centric narratives and hegemony within an emerging field) and informing new paradigms of peacebuilding in former Yugoslavia and beyond. The research shared by Charlie Warner with the Scuttlebutt podcast is supported by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the University of Leuven, Belgium. The Veterans Eclectic - https://theveteranseclectic.wordpress.com/ Ku Leuven - https://soc.kuleuven.be/anthropology/staff/00122596   Thank you to our sponsors:   UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare   Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/   To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview  

This week on The Scuttlebutt we talk with the Chair of the Military Chess Committee and Navy veteran, Rob Getty about the upcoming 65th Annual US Armed Forces Chess Championship. Rob talks about his service, how chess launched his military career, beginner tips, and lessons learned. https://www.facebook.com/usafochess/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces_Chess_Championship Thank you to our sponsors: UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/ To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview  

Dr. Mitchell T. Maki is the President and CEO of the Go For Broke National Education Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and lessons of the Nisei (a person born in the US whose parents were immigrants from Japan) World War II veterans. The mission of GO FOR BROKE is to educate and inspire character and equality through the virtue and valor of our World War II American veterans of Japanese ancestry. Dr. Maki is also the lead author of the award-winning book, Achieving the Impossible Dream: How Japanese Americans Obtained Redress, a detailed case study of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act. Nearly fifty years after being incarcerated by their own government, Japanese American concentration camp survivors succeeded in obtaining redress for the personal humiliation, family dislocation, and economic ruin caused by their ordeal. An inspiring story of wrongs made right as well as a practical guide to getting legislation through Congress, Achieving the Impossible Dream documents the redress movement from its earliest roots during World War II, the formal introduction of the idea in the 1970s, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, the judicial battles during the 1980s, and the lobbying of the legislative and executive branches in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2000, the book received the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award which is given to books addressing bigotry and human rights in North America. Dr. Maki has held the positions of acting Provost and Vice president of Academic Affairs, Vice Provost of Student Academic Success, dean of the Colleges of Professional Studies and Health and Human Services (CSUDH), acting dean of the College of Health and Human Services at CSU Los Angeles and assistant professor in the Department of Social Welfare at UCLA. As acting Provost, Dr. Maki provided academic and strategic leadership for CSUDH's five academic colleges which served over fifteen thousand students. Go For Broke - https://goforbroke.org/ Achieving the Impossible Dream - https://bit.ly/3H36KIm Thank you to our sponsors: UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/ T o find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/ #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview