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

September 5, 2016 By Thad Forester

Rob Gutierrez Rob 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.

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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

August 8, 2016 By Thad Forester

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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Episode 006 – Maj Will Lyles, US Army (ret), Green Beret, bilateral amputee, OIF & OEF Veteran

July 25, 2016 By Thad Forester

As a college baseball player, Will was mentally tough and physically strong. After graduating college, he joined the Army and became a member of Special Forces (aka Green Beret). He shares the challenges of going through the pipeline and how the Army gave him much more than he ever gave it.

On his third deployment, he stepped on an IED and lost both legs above the knee. This IED also killed some teammates. He enlightens us with his road to recovery, mental toughness, and strain on his family. He now hunts, snowboards and serves as a motivator and inspiration to anyone dealing with adversity. He expresses how grateful he is to be alive and to live in this country.

Learn more about Will here:

http://poetsandquants.com/2015/10/19/meet-the-rice-jones-mba-class-of-2017/8/

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Episode 005 – Melanie Davis, author, founder of Triumph Press and Love Your Veterans

July 11, 2016 By Thad Forester

Melanie got into the publishing business after sharing copies of her journal to help people deal with grief and hardship. This was because she documented her trial of losing her seven-month old baby girl Brynn to SIDS. Seeing the hope it gave so many, she turned these writings into a book called “The Triumph Book”, which is real stories of people overcoming tremendous trials and finding purpose in life.

Later, she wrote and published “The Triumph Book: HEROES” which consist of real life stories from our veterans. She learned and shares the struggles many of our veterans endure and fight each day.

Her stories are real and powerful. Listen and feel her passion for serving our guardians of freedom. She encourages us to serve others to overcome tragedy.

Learn more at:

www.triumphpress.com

www.loveyourveterans.org

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