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

Tammy Taylor had a love for decorating with red, white, and blue before realizing the intense fervor she felt for America.  Not until after Tammy married, did her love for this great country truly manifest itself.

Tammy is the mother of eight children.  Her first four children were a year apart.  Tammy raised her boys with stories of American heroes and patriots.  She wanted them to serve America in some capacity, never comprehending that six of her seven sons would one day join the military.

September 11, 2001 was the catalyst for her sons.   Five of Tammy's boys joined the army guard and one joined the regular army.

Tammy loves her eight children with only the love a mother can understand. And so it was heart wrenching to lose not one, but two of her beloved sons.

Tammy's youngest son, Troy, took his own life at the tender age of fifteen.  Several of Tammy's children deal with depression, and Troy was no exception.  On that dreadful day, it was Tammy who found her son in his bedroom. 

Her pain was further compounded when years later, Brent was killed while serving in Afghanistan.  Tammy had a sense of foreboding about this deployment, but pushed those feelings aside..until two uniformed men entered the church where she and her husband were working on a service project.  Tammy collapsed to her knees, the gravity of the situation too much to bear.

Through Tammy's pain and loss, she never lost her love of family or America.  She has a profound gratitude for those who have given so much to keep our country free.

Tammy is part of a family no one wants to be a part of, yet is intensely grateful for the support; the gold star family.

Tammy urges all Americans to know the real history of America.  Understand the sacrifice and service of those heroes who came before us.  Be grateful to call America home.

Seann Ritzman is a New Jersey native.  Raised by a single mother, Seann's grandfather was the father figure in his life.  Seann was taught to take pride in his country; his grandfather having served in Korea in the Army Corps. of Engineers.

At seventeen, Seann joined a delayed entry program into the "Marine Corps. Chaffeur Crew," aka the Navy.  Seann's boot camp was the summer after he graduated high school.  He remembers boot camp as eye opening, the air thick with the moisture of sweat.  

Seann's four year enlistment was spent at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Seann elected not to re-enlist, and spent the next several years trying to find a purpose and direction for his life including: working for an alarm company, Hot Topic, ADP, and finally ending up at Cissco.

For the past eight years Seann has been instrumental in working with veterans through the Veteran Focus Resource Organization at Cisco.  

Seann has devoted a great deal of his time, passion, and energy to Operation Enduring Warrior, an organization whose mission is to honor, empower, and motivate our wounded warriors.  OEW is probably best known for their spartan races.  OEW takes the broken and makes them whole.  Honorees run races, accompanied by handlers wearing gas masks.  Honorees receive the praise; handlers are blank slates.

Seann credits OEW for helping him find the right people to bring him out of a very frustrating and dark time.

Seann and I mention two OEW honorees whose stories were told on the We The People Our American Story podcast.

Ep. 25 No Legs, No Vision, No Problem-Matthew's American Story

Ep. 35 Ian's American Story-Featuring Medal of Honor Recepient Ross McGinnis

Find a purpose.  "Whatever your gift, give it away."  Find an organization to serve others, for there you will find strength and community.

Whole Vet

BeArded WarriorS

F3 Nation

Team Red White Blue

1 Tribe Foundation

Ray was raised in Baltimore, Maryland in a broken home.  He was subject to frequent beatings by his dad, but Ray still considers him a good father.  When Ray was only 11, his dad was murdered.  Ray was sent to live with his mom.

Ray was athletic, but he also got himself into a lot of trouble.  After his dad's death, Ray found himself drinking and doing drugs.  He was on the path to jail.  The military turned out to be Ray's saving grace.

Ray failed the ASVAB 3 times.  Ray was told he would never become a Navy SEAL.  Ray started BUDS with class 200, and finished with class 200; one of only sixteen in a class of 130+ to make it through the punishing finish line.

Ray has a no quit attitude, and considers himself a savage.  Ray lives by the four pillars of family, fitness, finances, and faith.  Every day he spends one minute, telling himself positive mantras.  

Ray believes he was put on this earth to help others.  He uses acronyms and simple steps to lift others to become the best versions of themselves.

Ray works as a pain coach.  He's a man who can endure alot, and teachers others to do the same.  Ray is convinced the world needs more pushups.

Before you listen to this episode, grab something to write with and a piece of paper.  Ray will fire you up!

Not only is Ray a Navy SEAL, he is a popular motivational speaker, accountability coach, and works with many programs to improve those willing to work hard.

Find Ray on Instagram at raycashcare  DM him...If you don't ask him something stupid, he will respond.

https://www.facebook.com/Frogmindset

And he can do 1,320 pushups in an hour!

Todd Hansen was a dorky, painfully shy bullied, little boy.  He was afraid to talk to people and enteract in social situations.

Todd hated being shy.  Deep down, he knew this was not him.  His mother confirmed the fact, telling Todd he used to be a happy-go-lucky kid.

Todd did the unthinkable.  He enrolled in college, pursuing a degree in broadcasting.  Todd was terrified of college and broadcasting, but was determined to overcome his disability.

Todd began his career at KBYU tv, followed by a job in Washington state, and then FOX 13 news in Salt Lake City.

After some time away from tv, Todd was able to pitch a new show to a network.  This show became The Story Trek.  Todd found his passion in sharing the stories of other.  For eleven seasons, Todd traveled the United States, finding random people to share their stories, proving everyone has a story.  In the process, he garnered numerous Emmy awards.

Today, Todd still wants to help people share their stories.  Todd showcases his incredible gift for storytelling with the amazing services he offers at storyempowered.com.

Follow Todd at https://www.instagram.com/trippinwithtodd/

Don't let these precious stories disappear!

Jeff Gum grew up in a small town located in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsyvania.  He had an idyllic childhood, living on a 100 acre dairy farm.

At 8 years old, Jeff's world was shattered when his father was killed in a traffic accident.  Immediately Jeff assumed the role of protector for his sister, brother, and mother.

At 16 with an injured ACL, Jeff discovered the Navy SEALS.  He was laser focused on becoming a SEAL.  Jeff was only a senior in high school on September 11, 2001, but that day reinforced 100 fold his determination to become a SEAL.

Jeff's road to accomplishing his goal was a hard one.  As part of class 270, Jeff was about to begin hell week when he became extremely ill with gastroenteritis.  Through sheer determination, Jeff refused to quit, but his body would not cooperate.  

Jeff had not failed once during BUDS, until his illness.  Jeff developed rhabdomyolysis, a serious blood disorder.

Jeff was forced to take two weeks of leave to heal and relax.  

Jeff came back stronger, feeling like Superman.  He graduated with the class of 272, assigned to SEAL Team 5 and later as instructor for SEAL trainees.

Jeff served two deployments, one in Iraq, and the second with a crises management team throughout Europe.

It was during the second deployment Jeff injured his back and required spine surgery.  After several reinjuries, he made the decision to leave the Navy SEALS after 10 years of service.

Jeff refocused his energy and goals.  Jeff earned his masters and founded the popular swim line, Sunga Life.  You can visit Jeff's website and visit sunga.life on Instagram.

Jeff is active in veterans causes and organizations including:

https://forceblueteam.org/ Hudson SEAL Swim https://www.adaptivetrainingfoundation.org/ https://www.wakeforwarriors.org/

On March 26, 2001 Jason Schechterle's patrol car was rear ended by a taxi cab driver at 115 mph as he was experiencing an epileptic seizure.  Jason's vehicle burst into flames.  He had only been a Phoenix police officer for 14 months.

Jason joined the air force after high school.  His family has a strong military legacy, including a grandfather who was a part of the military for 26 years, serving in WW2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  

Jason was in the air force for almost four years.  After his enlistment was up, Jason pursued his life long dream of becoming a police officer.  The admittance tests were challenging, and he did not get in right away.

Jason took a regular job to support his young family, and then on March 26, 1999, his life took a turn.  A Phoenix police officer was shot in the line of duty.  That day Jason decided becoming a public servant was not just something he wanted to do, it was his calling.

Jason's accident on March 26, 2001 left him with 43% of his body burned, including 4th degree burns on his neck, face, and head.  Jason was in a medically induced coma for over two months; and was blind for 9 month with skin grafts placed over his eyes.

Jason defied all odds, returning to the career he loved 18 months later as a public information officer, followed by a homicide detective.

Jason is now retired and is a popular public speaker.  Jason believes, "We should be accountable for everything that happens in our lives, good or bad.

You can buy Jason's book, Burning Shield, on his website at https://burningshield.com/ or at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Jason has a podcast called Badge Boys Podcast available on most podcast platforms, and you can follow Jason on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/schechterle_jas/

"Happy Birthday, I Love You," was the last text Antionette received from her husband before he took his own life while on deployment with the army reserve in Qatar.

Antionette Martinez de Stapley grew up in Clinton, Utah.  She met her husband, Travis, while still in junior high school.  After "going together", Tracy broke it off with Antionette.

The two rekindled after they had graduated at a homecoming football game. They were engaged two weeks later and tied the knot two years after that.  

Tracy joined the military when he was 18.  Tracy was red, white, and blue, patriotic through and through.  He only wanted to serve.

Tracy's first deployment was to Kuwait with an army reserve unit. Antionette was left at home with two small children, one an infant.

Tracy's 2nd deployment came 10 years later, again as army reserve.  He went to Qatar, specializing in medical logistics.

Four months into his deployment, Antionette heard the knock on the door.  On July 3, 2013, two uniformed men gave her the news that Tracy had taken his life.  There was no note, nothing to let Antionette know her husband's anguish.

In 2015, Antionette started a non profit organization, Operation Hero.  Every Memorial Day weekend Operation Hero puts out combat boots to represent each fallen Utah military member since September 11, 2001.  The fallen include:  battle, natural causes, illness, and suicide.  Antionette's organization helps Utah military families.

Through tragedy, Antionette has learned to treasure every moment with her family.  She will continue to put the boots out every Memorial Day Weekend to keep fallen warriors in our hearts and minds.

Instagram at operation.hero

Facebook at Operation Hero Tracy

Leslie wasn't a good soldier, she was a great soldier.  Leslie excelled, gaining accolades and awards including:  Distinguished Honor Grad & Junior Leader of The Cycle in basic and AIT school; Soldier of the Year at a brigade level; and earning a place on the Army 10 miler team.

Leslie grew up in Utah, the sixth of seven children.  She was not the only one to join the U.S. armed forces.  Leslie's sister, Julia, and brother, Edward, became marines.  Leslie gravitated to the army.  

Leslie remembers watching September 11, 2001 on a t.v. during combat medic training.  Her situation and training became very real.

Leslie spent a year in South Korea, and then was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2003.  Leslie was a dutiful soldier, driving herself to be the best at everything.  

Leslie was a lifer, the army was her dream occupation, but her deployment changed everything.

Leslie came home a different person.  The experiences she had and the things she witnessed drove Leslie to the suicidal brink.

Leslie made the heart wrenching decision to leave the army.  She was distraught.  How was this rock star soldier suddenly not able to handle life.  Deep feelings of shame engulfed Leslie.

But this is not a story of dispair.  Leslie's story is one of hope, perseverance and overcoming obstacles.  Through therapy and the solace she finds in mountain biking, Leslie has learned to live with her PTS.  Does she have bad days?  Absolutely, but they are overshadowed by the great days.

Leslie became personal friends with George W. Bush, first meeting him through the 2015 W100K Bike Ride  on President Bush's ranch in Crawford, TX.  Leslie is on the front cover of his book, Portraits of Courage.

Leslie is a wife, mother, and author of several children's books including:  "When Mom Deploys" and "When Dad Deploys."

Leslie and her sister, Julia work together as peer mentor coordinators for the court, organizing mentors for vets going through the court system.

You can find Leslie at the following places:

lesliezimmerman.org

authorlesliezimmerman on Instagram

thezpack on Instagram

You can also catch Julia's American Story,  Ep. 39 "Best Shot In The Marines" by visiting the We The People Our American Story Podcast Website and finding your favorite podcast platform.