Pedersen, a distinguished military veteran known as the “Godfather of Topgun,” is credited with establishing the Navy Fighter Weapons School. His memoir, a collection of captivating, action-packed anecdotes and pivotal events in his naval career, moves briskly through time spent with committed men dedicated to their “monastic calling.” The author enlisted in 1956, and he covers his early years before moving into tales of Vietnam. As mounting losses and ineffective artillery, tactics, and leadership weakened America’s defensive strategies in the 1960s, Pedersen recalls craving a fresh master plan to even the odds. Recognizing Pedersen’s excellence in aerial gunnery and overall flight and defensive precision, the Navy selected him, then stationed at Miramar, California (“Fightertown USA”), to head up an air combat graduate school featuring eight other passionate and talented officers known as the “Original Bros.” In describing the founding days of Topgun, the author details his selection of veteran pilots and a procedural curriculum to utilize the new MiG fighter jets. He also highlights the toll their call of duty took on marriages and families; regrets aside, “for us, flying always came first.” Throughout the book, Pedersen ably conveys the immense camaraderie among the courageous brotherhood of American fighter pilots and conjures the excitement of daring aerial combat and weaponry maneuvers. He proudly notes that, at its 50th anniversary, the Topgun course remains the standard of excellence for providing air combat and weapons systems training.

VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. vva.org

Terry Schmidt who served on the USS Henry B. Wilson DDG -7, took and Honor Flight to Washington, DC. We sit and talk with Terry about the experience from start to finish.

Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices.

Regional-Honor-Flight-Hubs come and see our map for details of the hubs that is in your State.

Operation BBQ Relief was founded in May 2011 in response to a need for relief efforts in tornado-stricken Joplin, Missouri, a community of about 50,000 residents. Volunteers from competition BBQ teams from eight states answered the need to help feed displaced families, police, fire, National Guard and emergency personnel. Operation BBQ Relief strives to provide compassion, and offer hope and friendship to those whose lives have been affected by disasters across the United States.  We leverage our expertise in cooking and catering barbecue meals with our ability to quickly mobilize our teams into any area where disaster disrupts and tears apart the lives of Americans.

Jerry Sliffe talks about helping Veterans find work through trade work and trade schools.

When Sgt. Kyle A. Colnot’s life ended on April 22, 2006, in military action near Baghdad, Iraq, his sister Kelly Luisi’s life immediately changed in two significant ways: Kelly became a member of a group that no one wants to join, becoming Gold Star Family member; and she marked Kyle’s death as a milestone in her own life by starting an outreach to the military that continues today.

Homeless Veterans of San Diego exists to put an end to the epidemic of homelessness among our veterans. No veteran that has served our country should have to sleep next to a freeway, in downtown doorways, under bridges, in tents on busy city streets, or in brush in canyons and parks.

The Morse family founded The Villages over 30 years ago, with a vision to create a warm, secure and friendly hometown where all your retirement dreams come true. The Villages are also helping veterans both in and out of there community. www.thevillages.com

Roger Dudley and Lexy Sweet talk with Sharon on all things Experience Columbus.

Come experience columbus and see what makes us a great city to visit. Find things to do, hotels, restaurants, events and visitor travel information. Come See all that we have to Offer are Vets and How we can serve you and help you have a great reunion.

Sharon talks with Lindsay Gulley about all things Wichita.

Expect the unexpected! Big-city amenities - Midwestern prices! Explore art museums, hands-on exhibits, Old West and Indian artifacts - even a T. Rex skeleton. Dine at more than 1,000 restaurants. Shopping choices abound with eclectic shops, antique stores, and open-air shopping centers. When it comes to dining, shopping and playing…Wichita has something for everyone!  www.visitwichita.com

The Kissing Sailor is one of the most iconic photographs in American History. Veteran Hal Burke stops by MRN Radio to talk about his friend George Mendonsa and how the photograph came to be.  show sponsor: Best Western Merry Manor

Torillo, now retired, had started out that day heading to a press conference where a Fisher-Price action figure that he helped design was going to be unveiled. Called “Billy Blazes," the toy was made to represent a New York City firefighter. The figure sported a big bushy mustache, just like Torillo’s.

But he ended up racing to his firehouse instead when he saw the first twin tower on fire, where he ditched the dress uniform and grabbed that of another firefighter who was off that day.

Torillo almost died in the attack when the buildings collapsed and he was covered in a pile of steel and concrete rubble. He suffered fractures to his skull, neck and spine, and had internal injuries. “I was buried in the darkness,” he said.

Torillo said he could hear others yelling in the debris. The screams turned to crying, then to whimpers and then finally gave way to silence.

“One by one they all died,” he said. “And I was still alive.” He was finally dug out by rescuers who could hear the beeping of his firefighter oxygen equipment. Taken to a boat on the Hudson River he heard them saying that he could die.

 When doctors later cut his clothes off at the hospital he was admitted under the name of the firefighter who's name was on the uniform . Torillo said he was listed as dead for three days until the mistake was discovered.

Sharon talks with Misty Jester for Visit Albuquerque

Visiting Albuquerque allows you to experience the authentic Southwest. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Albuquerque boasts a unique multicultural history and heritage. Native American, Hispanic & Latino, Anglo and other cultural influences are a part of everyday life. You will always know you're someplace special, whether you're eating at one of our traditional New Mexican restaurants, shopping at one of the thousands of shops and galleries around town, enjoying our world-class visual and performing arts, or playing on the best golf courses in the Southwest. Nowhere is the confluence of past and present more dramatic than here in Albuquerque, where the modern city skyline is set against a backdrop of the stunning Sandia Mountains and an endless, timeless blue sky.