It was May 1945 and American forces were freeing the people of western Czechoslovakia from their Nazi overlords. Lieutenant Colonel Matt Konop led several first contact missions into these Czech towns, mainly armed with his knowledge of the Czech language. Just like that, he became a legend. Konop's grandson, Patrick Dewane, has kept the memory of this accidental hero alive with his 90-minute, one-man play. We had a chance to talk with him on the eve of his trip to the Czech Republic for liberation weekend 2017.
A show by podcastnik.com — visit the site for all projects and news. Visit bohemican.com for more on this project and the Czech Republic.  Check out our new show, Past Access! (YouTube Link)
 Twitter @bohemican | @Travis J Dow | @Podcastnik — Facebook Podcastnik Page — Instagram @podcastnik
 Podcastnik YouTube | Podcastnik Audio Podcast 
 Support: PayPal | Patreon | Podcastnik Shop | Pete Collman Photography Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode #65: The Accidental Hero: Lt. Col. Matt Konop

A look into the history, culture, traditions, and people of the Czech Republic from the eyes of two American expats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Part One........The Great War was a traumatic world event that helped shape the 20th century and continues to influence the world today. Follow Pete Collman to Belgium, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, and the United States to witness how the global community paid tribute to all those lost and forever changed by World War One. Past Access visited museums and battlefields across Europe to test limits of wheelchair accessibility at these historic locations from 2014 through 2018. The two years that followed were full of research and editing leading to this 2-part documentary....The Great War Revisited. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Past Access Presents: The Great War Revisited (PART ONE)

In Part Two of the Great War Revisited, follow Pete Collman to the battle of the Somme, Verdun, Passchendaele, and many points in between to experience the trauma we know as World War One. Past Access visited museums and battlefields across Europe to test limits of wheelchair accessibility at these historic locations from 2014 through 2021. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Past Access Presents: The Great War Revisited (Part Two)

Modern-day re-enactors commemorate the unique contribution the Czechs and Slovaks made to one of the more interesting stories of the great war.....the Czechoslovak legionnaires battle to the sea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Czechoslovak Legion: Homeward Bound

It is Christmastime again in the Czech Republic and even though the Covid Pandemic has put a damper on the normal celebrations, the spirit of Christmas still survives. We will take you on a nostalgic tour of the Prague Christmas market back in 2019 and offer you a seat at the Christmas Eve dinner table in 2020.
​Join Pete as he waits for the Golden Pig and preps for Czech Christmas Carp. Czech holiday traditions are alive and well in 2020!!! Veselé Vánoce!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Czech Merry Christmas

World War One was full of many great stories of bravery, sacrifice, and loss. The American "Lost Battalion" was one such story. Over 600 American infantrymen were surrounded by German forces in the Argonne Forrest in October of 1918. Their own American artillery mistakenly fired on their position and the only saving option rested on the wings of the carrier pigeon named Cher Ami.
Veteran Suicide Hotlines: 

Episode #65: The Accidental Hero: Lt. Col. Matt Konop

Download our free app to listen on your phone