Freedom’s Pulse

Jason grew up in a patriotic family.  He listened to stories of family members who served in the military.  Jason's father was an army paratrooper; his grandfather on this father's side was a highly decorated B-24 pilot who flew over Europe; his grandfather on his mother's side fought for France during World War 2.

This legacy was planted within Jason.  Joining the military was the only thing he ever wanted to do.  At age 14, Jason's father told him about a highly elite, highly secret unit with the toughest training in the military who went to airborne school with him.  They were called the Navy SEALS.  It intrigued Jason. 

Jason did everything within his power to build his physical strength in order to one day become a SEAL.  Although small in size, he played football and wrestled to help him achieve the goal.

Jason enlisted at age 17.  By the time Jason turned 19, he was headed for Navy SEAL training.  BUDS has an attrition rate of 75-80%.  There are approximately 2,400 active SEALS today, and only 12,000 total in American history.  It is a prestigious brotherhood.

Jason was eager to prove himself.  That eagerness turned to confidence, which turned to arrogance.

Jason was sent to school to become an officer.  While enrolled, September 11, 2001 rocked the nation.

After completing school, Jason came back to the SEALs.  What he found was very different.  When Jason began school the U.S. was operating with a peace time military, and he arrived to a war time military.

Tactics were different.  Jason had very little combat experience, and yet he was a leader.  Jason did not handle criticism well.

The perfect storm erupted in Afghanistan.  Jason went against a commanding officer by going into a valley to help in a fire fight.  Jason was sent to army ranger school to cool his jets.

Jason's attitude in ranger school was less than stellar.  He found the training harder than anticipated, but found his footing and a change of attitude.

It took a long time for Jason to earn the trust and respect of his brothers, but he did it with patience and hard work.

On September 13, 2007 Jason and three others walked into a well planned ambush in Iraq.  Jason was traumatically injured:  two rounds in his left elbow nearly took his arm; a round went through his face and exited the right side of his nose; blew out his right cheek bone; blew out his orbital floor; broke all bones above his eye; and shattered his jaw down to his chin.

Jason spent considerable time at Walter Reed hospital, but he did not want people feeling sorry for him.  Jason created a proclamation that now hangs permanently at the wounded ward in Walter Reed.  His proclamation went viral, gaining him a visit with George Bush.

Jason is a highly sought after author and motivational speaker.  Most recently you might have heard his name associated with Task Force Pineapple, an operation airlifting people out of Afghanistan.

And plus, Jason is really cool...

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John Pontacolone was on his way to work on the morning of September 11, 2001.  John worked for the city of New York.  He was on the sidewalk when the first plane careened overhead and crashed into the World Trade Center.  John and other New Yorkers instinctively crouched onto the ground as the plane screamed past them.

John was an eyewitness to both planes hitting the buildings and the subsequent imposions.

John spent 13+ harrowing hours trying to escape the city.  He saw dead bodies in the East River.  He saw the faces of fear everywhere he looked.

John's story is also a story of miracles, and how things could have been much worse.  

This episode is one for families to hear together.

September 11, 2001, WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Kimberly and her husband were preparing to leave on a vacation for the first time as a family of three with their baby girl, Bronwyn.

Their excitement for the trip was abruptly quelled by the events unfolding in New York.  They watched with horror as evil reached American shores.

Twenty years later Kimberly is still emotional recounting the events of the day and the ghastly images she viewed.

Kimberly is thankful for the men and women who protect us every day.  She is proud to be an American....and she will never forget.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Peggy was on her way to work when she heard news on the radio about a plane hitting the World Trade Center in New York City.

Convinced it must be a terrible accident, Peggy continued to work.  When she reached work, it became evident that this was no accident as word of a second plane hitting the World Trade Center spread through the office.

Peggy and her co-workers spent the day glued to the t.v. They watched in horror as people jumped from the buildings to escape fiery death.  They watched both buildings crumble.  

Twenty years later, these images stay with Peggy.  She will never forget.

On September 11, 2001, Craig Gustafson was a crew member on the USS Dallas.  

When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center, Craig had just relieved the watch as the duty chief petty officer.

Craig remembers the sights and smells of that day aboard the submarine.  Twenty years later, he still feels the righteous anger.

Most especially, Craig remembers his daughter's words, "Go find the bad guys."

Craig remembers September 11, 2001.

Michelle remembers where she was on September 11, 2001.

As a flight attendant, Michelle has a unique take on the horrific events from that day.  

Michelle recounts flying over ground zero only days after the attack; how the area below was lit up like a baseball field with hundreds of workers laboring night and day to search for any survivors.

Michelle's career trajectory was vastly altered because of September 11, 2001.  She loved her work as a flight attendant, but it was unsustainable as that industry was crippled by the after effects.

Take a few moments and listen as Michelle shares her story from September 11, 2001.

We will never forget.

Julia Watson Carlson was born and raised in Utah.  She is the second of seven children; both parents were school teachers.  Both of Julia's grandfathers served in WW2.

Julia began shooting as a junior in high school in small bore and high power rifles.  This experience introduced Julia to the military shooting community.

Julia attended the National Junior Rifle Competition at age 17.  She also participated in the Marine Corps. Junior Clinic.

Julia enlisted in the Marines through the delayed entry program in February of her senior year in high school.

October 1994, Julia spent 13 weeks at boot camp located in Paris Island, SC.  If frustration began to settle in, Julia concentrated on her ultimate goal; the title of marine.

Julia made her way to Camp Lejeune, NC to begin her career in the enginnering field via heavy equipment.

She earned a spot on the shooting team at Camp Pendleton.

Julia showed her skills with shooting, winning several competitions.  She shot well enough, winning a spot on the 1996 Marine Corps. Summer Team; receiving permanent orders to the Rifle Team for 3 years.

In 2001, Julia married, had two beautiful daughters, and moved back to Utah as a member of the Army Reserves.

In 2006 Julia was deployed to Iraq to support Civil Affairs out of Camp Pendleton.  As public affairs, Julia worked with media and rehabilitating the local area.

Julia's second deployment was Afghanistan where she focused more on helping Afghan women and children.  

Between and after deployments, Julia found time to become the first woman to win the National Shooting Championship.

Julia retired from the Marines in 2016.  She is the mother of 2 daughters; stepmother to 7 children; and grandma to 3 beautiful, little girls.

Today, Julia is the mentor coordinator for the 4th District Veterans Treatment Court.

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Al Capone, Jack Dempsey, and Colonel Sanders are all part of Bob's American Story.

Robert Bates grew up during the depression.  He remembers going hungry.  His father worked hard to keep a roof over the heads of his wife, son and daughter.

The Bates moved from Wisconsin to California as Bob's dad chased employment.

Bob and his family lived in California when the great earthquake shook Los Angeles on May 31, 1938.

At age 17, Bob's mom gave him permission to join the military and offer his service to the effort of WW2.  Bob enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard with the promise of staying close to American shores.  The promise was not fulfilled as Bob was sent to the Phillipines.

Bob finished his time in the U.S. Coast Guard and returned to civilian life.  He bought his first of many Cadillacs.

The Korean War called brave men to fight, and Bob found himself in the ranks again, this time with the U.S. Army.  He spent part of the war (Bob hates the words police action) in the DMZ.  

Bob does not consider himself a hero; only doing what was expected of him; only as he was commanded.

The Greatest Generation is disappearing every day, and with them goes their stories.  Sit down with a neighbor, a family member, a veteran....learn their stories...and keep their words alive.

Justen Mellor grew up in small town USA.  He had an idyllic childhood; knew it was time to ride his bike home when the street lights turned on.

Both of Justen's grandfathers served in WW2.  One grandfather was a German POW; and the other served in the Pacific.  One of Justen's prize possessions is his grandpa's POW journal.

Justen longed to join the military, but as a diabetic this was impossible.  He remembered a lonely summer in his patriotic town when many of his friends found their way to boot camp or basic training.  He was left alone.

Justen's father passed away due to diabetes complications.  This coupled with the grief of losing his mother caused Justen to turn to alcohol and medication to deal with his broken heart.

Justen's first marriage collapsed.  His second marriage was following the same direction.  Justen's existence was depressing.  He woke up with a hang over, went to work, came home and drank, followed by a hang over the next morning.  It was a vicious cycle.

Justen went to the family cabin with the intention to end his life.  He triple stacked drugs and alcohol, and woke up the next morning with a clear head.  With divine help, Justen was alive.

He entered a rehab center, dedicated to his recovery.  After leaving the center, life began to take its toll.  Work was drudgery and the temptation to drink again was always close.  A co-worker, a veteran, asked Justen to run a ruck race with him in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  The experience was life changing.

In 2018, Justen created United We March.  His organization helps veterans and first responders.  Every September UEM hosts Gut Check.  It is a weekend of races, fundraising dinner, and more.  All proceeds go to help the few people (veterans, first responders) who have served and sacrificed so much for our country.  This year, 2021, the event will be held September 10-11; 20 years after the terrorist attack on the United States.

Justen was unable to serve in the military, but he considers it a huge blessing to serve without a uniform.  Those who participate in Justen's organization leave a lasting impression on him with their determination, courage, and positive attitude.

In Justen's episode, we talk about two previous guests from the podcast.  You can listen to Kyle's American Story and Matthew's American Story by visiting the podcast website, We The People Our American Story  If you haven't heard their episodes, you want to hear the incredible stories they share.

John Peck is one of the five surviving quad amputees from the war on terror.  He was blown up not once, but twice; the first time John lost years of his memory and the second time, he lost all four limbs.

John grew up with a single mom.  He took care of himself a great deal of time as his mom was always working.

John joined the marines after high school.  He was deployed to Iraq where an IED caused him to suffer a traumatic brain injury.  John lost years of his memory.

He petitioned to re-enlist and was approved.  John was deployed to Afghanistan.  On May 24, 2010 while serving in the Helmand Province, Peck was clearing an empty compound, searching for explosives. He was the first man in, using a slow, sweeping arc with his metal detector.

John immediately lost three limbs.  Peck's remaining arm was amputated soon after. He’s one of only two living people to survive the flesh-eating fungus he contracted in recovery at Walter Reed.

 In 2016, Peck underwent a groundbreaking bilateral arm transplant, receiving two new arms. To date, the surgery has been successful.

This episode with John was more like a conversation between two friends.  I found him to be funny, down to earth, and candid.

You can read John's book, Rebuilding Sergeant Peck