Thad Forester

Episode 022 – Dan Sheehan, Marine, Cobra Pilot, author of After Action

February 20, 2017 By Thad Forester

Dan Sheehan author Dan Sheehan was fully prepared for combat. He’d been an officer in the Marines for six years. His father was a Navy pilot; his brother was a Marine. This is what he was meant to do. When it came to killing the enemy; no problem. If they pose a threat, kill them. If they try to kill him or his team, kill them. It was that simple…. or so he thought.

He learned it wasn’t that cut and dry during his first deployment to Iraq in 2003. When teammates eliminated terrorists, he had no problem with it–it was necessary. But for some reason when Dan killed, it impacted him like he never imagined. His attitude became worse and his emails home turned more negative.

He not only struggled with actually killing, but how could he be 100% certain those he was firing at were legit enemy combatants? There was no way to be completely certain. He also learned the results of inaction could cause death to him and his teammates.

Welcome Home

Dan returned home in 2002 to a welcoming nation. Strangers bought him drinks and shook his hand. But when things quieted down, he was a wreck. He couldn’t sit still. Even surfing wasn’t the therapy he thought it’d be. How was he supposed to immediately adapt from an active battlefield to home life? He turned to alcohol, which allowed him to calm down some.

Fortunately, he had an understanding and patient wife, plus he began spearfishing. His wife helped him in a way that no one else could. The spearfishing provided a rush and “high” that he needed to feel normal.

His journey has been long, but he told me he’s in a really good place now. He’s a stay-at-home dad who vowed to not screw up his kids. Writing provided therapeutic healing in a way nothing else did. Now, his books help veterans and those close to them understand they aren’t alone.

To learn more about Dan, his books, and to see pics and videos from his deployments, check out his web site below:

www.dansheehanauthor.com

You can purchase his awarding winning books here:

After Action

Continuing Actions

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Episode 021 – Stan Staheli, Patton’s Third Army, WWII POW

February 6, 2017 By Thad Forester

Stan Staheli High school diploma — Photo courtesy of The Commercial Appeal

J. Stanford (Stan) Staheli was only 18 years old when drafted. One year later he was a member of Patton’s Third Army, 4^th Armored Division, liberating France from the Nazi’s. It was here that he was captured in 1944 during a German counter-attack near Rimsdorf, France. The Germans immediately said “The war’s over for you.” Stan thought surely, they were going to be killed; but that wasn’t the case.

He and the other prisoners walked three days to the camp in Frankfurt. They then traveled by rail in a standing-room only conditions to East Germany. Then eventually to another location where they were held for five months. Even though he said he was treated humanely, he was stripped of his clothes each night and only had a small throw blanket for cover, during the coldest recorded winter in German history at the time.

Stan said life in the prison camp wasn’t that bad. The guards told them “if you don’t work, you don’t eat.” Having grown up in the depression, this wasn’t a new concept to him. He learned to love to work long before the Army. They built bomb shelters and repaired railroads for the German Army. However, many of the guards were disabled from the front lines and would show the prisoners pictures of their captors’ families when their superiors weren’t around.

Staheli said his mom never lost faith that her son was alive. Even though he was officially “missing in action”, many presumed he was dead. After being released, he was finally able to write his family and then surprised them on a Sunday morning in Cedar City, UT.

Today, Staheli is 91 years old and has a noble posterity – 10 children (2 have passed), 53 grandchildren, and 60+ great-grandchildren. Quoting Will Rogers, he said “I never met a man I didn’t like.”

This hero, with only an 8^th grade education, was presented an honorary diploma from Enterprise High School in May 2016.

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Episode 020, Part 2 – Johnny Spann, Father of Mike Spann – first American killed in combat in US invasion of Afghanistan

January 23, 2017 By Thad Forester

father of Mike Spann Here in Part 2 we find out more about Mike Spann’s final moments in Qala-i-Jangi fortress. At one point, Mike was interviewing American traitor John Walker Lindh. Lindh knew of the uprising that was planned and could have saved Mike’s life, but he never said a word. Instead, when questioned, he remained silent, leading to Spann being overrun and killed.

Since Mike Spann’s death, his father has been on a mission to find out all the details about his son’s final moments, however this required deciphering the truth from fiction. He even went to Afghanistan and met with General Dostum. Here he saw the spot where his son was killed by the anti-American terrorists.

Also, Spann answers the disputed question of whether or not his son was tortured.

It was an honor to speak to this grieving and proud father of American hero Mike Spann.

Episode 020, Part 1 – Johnny Spann, Father of Mike Spann – first American killed in combat in US invasion of Afghanistan

January 23, 2017 By Thad Forester

mike spann marines As a CIA officer, Mike Spann (Johnny Micheal) was in the fortress of Qala-i-Jangi, where Taliban prisoners were being held and questioned. Although these captives had given themselves up, their pledge of surrender was a lie.

Mike was interviewing a group of extremists when hundreds of prisoners revolted in a planned uprising. Just before he was killed in the attack, Mike warned an Agency colleague of the imminent danger, helping his colleague get to safety. Spann fought for his life, but in the end was overtaken. He went down fighting.

The life of Mike Spann life could have been spared if American traitor John Walker Lindh would have told Mike about the scheduled revolt. Instead, he remained silent when Mike questioned him.

His dad shares with us about Mike’s early days of getting his pilot’s license at age 17, why he joined the Marines and then the CIA. Then, how 9/11 impacted him.

Johnny also tells us that he discovered he couldn’t trust everything he read or heard from the media, due to getting burned by some reporters.

Learn more about “quiet warrior” Mike Spann below:

https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/johnny-micheal-spann.html

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Harry’s Razors – The best men’s razor option available

January 18, 2017 By Thad Forester

harry's_razors

Ever since my days of shaving began, I’ve used either Bic disposables or mostly Gillette Sensor (originals and up to the 3rd gen) razors. I’m sure I’m like most men – I hated buying refills b/c they were too expensive, therefore I used each blade as long as possible.

Two years ago I decided I wasn’t buying blades from the store anymore, so I chose to order the MicroTouch Tough Blade razor because I kept seeing the commercial with Brett Favre advertising it. I even ordered several extra blades. However, I was never impressed; they were just average quality, and a little cheaper than the store-bought razors.

Well, I finally ran out of those blades and ordered from Harry’s. They are a sponsor on SOFREP, so I’ve heard of them over the years that I’ve subscribed to this podcast.

Where to start:

For starters, I chose the Truman Set, which comes with a razor, 3 blades and shaving cream. It also comes with a small sample of aftershave and a blade cover. All this for $15.

They have other options besides the Truman Set, so check out their site.

Each blade set consists of 5 individual blades. Compare this to 3 individual blades with my former razor brand, Tough Blade.

Why Harry’s razors:

They own their German factory AND sell direct.

They are much cheaper than any other razor company sold in stores. I word it this way b/c I can’t speak for some of the online companies like Dollar Shave Club. DSC has a brilliant marketing campaign and sold for huge bucks recently, so I assume they are pretty good. But, I’ve never used them. I don’t plan to unless Harry’s somehow disappoints in the future. Their customer service even emailed me last week checking on my satisfaction.

Harry’s does offer shave plans. I haven’t signed up for this option, but may go that route soon.

The blade quality seems superior to the other blades I’ve used. Harry’s razor blades are very sharp. Those Germans know how to sharpen steel.

Note: Even though these blades are sharp, go ahead and help prevent cuts by steaming with a hot rag first.

Gotta have some after-shave:

art_of_shaving aftershave It’s always good to finish up with some good after-shave. I know this doesn’t have anything to do with Harry’s, but my wife got this for me from The Art of Shaving and you’ll appreciate the manly smell (probably your wife more than you). I guess it heals and moisturizes well too.

Conclusion:

I love a good deal. And, I’ve found a good deal with Harry’s. So far, I’ve been using the same blade for a few weeks.

Obviously this will vary with each person. I don’t shave everyday and when I have my beard, there’s only the neck to shave, but I actually enjoy shaving now that I have good blades.

Welcome Home

Read more about this quiet warrior below:

Learn more about “quiet warrior” Mike Spann below:

Where to start:

Why Harry’s razors:

Gotta have some after-shave:

Conclusion: