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On this episode of Our American Stories, Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman was not only Lance Cpl. (Ret.) Tom Morton's mentor, he was a hero of the highest caliber who died trying to save an Afghani Police Officer from drowning in the Helmand River. Here's Tom to tell the story of the worst day of his life, and how he came to find peace after it.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman was not only Lance Cpl. (Ret.) Tom Morton's mentor, he was a hero of the highest caliber who died trying to save an Afghani Police Officer from drowning in the Helmand River. Here's Tom to tell the story of the worst day of his life, and how he came to find peace after it.
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.

A Marine's Story About Finding Peace After the Loss of His Mentor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/623e5db0-ffd9-4ab9-829a-b20400ba2e34/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, on August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate in Kabul killed 13 American service members. Among them was Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz. His father, Mark Schmitz, became part of what is known as a Gold Star family, a term used for the parents and loved ones of those killed in military service.

In the months that followed, he chose to carry forward his son’s legacy, founding The Freedom 13, a nonprofit focused on supporting military families and honoring the fallen. Here to share the story of his son’s life and the legacy that continues in his name is Mark Schmitz.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, on August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate in Kabul killed 13 American service members. Among them was Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz. His father, Mark Schmitz, became part of what is known as a Gold Star family, a term used for the parents and loved ones of those killed in military service. In the months that followed, he chose to carry forward his son&rsquo;s legacy, founding&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthefreedom13.org%2F%3Fsrsltid%3DAfmBOopGvG-QrGc84y4S_XOnEdpYtlcEKt30onTXFpB00-3uMpHAiCKM&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C30c95e5607da4af166be08deaa0936fe%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639135153778763202%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wX15TpweG4J8zEzhL4ls6zURxCrghLnwii7BETsKNAQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">The Freedom 13</a>, a nonprofit focused on supporting military families and honoring the fallen. Here to share the story of his son&rsquo;s life and the legacy that continues in his name is Mark Schmitz.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

A Gold Star Father on Loss, Service, and His Son’s Legacy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f4b29342-d81a-43c1-8211-b442014ecd12/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1856, the steamboat Steamboat Arabia struck a snag and slipped beneath the Missouri River, taking with it cargo bound for stores and towns across the frontier. The Arabia did not stay buried forever. As the river changed course over time, the wreck was left behind beneath layers of earth.

More than a century later, a group of Kansas City men set out to uncover the long-buried treasure. Matt Hawley tells the story of his family’s quest to dig up the steamboat Arabia from the middle of a cornfield.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1856, the steamboat Steamboat Arabia struck a snag and slipped beneath the Missouri River, taking with it cargo bound for stores and towns across the frontier. The Arabia did not stay buried forever. As the river changed course over time, the wreck was left behind beneath layers of earth. More than a century later, a group of Kansas City men set out to uncover the long-buried treasure. Matt Hawley tells the story of his family&rsquo;s quest to dig up the steamboat Arabia from the middle of a cornfield.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

My Family Spent 4 Months Playing Battleship in a Cornfield

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/05634f3d-84c1-42a6-865c-b442014ecd14/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, volunteering seemed simple enough. Then the plan fell apart. What started as a group effort quickly turned into a one-man road trip across state lines.

Robert Frohlich, an Our American Stories listener from Wisconsin, shares the story of a road trip gone wrong while volunteering to deliver trucks to impoverished communities in Appalachia.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, volunteering seemed simple enough. Then the plan fell apart. What started as a group effort quickly turned into a one-man road trip across state lines. Robert Frohlich, an&nbsp;Our American Stories&nbsp;listener from Wisconsin, shares the story of a road trip gone wrong while volunteering to deliver trucks to impoverished communities in Appalachia.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Plan Was Simple. The Road Trip Was Not

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/78146e56-261f-43c5-b001-b442014ecd16/transcript

A Marine's Story About Finding Peace After the Loss of His Mentor

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