Veterans Archives: Preserving the Stories of our Nations Heroes
In a world where storytelling has been our link to the past since the days of cave drawings, there exists a timeless tradition. It's the art of passing down knowledge, and for Military Veterans, it's a crucial piece of their legacy. Join us on the Veterans Archives Podcast, where we dive deep into the heartwarming and awe-inspiring stories of those who served, no matter when or where.
Here, Veterans get the chance to be the authors of their own narratives. Through guided interviews in a relaxed and safe environment, they paint their experiences with their own words and unique voices. The result? A memory card in a presentation box, a precious gift they can share however they please.
But that's not all. These stories find a secure home in our archive, a treasure chest of experiences for future generations to explore. The best part? It's all a gift to the Veteran – our way of saying thank you for their service.
Tune in to the Veterans Archives Podcast, where history, heroism, and heartwarming tales come to life.
Veterans Archives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please visit our website for more information. www.veteransarchives.org
Episodes
115 episodes
From College to Navy: Michael Spayde's Journey
In this candid and insightful conversation, Michael Spayde takes us through his remarkable journey from 1970s "country kid" to accomplished Navy veteran. Unlike many who enlist straight out of high school, Michael's path was anything but tradit...
•
1:28:11
From Drill Weekends to Disability: Susan McCain's Path Through Military and Civilian Life
In this deeply personal conversation, Susan McCain takes us on a journey through her life as a Michigan Army National Guard combat medic, special education teacher, and eventually, a proud advocate for women veterans. Born in Mount Clemens in 1...
•
1:34:16
100 Years of Hard Work, Service, and Love: the Story of Louis Tippit, Jr.
The remarkable century-long journey of Louis Tippit Jr. unfolds through vivid storytelling that transports listeners from the hardscrabble poverty of Depression-era Missouri to the Pacific battlefronts of World War II and beyond. Born in a cypr...
•
44:42
Finding Your Path: Andy Usborne's Journey Through Service and Beyond
The winding path from military service to civilian success often reveals surprising connections. In this captivating conversation, Navy veteran Andy Usborne shares how his service aboard the USS Mobile transformed both the ship and his future c...
•
1:07:08
When Duty Calls: Bill Walton's Life in Uniform
From the battlefields of Vietnam to the highways of Michigan, Bill Walton's story is a remarkable journey through service, sacrifice, and resilience. Born in Lansing in 1948, Bill's path took an unexpected turn when he was drafted into military...
•
55:26
Trust Your Gut: Lessons From the Military Life of Kevin Justice
From the quiet suburbs of St. Clair Shores, Michigan to the chaotic streets of Mogadishu, Kevin Justice's military journey spans over twenty years and four major conflicts that shaped modern American history. Kevin's story begins with his 1989 ...
•
1:17:10
Finding Purpose After Combat: Eric Corbett's Military Odyssey
From latchkey kid to combat veteran, Eric Corbett's extraordinary journey unfolds in this compelling conversation about service, struggle, and redemption.Growing up in Florida during simpler times, Eric recalls drinking from garden hose...
•
1:44:18
Finding Purpose: A Shirley Adams' Journey Through Leadership & Faith
What happens when a natural leader desperately tries to avoid the spotlight? Shirley Adams never wanted to stand out, but life had other plans. From being volunteered as platoon leader in Army basic training to becoming an HR executive decades ...
•
1:05:50
What Does It Mean to Serve? Billy Adams' Story
From Oklahoma oil fields to Vietnam and beyond, Billy Adams' life story captures the essence of service, resilience, and finding joy in life's journey.Born in Drumright, Oklahoma in 1948, Billy grew up in Louisiana as the oldest boy amo...
•
33:47
From Michigan Farm to Vietnam: Jim Hock's Military Service and Life
From running a family farm at age 13 to saving lives under enemy fire in Vietnam, Jim Hock's journey exemplifies the resilience and quiet heroism of a generation. Born in Michigan in 1943 and adopted at age two, Jim's life took an unexpected tu...
•
33:25
From Boot Camp to Building a Life: Mike Mickus's Journey Through Service and Family
What does it mean to truly find your way home? For Mike Mikus, the journey began on a 27-acre Michigan farm where he taught himself to repair engines by age 10, continued through the Marine Corps where mentorship transformed his life, and ultim...
•
1:29:21
From Vietnam-Era Helicopter Aircrewman to Small-Town Police Leadership Pat Knight's Story
Vietnam-era Navy veteran Pat Knight takes us on an extraordinary journey through his life of service, sharing intimate details of his combat search and rescue missions during the height of the conflict. With remarkable clarity, he recounts his ...
•
1:16:23
From Mississippi Airwaves to Michigan Management: Bruce Rainey's Journey
Meet Bruce Rainey, whose remarkable life journey takes us from the vibrant blues scene of 1940s Mississippi to pioneering telecommunications systems for the State of Michigan. Born in Clarksdale—the beating heart of blues music that produced le...
•
3:13:14
From Air Force Radar to Automobile Manufacturing: Mike Sweeney's Story
Mike Sweeney's life unfolds like a quintessential American story spanning the mid-20th century to today. Growing up in 1940s Lansing, Michigan when children roamed freely and milk arrived via horse-drawn cart, Mike's journey weaves through pivo...
•
1:09:31
Floyd Price: A Navy Man's Journey
Meet Floyd Price, a 98-year-old Navy veteran whose remarkable life spans nearly a century of American history. Born in 1927 during the Roaring Twenties, Floyd's journey takes us through the hardships of a disrupted childhood, his service during...
•
1:06:05
From Military to Mentorship: Dave Bittel's Life Journey
Dave Battelle's life story reads like a roadmap of divine intervention and purpose-driven choices. Born on December 7, 1932, in Lansing, Michigan—exactly nine years before Pearl Harbor—Dave shares a childhood memory that still sends chills: at ...
•
1:12:51
Forging Brotherhood: Bart Womack's Journey From Ohio to Iraq
When Sergeant Major Bart Womack decided to stay up late watching Tiger Woods play golf instead of sleeping, he had no idea that decision would save his life. Hours later, a fellow soldier would launch a devastating insider attack on his own uni...
•
4:33:53
From Rifles to River Journeys: Don Roach's War Stories Part 6 of 6
Resilience takes many forms, but few embody it quite like Don. His journey from being a top car salesman to navigating life after a stroke reveals profound wisdom about adapting to life's unexpected turns with grace and positivity.Don's...
•
55:05
Joe Spackman's transformation from Army cryptographer to pastoral leader reveals the power of second chances.
Joe Spackman's life reads like a novel spanning the Cold War to the pulpit, with unexpected twists that reveal how our darkest chapters can become our greatest ministry tools.Born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1948 and raised in Lansing, Mich...
•
1:20:46
Work Hard, Stay Busy, and Keep Learning: Life Lessons from Vietnam-Era Veteran Steve Whitney
Steve Whitney's story begins in western Detroit, where as a young boy he earned money collecting golf balls at Rouge Park's course – a simple hustle that hinted at the resourceful nature that would define his life. Raised primarily by his Sicil...
•
52:25
Breaking Points and Breaking Through: One Chris Belan's Remarkable Journey
The journey from soldier to survivor is rarely straightforward, but Chris Belan's path stands as a testament to the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. Growing up in a proud Polish-Ukrainian family in Michigan, Chris carried forward h...
•
2:58:56
From Boot Camp to the Battlefield: Amy Bungarts's Journey in the Army
Amy Bungart takes us through her remarkable journey from 1970s Pennsylvania farmlands to the frontlines of Operation Desert Storm. With candid humor and stark honesty, she recounts growing up in a world where kids played outside until the stree...
•
1:09:34
From Detroit to Afghanistan: A Ben Annarino's Journey of Resilience and Growth
What happens when your entire childhood is defined by constant change? Ben Annarino takes us on a remarkable journey from his unstable early years—where he attended 13 different schools in 13 years—to finding structure and purpose in the United...
•
2:55:05
Tank, Trauma, and Pink Donuts: Andrew Pavlica's Journey
Andrew Pavlica takes us through his profound military journey as a tank gunner in the U.S. Army, revealing the complex human experience behind the uniform. From his early days at Fort Knox training on M1A2 tanks to the dusty streets of Iraq dur...
•
2:55:56
From Rifles to River Journeys: Don Roach's War Stories Part 5 of 6
What happens when a Marine Corps veteran with a knack for creative problem-solving enters the cutthroat world of automotive sales? This candid conversation takes you deep into the dealership trenches of 1980s Detroit, where commission schemes, ...
•
2:17:57