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 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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Episode 015 – Ronnie Rains, owner of Granite Ranch, host of numerous Wounded Warrior Retreats

November 14, 2016 By Thad Forester

If you want to hear from someone who is a great example of the American Dream, this is it. Ronnie Rains grew up poor, was drafted to serve in Vietnam, and later in life started businesses that have allowed him to be very generous to many people today – specifically our military and their families.

Regularly, Ronnie hosts wounded warriors at his ranch from all branches of our military. He wants them to have a place to relax, hunt, fish, kayak, eat good food, and be away from cameras and photo ops. He says putting those injured with someone in worse conditions than their own lifts their spirits. I’ve been there and know first-hand the care he takes of our heroes.

This humble man helps our warriors in ways doctors and medicine can’t. He shows us how to walk the talk by serving quietly, while impacting many.

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Episode 014 – Dan Hammond, US Duathlon Team, Adventure Racer, Entrepreneur

October 31, 2016 By Thad Forester

At age 56, Dan Hammond qualified for the US National Team to compete in the Duathlon World Championship in Aviles, Spain. He shares how he overcame injuries to quality for team and then found motivation to finish the big race, despite his body telling him to quit shortly after starting.

He also started “American Profile” magazine to distribute the good news of life in hometown America. It was the largest publishing launch in the US and spotlighted heroes that most of us never knew about; or those we did know, but never knew the selfless work they did for others. Goes to show that every town and every person have great stories.