If you served overseas during the Cold War, you likely used a MARS—“Military Auxiliary (or Affiliate) Radio System”—to phone home. MARS was a network of military and amateur radio operators who created high frequency radio “phone patches” connecting servicemen and women across the world to folks back in the US. Tonight, on VBC Happy Hour, we welcome former MARS Operators Clint Bestor (Marines, Vietnam) and Dennis Vernacchia (101st Airborne, Vietnam) to share their stories. Also joining us is Ken Holloway, National Recruiting Officer at USAF MARS at Scott AFB, who will tell us why MARS is still vital in the age of satellite and internet communications.

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