Freedom’s Pulse

Part one of Frank's American story ended with him on an operating table; his legs horribly mangled from an IED.

In part 2 of Frank's episode, he wakes up from surgery with both legs amputated.

Frank's life was changed drastically. What did that look like?  Could Frank still contribute?  What did he have to offer?

Frank Fields is a remarkable, resilient individual.  

Life wasn't fair.  His father died when Frank was young and now this bad day on the job took his legs.  He was angry.  Frank didn't understand.

Through self reflection and time, Frank proved his worth.  He began developing physical strength, and competed against himself to live life to the fullest.

Frank was introduced to https://www.enduringwarrior.org/ (Operation Enduring Warrior, completing his first Spartan Race in 8+ grueling hours.  

Frank has a deep desire to help others.  He is working towards his certification as a life couch.

Follow Frank at the following:

https://www.facebook.com/fizzletown0  (Frank Fields)

https://www.instagram.com/fizzletown0/  (Frank Fields)

Follow the We The People Our American Story podcast on all my platforms:

https://www.instagram.com/wethepeopleoas/

https://www.facebook.com/tinamccaf

https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=tinaAmericanpatriot&t=1650342199441

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhhsZdRKe_lSO6XUd2nbkg (We The People Our American Story YouTube Channel

Frank Fields was born to an American father and a German mother.  After his parents divorced, Frank made the decision to come to America with his father.  His mother stayed behind in Germany

At the young age of 12, Frank lost his father to cancer.  He continued to live in America with relatives.

Frank had no inkling to join the military, until a recruiting officer literally showed up at his front door.  It was a hard sell for the officer, but Frank knew it was the best option.

After high school, Frank was getting into trouble resulting in a 2-3 month stint in the county jail.  His lifestyle needed to change.

Frank remembers the terror he felt inside as he flew into Iraq.  He signed up for one of the most dangerous jobs as a truck driver.  

Frank's deployment was for a year, but he never made it to the end.  

On November 22, 2006 Frank's humvee was blasted by an IED that mangled his legs beyond repair.

This was the beginning of a new journey for Frank, and the ending of another.

We pick up here for part 2 of Frank's episode next Tuesday.

In this episode we mentioned Carmelo Rodriguez and Ian Newland.  You can find their episodes at the following:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-35-ians-american-story-featuring-medal-of-honor/id1539356968?i=1000528299076  Ep. 35 Ian's American Story Featuring Medal of Honor Recipient Ross McGinnis

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-29-dead-soldier-carmelos-american-story/id1539356968?i=1000523360644  Ep. 29 "Dead Soldier" Carmelo's American Story

You can find We The People Our American Story at the following:

https://www.facebook.com/tinamccaf

https://www.instagram.com/wethepeopleoas/

https://www.tiktok.com/@tinaamericanpatriot

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhhsZdRKe_lSO6XUd2nbkg

Atticus Shaffer is best known for his role as Brick heck in the hit t.v. series, "The Middle."  He is also an accomplished voice actor in several projects including Tim Burton's Frankenweenie and Disney's The Lion Guard.

Born with a genetic condition, brittle bone disease, Atticus fell into acting by chance.  As the poster child for his children's hospital, Atticus' mom noticed the ease of her son's demeanor in front of large groups and knew there had to be more for Atticus.  Within months of finding an agent, Atticus was booking jobs.

Atticus describes his mom as the hero of his story.  She taught him to love God and his holy word.  

From an early age, Atticus' mom instilled in him a deep patriotism for America and those who defend her.

In this episode, Atticus shares his Christian faith and how it has sustained him through dark days.....And we spend a few minutes talking about my favorite show, "The Middle."

You can find Atticus at the following:

https://www.twitch.tv/atticusshaffervlog

https://www.instagram.com/atticusshaffervlog/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCll_cO3za2bsnF1AMMw-rzw

Dexter Pitts is a proud Purple Heart recipent and medically retired U.S. Army veteran.  

He proudly served in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division and is a graduate of American Military Uniiversity with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.

After serving his country in a time of war, Dexter exchanged his military fatigues for a police officer uniform.

He has continually served his community as a law enforcement officer for over a decade and a one year tour of duty as an agent with United States Border Patrol on the southern Arizona Border.

Raised as a Christian in a military family, Dexter starts to question his faith in the wake of his mother's unexpected suicide while he is on duty.

Having struggled all of his life trying to find his own identity, Dexter became submerged in the battle between his conservative values, black skin, and PTSD.

Despite the obstacles that have befallen him, Dexter stands unshakable in his faith and identity as a proud American patriot who believes in the promises of America.  Dexter's faith and values are tested once more as civil unrest consumed America in 2020.  

In defense of his profession, his community and the U.S. Constitution, he stands shoulder to shoulder with his brothers and sisters of the thin blue line on Louisville's embattled streets.

You are not alone in your struggle.  You are not alone in your journey to discover your identity.  

I Am Pitts Website

I Am Pitts on Instagram

Author Dexter Pitts on Facebook

Adam Francis is a police officer who woke up one morning not feeling quite right.  Once healthy, Adam soon found himself enduring the invisible disease of fibromyalgia with chronic spasms so wretching, there were days Adam could not get out of bed.

At Adam's lowest point, the debilitating pain and depression associated with the disease, led Adam to try and take his own life.  Adam kept his family in the dark about that day for years.

It was quite by chance Adam found Jonathan Lopez (Jonathan had one arm amputated) on Instagram.  Adam had crushed his hand inside a police cruiser which resulted in his inability to even tie his shoe. 

Out of desperation Adam contacted Jonathan with a simple question, "How do you tie your shoe?"

Adam was shocked when Jonathan actually followed up, and taught Adam how to tie his shoe.  

It was through Jonathan that Adam learned about an organization called Operation Enduring Warrior.  Through OEW, Adam found purpose.  He volunteers for the organization, and has learned that if those without arms and legs can accomplish their goals, he too can aspire to be more.

Adam still has bad days.  Adam is still battling fibromyalgia, but has learned to deal with his pain through exercise, therapy, and the love of his family.

Through Adam's work as a police officer, he has helped countless people overcome drug addiction.  

Mental health is a top priority for Adam, and encourages everyone to find some ONE to talk to on those bad days.

J.P. McMichael was an on duty police officer at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.  J.P. was one of the heroes running towards the terror, while others were running from the nightmare.

J.P. lived through the hell of that day, but did not escape without scars, mental scars that developed into PTSD.  J.P. tried to deal with his PTSD without the knowledge of his department for fear of repercussion.

At his lowest point, J.P. put a gun to his head.  In those vital seconds before suicide, J.P. had a moment of clarity.  How would his death impact those left behind?  The culpibility, guilt, and sadness of his death from family and friends helped J.P. change his mind.

J.P. is still a police officer, one year from his retirement.  J.P. has found his purpose helping veterans, first responders, spouses, and children dealing with PTSD.

J.P. does not see anything as coincidence.  After September 11, 2001, and through the years, J.P.'s path has crossed with those who helped chart his course, including Operation Enduring Warrior.

Through Operation Enduring Warrior, J.P. met people who encouraged him to use his voice to help those struggling with heavy mental burdens.

J.P.  is an author, motivational speaker, and police officer, but first, and foremost, J.P. is a husband and a father.

You can find J.P. at the following:

https://catalystofchangeassociates.com/  (With links to his books.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mNrHRv873s ( The Wayward Path of the Warrior on YouTube.)

Christian Bussler joined the Marine Corps Reserves right out of high school and was assigned to MP Co. "C" in Dayton, Ohio as an Infantry Rifleman, and was later crosstrained as a Graves Registration/Mortuary Affairs Marine.

In 2003 his platoon of Mortuary Affairs specialists was activated to head to Kuwait, where he participated in the invasion of Iraq.

In February of 2004, he volunteered to go back to Iraq and was assigned to Weapons Company 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, where he was wounded in combat operations while fighting against Al Qaeda terrorist insurgents.

After Chris' surgeries, he volunteered once again to go back to Iraq in 2005, but this time as the Staff Noncommisioned Offier in charge of all Mortuary Affairs operations in and around Al Taqaddum and Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

With Bussler's leadership, his team executed 4 search and recovery missions in active hostile territory and successfully recovered 13 service members and 1 civilian contractor originally classified as "missing in action."

His team also successfully process and evacuated 150 service members back to the continental United States.  His book, "No Tougher Duty, No Greater Honor" details his experiences as a forward operating "body-bagger" in midst of combat.  Chris tells the side of war that no one ever speaks of, about a duty that few know exists.  

The Utah Honor Flight accompanies our treasured veterans to Washington DC to visit their memorials.  Stephanie Harmon feels blessed to be a part of this magnificent organization.  She and other volunteers escort war heroes from  WW2,  the Korean War, and Vietnam on a healing mission.  Veterans are treated like kings with free flights and meals.  Each veteran goes home with his/her hands full with meaningful memorablilia.  More importantly, veterans return home with full hearts.  

To find out more about honor flights and its mission visit https://www.utahhonorflight.org/ or https://www.honorflight.org/

Mariela Roca was born in Puerto Rico.  Raised by a single mother, Mariela and her brother learned the lesson of resiliency through the example of a loving, hard working mother.  Mariela moved to New York City, Queens, when she was three years old.  The family did not have much, but they had enough.  Mariela's mother made sure her two children had clothes, food, and a roof over their heads.  Spanish was Mariela's first language.  She learned English as a second language at a very young age.  When Mariela was thirteen the family moved back to Puerto Rico.   Soon after, the island was hit by Hurricane George, a category five storm.  It was during this time, Mariela understood the hardship of Puerto Rico as a territory, and not a state.  There was no water for one week, and no electricity for a month.  Resources were, and still remain, harder to come by on this territory island.  Mariela follwed her brother's example by joining the U.S. military.  She became a proud member of the air force.  Mariela served five years in the military, getting an early separation when her mother became terminally ill.  Mariela acted as her mother's sole care taker, one of the hardest roles Mariela considers any person can assume.  Mariela is currently running for congress as a Republican in the 8th District of Maryland.  Mariela's platform is to help veterans and military with medical care; be a voice for the Latino and Hispanic community; make health care affordable for every American citizen; and is an advocate of school choice. The primary elections are in June 2022, and the general elections follow November 2022.  For Mariela, America is home.  America is the greatest country on earth.  You can find Mariela 

https://rocaforcongress.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rocaforcongress/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/rocaforcongress

Twitter https://twitter.com/rocaforcongress