memorial day Archives -

Ep 117 | Matthew Longanacre – AH-64D Apache Pilot Overhead Mark in Afghanistan

May 27, 2024 By Thad Forester

CW4 Matthew Longanacre (Matthew on Facebook) was an AH-64D Apache Pilot with 1-101 Aviation Regiment “Expect No Mercy”. He was the Pilot-In-Command of one of the two Apaches that were overhead when Mark and Calvin were killed on 29 September 2010.

Printed in Mark’s book, My Brother in Arms, Matthew wrote to our family: “We pride ourselves on doing whatever it takes to protect these gifted warriors on the battlefield. This is why the loss of Mark has hit me harder than any in the past. I was overhead that day and unable to prevent this tragedy. I just hope that his family and friends can find some small measure of comfort in knowing that he took the fight to the enemy right until the end. Very few in this world can say the same…”

Longanacre joined me today while we walked 28 miles for the Mark Forester JAG 28 Memorial Birthday Walk/Ruck. Therefore, the audio isn’t stellar, but the best this low-tech guy can do. We were moving the entire time in mist rain.

My family and I appreciate Matthew keeping in touch, making the effort to visit and support. He developed a friendship with Mark, all over the radio, while they slew the enemy!

Enjoy the outro music, “Sons of War Veteran“. This short clip was written by former AF CCT, and 2-time PTC guest, Dan Schilling. You can hear the full version here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5iujSF8UmN4VyvWB42UfLa

Freedom Blends, supplements and vitamins for men and women: use discount code PATRIOT at checkout.

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Ep 074 – Memorial Day Special: Bobby Bonello Escorting Mark’s Body to Dover – The Angel Flight

May 24, 2020 By Thad Forester

Today Mark’s friend and teammate tells us what it was like to get the news of Mark’s death, how he got a risky flight out of his FOB and met up with Mark so he could escort his buddy back to the states as part of the Angel Flight.

This episode is solely about Bobby Bonello and Mark Forester. Even though much of what is discussed is written in my book, I wanted to have an oral history and capture Bobby’s feelings and some details that were left out of the book.

Seeing Bobby at Dover AFB for the Dignified Transfer was somewhat comforting. He knew Mark and knew us. Up until then, our notifications had been from those who knew Mark, but we didn’t really know.

Bobby was visibly shaken and had a sort of blank look in his face when we first saw him. Probably how we looked too.

The picture above is Bobby at Mark’s casket/transfer case in a C-17 in Kandahar, just before leaving for Dover AFB. Although barely being able to see Bobby’s face, he looks shaken, worn and upset. I still can’t tell you who took these pictures, but they were a friend of a family friend who happened to be there. Amazingly this person found out who it was and made the connection, got the pics to his friend, who then sent to me. It was only a matter a days after this happened.

And hope you enjoy clips of the song used. Credit to Radney Foster, Angel Flight.

**originally aired Sept. 29, 2017 as episode 038**

*PTC is on Patreon. If you like what you’re hearing please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

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Ep 065 – Memorial Day: Renee Nickell | Her Brother was Always Her Hero

May 26, 2019 By Thad Forester

Renee Nickell’s brother, Major Samuel Griffith, was killed-in-action in Dec, 2011. Since then, she’s gone thru many dark valleys and has found healing by writing a book: “Always My Hero” about her older brother and best friend.

With her appearance last week on Home and Family, and her radio, podcast and TV tour this past year, she’s done an incredible job spreading the word about Marine Sam Griffith.

Her brother Sam left behind a wife, children, and grieving parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. This former F-18 pilot – turned Forward Air Controller, did his part to not only raise a noble posterity, but also lead his men and eliminate terrorists.

Her book goes deep into the conflicts her family fought through after Sam’s death. Miraculously she got $400 so she, husband and children could drive non-stop from Florida to Dover AFB to witness the arrival of her brother’s remains as part of the Dignified Transfer.

As a Gold Star sibling, I have tremendous respect for Renee and how she’s expressing her devotion to her brother and country by personalizing the price of freedom. She’s in pain. Her family hurts – just as anyone who loses a loved-one. In this case, I can relate more than most.

May this interview help your Memorial Day be more meaningful. Thank you for listening.

You can purchase her book (re-releasing in June 2019) by visiting her web site or Amazon:

Renee Nickell web site

Always My Hero on Amazon

You can also read her article on patriotism published on Today.com here.

Rock Tune by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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Ep 057 – “I’ve Got a Man Down!” | Memorial Day 2018

May 27, 2018 By Thad Forester

“As a senior AH-64D Longbow Apache aviator rated as Pilot in Command and qualified as Air Mission Commander, I have never witnessed such an act of heroism in my three years of fighting in combat…. My only regret is that I was unable to prevent Jag 28’s death. I will carry that burden indefinitely. Jag 28 continued to advance on the enemy while taking intense enemy fire, and continuously fired his weapon in an attempt to get to his fallen teammate and destroy the enemy. I can only hope to live up to such an example.”

In today’s Memorial Day episode, I describe some of my brother Mark’s final moments on 29 Sept 2010 as he and his team fought terrorists in a remote village in Afghanistan. The particulars I cover are from the book “My Brother in Arms” and testimony provided by one of the Apache pilots who watched it all go down with his naked eye.

I also report on last weekend’s “Jag 28 Birthday Walk” in Haleyville. Man, it was a great time.

To learn more about Mark Forester, here are a few links:

National Geographic Eyewitness War on Mark Forester or official site here

Lifetime Channel Coming Home

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Memorial Day from a Gold Star brother

May 28, 2017 By Thad Forester

Price of Freedom-Memorial Day 2017

As I watch the Coca-Cola 600, I’m honored to see my brother’s name on the #43 car for Richard Petty’s team. Nascar is honoring 40 fallen heroes with 600 miles of remembrance today.

I continue to be amazed at the support we receive from so many people–from friends, acquaintances, and strangers. I also grateful for support from an overwhelming majority of our citizens.

Each Memorial Day weekend, I receive an incredible amount of emails, texts, calls, and Facebook posts honoring my brother Mark Forester. I can’t adequately express my appreciation to everyone for not forgetting our loss. Unfortunately, many families are living Memorial Day every day.

I know many are like I was pre-2010: Memorial Day being the beginning of pool and lake season, along with grilling, homemade ice cream and vacations–no thought of our fallen. Now, it’s much different. I think of my brother every day and try to honor him by how I live. So in most ways, Memorial Day is no different than any other day.

However, I get more distracted this weekend because of the number of people recognizing the many heroes who’ve laid down their lives for our freedom. I get a little more somber and appreciative for all who’ve paid the price of freedom.

Even though I don’t say “Happy Memorial Day”, I don’t get bothered if someone does. I don’t worry about little things like that. I just appreciate people remembering. We are free to live and worship as we please; and celebrating with those we care about is a good thing to do for Memorial Day.

I’m curious what you do to honor our fallen on Memorial Day? The options are limitless. Ron White memorized everyone who has been killed in Afghanistan and wrote their names and rank on his traveling Memory Wall this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway – incredible. My wife is doing the JAG 28 Hero WOD. That ain’t no walk in the park.

Answered his call

My little brother lived great and died great. Most importantly he was killed doing something he loved. He sealed his fixed determination to conquer our enemies with his blood. I’m sure he has no regrets.

Mark Forester and mom 2010 — Mark with mom before he deployed in 2010. She’ll never get over losing her baby boy.