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

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.

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

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Morton always felt called to serve, but the path there was anything but straight. After trying college twice and walking away both times, he made a decision that put him on a bus to Parris Island and onto the yellow footprints of Marine Corps boot camp.

Our American Stories listener Tom Morton takes us inside the physical and mental grind of Marine training, from relentless discipline and sleep deprivation to the final crucible that strips recruits down and rebuilds them as something new. What begins as a search for purpose becomes a hard-earned transformation, culminating in the moment he received the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and learned it wasn't just a piece of metal, but a way of life.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tom Morton always felt called to serve, but the path there was anything but straight. After trying college twice and walking away both times, he made a decision that put him on a bus to Parris Island and onto the yellow footprints of Marine Corps boot camp. Our American Stories&nbsp;listener Tom Morton takes us inside the physical and mental grind of Marine training, from relentless discipline and sleep deprivation to the final crucible that strips recruits down and rebuilds them as something new. What begins as a search for purpose becomes a hard-earned transformation, culminating in the moment he received the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and learned it wasn't just a piece of metal, but a way of life.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Earning the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor: One Man’s Journey Through Marine Boot Camp

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c416daf1-ecd1-43ad-927c-b3d9015a5dfa/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, after the French and Indian War, Britain emerged victorious, but deeply in debt. Parliament believed the colonies should help pay the bill. Many colonists believed that demand crossed a line.

In Episode 4 of our ongoing Story of America Series, Hillsdale College professor Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, explains how new taxes, imperial control, and growing resentment collided with powerful cultural forces already at work in the colonies. The Great Awakening emphasized individual conscience. The Enlightenment elevated reason and self-rule. Together, they reshaped how Americans saw authority, liberty, and themselves.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, after the French and Indian War, Britain emerged victorious, but deeply in debt. Parliament believed the colonies should help pay the bill. Many colonists believed that demand crossed a line. In Episode 4 of our ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ouramericanstories.com%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-story-of-america-series&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C8b9b6fb3bae444b5072308de58569817%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639045326190655765%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bXqIg9ZoGLf54JKh0YcgurYX%2Fx2clxHb5xpvqwEqOyc%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Story of America Series</a>, Hillsdale College professor Bill McClay, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLand-Hope-Invitation-Great-American%2Fdp%2F1594039372&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C8b9b6fb3bae444b5072308de58569817%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639045326190681150%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wKqWbbd%2F5WyBpy1IAaXRVgSYzoKZp2jdW1%2B3HK2h8M0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Land of Hope</a>, explains how new taxes, imperial control, and growing resentment collided with powerful cultural forces already at work in the colonies. The Great Awakening emphasized individual conscience. The Enlightenment elevated reason and self-rule. Together, they reshaped how Americans saw authority, liberty, and themselves.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Story of America: The Roots of Revolution [Ep. 4]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/20cb3061-5ef2-4b27-b638-b3d9015a5deb/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, during the Civil War, Boston’s Fort Warren held more than 2,000 Confederate prisoners of war. Unlike many prison camps of the era, it was not a place of cruelty or mass death. That was largely due to its commander, Union Colonel Justin Dimick. A career Army officer with deep Christian convictions, Dimick insisted that prisoners be treated with dignity, even after losing his only son in battle. Under his command, only thirteen Confederate prisoners died at Fort Warren, a fraction of the mortality rate elsewhere.

Historian Christopher Klein tells the largely forgotten story of a Union officer who proved that mercy and humanity could endure even in the midst of war.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, during the Civil War, Boston&rsquo;s Fort Warren held more than 2,000 Confederate prisoners of war. Unlike many prison camps of the era, it was not a place of cruelty or mass death. That was largely due to its commander, Union Colonel Justin Dimick. A career Army officer with deep Christian convictions, Dimick insisted that prisoners be treated with dignity, even after losing his only son in battle. Under his command, only thirteen Confederate prisoners died at Fort Warren, a fraction of the mortality rate elsewhere. Historian Christopher Klein tells the largely forgotten story of a Union officer who proved that mercy and humanity could endure even in the midst of war.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Union Colonel Who Treated Confederate POWs With Mercy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b0605d73-ca5f-4b3f-a467-b3d9015a5dea/transcript

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

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