When someone in our military dies in the line of duty, we often memorialize them and their service, and rightly so.  But life must somehow go on for the service member’s family.  That’s where this organization steps in...

When someone in our military dies in the line of duty, we often memorialize them and their service, and rightly so.&nbsp; But life must somehow go on for the service member&rsquo;s family.&nbsp; That&rsquo;s where this organization steps in...

Folds of Honor

In the middle of his most trying time, Rocky Sickmann wondered if God was still there – if God would get him out of a horrible situation.  It was then a prayer was answered in a most interesting way...

In the middle of his most trying time, Rocky Sickmann wondered if God was still there &ndash; if God would get him out of a horrible situation.&nbsp; It was then a prayer was answered in a most interesting way...

Answered Prayers in Tehran

January 20th, 1981 was inauguration day in the U.S.  It was also the day a 444 day hostage crisis ended in Iran...

January 20th, 1981 was inauguration day in the U.S.&nbsp; It was also the day a 444 day hostage crisis ended in Iran...

January 20, 1981

For those of use old enough to remember the events of 1979 and 1980, we may recall the plight of 52 U.S. hostages held in Iran.  Rocky Sickmann was one of those held for 444 days...

For those of use old enough to remember the events of 1979 and 1980, we may recall the plight of 52 U.S. hostages held in Iran.&nbsp; Rocky Sickmann was one of those held for 444 days...

Trigger on the War

Rocky Sickmann was in a position to change the course of U.S. history.  If he had pulled the trigger on his weapon, perhaps the last three plus decades of America’s involvement overseas would be far different...

Rocky Sickmann was in a position to change the course of U.S. history.&nbsp; If he had pulled the trigger on his weapon, perhaps the last three plus decades of America&rsquo;s involvement overseas would be far different...

The Attack on the Embassy

Bar Harbor, Maine is a place many people like to come and enjoy the state’s coastline and nearby Acadia National Park.  One of the draws for visitors is the lobstering that takes place here and that’s were folks like Mark step in to tell the interesting story...

Bar Harbor, Maine is a place many people like to come and enjoy the state&rsquo;s coastline and nearby Acadia National Park.&nbsp; One of the draws for visitors is the lobstering that takes place here and that&rsquo;s were folks like Mark step in to tell the interesting story...

Getting Into the Lobster Trade

In most states you can get a license to drive at the age of 16.  In this state you can get a license to do this at half that age.  This is the story of a demanding career that still attracts kids to the work...

In most states you can get a license to drive at the age of 16.&nbsp; In this state you can get a license to do this at half that age.&nbsp; This is the story of a demanding career that still attracts kids to the work...

Getting a License at Age 8

If you go to a nice restaurant that serves seafood, one of the highest dollar items is usually lobster.  A lot of folks think eating lobster is a delicacy worth the price.  However, in a moment I’ll take you to meet some long time lobsterman who tell the history of lobster and the fine dining option it has become today...

If you go to a nice restaurant that serves seafood, one of the highest dollar items is usually lobster.&nbsp; A lot of folks think eating lobster is a delicacy worth the price.&nbsp; However, in a moment I&rsquo;ll take you to meet some long time lobsterman who tell the history of lobster and the fine dining option it has become today...

Lobestering in Bar Harbor

Today you could get a ticket if you don’t drive on your side of the road.  But in 1917, Dr. June McCarroll could not get drivers to understand what seems so obvious today...

Today you could get a ticket if you don&rsquo;t drive on your side of the road.&nbsp; But in 1917, Dr. June McCarroll could not get drivers to understand what seems so obvious today...

June McCarroll's Highway Lines

Dueling was a way to solve serious disputes early in our nation’s history.  However it’s this duel in 1859 that’s said to have ended the practice and changed American history in its wake...

Dueling was a way to solve serious disputes early in our nation&rsquo;s history.&nbsp; However it&rsquo;s this duel in 1859 that&rsquo;s said to have ended the practice and changed American history in its wake...

The Final Duel

Bringing you the best from across the American Countryside.

American Countryside

Why is there a National Hobo Museum in Britt, Iowa?  I called the museum and they asked if I wanted to interview two hobos.  Of course I did!  I'll take you to Britt to meet real-life hobos and the town that has embraced them for over a century.  

Why is there a National Hobo Museum in Britt, Iowa?&nbsp; I called the museum and they asked if I wanted to interview two hobos.&nbsp; Of course I did!&nbsp; I'll take you to Britt to meet real-life hobos and the town that has embraced them for over a century.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Riding the Rails with Hobos

It's so large it’s a city within a city, with cars and rails headed to all points in the nation. I'll take you inside the yard where 8000-10,000 rail cars are housed at any one time for the fascinating process of getting cargo where it needs to go...and it's all open to visitors from a perch high above the plains.

It's so large it&rsquo;s a city within a city, with cars and rails headed to all points in the nation. I'll take you inside the yard where 8000-10,000 rail cars are housed at any one time for the fascinating process of getting cargo where it needs to go...and it's all open to visitors from a perch high above the plains.

Inside The World's Largest Railyard

You’ll soon find, this was about much more that just a very long walk - it was a walk of faith.  By the end of the journey, some might have regarded Bruce Sweet as an angel sent to minister to those in need.  There is a very strong spiritual component to this story, one that reminds us that our biggest goals in life are often about much more than what is on the surface.  Here’s the story of Bruce and his hike of the full Appalachian Trail

You&rsquo;ll soon find, this was about much more that just a very long walk - it was a walk of faith.&nbsp; By the end of the journey, some might have regarded Bruce Sweet as an angel sent to minister to those in need.&nbsp; There is a very strong spiritual component to this story, one that reminds us that our biggest goals in life are often about much more than what is on the surface.&nbsp; Here&rsquo;s the story of Bruce and his hike of the full Appalachian Trail

Conquering the Appalachian Trail - A Physical & Spiritual Journey

They are the cowboys of Hawaii and I visit with perhaps the biggest paniolo of all, Robby Hind, former livestock manager of the Parker Ranch, the largest ranch in Hawaii at over 200,000 acres.  We take a look at cattle that graze on the lava fields and learn the interesting history behind Mr. Parker, a kid who jumped ship and wound up creating an enterprise that thrives yet today.

They are the cowboys of Hawaii and I visit with perhaps the biggest paniolo of all, Robby Hind, former livestock manager of the Parker Ranch, the largest ranch in Hawaii at over 200,000 acres.&nbsp; We take a look at cattle that graze on the lava fields and learn the interesting history behind Mr. Parker, a kid who jumped ship and wound up creating an enterprise that thrives yet today.

Who Are the Paniolos?

It may sound like a laughing matter, but it was not.  A 25 foot tall wall of molasses was moving through the streets of Boston at 35 miles per hour.  We go to Commercial Street were the tragedy unfolded and explore the changes in our world as a result. 

It may sound like a laughing matter, but it was not.&nbsp; A 25 foot tall wall of molasses was moving through the streets of Boston at 35 miles per hour.&nbsp; We go to Commercial Street were the tragedy unfolded and explore the changes in our world as a result.&nbsp;

The Great Molasses Flood of 1919

He’s a man who’s story would take volumes to tell, and we hit some of the most intriguing points in the life of the amazing showman.  William Cody has different towns that could claim him as his hometown, but North Platte, NE has a strong basis for that title…yet not everyone there is a big fan.  Tthat has to do with Bill’s marriage to Louisa…a marriage that was quite rocky at times.  This tale has many twist and turns and we even get into the mysterious disappearance of some of the Wild West Show cast when they were interrogated by the Germans on the eve of World War I and never seen again.  Here’s the story of William Cody, aka Buffalo Bill.

He&rsquo;s a man who&rsquo;s story would take volumes to tell, and we hit some of the most intriguing points in the life of the amazing showman.&nbsp; William Cody has different towns that could claim him as his hometown, but North Platte, NE has a strong basis for that title&hellip;yet not everyone there is a big fan.&nbsp; Tthat has to do with Bill&rsquo;s marriage to Louisa&hellip;a marriage that was quite rocky at times.&nbsp; This tale has many twist and turns and we even get into the mysterious disappearance of some of the Wild West Show cast when they were interrogated by the Germans on the eve of World War I and never seen again.&nbsp; Here&rsquo;s the story of William Cody, aka Buffalo Bill.

Buffalo Bill - "Good" Guy or "Bad" Guy?

Perhaps you know how and why the product got that name…but there’s much more to this story and it’s all because of the CEO of WD40, Gary Ridge.  

Perhaps you know how and why the product got that name&hellip;but there&rsquo;s much more to this story and it&rsquo;s all because of the CEO of WD40, Gary Ridge.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Intriguing Man Behind the Blue & Gold Can - WD40

We take you the country of Iran in 1979.  Tom Schaefer was working in the U.S. Embassy when he and others working there were taken hostage for 444 days.  It’s an amazing story of keeping mind, body and faith strong in one of the most difficult times a person could face. 

We take you the country of Iran in 1979.&nbsp; Tom Schaefer was working in the U.S. Embassy when he and others working there were taken hostage for 444 days.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s an amazing story of keeping mind, body and faith strong in one of the most difficult times a person could face.&nbsp;

Iranian Hostage Tom Schaefer

On this edition of our podcast I take you to a farm field just outside Clear Lake, Iowa.  It was here on the evening of February 2, 1959, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens and Waylon Jennings had just played a concert.  But the night would end in tragedy.  It was the event remembered in the first lines of the song Bye Bye Miss American Pie.

On this edition of our podcast I take you to a farm field just outside Clear Lake, Iowa.&nbsp; It was here on the evening of February 2, 1959, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens and Waylon Jennings had just played a concert.&nbsp; But the night would end in tragedy.&nbsp; It was the event remembered in the first lines of the song Bye Bye Miss American Pie.

The Day the Music Died

Telling the stories behind the people, places and events from across the American countryside.

Telling the stories behind the people, places and events from across the American countryside.

American Countryside - An Amazing Journey

Andrew McCrea travels coast-to-coast to meet people you may have never heard of, with a story you'll never forget.  Hear from the people and places that have played important parts of our past and present.

Andrew McCrea travels coast-to-coast to meet people you may have never heard of, with a story you'll never forget.&nbsp; Hear from the people and places that have played important parts of our past and present.

American Countryside

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