written by Bob Bukk Lieutenant Commander Michael John Estocin, USN, 1964 (NARA) VBC member Bob Bukk recalls Medal of Honor recipient Michael J. Estocin, Naval Aviator who went missing in Vietnam in 1967. One day, I asked a fellow golfer about his hat and jacket, both of which blazed with the USS Estocin’s name
Written by Todd DePastino The Berlin Airlift, which began 75 years ago on June 25, was one of the United States Armed Forces’ finest hours. Children watching a U.S. cargo plane landing at Tempelhof Airfield in Berlin, 1948 (USAF Historical Research Agency) For almost one year, the US Air Force, with the
Written by Ron Farina Of the almost 2 million Americans who have received Purple Hearts since World War II, only about 500 have been women. The vast majority of these women earned the award since September 11, 2001. On two VBC Happy Hours in March, we had nine such recipients join us, along with
Written by Todd DePastino All he did was give candy to children. But in doing so, Lieutenant Gail Halvorsen inadvertently launched one of the greatest diplomatic missions of the Cold War. A Douglas C-54 Skymaster dropping candy over Berlin (Museum of USAF) In November 2020, we welcomed the 100-year-old Berlin Airlift hero
written by Roger Housen On our March 6 VBC Happy Hour with Purple Heart Women Warriors, retired Belgian Army colonel, Roger Housen, spoke about why he and Duke Leopold of Arenberg of Belgium supported publication of Out of the Shadows: Voices of American Women Soldiers, written by Vietnam Marine veteran Ron Farina. Several people
We're grateful to Briana Smith at KDKA-TV Pittsburgh for her story about the Veterans Breakfast Club and the power of storytelling and story-listening. In this week's KD Sunday Spotlight, we show you the power of listening. Behind every veteran lies strength, sacrifice, and inspirational stories. The Veterans Breakfast Club gives people the chance to listen
