The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is on a journey to dedicate a place of honor and remembrance for all service members and military families who served and sacrificed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Former Army Green Beret and foundation CEO Michael Rodriguez shares his vision for the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C.; how it is a “sacred duty” and more. This episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, is the first in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion.

Alicia Freeman talks about how equine therapy helps veterans with mental health issues, her Stay in the Fight Veterans Foundation philanthropy organization and more as the special guest on this week’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

Other topics in this episode include International Podcast Day, Wiley X’s protective eyewear for military members, the decline of civic engagement, music as a lifeline for deployed troops and more.

Episode links

• The history of podcasts
• USA250 Challenge
• WileyX
• V.A.L.O.R. equine therapy
• Veterans volunteer longer, vote more often than civilian peers: report
• We The Veterans
• WTV: The 2025 Veterans Civic Health Index
• Deployment playlists, then and now: from Walkmans to wireless despair

Number One New York Times bestselling author Robert Edsel is the author of “The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History: The Story of the Monuments Men.” The book served as the basis for Academy Award winner George Clooney’s 2014 film, which stars an ensemble cast including himself, Matt Damon, and Bill Murray. 

Edsel, whose father served as a Marine during World War II, is one of the world’s foremost advocates for art preservation and the recovery of cultural treasures missing since World War II.

The Monuments Men and Women were the soldier-scholars who helped save many of the world’s great art and cultural treasures from the destruction of war and theft by the Nazis.

Other topics in this episode include a wounded Navy veteran’s “Alive Day,” how Sesame Street characters are giving back to the military community and more.

• Learn more about Robert Edsel
• Buy "Remember Us" on Amazon
• Join the USA 250 Challenge
• Watch Robert Edsel at the 2025 American Legion National Convention
• Poem: The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak
• Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten
• The Forever Promise Project
• Army Monuments Officer Training
• American Legion Oratorical Contest
• Sesame Street helps military kids build healthy habits
• Sesame Street: Fun Recipes with Cookie Monster! 

Finding your Revolutionary War Roots

THE INTERVIEW
Renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns talks about his new documentary film on the American Revolution, his Vietnam War documentary series, his path to a career in movies and more. He has created a legendary catalog of documentary movies including “The Vietnam War,” “The Civil War,” “Baseball,” “The War,” “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea;” and more. His films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including 17 Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations. Other topics include the impact of funding cuts on PBS and NPR, what Reddit is saying about watching documentaries by Burns and more.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Ken Burns support for PBS, CPB and the National Endowment for the Humanities
Reddit Rabbit Hole: Bingeing Burns documentaries

Special Guest: Ken Burns.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• Finding Your Roots | PBS
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• American Legion Family USA250 | The American Legion
• Ken Burns UNUM
• Ken Burns | National Endowment for the Humanities
• The American Revolution - Ken Burns
• Oratorical Contest | The American Legion
• Ken Burns is ready to fight for public broadcasting : NPR
• Sullivan Ballou - Wikipedia
• Once or twice a year I get drunk and watch Ken Burns’ Civil War. Anyone else? : r/redscarepod
• Ken Burns on new documentary: ‘We hope to put the ‘us’ back into the United States’ : r/history

The American Legion is proud to introduce “Welcome Home,” a new podcast series from the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.

GWOT Memorial Foundation CEO and former Army Green Beret Michael “Rod” Rodriguez chats with Chief of Staff and Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, who will host the upcoming series. The memorial will honor and remember military members who served since 9/11.

Rodriguez and Ballou talk about their personal connections to the Global War on Terrorism, the memorial foundation and more in advance of the first episode of Season 1 of "Welcome Home," which will be released on Oct. 2.

Special Guest: Michael "Rod" Rodriguez.

Links:

• Follow the Welcome Home Podcast on Spotify

• Global War On Terrorism Memorial Foundation - Advocating for a memorial on the mall for GWOT service members.

Military spouses often face challenges when seeking jobs. They raise their military families while one parent is frequently deployed for months or years at a time. Military members regularly PCS to a different duty station, making it difficult for a spouse to remain employed. Entrepreneurship is a good way for a military spouse to earn some extra money.

Monica Fullerton created Spouse-ly, an online business that spotlights and supports businesses owned by military spouses, transitioning service members and veterans.

Meet this successful entrepreneur and learn more about her business, path to a rewarding career and more in the fourth and final episode of Veteran Entrepreneurs, a special four-part podcast series from The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

Special Guest: Monica Bassett.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Spouse-ly, Shop Military & First Responder-Owned Small Businesses
• Monica Fullerton | E-Commerce Expert and Business Mentor
• Podcast - Spouse-ly
• Boots to Business | U.S. Small Business Administration
• Spouse-ly University

Veterans and transitioning servicemembers often face challenges when seeking civilian careers.

Brian Marchegiani, co-founder of Mack Brothers Elevator, found his calling in the skilled labor field. But he does more than elevator repair. He gives back to the veteran community, providing jobs for former military members and military families. In fact, for this business owner, mentorship isn’t optional, it’s a force multiplier.

Learn more about this entrepreneur success story, how to apply his expertise to landing a job in the skilled trades and more in the third episode of Veteran Entrepreneurs, a special four-part series from The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

Special Guest: Brian Marchegiani.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Home - Mack Brothers Elevator
• Helmets to Hardhats
• International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) - NABTU

Veterans and transitioning servicemembers often face challenges when seeking civilian careers.

Former Army officer Kirby Atwell faced burnout in his first attempt at entrepreneurship post service. He stayed true to his calling, seeking a mission that would bring him freedom after his military service.

Learn how he knew when to move on and how to make a pivot to unlock a more rewarding business that supports veterans in need in the real estate field. Tune in to the second episode of Veteran Entrepreneurs, a special four-part podcast series from The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

Special Guest: Kirby Atwell.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Living Off Rentals
• Dune Dwellings: Premium Vacation Rentals Near Lake Michigan
• Sell My House Fast IN – We buy houses in Michigan City – Green Vet Homes
• Rich Dad Poor Dad: The #1 Best-Selling Personal Finance Book Ever
• Home - D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families
• Bunker Labs – Perkins&Will

Veterans and transitioning servicemembers often face challenges when seeking civilian careers. Air Force veteran Charlynda Scales found her business niche while honoring the legacy of her grandfather, a Korean War veteran. With no formal training in the food industry, she relied on her military experience to adapt, execute, and lead, bringing her vision to life. Her business, Mutt’s Sauce, is rooted in service, resilience and a sense of purpose. Learn more about how she developed her mission, her path to success and more in the first episode of Veteran Entrepreneurs, a special four-part podcast series from The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

Special Guest: Charlynda Scales.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Mutt's Sauce LLC®
• Free Small Business Mentorship and Resources | SCORE
• Union Kitchen – Food Business Accelerator & Shared Kitchen in DC
• 6888 Kitchen Incubator | Dayton Ohio
• Rock Bottom Has a Trampoline: How to Turn Every Loss into a Win with the Like-Hearted Mentor (TM): Scales, Charlynda: 9781956906691: Amazon.com: Books
• Amazon.com : Powershift

Austin von Letkemann, better known by his MandatoryFunDay Instagram handle, leads off this episode by talking about his new podcast, the Army-Navy Game and more.

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation CEO Rod Rodriguez shares an update on plans for the memorial and a new podcast that launches with a pilot episode September 11.

Representatives of The American Legion’s community service project, Heroes United to Heal and Protecting Vets Foundation also chatted with the hosts of Tango Alpha Lima about the role of service, overcoming PTSD and military sexual trauma. All this and more in Part 2 of our episode recorded during the Legion’s National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

Special Guests: Alyse Duffy, Austin Von Letkemann, Bridget Lake, Donna A. Michaels, Jennifer Ballou, and Michael "Rod" Rodriguez.