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Sgt. Phillip R. Wise, a Flint, Michigan native, has been on a decades-long quest to find the answers about the crash of a C 5-A transport plane in which he was a crew member trying to save orphan Vietnamese-American babies.

Sgt. Wise has an eternal bond with the surviving children, now adults of his mission, and the few other adults who survived the flight. He has sought to honor the fallen, and come to terms with why God let him live.

In the spring of 1975, the US government decided to save as many orphans as possible during the tumultuous fall of Saigon in the last days of the Vietnam War.

On April 4, an aircraft lifted off the ground with hundreds of babies and young children crowded into its upper and lower decks, attended to by a crew of dedicated military men and women and a few civilian volunteers fleeing the chaos on the ground.

A mysterious event occurred: A rear door blew open and the horror began 25,000 feet in the air. The rescue operation was named: Operation Babylift.

Sgt. Wise wrote the book "Fragile Delivery: Operation Babylift" which sheds light on the Boeing C-5A crash. His writing sheds light on the doomed flight, the brave men and women involved in Operation Babylift, and one man's story of near-impossible survival in the horrifying shadow of death as the plane split violently apart in swampy rice paddies.

Sgt Wise was the only crew on the cargo area of the plane to survive the tragic plane crash. Wise told the Flint Journal, "The doctors thought I would be a vegetable. They thought I wouldn’t be able to see out of my left eye or to walk,” the Flint resident and decorated veteran said. “I came through with 20-20 vision. I became a mailman. I missed one day in 13 years."

The U.S. Air Force bestowed upon Phillip Wise a medal for his heroism for his part in the military operation to rescue these children.  Phillip Wise is part of a veterans group Peaceful Warriors who speak across Michigan and the US about their role in helping others.

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• Find out more about purchasing Sgt. Phillip Wise's book at Amazon Books. Fragile Delivery: Operation Babylift.

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• Learn more about this riveting story and follow news reports and see photos by visiting Sgt. Wise's website: http://fragiledelivery.com/index.html.
• National Public Radio news report Remembering The Doomed First Flight Of Operation Babylift
• The Military Times story about the 40-year reunion of those involved in this amazing story 'Operation Babylift' kids, veterans reunite 40 years later

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• #FlintMichigan #VietnamWar #AirForce #Rescues #Operationbabylift

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• Radio Free Flint: Narrative storytelling and community perspectives on industrial resilience.
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The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

The Radio Free Flint Camper Truck Tour Podcast continues with a visit to the mighty Mackinac Bridge. With a total span of approximately 5 miles, the Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan uniting the communities of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan.

The engineering of the Mackinac Bridge was designed to accommodate the high winds, temperature changes and constant changes of weight. Mackinaw

City is a village on the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Mackinac Bridge crosses the Straits of Mackinac to the Upper Peninsula. Colonial Michilimackinac is a reconstructed 18th-century fort and fur-trading post. Founded in 1889, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse has restored quarters and views from the top. Wilderness State Park includes stretches of Lake Michigan shoreline, trails, and campsites.

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• See the Mackinac Bridge on its live BRIDGE CAM
• Learn about the Facts & Figures about the bridge, its history, and current conditions by visiting the MACKINAC BRIDGE AUTHORITY
• Get trip ideas from Pure Michigan: Mackinaw City webpage.

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#TravelMichigan #TruckCamper #MackinawCity #MackinacBridge

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The Mitten Channel is a network of podcasts.  

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• The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
• Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.
  
  

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The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spent her life in service to the cause of women's rights and equality. She was a giant in history even while still alive to millions of Americans. She will long be remembered as one of the greatest justices to ever serve on our nation's high court.

Arthur Busch appeared in front of Justice Ginsburg as a Prosecutor in 2003. He recounts his memories of her and what her service meant to America.

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Learn more about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by visiting Northwestern University's Oyez Supreme Court Website

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The Mitten Channel is a network of podcasts.  

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• The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
• Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.
  
  

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The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Arthur Busch takes his Radio Free Flint podcast on a Truck Camper tour along the magnificent shores of the Great Lakes.

Nowhere on earth can this amount of freshwater be found other than Michigan. The coastal towns and parks provide a backdrop for storytelling. Listen in as Radio Free Flint shares trips to Tawas Point Lighthouse, Ossineke State Park near Alpena, Cheboygan State Park, Mackinaw City, and Wilderness State Park on Lake Michigan.

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Want to learn more about Wilderness State Park?

• Visit the Pure Michigan website.

• Visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website

• Watch the YouTube video provided by the Michigan DNR previewing Wilderness State Park

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 #Wilderness State Park, #Pure Michigan, #Great Lakes, # Truck Camping

--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/message

The Mitten Channel is a network of podcasts.  

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Explore Our Series:

• Radio Free Flint: Narrative storytelling and community perspectives on industrial resilience.
• The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
• Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.
  
  

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Remi Harris is one of the most accomplished guitarists in the United Kingdom.  He grew up in the Midlands of England which has been fertile ground for a world-class guitarists like Robert Plant, etc.

Remi Harris has performed at some notable venues including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Buckingham Palace, BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with Jamie Cullum (televised on BBC 4), and live on BBC Radio 2 & 3.

Harris has received numerous British Jazz Awards for his work over the past 6 years. Remi's unique style draws inspiration from artists such as Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, Peter Green, Ahmad Jamal, and Led Zeppelin.

Critics who publish reviews of Remi's work, such as Jamie Cullum, and BBC Radio 2, describe him as "an extraordinary musician".   Music critic Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2 & BBC 6 Music describes Remi's music as "astonishing stuff" Remi shares with us his personal story and plays some music for us as well.  I think you will find him engaging and definitely a great jazz artist.

Remi's aunt, Bernadette Regnier-Busch lived in the Flint area for many years and taught at Flint Southwestern H.S. as well as Powers Catholic H.S.

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Learn more about Remi Harris and his music:

• Remi's website
• Listen to his music on Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Music.
• YouTube videos of Remi Harris @ his YouTube Channel

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The Mitten Channel is a network of podcasts.  

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Explore Our Series:

• Radio Free Flint: Narrative storytelling and community perspectives on industrial resilience.
• The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
• Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.
  
  

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The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Steve Dawes is a new UAW Regional Director and shares labor's goals and aspirations for the future.  He also shares his path to leadership in the UAW.  His work in Flint, Michigan has been vital to the area as the Michigan manufacturing workforce has been downsized in the era of globalization.  His work in the region which manufactures the America's best selling trucks is critical to the members and the people of Michigan.Steve Dawes was elected UAW Region 1D director Feb. 13, 2020, at a special regional convention. He had served as an assistant director since June 16, 2010, when he was appointed to the position at the union’s 35th Constitutional Convention in Detroit by President Bob King.Region 1D covers 73 Michigan counties and UAW members in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the central, western and northern portions of the Lower Peninsula.Dawes began his career in 1978 at the Flint Truck Assembly Plant as a spot welder, a job he worked until he was hired on as an apprentice toolmaker at AC Spark Plug in 1984. He was a dedicated member of UAW Local 651 and was elected as a Skilled Trades Committeeperson in 1989.  In 1999, he was elected UAW Local 651 vice president, and as a delegate to the UAW Constitutional Convention. Shortly into his term of vice president, Dawes took over as UAW Local 651 president. He was re-elected as president in 2002.In 2004, he was appointed to the Region 1C International staff by UAW President Ron Gettelfinger at the request of Region 1C Director Bob Roth. He was assigned as a servicing representative in the Flint and Lansing areas. Since, he has played a major role in the development, construction and upkeep of the Sit-Down Memorial located at the Flint office.#FlintMichigan #UAW, #UAWRegion 1D, #LaborDay --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/message

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The story of Sherwood Forest (Davison, Michigan) is an improbable one that is part of Rock and Roll History.  In the 1960's and 70's the popular Michigan music festival venue helped launch the careers of many of Michigan's emerging Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.  Bob Seger, Stevie Wonder, Alice Cooper, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Ted Nugent, MC5, Sammie Hagar, REO Speedwagon, George Clinton, Blue Oyster Cult, Big Brother and the Holding Company,  and Chuck Berry all performed at Sherwood Forest.  Bob Seger and Stevie Wonder in particular played frequently at the venue. throughout the 1960's.  Sherwood Forest attracted as many as 14,000 concertgoers for its festival-like events.  It was a place more akin to Woodstock than the tin roof pavilions of today's era.  Dean Sherwood, whose father Don with the help of his children and a unconventional promoter and djay, Peter C. Cavanaugh,  turned his 200 acre dairy farm into a garden of eden, replete with picnic pavilions, a dance hall, an outdoor performance state, carnival rides and sleigh rides.  The Sherwoods' developed a family venue that became the unlikely place where tens of thousands of young people gathered to enjoy a celebration of Wild Wednesdays and Super Sundays.  They created a place for thousands of kids to gather for a $2.00 admission fee or $4.00 per vehicle.  Those who attended these events were treated to emerging artists who honed their craft on the stages of Sherwood Forest.  Today that list of performers includes many members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!  Southeastern Michigan in the 1960's and 1970's was a hot bed for the best rock and roll in the world.  It was where those Hall of Famers got their start.  Sherwood Forest hosted future stars as they developed performance skills and developed a loyal fan base.  Dean Sherwood shares his story of Sherwood Forest.  He grew up watching these great performers.  From his vantage point he is able to tell a few stories about his parents and their vision as well as encountering these young artists.   For thousands of Flint area baby boomers, Sherwood Forest holds many memories of fun and a great place to visit.  It was much more than a corporate pavilion of today.  Many in their 60's and 70's today, still tell stories of the Age of Aquarius and their version of attending Woodstock Music Festival which was found in Davison, Michigan at Sherwood Forest. Radio Free Flint will also post a YouTube video of this interview at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7RggWQolcVMxGiWBQJL1kWfiYtuZ_cc You can find this podcast at https://www.radiofreeflint.media/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/message

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The Mitten Channel is a network of podcasts.  

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• Radio Free Flint: Narrative storytelling and community perspectives on industrial resilience.
• The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
• Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.
  
  

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The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Barb Barton is the author of the book Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan. As a lifelong Michigander and an endangered species biologist by training, Barton finds boundless inspiration in the region’s rich history. Manoomin traces the interwoven stories of the Anishinaabek, European colonizers, and the role native wild rice has had in shaping their shared histories. The first book of its kind, Manoomin won a 2018 Michigan History Award in the University Press/Commercial Press category as well as a 2019 Michigan Notable Book Award. For Barton, storytelling and cultural preservation are one in the same. In addition to her non-fiction books, Barton has authored articles about the complex relationships between people and food for Michigan History Magazine and The Historical Society of Michigan’s Chronicle magazine. Barton also travels the state as a public speaker--and sometimes folk musician--continuing the oral traditions that have informed her research and writing.  Her song WATER is featured on this podcast. Her book Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan has received the following awards: MSU Press Award 2018 Michigan History Award 2019 Michigan Notable Book Award 2019 American Library Association Choice List of Outstanding Academic Titles 2020 Independent Publishers Bronze Medal (Great Lakes Region) Barb is also a filmmaker and has recently produced and directed a newly released documentary film "WATER".  The documentary short was filmed in Flint, Michigan and captures the relief efforts to help the people of the city where its water supply was poisoned by lead.  The film captures the volunteers who poured into the city from across America to provide water and relief services to the children and families of Flint.   She captures the emotional trauma suffered by the entire community and seeks answers to why people wanted to serve residents they didn't know and had never met previously.  "Water" - has received awards for documentary short film as follows: Official Selection, 2020 Great Lakes State Film Festival Official Selection, 2020 I See You Film Festival Official Selection, 2020 Thunder Bay International Film Festival Official Selection, 2020 Capital City Film Festival For more information about Barb Barton and her endeavors as an author, filmmaker and singer/songwriter: http://www.barbbarton.com To obtain a copy of Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan: MSU PRESS https://msupress.org/9781611862805/manoomin/ Amazon Books: https://www.amazon.com/Manoomin-Story-Wild-Rice-Michigan/dp/1611862809#:~:text=Manoomin%3A%20The%20Story%20of%20Wild,9781611862805%3A%20Amazon.com%3A%20Books--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/message

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The Mitten Channel is a network of podcasts.  

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• Radio Free Flint: Narrative storytelling and community perspectives on industrial resilience.
• The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
• Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.
  
  

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The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Planet of the Humans has already been seen by over 10 million viewers world-wide!! Jeff Gibbs, a Flint native, is a successful documentary filmmaker. Jeff and his lifelong friend, Michael Moore recently released an eco-documentary movie, Planet of the Humans.  Jeff grew up in the Beecher area and graduated from Davison High School.  Jeff has worked on several of the most successful documentaries in the history of film. His work contributed to winning an Oscar along with many national and international awards.  He has written musical scores for 7 movies and won the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) Award in 2005 for the musical score for the record-setting documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. Jeff Gibbs, the writer/editor/director of Planet of the Humans, has dared to say what no one will – that “we are losing the battle to stop climate change because we are following environmental leaders, many of whom are well-intentioned, but who’ve sold out the green movement to wealthy interests and corporate America.” This film is the wake-up call to the reality which we are afraid to face: that in the midst of a human-caused extinction event, the so-called “environmental movement’s” answer is to push for techno-fixes and band-aids. You can watch Planet of the Humans for free by clicking on https://PlanetoftheHumans.com . The film is streamed for free.   Please listen to Planet of the Humans at  http://www.radiofreeflint.media or wherever you listen to your podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Radio Public and Anchor.fm/radiofreeflint You can learn more about Planet of the Humans at https://www.PlanetoftheHumans.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/message

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The Mitten Channel is a network of podcasts.  

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Explore Our Series:

• Radio Free Flint: Narrative storytelling and community perspectives on industrial resilience.
• The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
• Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.
  
  

Visit our Mitten Channel website for our complete library of podcasts, videos, and articles.

The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Flint's blue collar workers have long led America's political rebellions. History tells us exactly why. My latest podcast examines Flint's blue collar voting history in Presidential elections since 1968. History reveals the common themes that attracted disaffected Flint's southern auto migrants to the presidential campaigns of Gov. George Wallace, Mayor Donald Williamson and President Donald Trump. The alienation of Flint's disaffected auto workers has consequences for America's political stability. Listen to learn more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/support.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiofreeflint/message

The Mitten Channel is a network of podcasts.  

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Join us for the full experience. Subscribe to The Mitten Channel on Substack to receive our latest narrative essays, audio stories, and deep-dive reporting directly in your inbox.

Explore Our Series:

• Radio Free Flint: Narrative storytelling and community perspectives on industrial resilience.
• The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
• Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.
  
  

Visit our Mitten Channel website for our complete library of podcasts, videos, and articles.

The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.