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Episode 010 – Ryan Manion Borek, President of the Travis Manion Foundation, Gold Star Sister

September 19, 2016 By Thad Forester

Ryan Manion BorekThis week Ryan introduces us to her brother Travis and why he inspired the creation and growth of their foundation.  He was a 2004 graduate of the US Naval Academy and was KIA 29 April 2007.

By following the mantra “If not, me then who…”, they’ve created an organization that empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations.

You’ll be impressed with the work they’re doing for our veterans, Gold Star families, and the community.

Learn more here:

www.travismanion.org

Brothers Forever book

Copyright 2016 Thad Forester

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

 

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: arlington, brendan looney, brothers forever, if not me then who, ryan manion borek, travis manion foundation

Episode 009 – Rob Gutierrez, Air Force Cross recipient, CCT, aka “The Combat Chassis”

September 5, 2016 By Thad Forester

Rob GutierrezRob is one of those guys who was angered by the attacks on 9/11 and quit his job and joined the military THAT DAY.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t pass the swim test for CCT initially, but he kept working and got accepted.

Even though his employer laughed at him for wanting to join, Rob has had a successful career in combat and sent many terrorists to meet their maker.  After being shot, having a lung collapse – twice, and losing over 5 pints of blood during a fight with the Taliban in 2009, he still called in close air support and saved his team which helped eliminate over 47 enemies that night and prevent thousands of pounds of Imodium Nitrate from being used for bombs.

Rob shares an incredible story of bravery and determination by him and his team to fight the enemy, no matter how many of them kept appearing from the spider holes trying to kill them.

He was also named one of the Outstanding Airmen of the Year in 2010.

You can learn more about Rob from this book by Oliver North:
 

https://amzn.com/0805447121

This book:

https://amzn.com/147659936X

And read more about him here:

http://www.sgtmacsbar.com/CCTPhotos/Gallery24/Gutierrez/Gutierrez.html
 

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.

Copyright 2016 Thad Forester

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
 

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 9/11, Air force cross, airmen of the year, cas, cct, rob gutierrez, special operations

Episode 008 – Bart Decker, Air Force CCT (ret), original Horse Soldier in Afghanistan

August 22, 2016 By Thad Forester

The Horse Soldiers

I’ve been wanting to talk to Bart for a long time.  He and his Special Operations team were some of the first men inserted into Afghanistan after 9/11.  They were covert operators named Task Force Dagger that joined up with the Northern Alliance to defeat the Taliban.

They rode on horseback to capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif.  Once they arrived, the Taliban had moved out and his team were welcomed as liberators.  Bart also tells us how he controlled his emotions when interacting with John Walker Lindh, the American who converted to Islam and took part in a violent uprising after his capture in Afghanistan.

Decker is now retired after 20+ years serving in the Air Force.  He said he wouldn’t go back and change a thing.  He loved his time serving his country and has no regrets.

He and his team are forever honored at One World Trade center with a 13’ bronze statue of an American Commando on a horse.  Hopefully we see this story hit the big screen in the next few years.  It’s definitely deserving of it!

More info here:

“First In” by Gary Schroen

“Horse Soldiers” by Doug Stanton

Americas Response Monument at One World Trade Center

Sgt Macs Bar on Horse Soldiers and Bart Decker

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 9/11, afsoc, americas response, bart decker, bowe bergdahl, cct, first in, horse soldiers, john walker lindh, kunduz, mazar-i-sharif, Mohammad Fazl, wooden saddles

Episode 007 – Bill Williams, creator of Remembering our Fallen and founder of Patriotic Productions

August 8, 2016 By Thad Forester

Bill and Evonne Williams
Bill and Evonne Williams

Bill and Evonne Williams have created a powerful memorial for fallen heroes since 9/11.  Its legacy will be that these men and women will never be forgotten and that their names will be remembered and spoken.  Their original exhibit has traveled around the state of Nebraska every week since 2011.

In cooperation with Bellevue University, their exhibit has traveled to and represented 18 states.  Soon, they will have all 50 states represented and begin a national tour.

He also shares his involvement with flying large numbers of WWII and Vietnam vets to DC on Honor Flights.  And then Gold Star wives and children honored at a Nebraska football game last fall.  Although Bill and his wife never served in the military, their four sons did.  They have incredible support and continue to help Gold Star families around the country heal.

More info here:

http://www.rememberingourfallen.org/

http://www.patrioticproductions.org/

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: bellevue university, bill williams, evonne williams, gold star families, grief, patriotic productions, remembering our fallen, traveling tribute

Exciting New Venture

August 7, 2016 By Thad Forester

Patriot to the Core

I’m very excited to launch my podcast called Patriot to the Core.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed interviewing these great Americans and look forward to all those upcoming conversations.  I don’t think anyone will get as much satisfaction from the interviews as I do, but I sure hope many come close because I want to see this podcast well-received and grow.

I think this podcast proves that not only does everyone have a story, but there are many people that are doing good in the world—both serving in the military and serving in other capacities.

For example, episode 003 is Mike Dillman who is a Vietnam Army vet.  Not only did he serve honorably, but after coming home to an ungrateful nation, he vowed to not let our veterans be forgotten so he created what is now the largest Memorial Day event on the west coast, possibly largest in the country.

Episode 002 is Michael Andrew who started a non-profit for disaster aid.  He’s always ready to deploy w/in 24 hours to anywhere in the world that’s recently been hit by a natural disaster.  His specialty is GPS tagging rural orphanages.

Plus, many more guests, which you can listen to right now via iTunes, Google Play, or thru my web site here.  A new show is released every other Monday morning.  I have guests ranging from all branches of the military, to authors, professional speakers, non-profits, athletes and maybe your neighbor down the street that you never knew donated much time or money to charitable causes.  Regardless of who the guests are, they will be Patriots—they love and serve their country and fellow man.  And they all have very interesting stories and advice for the listeners.

You will also hear from some of my brother Mark’s teammates with more in-depth descriptions of battles and events documented in his book.

I ask that you subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and/or Google Play and give it an honest rating.  I’m not a professional with a radio voice, but this is going to be authentic and sometimes the audio quality will be less than stellar, depending how the interview has to be conducted.

The logo is symbolic of Mark.  He was killed with an American flag wrapped around his chest and back armor plates.  The subdued bullet hole in his upper left chest represents the fatal shot that took his life.

Thank you for reading this post and I really appreciate you listening to the podcast.  I know there are thousands of podcasts to pick from, but when this process began many months ago, there were very few that were formatted like mine.  Now there are a few more that are similar, but I hope this one piques your interests, at least a little.

If you have suggestions or questions, please let me know, thad@patriottothecore.com

Filed Under: News Tagged With: patriot to the core, podcast

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