Welcome to the premiere episode of BACK TO THE LODGE PODCAST. This podcast is framed around the value system of the outdoors and how that correlates with the veteran community outdoors, personalities, and country music. In today’s first episode, our hosts, Patrick Mudge & Matthew Dretzka together with our sound engineer Nick Conder will speak about the resiliency of blue and gold star parents who raised children that grew up, became a warrior, and paid the ultimate price. They will also express their sentiments and commemorate comrades who fell during the Extortion 17. Our three remarkable guests, Thomas O’Neill, Charlie Strange, and Dan Robinson are the proud and loving fathers of the brave and honorable service members who committed their lives serving the country and protecting the nation. Thomas O’Neill is the father of the Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill who killed Osama bin Laden. Charles Strange is a Gold Star father of Michael Strange, a Navy Cryptologist who served with an elite SEAL Team and was killed in action when the Chinook military helicopter operating with the call sign Extortion 17 was shot down while transporting an Immediate Reaction Force attempting to reinforce a Joint Special Operations Command unit of the 75th Ranger Regiment in the Tangi Valley in Maidan Wardak province, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan. Charlie is also the founder of Michael Strange Foundation, a non-profit organization set up in the memory of Michael J. Strange which provides unconditional support and services to the families of recently fallen service members by professionals in several fields and also by those who have suffered similar losses so that the healing process can begin. Dan Robinson is also a Gold Star father of Heath Robinson, Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) who is also a member of the Extortion 17. Dan is a member of Team Honor made up of veterans, their families, and fellow patriots who gather as a team at various events to raise awareness of Gold Star and Blue Star families. Enjoy! Favorite Quote “With grief, there are five stages- denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But with any other, you're not supposed to bury your children. What's so huge with this foundation, reaching to others, helping others and learning, sharing their experience, and what to do. But the great outdoor is so healing." -Charles Strange In this Episode 3:06 - Introduction of tonight's guests 9:20 - Remembering loved ones from Extortion 17 and the silver lining behind the tragedy 12:46 - Know more about our first guest - Tom O'Neill 16:22 - What got Tom into fishing and why he fell in love with it 18:57 - How Tom's outdoor driven life prepared his son, Rob O'Neill, to his military career and subsequently heroism 30:57 - His words of advice to all listeners 1:02:48 - How Michael Strange Foundation started 1:07:06 - The outdoor activity that helped Charlie coped up from losing his son 1:10:03 - The biggest stressor in his life today and how the outdoor has helped him manage that 1:15:45 - Charlie's parting notes to someone who needs relief 1:41:25 - Dan's way of engaging to other gold star parents 1:43:45 - His favorite outdoor activities 1:48:10 - The genesis of Team Honor 1:52:53 - The origin of Gold Star Parents 1:55:34 - His parting advice to all listeners How to get connected: Michael Strange Foundation Michael Strange Foundation Facebook Team Honor Our Sponsors Higdon Outdoors - The industry leader in the waterfowl industry for over 25 years Icey-Tek USA - The classic rotomolded ice chest that started the entire premium cooler industry Merica Bourbon - The sweet taste of freedom Visit our Website Back To The Lodge Follow us on Facebook - Back To The Lodge Tune in LIVE to WEIO 100.9 The Farm