Welcome to Patriot to the Core Podcast

Patriot to the Core 2018

This podcast exists b/c of my little brother Mark Forester. While he was serving as a full-time missionary in California, our nation was attacked on 9/11. He felt the calling then to complete his service to God with his next mission being to serve his country. He knew God wanted him to help control the world's terrorists population.

On September 29, 2010, he was killed in action on his first deployment. From his death notification to my family, to the Dignified Transfer ceremony at Dover, to his viewing, funeral, and subsequent memorials, I was amazed at the new world of heroes and warriors we met. These men and women have become close to our family and been huge supports. But they also stood out because of their willingness to voluntarily fight evil. They believed in freedom and liberty. Because of their actions, I started this podcast to interview great Americans who serve their country and communities.

By supporting this podcast, you help support The Mark Forester Foundation and its cause.

I interview those from all branches of the military, serving multiple roles (combat controllers, PJs, Green Berets, SEALs, Rangers, Infantrymen, Marines, Pilots, etc) and the US government. In addition, I speak with your everyday mom who goes about doing good--from starting a non-profit to fighting for freedom in our communities and schools. I also get to talk with Gold Star Parents, Siblings and Spouses, and Medal of Honor recipients.

This provides an opportunity to learn about everyday Americans who go above and beyond to protect us and to help others. As a Gold Star brother, many of my guests have a military connection, but I still have a wide variety of people who answer the call to serve in various ways.

We talk fighting terrorism, self-protection, exercise, mental toughness, charity, parenting, fugitives and occasionally pop culture and politics (like government overreach).

Please follow and subscribe so we can have many episodes to come. Send suggestions and questions to me at thad@patriottothecore.com. Hope you enjoy!

You can also become a patron. Your support is not considered a donation--it's a way to get something in return for helping support my cause. See link below:

Become a Patron!

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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Episode 019 – Larry Moores, Army Ranger, Platoon Ldr in Battle of Mogadishu

January 9, 2017 By Thad Forester

Larry_Moores and team In 1993, Larry Moores was leading a convoy to capture two Somali leaders when two Blackhawks were shot down. Then the mission turned into a desperate search and rescue mission. In what is known as “Black Hawk Down”, Larry describes his role in the battle that left 18 killed, over 80 wounded, and one missing pilot from his task force.

He shares with us valuable lessons he learned in Mogadishu and what roles his men played in recovering our dead and wounded. Also, the benefits of living right in the city of Mogadishu and deploying from a very visible airfield. The locals saw them all the time.

He enlisted as a young Army Ranger, commissioned through Officer Candidate School and served a 21-year career in Airborne, Ranger and Special Operations assignments, with numerous deployments including, Grenada, Somalia and Afghanistan.

Moores is now Executive Director of Three Rangers Foundation, which provides veterans with experts, advice and assistance in every aspect of their journey; whether spiritual, physical, mental, employment, finances, family, or education.

Learn more about his foundation and upcoming events in 2017:

http://www.threerangersfoundation.org/

And Larry proudly supports James Dietz’s portraits in his home:

http://www.jamesdietz.com/

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

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Episode 018 – Christmas from Heaven: Gail Halvorsen, The Candy Bomber

December 25, 2016 By Thad Forester

On this special Christmas Day episode, we hear from a legend from WWII – Gail (Hal) Halvorsen. He has many names: Uncle Wiggly Wings, The Berlin Candy Bomber and The Chocolate Flier. He became popular for dropping candy from his plane to the children of Berlin, from 1948-49.

His efforts gained support from many back in the states. School children packaged candy in boxes with parachutes, and candy companies like Wrigley and Hershey’s donated items. Thanks to his efforts he and his team had dropped 23 tons of candy by Christmas 1949.

Today we talk of “Operation Little Viddles”, how he became a pilot, how to overcome trials and depression, and the importance of serving others. This is an uplifting episode that you don’t want to miss. He shares that these children in Berlin taught him about freedom more than anything else. It’s amazing what 2 sticks of gum turned into!

Learn more about Mr. Halvorsen here:

http://wigglywings.weebly.com/

His book, “The Berlin Candy Bomber” here: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/088290616X

Special with Tom Brokaw: https://youtu.be/QWbISrde2mQ

Outro music courtesy of Blake Shelton – Home (feat. Michael Buble)
Copyright 2016 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Episode 017 – Will Thomas, Honoring the Special Operations Community through Sport

December 12, 2016 By Thad Forester

Will Thomas was 12 when the EXTORTION 17 tragedy helped him see that our freedom to compete in athletics and pursue other passions is made possible by the sacrifices of heroes. Grateful for their gift, Will began honoring America’s special operations community through a mission called Operation Hawkeye.

Will is now a senior at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., and Operation Hawkeye has grown into a national grassroots organization of individuals and enterprises dedicated to honoring the service of fallen special operators and raising monetary and in-kind aid for related charities, mainly through athletic challenges and gear collaborations.

Last summer, for example, Will piloted a successful baseball-themed challenge called STRIKE FORCE, benefiting Gold Star Teen Adventures. He is currently working on his biggest campaign yet – a national version of STRIKE FORCE allowing high school, travel, and college baseball teams across the country to use baseball to raise funds for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, beginning spring of 2017.

He also works with mission teammates to create branded apparel and other items benefiting special operations causes, such as the Operation Hawkeye shemagh scarf offered by Combat Flip Flops, which provides desperately-needed jobs in war-torn Afghanistan and helps fund programs offered by the TEAM 5 Foundation and the STATION Foundation.

Our future is bright with young men like Will stepping up to lead. You can learn more about Will and his organization here, as well as him playing 2 on 2 in his driveway with Admiral McRaven:

http://ophawkeye.com/

Music courtesy of Rush – Freewill.
Copyright 2016 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Episode 016 – Marc Esposito, Wounded Warrior, CCT, biked across CA with Robin Williams

November 28, 2016 By Thad Forester

Marc Esposito’s vehicle was hit by an IED when he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. After being in a wheelchair for almost five months, he was finally able to stand.

By 2011, he competed in the Warrior Games and won Gold in pistol shooting. Shortly thereafter, rode his bike across the country, from the pacific in San Francisco to the Atlantic in Virginia Beach.

Marc said cycling changed his life, even though he was hit by a car along the route. He made an early decision to not let his injuries ever haunt him.

You’ll enjoy hearing Marc tell about his life since his injury on the battlefield.

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2016 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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