November 6, 2025 • 30 mins
Military veterans and military family members are guiding the concept and design for the memorial that will honor and remember all involved in the Global War on Terrorism.
The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation is welcoming input into the design of the memorial from service members, GWOT veterans, their families, Gold Star Families, and others.
This is the final episode in “Welcome Home,” the initial six-part special podcast series produced by The American Legion. It focuses on the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C., that will serve as a special place of honor and remembrance. Check back in the spring of 2026 for the next installment.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:19):
Hello, and welcome to the GlobalWar on Terrorism Memorial
Podcast hosted by the American Legion.
I'm your host, Jen Balu, and it's my honor to welcome you
home. And today I am really excited to
be joined by two guests, Jacob Rodriguez and Eddie Laredo, both
of whom are part of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial's
(00:44):
Design Advisory Council. Jacob is the son of two retired
Army NC OS with decades of combined active duty service and
many deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Jacob is the youngest of three children and recently began his
(01:06):
freshman year of college. Eddie is a Gold Star child, son
of a retired Army NCO, the middle child of three, and a
rising senior in high school. Gentlemen, thank you so much for
joining me today. Good to be here.
Thank you for having us. Jacob and Eddie, welcome home.
(01:29):
Welcome home is not only the name of our podcast, but it's
also something that we at the Global War on Terrorism Memorial
Foundation have been saying whenwe are on the future site of the
memorial. And so I just want to welcome
(01:50):
you home today and, and again, thank you for being here.
This season of our podcast is focused on the design of the
memorial, which we're all super excited about.
And like I mentioned, you are both part of the design Advisory
Council for the listeners, the design Advisory Council is a
(02:12):
group of men and women, 23 to beexact, who represent the
different groups of people that the memorial will be honoring.
And I thought before we jump toofar into your roles with the
Design Advisory Council or the DAC as I'll refer to it, it
might be nice for our audience to get to know each of you a
(02:36):
little bit better. I mentioned that you're both
military brats, Jacob. I don't think I mentioned that
you're the son of of our President and CEO, Michael
Rodriguez, and your mother is Kelly Rodriguez, both of whom
served for many years in the Army.
(02:56):
But before we talk about that, share a little bit about you.
What are you up to right now, Jacob?
Like you said, I just started college, so I'm pretty excited
about that and going for nursing.
So it's going to be a be a while.
I'll be in school for and then also I'm currently just it's
(03:19):
mainly just work college and then working out, making sure I
stay healthy, stay fit. Wow.
Awesome. May I ask why or what was your
calling towards nursing? It's always something I've
wanted to do. I enjoy helping people.
And you know, my mom wasn't medic, so maybe that rubbed off
(03:40):
on me a little bit, but it's just something I've always
thought about doing ever since Iwas little.
OK. And you mentioned that you it's
important to you to stay healthy, stay fit.
From my perspective, that's really awesome to hear from
someone in the younger generation.
(04:01):
How did that become so importantto you?
It's always, it's always been a thing for me.
So I think when I was 4 I started gymnastics, did that for
eight years, then moved to football and now I'm currently
doing boxing. So it's kind of always been
something I enjoy doing is just working out and it's kind of
(04:23):
been a part of my routine ever since I was little.
That's awesome. Eddie, how about you?
I, I mentioned a few things about you.
Again, one thing I don't think Imentioned is that you're also my
son. So I don't know how much, how
much of A choice you had in being here.
But again, thanks for being here.
Can you share with the listenerswhat you're up to right now?
(04:45):
I'm going to be a senior. I work, I do track, I'm in
varsity track on my school team.I would say that's about it.
Awesome. Well, both of you, I've said it
a few times already, are military children.
Some people were referred to to that group of people as military
(05:07):
brats. I'm wondering if you would each
share a little bit about what life was like as a military
child of G Watt veterans. And I'm going to start with
Jacob. I think I was pretty fortunate
because I stayed in one house all my life, and that's not
(05:29):
very, that's not very normal. But how it was, I wouldn't say
it was any different besides thefact that maybe a parent is gone
for a year or more, depending onhow long they go for.
It's different because I'm so used to it, so I can't.
(05:51):
I don't know. It's not out of the norm to see
a parent gone for a very long time.
But it did hit a little harder when my brother went for some
reason. I don't know why, but it
definitely hit a little harder when my brother got deployed.
But other than that, our family bond was strong.
(06:14):
I mean, there wasn't anything. We're just a normal family.
Right. Yeah.
So what I think I'm hearing you say is by nature of this being
the way that it was for you, that's just the way it was for
you. You didn't really think that it
was different or out of the ordinary also, probably because
(06:36):
you were surrounded by a lot of other children who were also in
a similar situation as you. And so that was just life as you
know it. We're going to come back to your
brother deploying, if you're OK with that in a little bit.
But Eddie, how about you? What was life like for you
(06:56):
growing up as a military child? As you said, I'm a Gold Star
child, so my dad was dead when Iwas 2, so growing up without a
dad, that just kind of seemed normal to me.
Kind of like how Jacob was saying all that army stuff, you
being gone, dad being gone. It just felt, it felt normal to
me in a sense at that time. Unlike Jacob said he would like,
(07:21):
he was very fortunate to stay inthe same like house, stay in the
same house. We definitely moved quite a bit.
So that was that was interestingto adapt to school wise, social
wise, like just adapt to different settings in different
states. Yeah.
So for both of you and IT, it doesn't matter which one of you
(07:42):
answer first. But do you think that the way
that you grew up as military children influenced who you are
today in a positive way? And if so, why?
Kind of what I was saying before, I think it affected me
positively. So now I think if I were to move
somewhere else or just if you put me in any situation, I think
(08:03):
I can adapt a lot easier than other people would be able to.
How about you, Jacob? I would say it's definitely,
definitely been positive for me.I definitely met a lot of new
people because even when I got out of school and my mom or dad
would pick me up, sometimes theywould take me on base and of
course I would meet some of their soldiers and it would.
(08:24):
Everyone was just different. I want to say I don't think it
impacted me negatively at all. That's that's amazing to hear.
Thank you for sharing that. And I know like you're both
being open and honest, which is which is all that we would ask.
And even if that wasn't the case, I think it's important for
you to share. However, it is that you feel,
(08:48):
Jacob, when you think back on the many experiences that you
have had with the Foundation to date, what are some of the
things that stand out to you? Definitely the amount of people
he either meets or has to meet because they're like, because
(09:09):
I've come with along with him onsome of these trips and some of
these are very important people,but when you get to meet them,
they're just regular people likeus.
But it's it's an experience. It's definitely a lot of work.
I can see on his end as well. He's traveling a lot.
(09:33):
And Eddie, how about you? We haven't been around the
foundation quite as long as Rod and Jacob, but you have had the
opportunity to see some of the work that we do on and come on
some of the trips. What what comes up for you when
you think about the work that we're doing?
Yeah, kind of. Off of what Jacob was saying,
it's definitely a lot of a lot of work.
(09:55):
I'm sure his his dad Rod does a does a whole lot more than
anyone else. But just seeing from what you do
in in person, I'd see you traveling a lot too, like by a
side a lot of the times. And I just see you guys both
just putting in a lot of work. It's definitely worth it, and I
know if Rod was here, he would agree.
Let's talk just a little bit more, though, about your all's
(10:18):
experience as military children.It's, it's very clear to me that
it's been a positive experience for you both for the most part.
And really it's just you. You didn't or you don't know any
different. Jacob, if you could think back,
I know both of your parents are retired now, but if you could
think back to when they were still serving, do you have a
(10:44):
memory that you would be willingto share about maybe one of
their homecomings when they werereturning from one of their many
deployments in support of the global war on terrorism?
It's. Probably my brother's
homecoming. I'll talk about that.
I didn't know. Well, I didn't know he was
coming home initially. And my dad kind of planned this
(11:06):
out. So we all, we all usually go to
Chick-fil-A as a family togetherjust to get something to eat.
So I didn't think anything of it.
No one did. They're all sitting there and we
saw the Chick-fil-A mascot. You're like, OK, cool, let's
take a picture with him. It turned out to be my brother,
which was pretty cool. That surprised me, probably
surprised everyone. No, that's that's a really cool
(11:30):
story about your brother. So I feel like I remember seeing
a picture of it actually, where you were all going to take the
picture with the Chick-fil-A mascot and then he took off the
head and and there he was. How did you like?
If you could describe your feelings in that moment or those
moments, what were they? I was surprised, but I was happy
(11:53):
just to have him home because even when he was deployed, we
got we got some letters back andforth, but it was just it was
kind of that feeling that he's somewhere dangerous right now.
And. I wouldn't want anything that
obviously I wouldn't want anything happening to him.
So. It's just a good feeling to have
him home again. Wow, yeah, I bet.
(12:14):
Eddie, shifting gears a little bit for you again.
I know you were really young when Dad passed as well as, as
well as when I was serving. I, when I retired in 2015, I
think you were like what, 7 or something like that, maybe 8
years old. But can you describe a little
(12:39):
bit more about some of the memories that you might have of
growing up with me serving in the Army and without Dad?
I I remember always having a babysitter around, whether it
was a new one or one that I was just used to seeing because you
were always gone. Protecting our country.
(13:01):
Yeah, I would say. I would say that's what it was
mostly like just having a babysitter, having my older
sister, Alexis, She would be watching me after coming home
from high school. Yeah.
But like when you think back on that time, do you have any?
Like it doesn't sound like you're associating really
anything positive or negative with it.
(13:23):
It's just that's just the way that it was.
Yeah, that's kind of, I mean, itwas definitely positive on me.
I just can't get the right wordsout of how it it shaked out to
me. Well, it sounds to me and I'm
sure the listeners as well, thatyou are both very strong,
resilient young men. And if it's OK, I'd like to sort
(13:46):
of start to shift into your roles as members of the Design
Advisory Council. So you both have the honor of
serving on our DAC. Jacob, you represent the child
of uniformed service members whofought and served in the Global
(14:08):
war on terrorism. And Eddie or sorry, Jacob, and
I'm going to let you talk about this in a moment, but and as a
future service member because aswe all know, the global war on
terrorism continues today. And this memorial will also
honor and represent those who will continue to serve and
(14:32):
sacrifice in the JIWA. And Eddie, you're also
representing uniformed wearing service members as well as being
the child of a fallen soldier, Staff Sergeant Eduardo Laredo.
So if you could think back to when you were asked to be a part
(14:55):
of the Design Advisory Council, how did that make you feel?
What was your reaction? And we're going to start with
Eddie this time. I actually remember perfectly
the day that it happened. I remember we were at Sophia's
daycare picking her up and we, you had just parked the car and
you said you wanted to talk to me about something.
(15:17):
And I remember you, you bringingit up.
You were like, well, I don't know if you said these things
specifically, but I remember yousaying Rod wanted to know if you
would want to be on the deck andI just immediately like lit up.
I remember just being so excitedto be able to work with so many
people, some with similar, a similar story to mine.
(15:39):
It just felt, it felt really nice.
Why was that so exciting to you?Like, why is that something that
made you feel so good? Why?
Like, why me? I guess when when I think of
that, I think of there are so many there's, I don't know the
right number, but maybe thousands, hundreds of
(16:00):
thousands, however much Gold Star kids, why am I the one
being picked by Rod? It just made me feel so special
that I get to represent other Gold Star kids and or family
members. So thanks, Addie.
How about you, Jacob? What was the conversation like
for you and the feelings associated with it?
(16:22):
So I was kind of already going on these trips with him a little
bit. So I, I knew what he was doing
somewhat and he was planning on starting a deck.
I don't know, he wanted me to beon it.
So we were just home one day andhe just randomly pops the
question like he usually does, Hey, you want to be a part of
the deck? And I'm like, can I get some
(16:42):
time to think on that real quick?
I was, I was excited because he invited me to contribute and
help to this memorial for a whole bunch of people.
And it's just, I want to say it's a weight, but it's feels
like a responsibility, like a good responsibility because I'm
helping contribute to something so massive and meaningful.
(17:06):
But I'm just, I'm just grateful to be a part of it.
And we're so grateful to for both of you to be a part of it.
And there are other youth or theyounger generation that are a
part of the Design Advisory Council as well.
Why do you think, Jacob, we're going to start with you?
Why do you think it's important for us to have the voices of the
(17:27):
younger generation on the DesignAdvisory Council influencing the
design of our memorial? I mean, definitely some of us
who have military parents are planning on serving like myself.
So maybe I don't know, that's kind of I would have to think on
that. OK.
Well, since you mentioned it, you know planning on serving, is
(17:51):
that still the case that you plan on serving at some point?
Can you talk a little bit about that, why you made that decision
and what your future plans are? So originally I wasn't, I really
wasn't planning on like serving.I just wanted to get through
college and go to nursing. But the more I thought about it,
(18:14):
I'm kind of doing it backwards. I'm going to college 1st and
then joining the military. So I'll be joining a little
later on. I just want to serve the country
and I've seen my parents do, I've seen my brother do it.
Yes, they've come back home withinjuries, different sets of
problems, but they've always bounced back stronger and it
it's definitely inspired me a bit to join the military.
(18:37):
And it sounds like you made thatdecision independently or on
your own. There's never been any pressure
in your family for you to serve.You're you're wanting to do it
just because of what you have witnessed and seen in your
parents and your brother, right?Yeah.
(18:57):
Yeah. Eddie, how about you?
Let's start with why is it important for us to have the
younger generations voices as a part of the Design Advisory
Council? I've heard, I've heard Rod say
this before. He wants to get everyone's like,
I guess say in it or get everyone's side of it for the
(19:19):
more. He wants to hear what everyone
has to say. It's not just about one person,
like about the people who foughtfor our country, but it also
extends into the homes of the family, like Gold Star kids,
just etcetera. You know, I just think I think
it really does. It doesn't.
It's not just one person fighting the war.
(19:41):
Right. And what are your thoughts on
the potential for serving in thefuture, Eddie?
I think it's definitely possible, but I have not made a
full decision yet and if I did Iwould definitely join the army.
Oh, this is the first time I've ever heard that, ladies and
(20:03):
gentlemen. So we're learning that all
together. That's exciting news.
So, Jacob, you made mention in your last comment about.
That you've seen your parents and your brother come home with
different types of injuries. Can you speak a little bit more
(20:26):
to that? Like what has that been like for
you and your family? At first I'll specifically talk
about my dad because he was blown up a couple times.
So he came home with brain injuries and I can't.
I came with him on these appointments.
Basically it was it was kind of rough to see my parents all beat
(20:48):
up after they come home, especially my dad because it was
a little worse for him. At some point it was he could
barely talk, he was having problem walking, just simple
tasks. But it was just rough seeing
them come home. I was obviously worried for
them. But as the years came on he got
better. Obviously he's doing great now,
(21:10):
but you can still kind of see those some some problems, some
issues even right now. Yeah, yeah.
And what are what are your thoughts on the importance of
talking about these kinds of things?
I think we should instead of bottling them up inside and
keeping them to yourselves, because that that's just going
(21:32):
to cause more damage if you keepall your feelings to yourself.
Absolutely. Yeah, I I agree.
And I think that the entire Rodriguez family in particular
is, well, our role models in that department.
I've heard your dad talk about his experiences, your mom, and
(21:53):
then you being here and, and sharing a little bit about your
experiences really helps so manyothers who may be struggling and
maybe struggling silently. So Eddie, what are your thoughts
on that? Like what's the value in talking
about things that might be a little bit uncomfortable, but
(22:18):
things that you're dealing with or struggling with?
I think it's definitely important to open up about your
feelings, especially when you'rewatching your loved ones or
friends go through trauma or just problems, especially that
are included with the military. I think it's definitely
important to open up about your feelings that are, like Jacob
(22:39):
said, like just bottling them up.
It's not it's not a good idea because the more you bottle them
up, it's going to get worse whenit comes out.
Yeah. Well, Speaking of using your
voice, you have both had this tremendous opportunity to share
a little bit about your stories on the Design Advisory Council,
(23:00):
which is ultimately inspiring orhas inspired the design of the
memorial, what this piece of history on our nation's front
lawn is going to look like. And I'm wondering how do you
think that your voice has impacted the design?
(23:24):
Maybe just aren't like when we were talking to people, maybe
our emotions alone. It's such a monumental thing
that can't really describe how we could have impacted.
Yeah. No, I mean, that makes perfect
sense. It's probably a little bit
difficult to imagine how the things that you said ultimately
(23:44):
impacted the design, but they did.
Your voices did impact what the design looks like.
And I think you both know this. But just for the listeners
awareness, this is the first time that a national war
memorials design has been created based on the stories of
(24:07):
the men and women who it will behonoring and representing.
And so this is a really, again, special opportunity.
Eddie, do you have any thoughts on that or anything that you
would want to add? Yeah.
So I remember when we did those,I don't know if you want to call
them interviews in. Engagements.
(24:28):
Yeah, in in Dallas, I think it was.
I made it very clear that we're all in this together as a
community. So I think I think that might
have had some impact on the memorial that it's, it's not
just one person or a few people doing this, it's, it's all of us
together. Yeah, that's really, that's
(24:50):
powerful. Jacob, I have a memory of
something you said. I don't know if you remember
this. We were in Tokyo with the design
team. It was one of the very first,
very early opportunities that wegot to see some of the progress
(25:11):
that they had made on the designof the memorial.
And you started speaking about an embrace or a hug.
Do you remember that? I do remember that.
Can you share a little bit more about that?
I think the reason why I said that is because whenever a
family member comes home, usually the first thing you do
(25:31):
is hug them and they're probablycrying a little bit.
So I feel like the memorial, when you're there, you should
feel embraced like the like you're like, you know, you're
home. You should be feeling embraced
at the memorial. Yeah, gosh, that just is really
tremendous and directly impactedand influenced where we are
(25:56):
today in that we say welcome home, that this memorial is a
home for everybody who visits, not only the men and women who
served in sacrifice, but also for the American people.
It this is, this is home. This is home.
(26:17):
I do have one more question for each of you.
What do you hope to feel the very first time that you visit
the memorial? And I would just ask you to
pause and just really think about and imagine the first time
that you visit our memorial whenit's complete, maybe it's on
(26:39):
dedication day. What do you hope to feel kind?
Of similar to the the embracing thing, definitely like like a
feeling you're meant to be there, but also being able to
stand there and take everything in while it's just quiet, you
know, just the sense of I don't really know how to explain it.
(27:01):
Yeah, I know. That was that was beautiful.
How about you, Eddie? I would like to feel a sense of
comfort, like I'm like, I'm at home.
I shouldn't feel. I shouldn't feel strange when
I'm there. I feel like I should be able to
be very comfortable and just, yeah, just a sense of home is
(27:22):
the best way I can put it. I think something I'm hearing
from both of you too, is like perhaps a desire to want to
spend as much time there as possible.
Like you just, you want to be there because you're at home.
Well, you both are wise beyond your years, for sure.
(27:42):
I have heard similar things in different ways from both of you
around your experiences as military children and that they
were overwhelmingly positive foryou.
Really, you, you didn't know anybetter, but you do now.
And so to be able to say what you did about your military,
(28:07):
being a military child in your experience is really meaningful.
I'm also hearing that you both acknowledge this tremendous
opportunity that you have to be part of the Design Advisory
Council and shaping the design of our future Global War on
(28:28):
Terrorism Memorial. I am also hearing that there is
a tremendous amount of positivity.
Hope our future is in really good hands with both of you
leading the way for our future generation.
(28:49):
I just want to thank you both for being here with us today and
for all the work that you have done and continue to do in
support of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.
So thank you. Thank you for having us here.
Thank you for having us. Welcome Home is produced by
(29:10):
Jennifer Blum, Holly Soria and me.
Jennifer Blue, our operations manager, is Henry Howard.
Art for Welcome Home is by Minerva Consulting.
Our theme, A Place Like Home is by Bergenson Lunberg via
Epidemic. Sound mixing and editing is by
Jennifer Blum. Thank you to Tal Podcast and The
(29:32):
American Legion for their collaboration on this inaugural
series. You can find their episodes,
guests, and more at legion.org slash Tal.
You can find out more about the Global War on Terrorism Memorial
Foundation, get updates on the National War Memorial, and learn
how you can get involved by following us on your favorite
(29:55):
social media platforms or by visiting GWOT Memorial
foundation.org.
Hello, and welcome to the GlobalWar on Terrorism Memorial
Podcast hosted by the American Legion.
I'm your host, Jen Balu, and it's my honor to welcome you
home. And today I am really excited to
be joined by two guests, Jacob Rodriguez and Eddie Laredo, both
of whom are part of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial's
(00:44):
Design Advisory Council. Jacob is the son of two retired
Army NC OS with decades of combined active duty service and
many deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Jacob is the youngest of three children and recently began his
(01:06):
freshman year of college. Eddie is a Gold Star child, son
of a retired Army NCO, the middle child of three, and a
rising senior in high school. Gentlemen, thank you so much for
joining me today. Good to be here.
Thank you for having us. Jacob and Eddie, welcome home.
(01:29):
Welcome home is not only the name of our podcast, but it's
also something that we at the Global War on Terrorism Memorial
Foundation have been saying whenwe are on the future site of the
memorial. And so I just want to welcome
(01:50):
you home today and, and again, thank you for being here.
This season of our podcast is focused on the design of the
memorial, which we're all super excited about.
And like I mentioned, you are both part of the design Advisory
Council for the listeners, the design Advisory Council is a
(02:12):
group of men and women, 23 to beexact, who represent the
different groups of people that the memorial will be honoring.
And I thought before we jump toofar into your roles with the
Design Advisory Council or the DAC as I'll refer to it, it
might be nice for our audience to get to know each of you a
(02:36):
little bit better. I mentioned that you're both
military brats, Jacob. I don't think I mentioned that
you're the son of of our President and CEO, Michael
Rodriguez, and your mother is Kelly Rodriguez, both of whom
served for many years in the Army.
(02:56):
But before we talk about that, share a little bit about you.
What are you up to right now, Jacob?
Like you said, I just started college, so I'm pretty excited
about that and going for nursing.
So it's going to be a be a while.
I'll be in school for and then also I'm currently just it's
(03:19):
mainly just work college and then working out, making sure I
stay healthy, stay fit. Wow.
Awesome. May I ask why or what was your
calling towards nursing? It's always something I've
wanted to do. I enjoy helping people.
And you know, my mom wasn't medic, so maybe that rubbed off
(03:40):
on me a little bit, but it's just something I've always
thought about doing ever since Iwas little.
OK. And you mentioned that you it's
important to you to stay healthy, stay fit.
From my perspective, that's really awesome to hear from
someone in the younger generation.
(04:01):
How did that become so importantto you?
It's always, it's always been a thing for me.
So I think when I was 4 I started gymnastics, did that for
eight years, then moved to football and now I'm currently
doing boxing. So it's kind of always been
something I enjoy doing is just working out and it's kind of
(04:23):
been a part of my routine ever since I was little.
That's awesome. Eddie, how about you?
I, I mentioned a few things about you.
Again, one thing I don't think Imentioned is that you're also my
son. So I don't know how much, how
much of A choice you had in being here.
But again, thanks for being here.
Can you share with the listenerswhat you're up to right now?
(04:45):
I'm going to be a senior. I work, I do track, I'm in
varsity track on my school team.I would say that's about it.
Awesome. Well, both of you, I've said it
a few times already, are military children.
Some people were referred to to that group of people as military
(05:07):
brats. I'm wondering if you would each
share a little bit about what life was like as a military
child of G Watt veterans. And I'm going to start with
Jacob. I think I was pretty fortunate
because I stayed in one house all my life, and that's not
(05:29):
very, that's not very normal. But how it was, I wouldn't say
it was any different besides thefact that maybe a parent is gone
for a year or more, depending onhow long they go for.
It's different because I'm so used to it, so I can't.
(05:51):
I don't know. It's not out of the norm to see
a parent gone for a very long time.
But it did hit a little harder when my brother went for some
reason. I don't know why, but it
definitely hit a little harder when my brother got deployed.
But other than that, our family bond was strong.
(06:14):
I mean, there wasn't anything. We're just a normal family.
Right. Yeah.
So what I think I'm hearing you say is by nature of this being
the way that it was for you, that's just the way it was for
you. You didn't really think that it
was different or out of the ordinary also, probably because
(06:36):
you were surrounded by a lot of other children who were also in
a similar situation as you. And so that was just life as you
know it. We're going to come back to your
brother deploying, if you're OK with that in a little bit.
But Eddie, how about you? What was life like for you
(06:56):
growing up as a military child? As you said, I'm a Gold Star
child, so my dad was dead when Iwas 2, so growing up without a
dad, that just kind of seemed normal to me.
Kind of like how Jacob was saying all that army stuff, you
being gone, dad being gone. It just felt, it felt normal to
me in a sense at that time. Unlike Jacob said he would like,
(07:21):
he was very fortunate to stay inthe same like house, stay in the
same house. We definitely moved quite a bit.
So that was that was interestingto adapt to school wise, social
wise, like just adapt to different settings in different
states. Yeah.
So for both of you and IT, it doesn't matter which one of you
(07:42):
answer first. But do you think that the way
that you grew up as military children influenced who you are
today in a positive way? And if so, why?
Kind of what I was saying before, I think it affected me
positively. So now I think if I were to move
somewhere else or just if you put me in any situation, I think
(08:03):
I can adapt a lot easier than other people would be able to.
How about you, Jacob? I would say it's definitely,
definitely been positive for me.I definitely met a lot of new
people because even when I got out of school and my mom or dad
would pick me up, sometimes theywould take me on base and of
course I would meet some of their soldiers and it would.
(08:24):
Everyone was just different. I want to say I don't think it
impacted me negatively at all. That's that's amazing to hear.
Thank you for sharing that. And I know like you're both
being open and honest, which is which is all that we would ask.
And even if that wasn't the case, I think it's important for
you to share. However, it is that you feel,
(08:48):
Jacob, when you think back on the many experiences that you
have had with the Foundation to date, what are some of the
things that stand out to you? Definitely the amount of people
he either meets or has to meet because they're like, because
(09:09):
I've come with along with him onsome of these trips and some of
these are very important people,but when you get to meet them,
they're just regular people likeus.
But it's it's an experience. It's definitely a lot of work.
I can see on his end as well. He's traveling a lot.
(09:33):
And Eddie, how about you? We haven't been around the
foundation quite as long as Rod and Jacob, but you have had the
opportunity to see some of the work that we do on and come on
some of the trips. What what comes up for you when
you think about the work that we're doing?
Yeah, kind of. Off of what Jacob was saying,
it's definitely a lot of a lot of work.
(09:55):
I'm sure his his dad Rod does a does a whole lot more than
anyone else. But just seeing from what you do
in in person, I'd see you traveling a lot too, like by a
side a lot of the times. And I just see you guys both
just putting in a lot of work. It's definitely worth it, and I
know if Rod was here, he would agree.
Let's talk just a little bit more, though, about your all's
(10:18):
experience as military children.It's, it's very clear to me that
it's been a positive experience for you both for the most part.
And really it's just you. You didn't or you don't know any
different. Jacob, if you could think back,
I know both of your parents are retired now, but if you could
think back to when they were still serving, do you have a
(10:44):
memory that you would be willingto share about maybe one of
their homecomings when they werereturning from one of their many
deployments in support of the global war on terrorism?
It's. Probably my brother's
homecoming. I'll talk about that.
I didn't know. Well, I didn't know he was
coming home initially. And my dad kind of planned this
(11:06):
out. So we all, we all usually go to
Chick-fil-A as a family togetherjust to get something to eat.
So I didn't think anything of it.
No one did. They're all sitting there and we
saw the Chick-fil-A mascot. You're like, OK, cool, let's
take a picture with him. It turned out to be my brother,
which was pretty cool. That surprised me, probably
surprised everyone. No, that's that's a really cool
(11:30):
story about your brother. So I feel like I remember seeing
a picture of it actually, where you were all going to take the
picture with the Chick-fil-A mascot and then he took off the
head and and there he was. How did you like?
If you could describe your feelings in that moment or those
moments, what were they? I was surprised, but I was happy
(11:53):
just to have him home because even when he was deployed, we
got we got some letters back andforth, but it was just it was
kind of that feeling that he's somewhere dangerous right now.
And. I wouldn't want anything that
obviously I wouldn't want anything happening to him.
So. It's just a good feeling to have
him home again. Wow, yeah, I bet.
(12:14):
Eddie, shifting gears a little bit for you again.
I know you were really young when Dad passed as well as, as
well as when I was serving. I, when I retired in 2015, I
think you were like what, 7 or something like that, maybe 8
years old. But can you describe a little
(12:39):
bit more about some of the memories that you might have of
growing up with me serving in the Army and without Dad?
I I remember always having a babysitter around, whether it
was a new one or one that I was just used to seeing because you
were always gone. Protecting our country.
(13:01):
Yeah, I would say. I would say that's what it was
mostly like just having a babysitter, having my older
sister, Alexis, She would be watching me after coming home
from high school. Yeah.
But like when you think back on that time, do you have any?
Like it doesn't sound like you're associating really
anything positive or negative with it.
(13:23):
It's just that's just the way that it was.
Yeah, that's kind of, I mean, itwas definitely positive on me.
I just can't get the right wordsout of how it it shaked out to
me. Well, it sounds to me and I'm
sure the listeners as well, thatyou are both very strong,
resilient young men. And if it's OK, I'd like to sort
(13:46):
of start to shift into your roles as members of the Design
Advisory Council. So you both have the honor of
serving on our DAC. Jacob, you represent the child
of uniformed service members whofought and served in the Global
(14:08):
war on terrorism. And Eddie or sorry, Jacob, and
I'm going to let you talk about this in a moment, but and as a
future service member because aswe all know, the global war on
terrorism continues today. And this memorial will also
honor and represent those who will continue to serve and
(14:32):
sacrifice in the JIWA. And Eddie, you're also
representing uniformed wearing service members as well as being
the child of a fallen soldier, Staff Sergeant Eduardo Laredo.
So if you could think back to when you were asked to be a part
(14:55):
of the Design Advisory Council, how did that make you feel?
What was your reaction? And we're going to start with
Eddie this time. I actually remember perfectly
the day that it happened. I remember we were at Sophia's
daycare picking her up and we, you had just parked the car and
you said you wanted to talk to me about something.
(15:17):
And I remember you, you bringingit up.
You were like, well, I don't know if you said these things
specifically, but I remember yousaying Rod wanted to know if you
would want to be on the deck andI just immediately like lit up.
I remember just being so excitedto be able to work with so many
people, some with similar, a similar story to mine.
(15:39):
It just felt, it felt really nice.
Why was that so exciting to you?Like, why is that something that
made you feel so good? Why?
Like, why me? I guess when when I think of
that, I think of there are so many there's, I don't know the
right number, but maybe thousands, hundreds of
(16:00):
thousands, however much Gold Star kids, why am I the one
being picked by Rod? It just made me feel so special
that I get to represent other Gold Star kids and or family
members. So thanks, Addie.
How about you, Jacob? What was the conversation like
for you and the feelings associated with it?
(16:22):
So I was kind of already going on these trips with him a little
bit. So I, I knew what he was doing
somewhat and he was planning on starting a deck.
I don't know, he wanted me to beon it.
So we were just home one day andhe just randomly pops the
question like he usually does, Hey, you want to be a part of
the deck? And I'm like, can I get some
(16:42):
time to think on that real quick?
I was, I was excited because he invited me to contribute and
help to this memorial for a whole bunch of people.
And it's just, I want to say it's a weight, but it's feels
like a responsibility, like a good responsibility because I'm
helping contribute to something so massive and meaningful.
(17:06):
But I'm just, I'm just grateful to be a part of it.
And we're so grateful to for both of you to be a part of it.
And there are other youth or theyounger generation that are a
part of the Design Advisory Council as well.
Why do you think, Jacob, we're going to start with you?
Why do you think it's important for us to have the voices of the
(17:27):
younger generation on the DesignAdvisory Council influencing the
design of our memorial? I mean, definitely some of us
who have military parents are planning on serving like myself.
So maybe I don't know, that's kind of I would have to think on
that. OK.
Well, since you mentioned it, you know planning on serving, is
(17:51):
that still the case that you plan on serving at some point?
Can you talk a little bit about that, why you made that decision
and what your future plans are? So originally I wasn't, I really
wasn't planning on like serving.I just wanted to get through
college and go to nursing. But the more I thought about it,
(18:14):
I'm kind of doing it backwards. I'm going to college 1st and
then joining the military. So I'll be joining a little
later on. I just want to serve the country
and I've seen my parents do, I've seen my brother do it.
Yes, they've come back home withinjuries, different sets of
problems, but they've always bounced back stronger and it
it's definitely inspired me a bit to join the military.
(18:37):
And it sounds like you made thatdecision independently or on
your own. There's never been any pressure
in your family for you to serve.You're you're wanting to do it
just because of what you have witnessed and seen in your
parents and your brother, right?Yeah.
(18:57):
Yeah. Eddie, how about you?
Let's start with why is it important for us to have the
younger generations voices as a part of the Design Advisory
Council? I've heard, I've heard Rod say
this before. He wants to get everyone's like,
I guess say in it or get everyone's side of it for the
(19:19):
more. He wants to hear what everyone
has to say. It's not just about one person,
like about the people who foughtfor our country, but it also
extends into the homes of the family, like Gold Star kids,
just etcetera. You know, I just think I think
it really does. It doesn't.
It's not just one person fighting the war.
(19:41):
Right. And what are your thoughts on
the potential for serving in thefuture, Eddie?
I think it's definitely possible, but I have not made a
full decision yet and if I did Iwould definitely join the army.
Oh, this is the first time I've ever heard that, ladies and
(20:03):
gentlemen. So we're learning that all
together. That's exciting news.
So, Jacob, you made mention in your last comment about.
That you've seen your parents and your brother come home with
different types of injuries. Can you speak a little bit more
(20:26):
to that? Like what has that been like for
you and your family? At first I'll specifically talk
about my dad because he was blown up a couple times.
So he came home with brain injuries and I can't.
I came with him on these appointments.
Basically it was it was kind of rough to see my parents all beat
(20:48):
up after they come home, especially my dad because it was
a little worse for him. At some point it was he could
barely talk, he was having problem walking, just simple
tasks. But it was just rough seeing
them come home. I was obviously worried for
them. But as the years came on he got
better. Obviously he's doing great now,
(21:10):
but you can still kind of see those some some problems, some
issues even right now. Yeah, yeah.
And what are what are your thoughts on the importance of
talking about these kinds of things?
I think we should instead of bottling them up inside and
keeping them to yourselves, because that that's just going
(21:32):
to cause more damage if you keepall your feelings to yourself.
Absolutely. Yeah, I I agree.
And I think that the entire Rodriguez family in particular
is, well, our role models in that department.
I've heard your dad talk about his experiences, your mom, and
(21:53):
then you being here and, and sharing a little bit about your
experiences really helps so manyothers who may be struggling and
maybe struggling silently. So Eddie, what are your thoughts
on that? Like what's the value in talking
about things that might be a little bit uncomfortable, but
(22:18):
things that you're dealing with or struggling with?
I think it's definitely important to open up about your
feelings, especially when you'rewatching your loved ones or
friends go through trauma or just problems, especially that
are included with the military. I think it's definitely
important to open up about your feelings that are, like Jacob
(22:39):
said, like just bottling them up.
It's not it's not a good idea because the more you bottle them
up, it's going to get worse whenit comes out.
Yeah. Well, Speaking of using your
voice, you have both had this tremendous opportunity to share
a little bit about your stories on the Design Advisory Council,
(23:00):
which is ultimately inspiring orhas inspired the design of the
memorial, what this piece of history on our nation's front
lawn is going to look like. And I'm wondering how do you
think that your voice has impacted the design?
(23:24):
Maybe just aren't like when we were talking to people, maybe
our emotions alone. It's such a monumental thing
that can't really describe how we could have impacted.
Yeah. No, I mean, that makes perfect
sense. It's probably a little bit
difficult to imagine how the things that you said ultimately
(23:44):
impacted the design, but they did.
Your voices did impact what the design looks like.
And I think you both know this. But just for the listeners
awareness, this is the first time that a national war
memorials design has been created based on the stories of
(24:07):
the men and women who it will behonoring and representing.
And so this is a really, again, special opportunity.
Eddie, do you have any thoughts on that or anything that you
would want to add? Yeah.
So I remember when we did those,I don't know if you want to call
them interviews in. Engagements.
(24:28):
Yeah, in in Dallas, I think it was.
I made it very clear that we're all in this together as a
community. So I think I think that might
have had some impact on the memorial that it's, it's not
just one person or a few people doing this, it's, it's all of us
together. Yeah, that's really, that's
(24:50):
powerful. Jacob, I have a memory of
something you said. I don't know if you remember
this. We were in Tokyo with the design
team. It was one of the very first,
very early opportunities that wegot to see some of the progress
(25:11):
that they had made on the designof the memorial.
And you started speaking about an embrace or a hug.
Do you remember that? I do remember that.
Can you share a little bit more about that?
I think the reason why I said that is because whenever a
family member comes home, usually the first thing you do
(25:31):
is hug them and they're probablycrying a little bit.
So I feel like the memorial, when you're there, you should
feel embraced like the like you're like, you know, you're
home. You should be feeling embraced
at the memorial. Yeah, gosh, that just is really
tremendous and directly impactedand influenced where we are
(25:56):
today in that we say welcome home, that this memorial is a
home for everybody who visits, not only the men and women who
served in sacrifice, but also for the American people.
It this is, this is home. This is home.
(26:17):
I do have one more question for each of you.
What do you hope to feel the very first time that you visit
the memorial? And I would just ask you to
pause and just really think about and imagine the first time
that you visit our memorial whenit's complete, maybe it's on
(26:39):
dedication day. What do you hope to feel kind?
Of similar to the the embracing thing, definitely like like a
feeling you're meant to be there, but also being able to
stand there and take everything in while it's just quiet, you
know, just the sense of I don't really know how to explain it.
(27:01):
Yeah, I know. That was that was beautiful.
How about you, Eddie? I would like to feel a sense of
comfort, like I'm like, I'm at home.
I shouldn't feel. I shouldn't feel strange when
I'm there. I feel like I should be able to
be very comfortable and just, yeah, just a sense of home is
(27:22):
the best way I can put it. I think something I'm hearing
from both of you too, is like perhaps a desire to want to
spend as much time there as possible.
Like you just, you want to be there because you're at home.
Well, you both are wise beyond your years, for sure.
(27:42):
I have heard similar things in different ways from both of you
around your experiences as military children and that they
were overwhelmingly positive foryou.
Really, you, you didn't know anybetter, but you do now.
And so to be able to say what you did about your military,
(28:07):
being a military child in your experience is really meaningful.
I'm also hearing that you both acknowledge this tremendous
opportunity that you have to be part of the Design Advisory
Council and shaping the design of our future Global War on
(28:28):
Terrorism Memorial. I am also hearing that there is
a tremendous amount of positivity.
Hope our future is in really good hands with both of you
leading the way for our future generation.
(28:49):
I just want to thank you both for being here with us today and
for all the work that you have done and continue to do in
support of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.
So thank you. Thank you for having us here.
Thank you for having us. Welcome Home is produced by
(29:10):
Jennifer Blum, Holly Soria and me.
Jennifer Blue, our operations manager, is Henry Howard.
Art for Welcome Home is by Minerva Consulting.
Our theme, A Place Like Home is by Bergenson Lunberg via
Epidemic. Sound mixing and editing is by
Jennifer Blum. Thank you to Tal Podcast and The
(29:32):
American Legion for their collaboration on this inaugural
series. You can find their episodes,
guests, and more at legion.org slash Tal.
You can find out more about the Global War on Terrorism Memorial
Foundation, get updates on the National War Memorial, and learn
how you can get involved by following us on your favorite
(29:55):
social media platforms or by visiting GWOT Memorial
foundation.org.
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