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On this episode of Our American Stories, Holiday Inn began with one frustrated family road trip and grew into one of the largest hotel chains in the world. At the center of that growth was Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn and a salesman at heart. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., joins us with stories of his father's relationships with some of the greats: Muhammad Ali, Sam Walton, and Sam Phillips.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Holiday Inn began with one frustrated family road trip and grew into one of the largest hotel chains in the world. At the center of that growth was Kemmons Wilson, the founder of Holiday Inn and a salesman at heart. His son, Kemmons Wilson Jr., joins us with stories of his father's relationships with some of the greats: Muhammad Ali, Sam Walton, and Sam Phillips.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Kemmons Wilson: The Man Who Built Holiday Inn

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2639f5e0-bb88-4e25-80fd-b3f401675326/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Jefferson is remembered as a Founding Father, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and the nation’s third president. He is also one of the most important historical figures when it comes to religious freedom in America.

In 1802, that commitment to religious liberty inspired one of the strangest thank-you gifts in presidential history. A Baptist preacher from Massachusetts organized his congregation to create a massive wheel of cheese and send it to the White House in Jefferson’s honor. The so-called “mammoth cheese” became one of the most unusual events in early American history. Historian Clay S. Jenkinson shares the story.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Jefferson is remembered as a Founding Father, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and the nation&rsquo;s third president. He is also one of the most important historical figures when it comes to religious freedom in America. In 1802, that commitment to religious liberty inspired one of the strangest thank-you gifts in presidential history. A Baptist preacher from Massachusetts organized his congregation to create a massive wheel of cheese and send it to the White House in Jefferson&rsquo;s honor. The so-called &ldquo;mammoth cheese&rdquo; became one of the most unusual events in early American history. Historian Clay S. Jenkinson shares the story.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

When a Baptist Preacher Gave Thomas Jefferson a 1,200-Pound Gift

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a3fda42b-9072-4d69-81ad-b3f401675327/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, when American troops left for war, they carried reminders of home that came in the simplest form: food. Spam and Hershey’s chocolate became symbols of comfort in a world that had lost its sense of safety. Spam filled mess kits and fueled long marches through mud and heat. Hershey’s chocolate brought a quick burst of sweetness that could steady a soldier’s nerves or break the monotony of rations. Together they fed the body and the spirit, helping to turn familiar tastes into a quiet kind of strength that followed the American army wherever it went.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, when American troops left for war, they carried reminders of home that came in the simplest form: food. Spam and Hershey&rsquo;s chocolate became symbols of comfort in a world that had lost its sense of safety. Spam filled mess kits and fueled long marches through mud and heat. Hershey&rsquo;s chocolate brought a quick burst of sweetness that could steady a soldier&rsquo;s nerves or break the monotony of rations. Together they fed the body and the spirit, helping to turn familiar tastes into a quiet kind of strength that followed the American army wherever it went.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How Spam and Chocolate Became America’s Secret Weapons in WWII

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3ac4c799-3285-48e8-bf3b-b3f401675320/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, the Vietnam War changed a generation of American men. For many of them, survival depended less on strategy and more on friendship. Camelo Venegaz was the kind of guy you could talk to about anything, and he became someone his fellow soldiers trusted with their fears and, at times, their final words. He joins us to tell his story.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, the Vietnam War changed a generation of American men. For many of them, survival depended less on strategy and more on friendship. Camelo Venegaz was the kind of guy you could talk to about anything, and he became someone his fellow soldiers trusted with their fears and, at times, their final words. He joins us to tell his story.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

When Friendship in Vietnam Meant Saying Goodbye

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4a99713b-ff1e-4ed1-bc9f-b3f401675325/transcript

Kemmons Wilson: The Man Who Built Holiday Inn

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