Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial Caretaker “Bottom Gun”
“Memorial Day is the day we honor the nation’s heroes of ours who gave their ALL to keep this the greatest country in the world.” - “Bottom Gun,” 28-year Navy veteran & caretaker of Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. 🙏🇺🇸#FreedomIsNotFree
85-year-old Michael Busch of Henderson, NV appears on episode #838 of Hometown Heroes, airing May 18-23, 2024. A native of Chicago, IL, Busch was the sole survivor of UH-1B helicopter being shot down off the coast of Vietnam on December 14, 1963. Listen to Hometown Heroes on one of our affiliate radio stations, or access the podcast of Mr. Busch's episode here: https://hometownheroesradio.com/mp3/BUSCHPOD.mp3
66 years & Counting
89-year-old Leonard Goertzen of Providence, UT appears on episode #836 of Hometown Heroes, airing May 4-9, 2024. In this video, Leonard & his wife of 66 years, Nadine, discuss a relationship that began when he moved to American Falls, ID in the early 1950s.
Listen to Hometown Heroes on one of our affiliate radio stations đź“» or access the podcast of this episode here: https://hometownheroesradio.com/mp3/GOERTZENPOD.mp3
100-year-old Bill DeGeneres receives a standing ovation at the Fresno State vs New Mexico baseball game on 4/14/2024. 🇺🇸
100-year-old WWII Vet, Accomplished Artist
100-year-old Bill DeGeneres of Rio Rancho, NM served in the Navy throughout World War II, and was called back up during the Korean War. A lifelong artist, he even has a painting in the collection of the Smithsonian institution. Listen to the rest of Bill's story on episode #833 of Hometown Heroes: https://www.hometownheroesradio.com/21440-2/
91-year-old Bob McCoy of Fairfield, CA appears on episode #829 of Hometown Heroes, airing March 16-21, 2023. A native of Colton, SD, McCoy lied about his age and enlisted at 15. His 21-year Air Force career took him from menial tasks as “the General’s janitor” in Fairbanks, Alaska, to earning the Silver Star for his courage in the skies over Vietnam.
Listen to Hometown Heroes on one of our affiliate radio stations, or access the podcast of this episode at hometownheroesradio.com/episodes
Preventing WWIII
94-year-old Tad Riley of Fairfield, CA appears on episode #825 of Hometown Heroes, airing February 17-22, 2024. While flying an RF-8A Crusader in October, 1962, Riley captured photographic evidence of Soviet missiles deployed in Cuba. Listen to Hometown Heroes on one of our affiliate radio stations, or access the podcast of this episode here: https://www.hometownheroesradio.com/mp3/TADRILEYPOD.mp3
Leading the Pledge
98-year-old WWII Navy veteran Arthur Grabiner welcomed with a standing ovation at Aaron Judge’s ALL RISE Foundation Gala in Manhattan, then leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Listen to Mr. Grabiner's story on episode #823 of Hometown Heroes: https://www.hometownheroesradio.com/wwii-sailor-keeps-history-alive/
Happy Homecoming!
When World War II 10th Mountain Division veteran Howard Koch came home from overseas service in the Korean War, it was Valentine’s Day, and his wife Averil was waiting for him. You’ll hear Howard’s story on episode #819 of Hometown Heroes, airing January 6-11, 2024.
Memories of WWII: Dutch Underground
90-year-old Dutch Vryhof of Hanford, CA appears on episode #813 of Hometown Heroes, airing November 25-30, 2023. You’ll hear his memories from The Netherlands under Nazi occupation, including his efforts as a boy with the Dutch Resistance during World War II.
November 3, 2023 is birthday #98 for Ed Bates, former Sheriff of Madera (CA) County & a veteran of both the Merchant Marine and the Navy during World War II. It was his assignment to Washington, DC for Naval Intelligence that allowed him to meet his late wife, Freda. You can hear Ed’s story on episode #810 of Hometown Heroes, airing November 4-9, 2023.
Purple Heart Memory
90-year-old Bill Helton of Clovis, CA appears on episode #809 of Hometown Heroes, airing October 28 - November 2, 2023. A native of Corbin, KY, Helton joined the Marine Corps at age 17 & served 30 years, awarded Purple Hearts for injuries suffered in both the Korean War & the Vietnam War. Here he recalls the “worst night of his life” in the battle for Hill 673 in Korea:
Miracle Off Murmansk
97-year-old Richard Burbine of Bridgeport, CA appears on episode #801 of Hometown Heroes, airing September 2-7, 2023. He is the last living survivor from the last allied ship to be sunk by the Luftwaffe in World War II, the SS Henry Bacon. 🇺🇸Listen to Hometown Heroes on one of our affiliate radio stations, or access the podcast version of this episode here: https://www.hometownheroesradio.com/merchant-mariners-miracle-off-of-murmansk/
99-year-old Bill Glaspie of Bakersfield, CA appears on episode #799 of Hometown Heroes, airing August 19-24, 2023. The Arizona native served with the 468th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion in Europe during World War II. Not only does Bill still drive, he still plays his electric guitar in church.
99 & Still Making Music
99-year-old Bill Glaspie of Bakersfield, CA appears on episode #799 of Hometown Heroes, airing August 19-24, 2023. The Arizona native served with the 468th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion in Europe during World War II. Not only does Bill still drive, he still plays his electric guitar in church.
Listen to Hometown Heroes on one of our affiliate radio stations, or access the podcast of this episode here: https://www.hometownheroesradio.com/battle-of-the-bulge-survivor-still-making-music/
Left for Dead on Iwo Jima
100-year-old Jesse Arney of Oceano, CA appears on episode #795 of Hometown Heroes, airing July 22-27, 2023. A native of Maud, OK, Arney was wounded while serving with Company B, 3rd Tank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
