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
104 episodes
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
From Military Brat to Air Force Veteran: John Buremans's Journey
John Bureman's life unfolds like a vivid tapestry woven with military tradition, global adventures, personal struggles, and profound redemption. Born on a military base in England to an American Air Force father and a German war bride mother, J...
•
1:22:29
From Air Force Dreams to a Life of Purpose: Kipp Brand's Story
The power of service takes many forms throughout a lifetime, as Air Force veteran Kipp Brand eloquently demonstrates in this moving conversation about resilience, purpose, and finding meaning after military service.Born in Detroit and r...
•
37:16
The Solo That Became a Symphony: Rick Teeter's 25-Year Military Career
"When I joined the Army Band, nobody told me I'd be probing for landmines in Bosnia or providing convoy security in Desert Storm," Rick Teeter reflects, his voice carrying the weight of unexpected experiences that defined his remarkable 25-year...
•
1:35:00
Beyond Deployment: Finding Community After the Uniform Comes Off with Jimi Threet
Jimi Threet never expected military service to be his path forward. Growing up poor in Anderson, Indiana—a town featured in an HBO documentary about industrial decline—he struggled in school and saw limited options. With a 1.8 GPA and little di...
•
1:51:49
From Fuel to Fire: Mike Brunger's Journey
What happens when a 25-year-old father of one decides to finally pursue his long-held desire to serve in the military? In this candid conversation, Mike Brunger takes us on an unlikely journey from small-town Michigan to overseas deployments an...
•
42:55
Brad Budzynski's Journey: From Bootcamp to Baghdad and Back
What does true character look like? For Brad Budzynski, a former US Marine Corps infantryman who served during the initial invasion of Iraq, the answer came through the crucible of combat. His journey from small-town Michigan to the frontlines ...
•
1:34:50
From Jersey Boy to Warrior: Dale Throneberry's Military Odyssey
Dale Throneberry's life reads like an American odyssey—from carefree days on the Jersey Shore to the perilous skies above Vietnam and eventually to the broadcast booth where he helps fellow veterans find their voices. Born in 1946 to a World Wa...
•
1:31:19
Finding Jon Bureman: The Journey of an Air Force Veteran
Air Force veteran Jon Bureman takes us through his remarkable life journey from military child to signals intelligence specialist to recovery advocate. Born at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Texas, John's childhood spanned continents as his family...
•
1:02:01
From Army Service to Line Worker: Art Hill's American Journey
Art Hill's remarkable journey from rural Michigan to World War II service and beyond captivates with its blend of humor, resilience, and unexpected adventures. Born in 1926 in Ionia, Michigan, Art grew up in Vicksburg during the Great Depressio...
•
41:30
Life Beyond the Uniform: Robert Dolenz's Story
Dive into an unforgettable journey with Robert Dolenz, a Vietnam veteran whose life reflects resilience, faith, and the complexities of navigating personal and collective trauma. Born just weeks after Pearl Harbor, Robert's early life was shape...
•
1:20:31
Bill Kelley: A Journey of Service and Family
Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Bill Kelley, who transformed his life from a childhood spent milking cows on a Michigan farm to serving in the United States Navy. He shares compelling stories filled with nostalgia and humor fro...
•
42:46