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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

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On this episode of Our American Stories, William M. "Bill" Feehan spent his life fighting fires in New York City. He rose through every uniformed rank in the FDNY, survived the department's brutal "War Years" of the 1970s, and became one of its most respected leaders. Firefighting was also a family tradition. For four generations, the Feehans had answered the same call, building a legacy of service that stretched back to the sons of Irish immigrants.

Brian McDonald, author of Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY, shares the story of the Feehans and nearly a century of firefighting in New York. That history reached its most tragic chapter on September 11, 2001, when 71-year-old Bill Feehan responded to the World Trade Center. He was still there, serving alongside another generation of New York firefighters, when the North Tower came down.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, William M. "Bill" Feehan spent his life fighting fires in New York City. He rose through every uniformed rank in the FDNY, survived the department's brutal "War Years" of the 1970s, and became one of its most respected leaders. Firefighting was also a family tradition. For four generations, the Feehans had answered the same call, building a legacy of service that stretched back to the sons of Irish immigrants. Brian McDonald, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1538753200%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C7ca6542ac20240340c3a08df0ea61d62%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639245778791543725%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=5A%2B7IHbBnu1sXOBcS4D7Yo06qEm9yHFWq7aboPuQME4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY</a>, shares the story of the Feehans and nearly a century of firefighting in New York. That history reached its most tragic chapter on September 11, 2001, when 71-year-old Bill Feehan responded to the World Trade Center. He was still there, serving alongside another generation of New York firefighters, when the North Tower came down.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d8f0e3c3-a734-462e-a142-b4c101783c04/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, on September 11, 2001, hundreds of thousands of people reached the southern tip of Manhattan and found themselves trapped between a city under attack and New York Harbor. Then a call went out over the radio: "All available boats." Ferries, tugboats, fireboats, and private vessels converged on the waterfront and began taking people aboard. By day's end, an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people had escaped Manhattan by water in the largest waterborne evacuation in American history.

Dr. Mike McGee, author of All Available Boats, shares the story of the fireboats that answered the call, including the John D. McKean and the retired John J. Harvey.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, on September 11, 2001, hundreds of thousands of people reached the southern tip of Manhattan and found themselves trapped between a city under attack and New York Harbor. Then a call went out over the radio: "All available boats." Ferries, tugboats, fireboats, and private vessels converged on the waterfront and began taking people aboard. By day's end, an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people had escaped Manhattan by water in the largest waterborne evacuation in American history. Dr. Mike McGee, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1889793116%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C7ca6542ac20240340c3a08df0ea61d62%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639245778791497020%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=PjJdJPLqg1PZAOZ83DJfNVOJDyxi9VCKromhtoWsni0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">All Available Boats</a>, shares the story of the fireboats that answered the call, including the John D. McKean and the retired&nbsp;John J. Harvey.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

FDNY Fireboats and the Largest Water Evacuation in History

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4f7c3b20-47de-4c6d-8a08-b4c101783c00/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, when the planes struck the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Cantor Fitzgerald was left devastated. The investment firm’s offices spanned the upper floors of the North Tower, leaving no chance of escape. In less than an hour, 658 employees were gone—more lives than any other company lost that day. Among them was the brother of CEO Howard Lutnick. For Lutnick, the grief was immediate and deeply personal, but so was the responsibility. He had to lead a company hollowed out by tragedy while caring for the families who had lost everything. What followed was a story not only of survival, but of loyalty, rebuilding, and the weight of memory.

Howard Lutnick reflects on Cantor Fitzgerald’s darkest day and the colleagues and friends who never came home.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, when the planes struck the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Cantor Fitzgerald was left devastated. The investment firm&rsquo;s offices spanned the upper floors of the North Tower, leaving no chance of escape. In less than an hour, 658 employees were gone&mdash;more lives than any other company lost that day. Among them was the brother of CEO Howard Lutnick. For Lutnick, the grief was immediate and deeply personal, but so was the responsibility. He had to lead a company hollowed out by tragedy while caring for the families who had lost everything. What followed was a story not only of survival, but of loyalty, rebuilding, and the weight of memory. Howard Lutnick reflects on Cantor Fitzgerald&rsquo;s darkest day and the colleagues and friends who never came home.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Cantor Fitzgerald’s CEO Remembers 9/11 and the Brother He Lost

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/764a4328-7814-4165-bed1-b4c101783c02/transcript

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

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