On the eve of Veterans Day 2025, host Mike speaks with Dr. Ray Gamble about America’s 250th anniversary, the Revolutionary War, and the experience of those who served. Dr. Gamble, a retired Army officer and longtime history teacher, shares his perspective on the long struggle from Lexington and Concord through Yorktown, the hardships faced by the Continental Army, and the evolution from militia service to a more professional force.

They discuss causes of the Revolution, including post–Seven Years’ War British taxation and colonial responses, the role of leaders like John and Samuel Adams, and why George Washington’s appointment helped unite the colonies. Dr. Gamble also describes the daily realities of 18th-century military life, militia expectations, seasonal campaigning tied to planting and harvest, and the extreme suffering during the winters of the war.

Mike and Dr. Gamble highlight Dr. Gamble’s teaching work—World History, World War II, the Cold War, and early American history—plus his community involvement coaching sports and advising clubs. The episode closes with a reminder to honor veterans, attend the campus Veterans Day chapel, and take time to ask veterans about their stories.

Simple, thoughtful, and rooted in historical detail, this conversation connects local community life, classroom teaching, and national memory as listeners prepare to observe Veterans Day.