Marker 02

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ray "Bubba" Sorensen set out to thank America's veterans with a single painted rock outside a quarry in rural Iowa. More than two decades later, the Freedom Rocks have spread to all 99 Iowa counties, becoming places of remembrance, reflection, and healing for veterans and their families. Ray shares the remarkable stories behind the project and why honoring those who served has become his life's work.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ray "Bubba" Sorensen set out to thank America's veterans with a single painted rock outside a quarry in rural Iowa. More than two decades later, the Freedom Rocks have spread to all 99 Iowa counties, becoming places of remembrance, reflection, and healing for veterans and their families. Ray shares the remarkable stories behind the project and why honoring those who served has become his life's work.
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 Man Who Paints Rocks to Honor Veterans: The Story Behind the Freedom Rocks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b4454250-ca00-4a08-9e2f-b482016e0341/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, the summer of 1941 belonged to two of baseball's greatest hitters. Ted Williams entered the final day of the season batting .39955. Rather than protect a mark that would have rounded to .400, he played both games of a doubleheader, went six for eight, and finished at .406. No major leaguer has hit .400 since.

Yet even Williams' season was overshadowed by what Joe DiMaggio was doing in New York. For 56 straight games, the Yankees star refused to go hitless as radio stations interrupted their programming to tell Americans whether the streak was still alive. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George Will tells the story of DiMaggio, Williams, and an unforgettable baseball season played in the gathering shadow of America's entry into World War II.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, the summer of 1941 belonged to two of baseball's greatest hitters. Ted Williams entered the final day of the season batting .39955. Rather than protect a mark that would have rounded to .400, he played both games of a doubleheader, went six for eight, and finished at .406. No major leaguer has hit .400 since. Yet even Williams' season was overshadowed by what Joe DiMaggio was doing in New York. For 56 straight games, the Yankees star refused to go hitless as radio stations interrupted their programming to tell Americans whether the streak was still alive. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George Will tells the story of DiMaggio, Williams, and an unforgettable baseball season played in the gathering shadow of America's entry into World War II.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Baseball's Unforgettable Summer of '41

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3226acd0-9468-478e-bc73-b4b0011f5508/transcript

Marker 01

On this episode of Our American Stories, Christine Handy had spent most of her life in front of a camera. She began modeling at 11 and eventually landed campaigns with Pepsi, J.Crew, Petco, and Target. But as her career grew, Christine's sense of worth became tied almost entirely to how she looked. Then a routine wrist surgery went terribly wrong. A missed infection left the bones in her wrist destroyed and her right arm permanently fused. Before she could adjust to her new life, Christine found a lump in her breast.

The diagnosis was an aggressive form of breast cancer. Christine decided she wanted to give up, but her friends refused to let her. Christine herself shares how friendship and faith gave her a reason to keep fighting and ultimately transformed a life built around appearance into one devoted to serving others.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Christine Handy had spent most of her life in front of a camera. She began modeling at 11 and eventually landed campaigns with Pepsi, J.Crew, Petco, and Target. But as her career grew, Christine's sense of worth became tied almost entirely to how she looked. Then a routine wrist surgery went terribly wrong. A missed infection left the bones in her wrist destroyed and her right arm permanently fused. Before she could adjust to her new life, Christine found a lump in her breast. The diagnosis was an aggressive form of breast cancer. Christine decided she wanted to give up, but her friends refused to let her. Christine herself shares how friendship and faith gave her a reason to keep fighting and ultimately transformed a life built around appearance into one devoted to serving others.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Modeling Grace: How Faith and Friendship Saved Christine Handy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fa2700e8-6913-41e2-8e6c-b4b0011f54d2/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, he helped fight for America’s freedom, then shaped the city that would represent it. Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed Washington, D.C. with intention: circles, lines, and avenues that all meant something. But what began as a grand commission ended in conflict. L’Enfant’s refusal to give up control led to his removal. The plan moved on without him, and for years, so did history.

Constituting America's award-winning student historian, Wyatt Hensley, shares the story of a designer with a vision too strong for his time, and how it still lives on in the streets of the capital.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, he helped fight for America&rsquo;s freedom, then shaped the city that would represent it. Pierre Charles L&rsquo;Enfant designed Washington, D.C. with intention: circles, lines, and avenues that all meant something. But what began as a grand commission ended in conflict. L&rsquo;Enfant&rsquo;s refusal to give up control led to his removal. The plan moved on without him, and for years, so did history. <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fconstitutingamerica.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C2d0d71994d1d44ec333708defee04987%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639228436472093911%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=B6UizJAOU9oY0tfl1QMZdS2EmmLtOwZmgCX3iIRIYnY%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Constituting America's</a>&nbsp;award-winning student historian, Wyatt Hensley, shares the story of a designer with a vision too strong for his time, and how it still lives on in the streets of the capital.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Visionary Who Designed Washington D.C. and Was Fired Before He Finished

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/91a3e08c-7aec-45af-9efa-b4b0011f54d2/transcript

The Man Who Paints Rocks to Honor Veterans: The Story Behind the Freedom Rocks

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