On this episode of Our American Stories, the late Major Brian Shul shares his legendary “LA Speed Check” story—an absurd and unforgettable moment from the cockpit of the fastest plane in the world, the SR-71 Blackbird.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, the late Major Brian Shul shares his legendary &ldquo;LA Speed Check&rdquo; story&mdash;an absurd and unforgettable moment from the cockpit of the fastest plane in the world, the SR-71 Blackbird.
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

The “LA Speed Check”: A Story from a Pilot of the Fastest Plane in the World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dd3c1d7b-8c69-41d7-b6ce-b2d1015a0e00/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, at Fort Irwin, where military training exercises push soldiers to the edge of real combat, the line between routine drills and genuine danger can blur without warning. Our American Stories regular contributor Richard Muniz remembers a night when that line vanished. A single misjudged moment during a live-fire military exercise sent a round into the wrong vehicle and forced a small crew to fight for their lives in the dark. His story is a look at how even the best-trained teams face risks that no plan can fully erase.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, at Fort Irwin, where military training exercises push soldiers to the edge of real combat, the line between routine drills and genuine danger can blur without warning. Our American Stories&nbsp;regular contributor Richard Muniz remembers a night when that line vanished. A single misjudged moment during a live-fire military exercise sent a round into the wrong vehicle and forced a small crew to fight for their lives in the dark. His story is a look at how even the best-trained teams face risks that no plan can fully erase.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Midnight at the Live Fire Range: A Close Call in the Mojave

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2a1aba31-84df-4a25-a201-b3ae017239fe/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, by the start of 1864, the Civil War had dragged the country into exhaustion. Union armies faced setback after setback, and Lincoln watched public confidence slip as the Confederacy pressed its advantage. The outcome of the presidential election during wartime hung on the direction of the fighting, which turned the battlefield into a measure of Lincoln’s strength. Charles Bracelen Flood revisits this uneasy year, when the fate of the Union and the presidency moved together through uncertainty that reached from the front lines to the White House. We’d like to thank the Library of Congress for originally hosting this audio.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, by the start of 1864, the Civil War had dragged the country into exhaustion. Union armies faced setback after setback, and Lincoln watched public confidence slip as the Confederacy pressed its advantage. The outcome of the presidential election during wartime hung on the direction of the fighting, which turned the battlefield into a measure of Lincoln&rsquo;s strength. Charles Bracelen Flood revisits this uneasy year, when the fate of the Union and the presidency moved together through uncertainty that reached from the front lines to the White House. We&rsquo;d like to thank the Library of Congress for originally hosting this audio.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

When Lincoln Faced Defeat: The Uneasy Year That Shaped the Union

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2067d89f-65db-4d36-aee9-b3ae017239fd/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when Blair and Cat Cornell learned their son would be born with special needs, they braced themselves for a future they could not quite picture. The early years brought long appointments and days that seemed to rise and fall on small breakthroughs. One evening, after a day that had worn their son down, Blair took him for a quiet drive. The shift was immediate. The tension left his face, and the moment settled into something gentle and steady.

That drive eventually inspired JoyRide, a community built around children with developmental challenges who find comfort in cars and in the people who welcome them in. Blair shares how a simple ride became a way for families like his to feel seen.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Blair and Cat Cornell learned their son would be born with special needs, they braced themselves for a future they could not quite picture. The early years brought long appointments and days that seemed to rise and fall on small breakthroughs. One evening, after a day that had worn their son down, Blair took him for a quiet drive. The shift was immediate. The tension left his face, and the moment settled into something gentle and steady.
That drive eventually inspired JoyRide, a community built around children with developmental challenges who find comfort in cars and in the people who welcome them in. Blair shares how a simple ride became a way for families like his to feel seen.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How a Father Turned One Car Ride Into a Lifeline for Kids With Special Needs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f2b165c4-f15e-41e8-a98b-b3ae017239fe/transcript

The “LA Speed Check”: A Story from a Pilot of the Fastest Plane in the World

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