The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Sal Cassano, FDNY Commissioner, 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

   Sal Cassano was born in New York City. He served in the U.S. Army and did a tour in Vietnam from 1966-1967, But even while he was serving overseas, plans were already in motion for him to become a New York City firefighter when he came home. In late 1969, Cassano joined the FDNY. By September 11, 2001, he was an assistant chief of operations overseeing Manhattan. He would finish his career as FDNY commissioner.In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Cassano tells us about his service in Vietnam and becoming a firefighter. He also reveals how he first heard about the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks and why he knew instinctively after the first plane hit the World Trade Center that it was an act of terrorism.Cassano also explains the grisly scene when arriving at the World Trade Center and the flurry of orders he was given when the South Tower came down. He also talks about going to the hospital, immediately returning to work, and finally rejoining his family after almost 48 hours away.Later, Cassano details the challenges at Ground Zero and the sobering task of hiring many new firefighters after losing 343 in the World Trade Center. He also describes what President George W. Bush's visit to Ground Zero meant to the FDNY and what he hopes Americans will reflect upon 25 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

   September 02, 2026·36min
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   Number 2: CDR Jack Carr, U.S. Navy SEAL, Afghanistan, Iraq

   You probably know the name Jack Carr as one of our most famous and talented novelists through The Terrninal List and other books in the James Reece series. Before his success as a writer, Carr spent two decades in the U.S. Navy, most of those as a U.S. Navy SEAL and he served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Carr explains how he wanted to become a Navy SEAL since he was seven years old and read about them in many different books. He also walks us through BUD/S training, why he never seriously thought of quitting, and the reason many candidates drop out long after Hell Week.Carr also reveals how he heard about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, why he became an officer, and finally being deployed to Afghanistan. Then he takes us through two tours in Iraq, including tough fighting in Najaf and a CIA-connected assignment focused on deconfliction.Finally, Carr details how he kept the mission and men front and center during his deployments.

   September 23, 2026·35min
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   Number 3: Sgt. Floyd Moreland, USMC, Vietnam

   Floyd Moreland grew up in Illinois in a family with a very distinguished service record. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps when he was 21-years-old because he "wanted to fight with the best." Moreland hated Marine Corps boot camp but enjoyed advanced infantry training. He later pursued USMC Sea School and deployed from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown during his first deployment in Vietnam.In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Moreland walks us through an early assignment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, just a few years after the Cuban Missile Crisis. He then takes on those Marine Detachment missions from the Yorktown and tells us what patrols in the jungles of Vietnam were like. And he shares his favorite part of that deployment - serving as part of the honor guard for actress and singer Ann-Margret when she came as part of a USO show.Then, Moreland describes his second tour, in which he saw a lot of combat near the DMZ - places like Con Thien, Cam Lo, "The Rockpile," and Dong Ha. He also details what it was like being surrounded by the enemy at Con Thien for 30 days.Finally, Moreland explains why he turned down a third tour of duty, the pain of being demonized in his own country, and why he would serve all over again.

   September 16, 2026·24min
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   Number 4: Gen. Richard Myers, USAF, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 9/11

   In September 2001, U.S. Air Force General Richard Myers was Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. President George W. Bush had recently nominated him to be the next chairman. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Gen. Myers was on Capitol Hill meeting with a key senator when news came that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center. Moments later, after Al Qaeda terrorists flew a second plane into the towers, Myers and the rest of the world knew we were under attack.In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Gen. Myers walks us through his day on 9/11, including his reaction to seeing the smoke pouring out of the Pentagon as he returned from Capitol Hill, the debate over whether to shoot down a civilian airliner if it was deemed a threat to lives on the ground, and event at the Pentagon after Pres. Bush's speech that evening.Gen. Myers also takes us inside the national security meetings the day after 9/11 and the following weekend at Camp David and the hasty effort to assemble a military response to the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks.Finally, Myers shares why he's so proud of the initial U.S. military response and what he hopes Americans think about as we mark 25 years since that horrific day.

   September 09, 2026·36min
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   Number 5: SGT Vince Makela, U.S. Army Green Beret, Afghanistan 'Horse Soldiers'

   Vince Makela enlisted in the U.S. Army while he was still in high school. After basic training, he specialized in communications and dreamed of flight school. When that dream didn't come true, Makela set his sights on another impressive goal - becoming a Green Beret.Several years later, he found himself in one of the first American units to set foot in Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 595 not only achieved amazing results, but the men also became widely known as the "Horse Soldiers."In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Makela takes us from basic training to a very meaningful early deployment to Korea. He also walks us through selection and qualifying for U.S. Army Special Forces and his vivid memories of 9/11.From there, Makela explains how ODA 595 was quickly ordered to prepare for deployment and draw up plans for its operation in Afghanistan. You'll also hear how no one in the unit was expecting to become a horse soldier and how they adapted rather quickly to the mission.Finally, Makela tells about the part of that mission that he still considers the highlight of his military career.

   July 15, 2026·36min
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