"I think anybody who puts on a uniform and goes to fight and defend a country, especially one they've never met, deserves our respect."

This week, we speak with John Bocskay, Director of International Affairs at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK). In today's episode, John details the cemetery’s logistical history, the moving ceremonies held for veterans returning to be buried with their comrades, and the upcoming 75th-anniversary commemorations.

In this episode:
- Discover the unique status of the UNMCK as the only United Nations cemetery in existence, a "quirk of history" resulting from the first and last time the UN fought as a unified combatant in a war
- Learn about the "Wall of Remembrance" and national monuments that honor the 22 sending states, including a special look at the humanitarian legacy of Brigadier General Richard Whitcomb
- Explore the evolving relationship between the cemetery and the city of Busan, from strict residential development limits to the powerful impact the site has on young students who see their own ages reflected on the headstones

"There is life after that knock. After the knock, there is hope, there is meaning to go find, and there are stories to share."

This week, we speak with Amy Dozier, Director of Outreach at the Woody Williams Foundation. Amy discusses the legacy of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams, the foundation's work establishing over 160 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments, and how her own experience losing her husband in the Iraq War led her to help other survivors navigate their grief journeys.

In this episode:
- Understand the significance of "the knock" and how the Woody Williams Foundation provides a village for families whose lives were permanently changed by military service
- Explore the impact of storytelling through the After the Knock podcast, which offers a safe, judgment-free space for survivors to discuss often-stigmatized topics like sibling loss and suicide
- Hear a moving story of legacy and remembrance involving a handwritten letter, a meaningful tattoo, and how a new generation is being taught the true meaning of family service and sacrifice

"You can't understand yourself unless you understand where you've come from and you can't understand the culture in which you grow up unless you understand what created that culture."

This week, we speak with Jock Phillips ONZM, author and former Chief Historian of New Zealand. Jock shares his journey from studying the culture of masculinity to uncovering the deeply personal diaries of First World War soldiers, the shifting public perception of Anzac Day, and the complex history behind New Zealand’s earliest war memorials.

In this episode:
- Hear the moving story of the Western Front involving a soldier’s letters and a nurse’s compassionate act that allowed him to die in peace, highlighting the human extremes of the Great War
- Explore the unique iconography of the New Zealand Wars, including the fascinating story of the country’s first war memorial and its role in the complex relationship between European settlers and Māori tribes
- Learn about Edith Statham, whose pioneering work across the early 20th century ensured that those who fell in the New Zealand Wars were appropriately remembered

"We’re trying to show that Congressional Cemetery is really a microcosm of American history."

This week, we speak with Kurt Deion, a public historian and author on the education team at the Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC. Kurt shares his journey of visiting over 3,000 notable gravesites, the stories behind some of the most unique presidential monuments in America, and what it’s like to balance daily life at an active cemetery that doubles as a vibrant community space.

In this episode:
- Explore the unique atmosphere of Historic Congressional Cemetery, including its off-leash dog walking membership, Cinematery movie nights, and K-12 educational programming
- Hear about Kurt's quest to visit every Supreme Court Justice, including the challenges of tracking down unverified burial sites and the research required to document the final resting places of 105 deceased jurists
- Learn about the "future resident" identity, where Kurt shares why he purchased his own plot at Congressional Cemetery in 2022 and how that connection informs his work as a steward of history

"We want to remember the individual and we want to give them a voice."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America. Karen shares the incredible journey of how a surplus of wreaths led to a viral moment at Arlington National Cemetery, the logistics of coordinating 3 million volunteers to place wreaths at 5,994 ceremony locations, and how the organization works year-round to support veterans and Gold Star families through its three pillars: Remember, Honor, and Teach.

In this episode:
- Discover the movement's origins and how a single photograph in 2005 sparked a global outpouring of support, turning a family tradition into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Learn about the Remembrance Tree program, where Gold Star families tag balsam fir trees in Maine to create a living memorial that provides wreaths for veterans' graves.
- Hear how the organization's pillar, Teach, is reaching a million children through free lesson plans designed to shift the focus from "what is a veteran" to "who is that veteran."

"It's never lost on any of us what a privilege it is to do what we do."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Dr. James Bulgin, Head of Public History at the Imperial War Museums. James shares how the museum preserves the stories of conflict from the First World War to the present day, how the Holocaust galleries emphasize individual stories, and why engaging younger generations remains a vital and urgent task.

In this episode:
- Learn about the museum’s challenge of communicating complex histories to visitors whose understanding is increasingly shaped by popular media
- Hear how survivors and their families helped influence the Holocaust galleries and why their stories matter
- Discover why digital outreach, learning programs, and global accessibility help the museum connect with audiences far beyond its physical sites

"If gamers look up some piece of information or read about a piece of history and start connecting dots based on their experience in the game, I think that’s an incredibly powerful experience."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Quinn Duffy, a longtime video game director whose games have shaped how millions of players interact with history in the video game franchises "Company of Heroes" and Microsoft's "Age of Empires". Quinn shares how reading veteran accounts, visiting battlefields, and studying military tactics helped bring depth and accuracy to titles that connect players with real history in meaningful ways.

In this episode:
- Learn how Quinn’s battlefield research in places like Leningrad, Caen, and Normandy shaped the authenticity and emotional tone of his games
- Discover how immersion and storytelling come together to create strategy games that stand the test of time
- Hear why Quinn believes historical games can serve as powerful learning tools that encourage players to explore the past beyond the screen

"It’s impossible to overemphasize the support that many escapers and evaders had."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Allan Hunn of Escape and Evasion Research and Tours. Allan shares how his work uncovers the routes taken by Allied servicemen crossing the Pyrenees during the Second World War and how retracing those paths helps families connect with acts of courage, sacrifice, and humanity.

In this episode:
- Learn how Allied aircrew and soldiers escaped occupied Europe through the Pyrenees with the help of local civilians
- Hear how meticulous research and on the ground exploration bring escape and evasion stories to life
- Discover how walking these routes provides families with understanding, connection, and closure

This week, we speak with Jim Landon of ATCO Frontec, a former British Army officer whose career has spanned global operations, disaster response, veteran advocacy, and major international partnerships through the Invictus Games.

Jim shares how service shaped his leadership, the values that carried him into his work at ATCO Frontec, and why veterans bring powerful skills into civilian organizations.

In this episode:
- Explore the impact of ATCO's Invictus Games involvement and how it is transforming veteran employment and awareness
- Understand why remembrance, defence readiness, and cultural understanding matter more now than ever
- Learn how Jim’s 28 years in the British Army shaped his approach to leadership and teamwork

Learn more: https://frontec.atco.com/en-ca.html
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Wreaths Across America Radio.

“When you interact with historical documents, it’s like having a conversation with the past and nobody else can have that conversation for you.”

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Zita Ballinger Fletcher, a military historian and author whose work spans World War II research, defense journalism, and cultural preservation. Zita shares how her deep dive into archives and original sources is reshaping our understanding of history and why those lessons matter today.

In this episode:

- Learn how language and translation shape historical narratives
- Hear about her work with the German War Graves Commission and a challenging search for fallen policemen in Berlin
- Explore how FPV drones are changing the future of warfare—and what history can teach us about adapting to new threats

Learn more: https://zitasteele.com/
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Wreaths Across America Radio.