American Valor Podcast

On the American Valor Podcast, Sports Journalist Lindsay Berra speaks about her career decision and experience covering sports at the highest levels. She talks about lessons learned from her grandfather Yogi, one of the greatest baseball catchers of all time: humility, integrity, citizenship, treating all people equally, and many more. One special story includes Yogi’s reflection on his military service during World War II after watching Band of Brothers. Mr. Berra did not frequently speak about his time in the military. Lindsay shares with listeners the wisdom of Yogi-isms, the educational components of the Yogi Berra museum, and how sports like baseball help to build communities.

Lindsay Berra:

“Lindsay Berra is a freelance sports journalist based in Montclair, NJ. At MLB.com from January 2013 through January 2018, she established herself as an authority on baseball fitness and injuries and appeared frequently on MLB Network to discuss her stories. From 1999 through 2012, she was a senior writer for ESPN Magazine, covering primarily ice hockey, tennis, baseball and the Olympics. Lindsay received her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she played varsity softball and men’s club ice hockey. She is the oldest grandchild of Yogi and Carmen Berra and is a board member at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, NJ” (lindsayberra.com).

Yogi Berra:

 “Yogi Berra transcended the world of sports to become an American icon. Few athletes have made such a transition. Yogi is a household name, known even to those unfamiliar with baseball history. He was a child of Italian immigrants, a World War II Navy gunner who served at D-Day, a record-holding athlete, a Major League coach and manager, a husband and father, an engaged community member, a friend to many and, famously, a one-of-a-kind master with language who uttered some of the most frequently recalled sayings in American life. After a long career and during a very public retirement in which he remained involved in baseball, Yogi spent many of his days at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Montclair, N.J., where his interests in education, sports and community came together as one. His legacy is carried on in the Museum’s exhibitions and programs” (yogiberramuseum.org).

Lindsay Berra's website
Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center
Discover Greatness Exhibit on display at the Yogi Berra Museum during February 2020
Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation
Podcast hosts: Tyler Buchholz, Nathaniel Cameron and Colin Kirk
Special thank you to editors Galen Odell and Jack Metcalfe

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Author Anne Keene began her career as a writer after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a journalism degree.

Anne’s father was a batboy for the Cloudbuster Nine, a World War II team of fighter-pilot cadets at an elite Navy training school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After her father’s passing, Anne began researching the Major League Baseball players who attended the training school that shaped the lives of many well-known individuals. Her book, The Cloudbuster Nine, was named as a finalist for the 2018 CASEY Award for "Best Baseball Book of the Year.”

Mrs. Keene shares incredible stories and lessons learned from her conversations with surviving Major League Baseball World War II veterans. Common values of these individuals include fearlessness, pride in the military and service, generosity, service-oriented, modesty, humility, appreciation of freedom, clarity of beliefs, and respect for authority and leadership. Anne’s research reminds listeners of the importance of positive values and a desire to help others and make the world a better place.

Podcast image: Anne Keene's father receiving lessons from Boston Red Sox Ted Williams and Johnny Pesky
Anne Keene's website
Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation
Hosts: Nathaniel Cameron and Colin Kirk
Special thank you to editors Tyler Buchholz, Jack Metcalfe, and Galen Odell

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On the twentieth episode of the American Valor Podcast, we are honored to be joined by the 75th Secretary of the Navy: the Honorable Ray Mabus. "Mr. Mabus served as the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, the longest to serve as leader of the Navy and Marine Corps since World War I. Throughout his tenure, Secretary Mabus has focused on four key priorities - People, Platforms, Power and Partnerships – that enable the Navy and Marine Corps' unique ability to maintain the global presence that reassures our allies and deters our adversaries.

Before his appointment by President Obama, Mabus held a variety of leadership positions. From 1988 to 1992, Mabus served as Governor of Mississippi, the youngest elected to that office in more than 150 years. Mabus was Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1994-1996 and later was Chairman and CEO of a manufacturing company which he led out of bankruptcy.

Mabus has been recognized for his leadership of the Navy and Marine Corps on multiple occasions. In 2013, he was named one of the top 50 highest rated CEOs by Glassdoor, an online jobs and career community. Mabus was the only person in government to receive this award.

Secretary Mabus is a native of Ackerman, Mississippi, and received a Bachelor's Degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Mississippi, a Master's Degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a Law Degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. After Johns Hopkins, Mabus served in the Navy as an officer aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock” (defense.gov).

Mabus encourages listeners to believe you can do whatever you put your mind to. He describes being in the United States Navy as one of the defining experiences of his life, teaching Mr. Mabus what it means to be part of a team. 

Mr. Mabus preaches the importance of being honest. He states that Americans must stand for equality, democracy, openness, and freedom of expression across the world. Our strength as a nation lies in our values and what we have stood for since 1776. 

Ray Mabus' three traits of a leader:

1. Know what you are willing to lose.
2. Set an example for others to follow. 
3. Be very clear. Know why you are doing what you are doing.

Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation
Hosts: Nathaniel Cameron, Tyler Buccholz, and Colin Kirk
Edited by Tyler Buchholz and Galen Odell
Special thank you to Jack Metcalfe for additional support.

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Mr. Bill Tunnell served as the Executive Director of USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park until 2015, a total of 19 years. Bill oversaw the maintenance and expansion of one of the last remaining Battleship museums left in the world. Over the course of his career, Bill met and spoke personally with National Baseball Hall of Famer and proud veteran of the United States Navy, Chief Petty Officer Bob Feller, developing a personal relationship with Mr. Feller. Mr. Tunnell was honored to speak at Mr. Feller's memorial service in 2010.

Mr. Tunnell shares stories and lessons of the USS Alabama battleship, including service to country, America’s military, and the incredible life and legacy of Chief Petty Officer Bob Feller. Some values of those who served on the ship include comradeship, brotherhood, and patriotism. Bill exclaims a job and life very well done for Bob Feller.

The Battleship Memorial Park has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors each year since 1965: “More than fifteen million visitors later and a statewide economic impact approaching one billion dollars, the Park is easily the most recognizable symbol of the State of Alabama. Dedicated to all Alabama Citizens who have worn the uniform of all branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Park’s numerous artifacts, exhibits, and displays all point to the fact that the Park is America’s most unique military attraction” (ussalabama.com).

Bill Tunnell attended the University of the South, majoring in history with an emphasis on American History. Bill has served in various business roles throughout his career. Tunnell was named "Honorary Veteran" by the South Alabama Veterans Council and was the first inductee into the Alabama Tourism Hall of Fame.

Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
You can visit the park yourself in Mobile, Alabama.
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz, Nathaniel Cameron, and Colin Kirk
Edited by Jack Metcalfe

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On the American Valor Podcast, Mr. Steve Gonzalez preaches the importance of being better each day. Steve joined the Marine Corps because he realized that doing so aligned with what he wanted to achieve in life: service to country as a means of believing in something bigger than himself. Steve speaks to the difficulty of transitioning out of military service. 

The gap between society and former members of the military is discussed as well as ways to close this gap by supporting those who have served. Society must do more than say ‘thank you for your service.’ We must understand how to best help integrate those individuals fighting for us as they readjust to civil society. Through his time in the Marines and on Capitol Hill, Steve explains the similarities and differences between the organizations with the common mission of protecting the best interest of the country.

Mr. Gonzalez defines valor as helping others to strengthen society in a small way daily: valor is consistently serving individuals out of a genuine concern for their well-being.

Marine Steve Gonzalez earned his Bachelor of Arts in International and Global Studies from Queens University of Charlotte. Steve’s experience includes service as the Assistant Director of National Veterans Employment and Education for the American Legion, Senior Policy Advisor to the Committee on the Budget of the United States House of Representatives, and Vice President of Government Relations for the Career Education Colleges and Universities. Steve is a member of the Board of Directors of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation.

Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation
Hosts: Nathaniel Cameron and Colin Kirk
Edited by Tyler Buchholz
Special thank you to Jack Metcalfe

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Doug Flynn grew up playing several sports in Lexington, Kentucky. He attended the University of Kentucky and Somerset Community College before playing 11 seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. Mr. Flynn was a member of the 1975 Big Red Machine team that won the World Series. He is currently a broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds and actively supports service men and women through multiple non-profit organizations, including Hope for the Warriors (supporting injured veterans and their families) at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, USACares (supporting family members of military personnel) and Save the Warriors (supporting veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/PTSD).

Mr. Flynn speaks about his blessed childhood growing up in Kentucky and the impact of playing several sports including basketball and baseball at the University of Kentucky. He shares stories of trying out for the Cincinnati Reds and his tribulations rising through the team’s minor league system before playing with the Big Red Machine and National Baseball Hall of Fame managers Sparky Anderson and Joe Torre in his Major League career. Doug shares lessons learned from some of the greatest coaches and players of his generation.

Doug preaches playing for the team name on the front of the jersey rather than the name on the back and speaks to the importance of community involvement, sharing stories of his support for service men and women, often with his good friend National Baseball Hall of Famer and Bob Feller Award recipient Mr. Johnny Bench. Hear Mr. Flynn’s thoughts on the current state of the game of baseball and his experience of going on tour with the Oak Ridge Boys during the 1981 Major League Baseball players’ strike.

Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Nathaniel Cameron
Edited by Jack Metcalfe

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Major Lennon speaks about his decision to join the Marine Corps and his service in both the active and reserve components of the Marine Corps, as well as his decision to attend law school. In 2010, Major Lennon deployed to Afghanistan, receiving the Purple Heart and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his service to our country. Major Lennon then went on earn his Doctor of Law degree from the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where he currently serves as Director of the Veterans and Servicemembers’ Rights’ Clinic.

Major Lennon encourages individuals interested in the military to research the four branches and speaks about the close connection among members of the military and the significance arising from service to others and country.

As an advisor to the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation and a community athlete for the Semper Fi Fund, an organization assisting injured veterans in all branches of the armed forces, Major Lennon became a Guinness World Record holder in the summer of 2019. His effort to earn the fastest one mile time pulling a 400 pound chain raised over $6,000 for the Semper Fi Fund.

Hear Major Lennon’s discuss the the Marine Corps slogan Semper Fi…Always Faithful.

Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Nathaniel Cameron
Edited by Tyler Buchholz
Special thank you to Jack Metcalfe

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Vice Admiral John “Jay” Donnelly (United States Navy, Retired) is Vice President of Advanced Technologies for Huntington Ingalls Industries. Jay serves as an active Board Member of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation. Donnelly graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1975 and served 35 years in the Navy. A submarine officer by training, his commanding officer assignments included USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) and USS McKee (AS 41). His final assignment was as Commander, Submarine Forces, responsible for establishing force-wide strategies on core submarine issues such as force structure, budgetary requirements and manpower.

Vice Admiral Donnelly speaks about what it means to be part of a three generation Naval family and the values he developed at the Naval Academy: integrity, honor and service above one’s self. Learn about life on a submarine and the rationale behind the decisions to allow women to serve in the submarine force and the elimination of smoking on submarines.

Vice Admiral Donnelly encourages young people to start their career in the military because it prepares one for success in life. Military service is an opportunity to develop self-discipline, teamwork and the other skills critical for success in any field: communication, leadership, integrity, doing things right and doing hard things well.

For Vice Admiral Donnelly, valor is the application of sacrifice and service to others in a time of great peril. To live with valor means to act with valor.

Donnelly lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife of 39 years. They have three married children who each became naval officers following college. They are happily accumulating grandchildren.

To learn more about the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation, please visit: http://www.actofvaloraward.org/

Editor: Jack Metcalfe
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz and Nathaniel Cameron

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The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation is proud to present a promotional speaker event between our podcast team of Nathaniel Cameron, Tyler Buchholz, and Colin Kirk and Foundation Board Members Peter Fertig, Steve Curtis and Johnathan Rose.

The awards honor the legacy of National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, who made the selfless decision to put his career in the major leagues on hold so he could serve our country. Each honoree possesses the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed. Award winners will be honored at the seventh annual award ceremony in Washington D.C. on November 14th, 2019.

The awards recognize seven recipients — one National Baseball Hall of Famer, one current MLB player, one U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, two peer-to-peer mentoring awards (one for afloat command and one for ashore command), one military children award, and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Jerry Coleman award.

The honorees this year: National Baseball Hall of Fame — Randy Johnson; Major League Baseball — Ian Kennedy; U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer — Logistics Specialist Chief Jairo N. Guity; Jerry Coleman Award — Gunnery Sergeant Joshua A. MacMillan; Peer-to-Peer Award (Afloat) — USS AMERICA (LHA 6) Junior Enlisted Association (JEA); Peer-to-Peer Award (Ashore) — Training Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD), and Military Children Award — Mia Owen.

To learn more about the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation, please visit: http://www.actofvaloraward.org/

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In our twelfth installment, Dr. CJ Mitchell, the 15th Force Master Chief of the Navy Reserve, chats with the podcast team of Nathaniel Cameron, Tyler Buchholz and Colin Kirk. Dr Mitchell discusses his career in the Navy, transition to civilian life and CJ's concept of leadership, including his rule of three. CJ has held several leadership positions in the Navy at every level and frequently speaks and facilitates leadership training for the United States Navy. He has facilitated training for senior Flag Officers for both active and reserve leaders in all services. As Force Master Chief, CJ represented and advocated for the Navy Reserve on Capitol Hill with Congress and worked with local politicians working on cooperative and collaborative programs for veteran and reserve personnel employment, education, and leadership programs.

Dr. Mitchell shares that leadership happens not by accident but by engagement. Dr. CJ Mitchell’s four pillars of leadership for business people, parents and students include:

1. Look them in the eye and tell them the truth.

2. Together we achieve more.

3. Leaders must first hold themselves accountable to a high standard, and then hold their teammates to a high standard.

4. Leaders must be able to communicate a vision. 

For more information, contact Dr. CJ Mitchell on LinkedIn and be on the lookout for CJ’s upcoming book on leadership: Look Them in the Eye and Tell Them the Truth.

To learn more about the Act of Valor Foundation, please visit http://www.actofvaloraward.org/

Editor: Jack Metcalfe
Hosts: Tyler Buchholz, Nathaniel Cameron, Colin Kirk

Support the show