May 28, 2025 • 27 mins
A WWII soldier from Kentucky is finally returned home for a burial, the Marine Corps celebrates a major milestone, and informing service members and their families about the resources and benefits available to them in Kentucky.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
[♪♪]
(00:06):
>> THEY HAD A TELEGRAHAM THE
NIGHT BEFORE THAT KENNETH WAS
MISSING IN ACTION.
>> Renee (00:11):
IT WOULD TAKE MORE
THAN 80 YEARS TO SOLVE THE
MYSTERY AND RETURN A SOLDIER
HOME TO HIS FINAL RESTING PLACE.
>> PRESLEY O'BANNON WAS THE
FIRST TO DELIVER OUR MARININGS
ON FOREIGN SOIL AND HE WON A
GREAT VICTORY.
AS WE CELEBRATE THE
MARINE CORPS' 250TH YEAR WE
(00:34):
HONOR A KENTUCKY MARINE WHO MADE
HISTORY.
>> IT GAVE US A CHANCE TO OPEN
UP ABOUT WHAT WE EXPERIENCED AND
WHAT WE SAW AND WHAT WE DID.
HISTORY COMES TO LIFE
AS VETERANS SHARE WITH STUDENTS
WHAT IT WAS LIKE SERVING IN
VIETNAM.
>> WHETHER IT'S FAMILY OR
(00:55):
FRIENDS ON COMMUNITY, IT'S ALL
ABOUT THE TEAM.
AND THE STATE WANTS
VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO
HAVE EVERY BENEFIT THEY'VE
EARNED.
>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY
EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN
PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.
[♪♪]
(01:22):
GOOD EVENING AND
WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL MEMORIAL
DAY EDITION OF "KENTUCKY
EDITION" HOPE YOU'VE HAD A GREAT
HOLIDAY AND HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU
FOR JOINING US.
WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH A STORY
THAT DEMONSTRATES THE TRUE
MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY A
KENTUCKY SOLDIER WHO GAVE HIS
LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY IN WORLD
(01:43):
WAR II FINALLY RETURNED HOME TO
MUHLENBERG COUNTY A COUPLE WEEKS
AGO.
OUR LAURA ROGERS TAKES US TO
CENTRAL CITY FOR A HOMECOMING 81
YEARS IN THE MAKING.
I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO TELL YOU,
BUT MARY HAD A TELEGRAM LAST
NIGHT SAYING THAT KENNETH
WAS MISSING IN ACTION.
(02:04):
I FOUND A LETTER IN MY
GRANDMOTHER'S THINGS.
THAT LETTER BEGAN A
JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY FOR MARY
ANN MCGEHEE.
WE ARE ALL NEARLY CRAZY, BUT
GUESS WE'LL
HAVE TO BEAR IT.
WRITTEN BACK IN 1943, IT IS
NOTIFYING HER GRANDMOTHER THAT
HER BROTHER
MARY ANN'S GREAT UNCLE, WAS
MISSING IN ACTION IN WORLD WAR
TWO.
I DID KNOW THAT MY
(02:25):
GRANDMOTHER HAD A BROTHER
MISSING IN ACTION.
BUT I THINK AS A CHILD, I
THOUGHT HE CAME
HOME.
ARMY PRIVATE FIRST CLASS KENNETH
BURGESS WAS ONE OF THE MORE THAN
80,000 AMERICANS
SERVICE MEMBERS FROM WORLD WAR
TWO STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR.
THE FIRST CALL I HAD WAS
FROM A GENEALOGIST, AND HE SAID
HE HAD BEEN HIRED BY THE ARMY TO
LOCATE THE RELATIVES
(02:45):
OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS KENNETH
BURGESS, AND HE WANTED TO
CONFIRM THAT I WAS THE
DAUGHTER OF A DAUGHTER WHO WAS
DAUGHTER OF A SISTER.
MCGEHEE WAS ONE OF FOUR
RELATIVES ASKED TO SUBMIT DNA TO
CONFIRM THAT KENNETH'S
REMAINS HAD BEEN FOUND IN ITALY.
THAT DNA WAS A MATCH.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
(03:07):
FOR THE
FIRST 24 HOURS, I JUST FELT LIKE
JELL-O INSIDE.
IT WAS JUST THE MOST AMAZING
FEELING.
KENNETH'S STORY IS INTERTWINED
WITH ANOTHER.
HE WAS A GRAVE MATE WITH MY
UNCLE.
THEY WERE IN COMPANY V AT THE
FOURTH RANGER BATTALION.
THEY WERE OUR FIRST ELITE
COMMANDO FORCE.
THAT WOULD BE DARBY'S RANGERS.
AS MEMBERS OF THAT BATTALION
(03:28):
KENNETH BURGESS AND ROBERT
BRYANT WERE REPORTED MISSING IN
ACTION FOLLOWING A
PATROL TOWARD THE VILLAGE OF
SALA, ITALY, ON SEPTEMBER 25TH,
1943.
THEIR CAMPAIGN IN
THE MEDITERRANEAN, PARTICULARLY
THE INVASION OF ITALY, OPENED A
DOOR TO VICTORY FOR
EUROPE 1947.
THEY FOUND A GRAVE IN A CEMETERY
(03:48):
NEAR SAN NICOLA, ITALY, THAT HAD
TWO BODIES IN IT.
THEIR REMAINS WERE DESIGNATED AS
X 152 AND INTERRED AT WHAT'S NOW
KNOWN AS THE SICILY
ROME AMERICAN CEMETERY.
THOSE TWO BODIES ENDED UP BEING
MY UNCLE AND KENNETH.
(04:08):
IN 2019, A HISTORIAN WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STUDYING
UNRESOLVED AMERICAN
LOSSES IN OPERATION AVALANCHE
DETERMINED BURGESS AND BRYANT
WERE LIKELY LOST NEAR
WHERE X 152 WAS RECOVERED.
THEIR REMAINS WERE DISINTERRED
IN 2022.
SO GRATEFUL TO LIVE
(04:29):
IN A COUNTRY THAT'S STILL
SEARCHING AND TRYING TO IDENTIFY
AND LOCATE THAT 80,000 MILITARY
PERSONNEL WHO ARE STILL IN ON
HIS BIRTHDAY, MAY 7TH.
KENNETH BURGESS WAS GIVEN A
GRAVESIDE SERVICE AND BURIAL
WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS AT
ROSE HILL CEMETERY IN HIS.
HOMETOWN OF CENTRAL CITY.
(04:50):
JIM BRYANT MADE THE TRIP FROM
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, TO BE THERE.
>>
THOSE TWO MEN COULD
HAVE BEEN THE LAST FACE THEY SAW
WERE EACH OTHER.
AND I COULD NOT NOT COME.
I JUST HAD
TO MEET
THE CHAPLAIN WAS AN ARMY RANGER
FROM FORT BENNING, AND HE DID A
WONDERFUL
JOB.
THE SERVICE WAS A REUNION OF
SORTS FOR MARY ANN'S FAMILY.
(05:12):
SO MANY RELATIVES AND COUSINS,
NIECES AND NEPHEWS WHO TRAVELED
MANY MILES TO BE
THERE.
FROM EVERYWHERE NEW YORK,
MICHIGAN, SOUTH CAROLINA.
IT BRINGS CLOSURE FOR
FAMILIES AND INTO IT BRINGS TO
LIFE THE STORIES THEY HAVE HEARD
FOR DECADES ABOUT THEIR
LOVED ONE.
NOW, IN THE CASE OF THE BURGESS
(05:32):
FAMILY, THEY CAN PUT THE
PRESENCE OF HIM
HERE WITH THE STORIES OF HIM
FISHING IN THE GREEN RIVER OR
THE LETTERS THAT HE SENT BACK
ABOUT HIS BASIC TRAINING AT FORT
DIX.
POOR KID HAS BEEN IN A DANGEROUS
PLACE FOR A LONG TIME.
I GUESS THIS WAS COMING
SOONER OR LATER, BUT IT SURE IS
HARD.
SHE SAYS IT WAS A TOUCHING AND
EMOTIONAL
EXPERIENCE TO HONOR HER GREAT
(05:52):
UNCLE, WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE
SACRIFICE.
I FELT LIKE IN A
SENSE, WE WERE HONORING LIKE OUR
PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS,
ESPECIALLY OUR
GRANDPARENTS, WHO HAD JUST, YOU
KNOW, WISHED FOR THIS DAY FOR SO
LONG.
SO IT WAS REALLY AN AMAZING
FEELING.
(06:12):
ED DEFENSE POW-MIA
ACCOUNTING AGENCY BELIEVES IT
HAS THE MEANS AND TECHNOLOGY TO
STILL IDENTIFY 30,000 AMERICAN
SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN
ACTION.
>>> KENTUCKY MARINE CORPS
VETERANS HONORED ONE OF THEIR
LEGENDARY SERVICEMEN.
LIEUTENANT PRESLEY O'BANNON WAS
THE FIRST AMERICAN TO RAISE A
(06:33):
U.S. FLAG OVER FOREIGN SOIL IN
TIME OF WAR.
HE HAD BEEN CALLED ON BY
PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON TO
TAKE ON PIRATES IN THE
MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
OUR TEAM TAKES YOU TO HIS
RESTING PLACE IN FRANKFORT.
>> NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT
MARINE AND A CAPTAIN IN THE ARMY
BUT HE WAS ALSO IN POLITICS IN
(06:54):
KENTUCKY.
I AM HONORED TO WEAR THIS
UNIFORM WHEN I CAN JUST TO
REPRESENT HIM.
AND MANY TIMES I COME AND STAND
AT HIS GRAVE AND WE HAVE A WORD
HE AND I.
[♪♪]
(07:15):
>> PRESLEY O'BANNON WAS THE
FIRST TO DELIVER OUR MARINES ON
FOREIGN SOIL AND TAKE CASUALTIES
AND TO WIN A VICTORY.
AND HE WON A GREAT VICTORY.
HE TAKES HIS SEVEN MARINES AND,
I THINK, IT WAS 11 COUNTRIES
(07:39):
BOTTOM TIERS, AND --
VOLUNTEERS AND THEY WITH CAMELS
AND DONKS IFER ACROSS THAT
DESERT AND IT WAS FREEZING COLD
AT NIGHT AND ABOVE 100° IN THE
DAYTIME.
>> ONE THING ABOUT HIS TIME IN
THE DESERT WHEN HE WAS DOING
(08:00):
THEY CAME ACROSS MUSLIMS AND
CHRISTIANS AND DIFFERENT COUNTRY
PEOPLE.
CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT IT TOOK TO
HOLD THAT GROUP TOGETHER FOR 700
MILES?
AND THE TACTICS HE USED THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERSHIP HE
USED AND HE HELD IT ALTOGETHER
TO GET TO WHERE I GOT TO BE THE
(08:21):
FIRST AMERICAN MILITARY TO RAISE
A FLAG ON FOREIGN SOIL.
LIEUTENANT OWE BRANNON
SPENT HIS LIFE IN RUSSELLVILLE
KENTUCKY HE WAS A STATE SENATOR
AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE.
HIS 1812 HOME NO LOGAN COUNTY IS
PRESERVED AND OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC.
THIS YEAR IS THE 250TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. MARINE
(08:41):
CORPS FOUNDING.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW KENTUCKY
MARINES ARE CELEBRATING YOU CAN
VISIT THEM ON-LINE AT
KENTUCKYMARINES.ORG.
>>> SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES ARE ENTITLED TO CERTAIN
RESOURCES AND BENEFITS IN
KENTUCKY.
BUT THEY DON'T ALWAYS KNOW ABOUT
THEM WHY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HELD ITS
(09:02):
FIRST VETERAN AND MILITARY
FAMILY CONFERENCE WHERE THE
FOCUS WAS ON HEALTH, FINANCES
AND EDUCATION.
>> TODAY'S EVENT IS TO PROVIDE
BENEFIT AND RESOURCE INFORMATION
AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY FOR
VETERANS, MILITARY PERSONNEL AND
THEIR FAMILIES HERE IN THE
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.
AND BOTTOM LINE IS PRO I HAD
VOOING INFORMATION FOR VETERANS
(09:22):
AND THEIR FAMILIES SO THEY CAN
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR
LIFE.
A LOT OF VETERANS WHEN THEY
LEAVE SERVICE THEY LOOK AT
DEATHING A JOB, GETTING THEIR
FAMILIES SETTLED AND DON'T THINK
ABOUT THESE THINGS UNTIL LATER
ON.
IT IS COMMON FOR A VETERAN NOT
TO KNOW THE SERVICES WHY WE HAVE
EVENS LIKE TODAY.
>> THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND
(09:42):
THOUSANDS OF VETERAN SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARITIES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND IT'S HARD TO KNOW ABOUT ALL
OF THEM.
SO I THINK EDUCATING PEOPLE WHAT
IS AVAILABLE IS INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT.
YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE TO
REINFORCE THESE PROGRAMS,
BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT EDUCATION
AND UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE WILL
(10:05):
NEVER KNOW ABOUT THESE, BECAUSE
WITH AS MANY VETERANS AS THERE
ARE IN THIS COUNTRY, YOU CAN'T
TALK TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM
AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE
THOUSANDS OF PROGRAMS.
IT'S REALLY ABOUT UNDERSTANDING
WHAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO TALK TO
TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR AND
HAVE THEM BE A GUIDE TO HELP YOU
(10:25):
AS A VETERAN UNDERSTAND THOSE
PROGRAMS.
>> WE ARE A VARIETY OF CLASSES
OR SEMINARS.
SOME IS ON CAREGIVER SUPPORT.
OTHERS IS ON EMPLOYMENT,
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, WE ALSO
HAVE A AND TOIC IN CANNABIS HERE
IN KENTUCKY.
IT IS A VARIETY OF TOPICS THESE
VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS CAN
TAKE HOME WITH THEM.
(10:46):
THEY ARE ALL INTERCONNECTED PLUS
MORE.
LET'S SAY WEIGH GET VETERANS
THEIR BENEFITS NOW THEY ARE ABLE
TO HAVE GOOD ACCESS TO
HEALTHCARE.
THEY HAVE SOME TYPE OF PENSION
AND INCOME COMING IN THAT
IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE IF
THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION ABOUT
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT JOBS OR
START A BUSINESS, THEN THEY
(11:07):
INCREASE THEIR STANDARD LIVING
FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
IMPORTANTLY IF YOU HAVE ALL THE
STABILITIES THAT REDUCES MENTAL
HEALTH CHALLENGES, PROBLEMS AND
PREVENT SUICIDE.
>> HAVING ALL THESE SUPPORT
ORGANIZATIONS HERE MEANS A LOT.
HAVING THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HERE
SUPPORTING OUR PROGRAMS ACTUALLY
ASSISTS A LOT.
(11:28):
IT REINFORCES THE POINT THAT I
THINK THERE IS A GREATER NEED
WITHIN THE STATE TO REACH MORE
PEOPLE.
WE HAVE WELL OVER 200 PEOPLE
REGISTERED FOR THIS CONFERENCE
AND THIS IS THE FIRST-EVER.
I BELIEVE THIS WILL LEAD TO
BIGGER, LARGER CONFERENCES IN
THE STATE INVITING OUGHT
VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO.
>> VETERAN FAMILIES AND THE
(11:49):
COMPONENT THEY BRING TO SUPPORT
THEIR VETERANS OR THEIR SERVICE
MEMBERS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
I MEAN, YOU DON'T SACRIFICE AS A
SINGLE SOLDIER.
YOU TEND TO HAVE YOUR FAMILY BE
THERE TO SUPPORT AND WHETHER
IT'S FAMILY OR FRIENDS, OR
COMMUNITY, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE
TEAM.
AND THAT'S WHAT THE MILITARY
(12:10):
REALLY SUPPORTS IS ABOUT A TEAM.
EVERYTHING WE DO IS ABOUT A TEAM
EFFORT.
THE KENTUCKY
DEPARTMENT OF VETTED RAN AFFAIRS
HAS MORE PROGRAMMING INCLUDING A
SEMINAR FOR FEMALE VETERANS
PLANNED THROUGHOUT 2025.
>>> STARTING A BUSINESS IS HARD
WORK.
FOR VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS, THE
PROCESS PRESENTS ITS OWN SET OF
(12:31):
UNIQUE CHALLENGES.
ACCORDING TO THE DISABLED
AMERICAN VETERANS OR DAV.
THE ORGANIZATION RUNS THE
PATRIOT BOOTCAMP GIVING VETERAN
ENTREPRENEURS HANDS ON
MENTORSHIP FROM PROFESSIONALS TO
MAKE THEIR BUSINESS DREAMS A
REALITY.
>> WE SEE THAT VETERANS HAVE
GIVEN UP A LOT OF THE TIME THAT
(12:51):
THEY USUALLY WOULD HAVE SPENT
STARTING A BUSINESS FOR A
TRADITIONAL ENTREPRENEUR.
SO THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE
THE FOUNDATION IN ALL AREAS TO
SUCCEED WITH A BUSINESS.
SO WE'RE HELPING THEM WITH THE
BUILDING BLOCK STUFF.
>> THERE IS NO RULES IN
ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
SO IT IS A BIG SHIFT FOR
(13:12):
ENTREPRENEURS THAT ARE VETERANS
TO GO FROM A STRUCTURED
ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU ARE
GETTING PROMOTED ON A SCHEDULE
AND TESTING AND DA, DA, TO A
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE WHEN YOU
START YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
>> YOU WILL GET FOUR HOURS OF
MENTORSHIP VERY INTENSE PERIOD
OF INSTRUCTION OF BACK AND
FORTHWITH SOMEBODY.
(13:32):
CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR NEEDS.
AND YOU WILL LEAVE WITH A
NETWORK A COMMUNITY THAT IS
THERE TO SUPPORT YOU.
>> THE BEAUTIFUL PART IS THAT
IT'S NOT JUST FROM A THEORETICAL
PLACE.
THE MENTORS THAT DONATE SOOP OF
THEIR TIME AND MONEY TO ARE
PEOPLE RUNNING REAL BUSINESSES
ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
THEY CAN GIVE YOU PRACTICAL
ADVICE.
(13:52):
WHICH IS UNIQUE TO THIS AND IT'S
SO COOL TO BE AROUND A BUTCH OF
FORMER MILITARY PEOPLE THAT IS
SOMETHING A LOT OF US LOSE WHEN
OUR TIME IN THE SERVICE LEAVES.
SO WE HAVE TWO THINGS IN COMMON
MILITARY SERVICE AND AN
ENTREPRENEURIAL GENE AND THAT IS
WHAT MAKES THAT EVENT SO FUN.
>> THE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH
(14:14):
OFTEN DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH
THE MENTORS THAT LAST BEYOND THE
EVENT.
AND THOSE ARE PRICELESS
RELATIONSHIPS.
YOU COULDN'T HIRE A CONSULTTANT
A C.E.O. NECESSARILY BUT WE HAVE
VOLUNTEERS GIVING THEIR TIME AND
HELPING THESE VETERANS WAY
BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THE
TWO-AND-A-HALF DAYS THEY SPEND
(14:35):
IN BOOTCAMP.
VETERANS ARE RESILL YEPTD AND
CREATIVE.
WE THINK OF LING I HAD PEOPLE
BUT THEY ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE
ADAPTABLE AND A TEAR IN
CHALLENGING SITUATIONS.
>> THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE
SEEM THE WORST OF THE WORST A
LOT OF TIMES WITH THEIR SERVICE.
SO A SMALL ACCOUNTING ERROR IS
THIS BIG OF A PROBLEM IN A WORLD
(14:56):
WHERE THEY'VE SEEN THIS BIG OF A
PROBLEM.
THAT IS A HUGE COMPETITIVE
ADVANTAGE BECAUSE WHAT IS GOING
TO BREAK OR MAKE SOMEBODY DO
THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO NOT
GIVE UP AND STAY IN THE CAME.
>> WE NEED TO START MORE
COMPANIES WE NEED MORE EMPLOYERS
AND VETERANS ARE A SOLUTION TO
THAT.
AND THEY'VE PROVED WHEN THEY GET
(15:16):
INVOLVED IN A VENTURE THEY ARE
RELENTEDLESS ABOUT SCHEDULING.
THE DAV PLANS TO HOLD
ANOTHER PATRIOT BOOTCAMP IN THE
FALL.
>>> A LOUISVILLE COMMUNICATIONS
STRATEGIST, AUTHOR AND
ENTREPRENEUR KNOWS ALL TOO WELL
THAT PR EXPERTS ARE FAR FROM
WHAT SOME WOULD CALL SPIN
DOCTORS.
ANGELA BILLINGS A U.S. AIR FORCE
(15:38):
VETERAN FROM LOUISVILLE RELEASED
A BOOK DOCUMENTING HER
EXPERIENCES NAVIGATING CHAOS AND
CRISIS LIKE THE TERRORIST ATTACK
ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001.
THE BOOK IS CALLED "COMMAND THE
CRISIS" SHE IS THE
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECT 0 FOR FOR
THE KENTUCKY SENATE REPUBLICANS
AND GAVE A TED TALK ABOUT
(15:59):
WOMEN'S LIBERATIONS AND SETBACKS
IN AFGHANISTAN INFORMED BY HER
WORK AS A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE
AIR FORCE.
SHE SHARED HER RECOLLECTIONS
ABOUT THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON
9/11.
>> WELL, I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT
YOUR MILITARY DAYS AND HOW YOU
ROSE TO THE RANKS BECAME THE
FACE AND THE VOICE FOR NATO IN
(16:20):
SO MANY WAYS.
TALK ABOUT THAT AND DURING A
PIVOTAL TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY
DURING THE DARKEST DAYS IN OUR
NATION'S HISTORY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO IT WAS A PUBLIC AFFAIR
OFFICER THROUGHOUT MY CAREER.
WE AS A NATION, WERE ATTACKED BY
THE TERRORISTS SEPTEMBER
(16:41):
11th 2001.
I HAD JUST ARRIVED AT THE
PENTAGON WEEKS EARLIER AND WAS
GETTING MY BEARINGS HOW TO
NAVIGATE IN THE BUILDING WHEN
THE TERRORISTS ATTACKED IN NEW
YORK PENTAGON AND THAT FOURTH
PLANE THAT LANDED IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
IT CERTAINLY GALVANIZED THE
UNITED STATES AND THE ENTIRE
(17:02):
WORLD.
AND WE CHANGED OUR DIPLOMATIC
APPROACH TO A COUNTRY THAT HAD
BEEN WAR-TORN FOR DECADES.
AND AT THEIR BLESSING AND
INVITATION, NATO THE U.S. WAS
ONE NATION, STEPPED INTO
AFGHANISTAN TO REALLY ROOT OUT
TOES TERRORISTS WITHIN.
AND WERE THERE FOR 20 YEARS.
I WAS THERE AT THE HALFWAY
(17:25):
POINT.
ANS YOU INDICATED I WAS THE
SPOKESPERSON FOR THE
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSESSY
SIS TENSE FORCE IN KABUL.
WE WOULD DO DAILY NEWS RELEASES
ABOUT WHAT OUR EFFORT ENTAILED.
WE DID PRESS CONFERENCES TO
PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE PRESS.
AND TO THE WORLD ABOUT HOW WE
(17:46):
WERE PROVIDING FOR THE SECURITY
IN AFGHANISTAN.
YOU HAVE DESCRIBED IN
DETAIL TOO ABOUT THAT DAY AND
ABOUT MAYBE WHAT THAT MEANT TO
YOU IN TERMS OF THIS WOULD BE A
MISSION.
IT WASN'T JUST A JOB.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IT WAS A MISSION NOW.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
(18:06):
AND I'M PROBABLY NOT UNIQUE IN
THAT.
MILITARY MEMBERS WHEN WE JOIN,
WE RAISE OUR RIGHT HAND, SIGN ON
THE DOTTED LINE AND PUT OUR LIFE
ON THE LINE FOR THIS AMAZING
COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE THE
PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN.
AND SO EXPERIENCING THE ATTACKS
(18:26):
ON THE PENTAGON, REALLY GAVE US
LASER FOCUS ON WHAT OUR MISSION
WAS.
AND WE KNEW THAT WE HAD TO TAKE
A STAND AND TO MAKE EVERY
AVAILABLE ATTEMPT TO RID THIS
WORLD OF SOME VERY, VERY EVIL
MEN.
YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT
(18:47):
THE LIBERATION OF WOMEN IN
AFGHANISTAN.
AND MANY OF US ARE VERY FAMILIAR
WITH MA LAILA, 17-YEAR-OLD WHO
WON THE NOBLE PEACE PRIZE AT AGE
17.
>> THE YOUNGEST.
THE YOUNGEST SHOT IN
THE HEAD AND FACE BY THE
TALIBAN.
AND YOU TALK ABOUT NOT JUST HER
BRAVERY AND COURAGE IN THAT, BUT
(19:08):
YOU KNOW, WHY THAT IS SO
IMPORTANT THAT MOMENT THEN GOING
FORWARD.
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS A
TIME WHERE THERE WAS SOME UPWARD
MOBILITY OF WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN
AND THEN AFTER 20 YEARS OF THAT
LIBERATION AND THAT DIPLOMACY IT
WAS GONE.
>> RIGHT.
AND THERE IS A
STRUGGLE FOR IT TO THIS DAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
(19:28):
IN FACT, I THINK THE TERRORISTS
KNOW HOW VERY IMPORTANT
EDUCATION IS.
THAT IS WHY THEY FORBID WOMEN
FROM PURSUING JUST YOUR PRIMARY
EDUCATION.
AND THEN GO ON TO ATTAIN YOUR
PROFESSIONAL DEGREES.
SO AS YOU INDICATED FOR 20 YEARS
WOMEN WERE ABLE TO WORK OUTSIDE
THE HOME, CONTRIBUTE TO THE
(19:49):
LOCAL ECONOMY, PROVIDE FOR THEIR
FAMILIES IN THAT WAY.
AND THEN WHEN THE U.S. DEPARTED
AFGHANISTAN, THE AFGHAN NATIONAL
ARMY COLLAPSED WITHIN MONTHS
AGAINST A TALIBAN OFFENSIVE.
AND THEN REALLY TOOK THAT
EDUCATION THAT SO MANY WOMEN HAD
WORKED SO VERY HARD FOR MUCH
LIKE YOU AND I WAS TORN FROM
(20:11):
THEM.
AND THE TERRORISTS FEEL
THREATENED AND THAT IS WHY
THEY'VE TAKEN ISLAMIC LAW AND
REALLY JUST TAKEN IT TO THE VERY
EXTREME END SAYING WOMEN YOU
CAN'T EVEN TALK TO YOUR MOTHER,
TO YOUR SISTER TO YOUR FRIEND.
SO THEY FEEL VERY MUCH
(20:32):
THREATENED BY JUST THOSE SIMPLE
LIBERTIES THAT WE HERE IN THIS
GREAT NATION OFTEN TAKE FOR
GRANTED.
ARE THERE ANY LESSONS
WE COULD LEARN AS A COUNTRY THAT
IS A FREE DEMOCRACY, FROM WHAT
WE SEE IN COUNTRIES THAT DO THAT
ENJOY THAT FREEDOM PARTICULARLY
WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN?
(20:52):
>> CERTAINLY.
I ADDRESS THIS IN MY TALK TO
SOME EXTENT.
EDUCATION IS THE SINGLE ELEMENT
THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN
POVERTY AND ATTAINING LIBERTY,
ECONOMIC LIBERTY TO PROVIDE FOR
YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
I WAS THE FIRST OF SIX CHILDREN
NUMBER FIVE OF SIX, THE FIRST TO
ATTEND COLLEGE.
(21:13):
AND THAT IS SOMETHING MY FATHER
STRESSED TO ME AS A VERY YOUNG
AGE GET YOUR EDUCATION, ANGELA,
BECAUSE ONCE YOU HAVE IT NOBODY
CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU.
AND FORTUNATELY IN THE UNITED
STATES, THAT IS THE CASE.
WHEREAS IN A COUNTRY LIKE
AFGHANISTAN, WOMEN HAVE TAKEN
THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO STEP
(21:34):
PACK AND IT'S --
STEP BACK AND IT IS A DIRE
SITUATION THAT MA LAILA, SHE
STILL CHAMPIONS TODAY IT'S
GENDER APARTHEID AND IT'S NOT
JUST IN AFGHANISTAN THAT WE
SHOULD BE CONCERNED.
BECAUSE IF WE DON'T STAND UP FOR
WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN,
THEN WE MIGHT FACE A NEW
GENERATION OF RADICAL EXTREMISTS
THAT WILL MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT
(21:56):
LIKE THE 9/11 ATTACKS.
WHETHER IT'S ON THE UNITED
STATES OR ANOTHER COUNTRY.
ANGELA DID A TED TALK
AT BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY IN
LOUISVILLE ABOUT THE LIBERATION
OF THE WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN.
THAT YOU CAN FIND ON
YouTube.
>>> THIS YEAR, MARKS THE 50TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE
VIETNAM WAR.
(22:16):
A WAR THAT MOST STUDENTS LEARN
ABOUT IN SCHOOL.
BUT FOR SOME FREDERICK DOUGLASS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN
LEXINGTON, THE LESSON WENT
BEYOND THE TEXTBOOK WHEN A GROUP
OF VIETNAM VETERANS VISITED
THEIR SCHOOL TO SHARE THEIR WAR
STORIES.
>> I HAVE LONG THOUGHT ABOUT HOW
CAN I TEACH VIETNAM IN A
(22:37):
MEANINGFUL WAY, ESPECIALLY NOW
THAT MOST OF THESE PARTICULAR
GENERATION, THIS PARTICULAR
GENERATION OF KIDS THEIR
GRANDPARENTS MIGHT HAVE SERVED
OR GREAT UNCLES THAT SORT OF
THING.
I WANTED TO BRING IN AS MANY
VETERANS AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WAY
THEY COULD HEAR FROM REAL PEOPLE
THAT WERE THERE AND THAT SERVED.
>> WE GAVE VIETNAM SOMETHING
(22:57):
THEY DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE WE GOT
THERE.
WE GAVE THEM FREEDOM.
>> WELL, I THINK IN THIS DAY AND
TIME THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF
THE VIETNAM WAR.
ALL EXCEPT FOR MAYBE WHAT THEY
HEAR OR READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
IT.
>> I THINK THAT TELEVISION AND
MOVIES SOMETIMES WRONGLY DEPICT
WHAT A VETERANS GOES THROUGH.
(23:18):
WHAT I WAS TOLD IS SOME OF THE
THINGS I WENT THROUGH, I'VE GOT
THREE PURPLE HEARTS AT HOME.
>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT
THAT THEY KNOW WHAT REALLY WENT
ON AND TALKING TO PEOPLE AS
MYSELF FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OVER
IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.
LET THEM KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE.
(23:39):
READINGS THINGS IN BOOKS AND
MAGAZINES ARE DIFFERENT THAN
ACTUALLY TALKING TO SOMEONE THAT
ACTUALLY LIVED THAT LIFE FOR I
ALITTLE WHILE.
>> I HAD A LOT OF VETERANS THAT
WANT TO COME BUT I THINK THEY
WERE NERVOUS ABOUT THE TYPES OF
QUESTIONS THEY WERE GOING TO GET
ASKED.
I TOLD THE KIDS IF THEY ARE
WILLING TO TALK ABOUT THOSE
THINGS AND SHARE THOSE THINGS
WITH YOU THAT'S FINE.
(24:01):
BUT IF THEY DON'T WANT TO, THEN,
WE CAN TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS.
>> THIS IS THE FIRST EXPERIENCE
WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL.
AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT.
THE QUESTIONS WERE GREAT.
I RESPONDED TO EVERYONE OF THE
QUESTIONS.
>> WHAT ARE ARE YOUR FEELINGS ON
PEOPLE THAT DODGED THE DRAFT?
>> THEY DODGED REALITIES OF
(24:22):
LIFE.
>> I WAS HONEST WITH THEM.
I THINK THAT'S THE WAY THAT WE
SHOULD OPERATE, BE HONEST.
>> I WANTED THEM TO EXPRESS
THEIR FEELINGS HOW THEY FELT
ABOUT IT AND THE QUESTIONS THEY
ASK AND THAT I COULD ANSWER JUST
AS TRUTHFULLY AS I COULD SO
THEY'LL HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF
IT.
>> I THINK THAT IT CAN BE
(24:43):
HEALING IN A LOT OF WAYS FOR
THEM.
JUST GETTING TO SHARE THEIR
STORY AND GET THAT OUT IN THE
OPEN.
>> IT ACTUALLY HELPS THE
VETERANS THAT IS THERAPY FOR THE
VETERANS, ESPECIALLY THE VIETNAM
ONES.
>> IT GAVE US A CHANCE TO REALLY
OPEN UP ABOUT WHAT WE
EXPERIENCED.
WHAT WE SAW, WHAT WE DID.
(25:04):
BECAUSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT A LOT
OF US WON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT THE
VIETNAM EXPERIENCE.
SO THIS WAS A CHANCE TO, I
GUESS, MOSTLY NOT NECESSARILY
VENT BUT TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE
LIFE WAS REALLY LIKE BEING IN
THAT ENVIRONMENT.
>> THIS DIDN'T BOTHER ME AS MUCH
AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD.
(25:25):
I HAD MY DAUGHTER WITH ME AND
SUPPORTS ME 100% AND SHE HAD
PHOTOGRAPHS IN A I CALL A
VIETNAM BOOK OF PHOTOS AND SO
FORTH.
THAT REALLY TELLS THE STORY AND
THE STUDENTS LOVED IT.
>> FOX TROT ONE?
>> I WAS IN FOX TROT.
(25:46):
>> WHEN YOU ARE A KID THERE'S
THINGS THAT YOU DON'T
NECESSARILY CARE ABOUT OR CARE
TO HEAR AT THE TIME.
BUT AS YOU GET OLDER THINGS YOUR
VALUE SYSTEMS AND MORALS AND
LIKE MAN, I WISH I HAD LEARNED
ABOUT THAT.
AND WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT LIVED IT
AND THEY CAN HEAR FROM THEM.
SO I THINK SOME OF THEM THEY MAY
BE DOING IT BECAUSE IT IS JUST A
(26:07):
PROJECT FOR THE CLASS.
BUT I THINK THE BENEFIT FOR THE
KIDS IS THEY GET TO HEAR THAT
EXPERIENCE.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR KIDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE
MAKE DECISIONS WE MAKE LAWS BUT
THERE ARE REAL PEOPLE AND THEY
HAVE TO LIVE WITH THESE
DECISIONS.
>> I HOPE YOU LEARN THAT FREEDOM
IS NOT FREE.
WE HAD TO FIGHT FOR IT.
(26:29):
WE'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF
LIBERTIES, FREEDOM OF SPEECH,
ASSEMBLE AND SO FORTH.
BUT THERE'S MEN THAT FOUGHT FOR
IT AND DIED FOR IT AND I HOPE
THEY UNDERSTAND THAT.
WE CERTAINLY HOPE THEY
DO.
MAGGIE SCHOLL WHO YOU HEARD FROM
SAYS HER STUDENTS SPENT A MONTH
TALKING ABOUT VIETNAM AND
PREPARING FOR A PODCAST THAT
(26:51):
FEATURES CONVERSATIONS WITH
VIETNAM VETERANS.
WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF
"KENTUCKY EDITION."
AND OUR GRATITUDE TO ALL THOSE
WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FREEDOM.
YOU CAN CONNECT WITH US ALL THE
WAYS ON YOUR SCREEN, FACEBOOK, X
AND INSTAGRAM TO LEARN MORE
ABOUT "KENTUCKY EDITION" AND THE
GREAT PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING
HERE AT KET.
(27:12):
AND WE INVITE YOU TO SEND US AN
E-MAIL A STORY IDEA TO PUBLIC
AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.
AND LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO
APP THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD ON
YOUR PHONE AND SMART TV.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE'LL SEE YOU
NEXT TIME.
NEXT TIME.
TAKE GOOD CARE.
[♪♪]
(00:06):
>> THEY HAD A TELEGRAHAM THE
NIGHT BEFORE THAT KENNETH WAS
MISSING IN ACTION.
>> Renee (00:11):
IT WOULD TAKE MORE
THAN 80 YEARS TO SOLVE THE
MYSTERY AND RETURN A SOLDIER
HOME TO HIS FINAL RESTING PLACE.
>> PRESLEY O'BANNON WAS THE
FIRST TO DELIVER OUR MARININGS
ON FOREIGN SOIL AND HE WON A
GREAT VICTORY.
AS WE CELEBRATE THE
MARINE CORPS' 250TH YEAR WE
(00:34):
HONOR A KENTUCKY MARINE WHO MADE
HISTORY.
>> IT GAVE US A CHANCE TO OPEN
UP ABOUT WHAT WE EXPERIENCED AND
WHAT WE SAW AND WHAT WE DID.
HISTORY COMES TO LIFE
AS VETERANS SHARE WITH STUDENTS
WHAT IT WAS LIKE SERVING IN
VIETNAM.
>> WHETHER IT'S FAMILY OR
(00:55):
FRIENDS ON COMMUNITY, IT'S ALL
ABOUT THE TEAM.
AND THE STATE WANTS
VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO
HAVE EVERY BENEFIT THEY'VE
EARNED.
>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY
EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN
PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.
[♪♪]
(01:22):
GOOD EVENING AND
WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL MEMORIAL
DAY EDITION OF "KENTUCKY
EDITION" HOPE YOU'VE HAD A GREAT
HOLIDAY AND HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU
FOR JOINING US.
WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH A STORY
THAT DEMONSTRATES THE TRUE
MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY A
KENTUCKY SOLDIER WHO GAVE HIS
LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY IN WORLD
(01:43):
WAR II FINALLY RETURNED HOME TO
MUHLENBERG COUNTY A COUPLE WEEKS
AGO.
OUR LAURA ROGERS TAKES US TO
CENTRAL CITY FOR A HOMECOMING 81
YEARS IN THE MAKING.
I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO TELL YOU,
BUT MARY HAD A TELEGRAM LAST
NIGHT SAYING THAT KENNETH
WAS MISSING IN ACTION.
(02:04):
I FOUND A LETTER IN MY
GRANDMOTHER'S THINGS.
THAT LETTER BEGAN A
JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY FOR MARY
ANN MCGEHEE.
WE ARE ALL NEARLY CRAZY, BUT
GUESS WE'LL
HAVE TO BEAR IT.
WRITTEN BACK IN 1943, IT IS
NOTIFYING HER GRANDMOTHER THAT
HER BROTHER
MARY ANN'S GREAT UNCLE, WAS
MISSING IN ACTION IN WORLD WAR
TWO.
I DID KNOW THAT MY
(02:25):
GRANDMOTHER HAD A BROTHER
MISSING IN ACTION.
BUT I THINK AS A CHILD, I
THOUGHT HE CAME
HOME.
ARMY PRIVATE FIRST CLASS KENNETH
BURGESS WAS ONE OF THE MORE THAN
80,000 AMERICANS
SERVICE MEMBERS FROM WORLD WAR
TWO STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR.
THE FIRST CALL I HAD WAS
FROM A GENEALOGIST, AND HE SAID
HE HAD BEEN HIRED BY THE ARMY TO
LOCATE THE RELATIVES
(02:45):
OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS KENNETH
BURGESS, AND HE WANTED TO
CONFIRM THAT I WAS THE
DAUGHTER OF A DAUGHTER WHO WAS
DAUGHTER OF A SISTER.
MCGEHEE WAS ONE OF FOUR
RELATIVES ASKED TO SUBMIT DNA TO
CONFIRM THAT KENNETH'S
REMAINS HAD BEEN FOUND IN ITALY.
THAT DNA WAS A MATCH.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
(03:07):
FOR THE
FIRST 24 HOURS, I JUST FELT LIKE
JELL-O INSIDE.
IT WAS JUST THE MOST AMAZING
FEELING.
KENNETH'S STORY IS INTERTWINED
WITH ANOTHER.
HE WAS A GRAVE MATE WITH MY
UNCLE.
THEY WERE IN COMPANY V AT THE
FOURTH RANGER BATTALION.
THEY WERE OUR FIRST ELITE
COMMANDO FORCE.
THAT WOULD BE DARBY'S RANGERS.
AS MEMBERS OF THAT BATTALION
(03:28):
KENNETH BURGESS AND ROBERT
BRYANT WERE REPORTED MISSING IN
ACTION FOLLOWING A
PATROL TOWARD THE VILLAGE OF
SALA, ITALY, ON SEPTEMBER 25TH,
1943.
THEIR CAMPAIGN IN
THE MEDITERRANEAN, PARTICULARLY
THE INVASION OF ITALY, OPENED A
DOOR TO VICTORY FOR
EUROPE 1947.
THEY FOUND A GRAVE IN A CEMETERY
(03:48):
NEAR SAN NICOLA, ITALY, THAT HAD
TWO BODIES IN IT.
THEIR REMAINS WERE DESIGNATED AS
X 152 AND INTERRED AT WHAT'S NOW
KNOWN AS THE SICILY
ROME AMERICAN CEMETERY.
THOSE TWO BODIES ENDED UP BEING
MY UNCLE AND KENNETH.
(04:08):
IN 2019, A HISTORIAN WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STUDYING
UNRESOLVED AMERICAN
LOSSES IN OPERATION AVALANCHE
DETERMINED BURGESS AND BRYANT
WERE LIKELY LOST NEAR
WHERE X 152 WAS RECOVERED.
THEIR REMAINS WERE DISINTERRED
IN 2022.
SO GRATEFUL TO LIVE
(04:29):
IN A COUNTRY THAT'S STILL
SEARCHING AND TRYING TO IDENTIFY
AND LOCATE THAT 80,000 MILITARY
PERSONNEL WHO ARE STILL IN ON
HIS BIRTHDAY, MAY 7TH.
KENNETH BURGESS WAS GIVEN A
GRAVESIDE SERVICE AND BURIAL
WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS AT
ROSE HILL CEMETERY IN HIS.
HOMETOWN OF CENTRAL CITY.
(04:50):
JIM BRYANT MADE THE TRIP FROM
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, TO BE THERE.
>>
THOSE TWO MEN COULD
HAVE BEEN THE LAST FACE THEY SAW
WERE EACH OTHER.
AND I COULD NOT NOT COME.
I JUST HAD
TO MEET
THE CHAPLAIN WAS AN ARMY RANGER
FROM FORT BENNING, AND HE DID A
WONDERFUL
JOB.
THE SERVICE WAS A REUNION OF
SORTS FOR MARY ANN'S FAMILY.
(05:12):
SO MANY RELATIVES AND COUSINS,
NIECES AND NEPHEWS WHO TRAVELED
MANY MILES TO BE
THERE.
FROM EVERYWHERE NEW YORK,
MICHIGAN, SOUTH CAROLINA.
IT BRINGS CLOSURE FOR
FAMILIES AND INTO IT BRINGS TO
LIFE THE STORIES THEY HAVE HEARD
FOR DECADES ABOUT THEIR
LOVED ONE.
NOW, IN THE CASE OF THE BURGESS
(05:32):
FAMILY, THEY CAN PUT THE
PRESENCE OF HIM
HERE WITH THE STORIES OF HIM
FISHING IN THE GREEN RIVER OR
THE LETTERS THAT HE SENT BACK
ABOUT HIS BASIC TRAINING AT FORT
DIX.
POOR KID HAS BEEN IN A DANGEROUS
PLACE FOR A LONG TIME.
I GUESS THIS WAS COMING
SOONER OR LATER, BUT IT SURE IS
HARD.
SHE SAYS IT WAS A TOUCHING AND
EMOTIONAL
EXPERIENCE TO HONOR HER GREAT
(05:52):
UNCLE, WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE
SACRIFICE.
I FELT LIKE IN A
SENSE, WE WERE HONORING LIKE OUR
PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS,
ESPECIALLY OUR
GRANDPARENTS, WHO HAD JUST, YOU
KNOW, WISHED FOR THIS DAY FOR SO
LONG.
SO IT WAS REALLY AN AMAZING
FEELING.
(06:12):
ED DEFENSE POW-MIA
ACCOUNTING AGENCY BELIEVES IT
HAS THE MEANS AND TECHNOLOGY TO
STILL IDENTIFY 30,000 AMERICAN
SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN
ACTION.
>>> KENTUCKY MARINE CORPS
VETERANS HONORED ONE OF THEIR
LEGENDARY SERVICEMEN.
LIEUTENANT PRESLEY O'BANNON WAS
THE FIRST AMERICAN TO RAISE A
(06:33):
U.S. FLAG OVER FOREIGN SOIL IN
TIME OF WAR.
HE HAD BEEN CALLED ON BY
PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON TO
TAKE ON PIRATES IN THE
MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
OUR TEAM TAKES YOU TO HIS
RESTING PLACE IN FRANKFORT.
>> NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT
MARINE AND A CAPTAIN IN THE ARMY
BUT HE WAS ALSO IN POLITICS IN
(06:54):
KENTUCKY.
I AM HONORED TO WEAR THIS
UNIFORM WHEN I CAN JUST TO
REPRESENT HIM.
AND MANY TIMES I COME AND STAND
AT HIS GRAVE AND WE HAVE A WORD
HE AND I.
[♪♪]
(07:15):
>> PRESLEY O'BANNON WAS THE
FIRST TO DELIVER OUR MARINES ON
FOREIGN SOIL AND TAKE CASUALTIES
AND TO WIN A VICTORY.
AND HE WON A GREAT VICTORY.
HE TAKES HIS SEVEN MARINES AND,
I THINK, IT WAS 11 COUNTRIES
(07:39):
BOTTOM TIERS, AND --
VOLUNTEERS AND THEY WITH CAMELS
AND DONKS IFER ACROSS THAT
DESERT AND IT WAS FREEZING COLD
AT NIGHT AND ABOVE 100° IN THE
DAYTIME.
>> ONE THING ABOUT HIS TIME IN
THE DESERT WHEN HE WAS DOING
(08:00):
THEY CAME ACROSS MUSLIMS AND
CHRISTIANS AND DIFFERENT COUNTRY
PEOPLE.
CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT IT TOOK TO
HOLD THAT GROUP TOGETHER FOR 700
MILES?
AND THE TACTICS HE USED THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERSHIP HE
USED AND HE HELD IT ALTOGETHER
TO GET TO WHERE I GOT TO BE THE
(08:21):
FIRST AMERICAN MILITARY TO RAISE
A FLAG ON FOREIGN SOIL.
LIEUTENANT OWE BRANNON
SPENT HIS LIFE IN RUSSELLVILLE
KENTUCKY HE WAS A STATE SENATOR
AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE.
HIS 1812 HOME NO LOGAN COUNTY IS
PRESERVED AND OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC.
THIS YEAR IS THE 250TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. MARINE
(08:41):
CORPS FOUNDING.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW KENTUCKY
MARINES ARE CELEBRATING YOU CAN
VISIT THEM ON-LINE AT
KENTUCKYMARINES.ORG.
>>> SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES ARE ENTITLED TO CERTAIN
RESOURCES AND BENEFITS IN
KENTUCKY.
BUT THEY DON'T ALWAYS KNOW ABOUT
THEM WHY THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HELD ITS
(09:02):
FIRST VETERAN AND MILITARY
FAMILY CONFERENCE WHERE THE
FOCUS WAS ON HEALTH, FINANCES
AND EDUCATION.
>> TODAY'S EVENT IS TO PROVIDE
BENEFIT AND RESOURCE INFORMATION
AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY FOR
VETERANS, MILITARY PERSONNEL AND
THEIR FAMILIES HERE IN THE
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.
AND BOTTOM LINE IS PRO I HAD
VOOING INFORMATION FOR VETERANS
(09:22):
AND THEIR FAMILIES SO THEY CAN
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR
LIFE.
A LOT OF VETERANS WHEN THEY
LEAVE SERVICE THEY LOOK AT
DEATHING A JOB, GETTING THEIR
FAMILIES SETTLED AND DON'T THINK
ABOUT THESE THINGS UNTIL LATER
ON.
IT IS COMMON FOR A VETERAN NOT
TO KNOW THE SERVICES WHY WE HAVE
EVENS LIKE TODAY.
>> THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND
(09:42):
THOUSANDS OF VETERAN SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARITIES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND IT'S HARD TO KNOW ABOUT ALL
OF THEM.
SO I THINK EDUCATING PEOPLE WHAT
IS AVAILABLE IS INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT.
YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE TO
REINFORCE THESE PROGRAMS,
BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT EDUCATION
AND UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE WILL
(10:05):
NEVER KNOW ABOUT THESE, BECAUSE
WITH AS MANY VETERANS AS THERE
ARE IN THIS COUNTRY, YOU CAN'T
TALK TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM
AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE
THOUSANDS OF PROGRAMS.
IT'S REALLY ABOUT UNDERSTANDING
WHAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO TALK TO
TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR AND
HAVE THEM BE A GUIDE TO HELP YOU
(10:25):
AS A VETERAN UNDERSTAND THOSE
PROGRAMS.
>> WE ARE A VARIETY OF CLASSES
OR SEMINARS.
SOME IS ON CAREGIVER SUPPORT.
OTHERS IS ON EMPLOYMENT,
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, WE ALSO
HAVE A AND TOIC IN CANNABIS HERE
IN KENTUCKY.
IT IS A VARIETY OF TOPICS THESE
VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS CAN
TAKE HOME WITH THEM.
(10:46):
THEY ARE ALL INTERCONNECTED PLUS
MORE.
LET'S SAY WEIGH GET VETERANS
THEIR BENEFITS NOW THEY ARE ABLE
TO HAVE GOOD ACCESS TO
HEALTHCARE.
THEY HAVE SOME TYPE OF PENSION
AND INCOME COMING IN THAT
IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE IF
THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION ABOUT
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT JOBS OR
START A BUSINESS, THEN THEY
(11:07):
INCREASE THEIR STANDARD LIVING
FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
IMPORTANTLY IF YOU HAVE ALL THE
STABILITIES THAT REDUCES MENTAL
HEALTH CHALLENGES, PROBLEMS AND
PREVENT SUICIDE.
>> HAVING ALL THESE SUPPORT
ORGANIZATIONS HERE MEANS A LOT.
HAVING THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HERE
SUPPORTING OUR PROGRAMS ACTUALLY
ASSISTS A LOT.
(11:28):
IT REINFORCES THE POINT THAT I
THINK THERE IS A GREATER NEED
WITHIN THE STATE TO REACH MORE
PEOPLE.
WE HAVE WELL OVER 200 PEOPLE
REGISTERED FOR THIS CONFERENCE
AND THIS IS THE FIRST-EVER.
I BELIEVE THIS WILL LEAD TO
BIGGER, LARGER CONFERENCES IN
THE STATE INVITING OUGHT
VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO.
>> VETERAN FAMILIES AND THE
(11:49):
COMPONENT THEY BRING TO SUPPORT
THEIR VETERANS OR THEIR SERVICE
MEMBERS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
I MEAN, YOU DON'T SACRIFICE AS A
SINGLE SOLDIER.
YOU TEND TO HAVE YOUR FAMILY BE
THERE TO SUPPORT AND WHETHER
IT'S FAMILY OR FRIENDS, OR
COMMUNITY, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE
TEAM.
AND THAT'S WHAT THE MILITARY
(12:10):
REALLY SUPPORTS IS ABOUT A TEAM.
EVERYTHING WE DO IS ABOUT A TEAM
EFFORT.
THE KENTUCKY
DEPARTMENT OF VETTED RAN AFFAIRS
HAS MORE PROGRAMMING INCLUDING A
SEMINAR FOR FEMALE VETERANS
PLANNED THROUGHOUT 2025.
>>> STARTING A BUSINESS IS HARD
WORK.
FOR VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS, THE
PROCESS PRESENTS ITS OWN SET OF
(12:31):
UNIQUE CHALLENGES.
ACCORDING TO THE DISABLED
AMERICAN VETERANS OR DAV.
THE ORGANIZATION RUNS THE
PATRIOT BOOTCAMP GIVING VETERAN
ENTREPRENEURS HANDS ON
MENTORSHIP FROM PROFESSIONALS TO
MAKE THEIR BUSINESS DREAMS A
REALITY.
>> WE SEE THAT VETERANS HAVE
GIVEN UP A LOT OF THE TIME THAT
(12:51):
THEY USUALLY WOULD HAVE SPENT
STARTING A BUSINESS FOR A
TRADITIONAL ENTREPRENEUR.
SO THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE
THE FOUNDATION IN ALL AREAS TO
SUCCEED WITH A BUSINESS.
SO WE'RE HELPING THEM WITH THE
BUILDING BLOCK STUFF.
>> THERE IS NO RULES IN
ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
SO IT IS A BIG SHIFT FOR
(13:12):
ENTREPRENEURS THAT ARE VETERANS
TO GO FROM A STRUCTURED
ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU ARE
GETTING PROMOTED ON A SCHEDULE
AND TESTING AND DA, DA, TO A
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE WHEN YOU
START YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
>> YOU WILL GET FOUR HOURS OF
MENTORSHIP VERY INTENSE PERIOD
OF INSTRUCTION OF BACK AND
FORTHWITH SOMEBODY.
(13:32):
CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR NEEDS.
AND YOU WILL LEAVE WITH A
NETWORK A COMMUNITY THAT IS
THERE TO SUPPORT YOU.
>> THE BEAUTIFUL PART IS THAT
IT'S NOT JUST FROM A THEORETICAL
PLACE.
THE MENTORS THAT DONATE SOOP OF
THEIR TIME AND MONEY TO ARE
PEOPLE RUNNING REAL BUSINESSES
ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
THEY CAN GIVE YOU PRACTICAL
ADVICE.
(13:52):
WHICH IS UNIQUE TO THIS AND IT'S
SO COOL TO BE AROUND A BUTCH OF
FORMER MILITARY PEOPLE THAT IS
SOMETHING A LOT OF US LOSE WHEN
OUR TIME IN THE SERVICE LEAVES.
SO WE HAVE TWO THINGS IN COMMON
MILITARY SERVICE AND AN
ENTREPRENEURIAL GENE AND THAT IS
WHAT MAKES THAT EVENT SO FUN.
>> THE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH
(14:14):
OFTEN DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH
THE MENTORS THAT LAST BEYOND THE
EVENT.
AND THOSE ARE PRICELESS
RELATIONSHIPS.
YOU COULDN'T HIRE A CONSULTTANT
A C.E.O. NECESSARILY BUT WE HAVE
VOLUNTEERS GIVING THEIR TIME AND
HELPING THESE VETERANS WAY
BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THE
TWO-AND-A-HALF DAYS THEY SPEND
(14:35):
IN BOOTCAMP.
VETERANS ARE RESILL YEPTD AND
CREATIVE.
WE THINK OF LING I HAD PEOPLE
BUT THEY ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE
ADAPTABLE AND A TEAR IN
CHALLENGING SITUATIONS.
>> THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE
SEEM THE WORST OF THE WORST A
LOT OF TIMES WITH THEIR SERVICE.
SO A SMALL ACCOUNTING ERROR IS
THIS BIG OF A PROBLEM IN A WORLD
(14:56):
WHERE THEY'VE SEEN THIS BIG OF A
PROBLEM.
THAT IS A HUGE COMPETITIVE
ADVANTAGE BECAUSE WHAT IS GOING
TO BREAK OR MAKE SOMEBODY DO
THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO NOT
GIVE UP AND STAY IN THE CAME.
>> WE NEED TO START MORE
COMPANIES WE NEED MORE EMPLOYERS
AND VETERANS ARE A SOLUTION TO
THAT.
AND THEY'VE PROVED WHEN THEY GET
(15:16):
INVOLVED IN A VENTURE THEY ARE
RELENTEDLESS ABOUT SCHEDULING.
THE DAV PLANS TO HOLD
ANOTHER PATRIOT BOOTCAMP IN THE
FALL.
>>> A LOUISVILLE COMMUNICATIONS
STRATEGIST, AUTHOR AND
ENTREPRENEUR KNOWS ALL TOO WELL
THAT PR EXPERTS ARE FAR FROM
WHAT SOME WOULD CALL SPIN
DOCTORS.
ANGELA BILLINGS A U.S. AIR FORCE
(15:38):
VETERAN FROM LOUISVILLE RELEASED
A BOOK DOCUMENTING HER
EXPERIENCES NAVIGATING CHAOS AND
CRISIS LIKE THE TERRORIST ATTACK
ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001.
THE BOOK IS CALLED "COMMAND THE
CRISIS" SHE IS THE
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECT 0 FOR FOR
THE KENTUCKY SENATE REPUBLICANS
AND GAVE A TED TALK ABOUT
(15:59):
WOMEN'S LIBERATIONS AND SETBACKS
IN AFGHANISTAN INFORMED BY HER
WORK AS A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE
AIR FORCE.
SHE SHARED HER RECOLLECTIONS
ABOUT THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON
9/11.
>> WELL, I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT
YOUR MILITARY DAYS AND HOW YOU
ROSE TO THE RANKS BECAME THE
FACE AND THE VOICE FOR NATO IN
(16:20):
SO MANY WAYS.
TALK ABOUT THAT AND DURING A
PIVOTAL TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY
DURING THE DARKEST DAYS IN OUR
NATION'S HISTORY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO IT WAS A PUBLIC AFFAIR
OFFICER THROUGHOUT MY CAREER.
WE AS A NATION, WERE ATTACKED BY
THE TERRORISTS SEPTEMBER
(16:41):
11th 2001.
I HAD JUST ARRIVED AT THE
PENTAGON WEEKS EARLIER AND WAS
GETTING MY BEARINGS HOW TO
NAVIGATE IN THE BUILDING WHEN
THE TERRORISTS ATTACKED IN NEW
YORK PENTAGON AND THAT FOURTH
PLANE THAT LANDED IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
IT CERTAINLY GALVANIZED THE
UNITED STATES AND THE ENTIRE
(17:02):
WORLD.
AND WE CHANGED OUR DIPLOMATIC
APPROACH TO A COUNTRY THAT HAD
BEEN WAR-TORN FOR DECADES.
AND AT THEIR BLESSING AND
INVITATION, NATO THE U.S. WAS
ONE NATION, STEPPED INTO
AFGHANISTAN TO REALLY ROOT OUT
TOES TERRORISTS WITHIN.
AND WERE THERE FOR 20 YEARS.
I WAS THERE AT THE HALFWAY
(17:25):
POINT.
ANS YOU INDICATED I WAS THE
SPOKESPERSON FOR THE
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSESSY
SIS TENSE FORCE IN KABUL.
WE WOULD DO DAILY NEWS RELEASES
ABOUT WHAT OUR EFFORT ENTAILED.
WE DID PRESS CONFERENCES TO
PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE PRESS.
AND TO THE WORLD ABOUT HOW WE
(17:46):
WERE PROVIDING FOR THE SECURITY
IN AFGHANISTAN.
YOU HAVE DESCRIBED IN
DETAIL TOO ABOUT THAT DAY AND
ABOUT MAYBE WHAT THAT MEANT TO
YOU IN TERMS OF THIS WOULD BE A
MISSION.
IT WASN'T JUST A JOB.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
IT WAS A MISSION NOW.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
(18:06):
AND I'M PROBABLY NOT UNIQUE IN
THAT.
MILITARY MEMBERS WHEN WE JOIN,
WE RAISE OUR RIGHT HAND, SIGN ON
THE DOTTED LINE AND PUT OUR LIFE
ON THE LINE FOR THIS AMAZING
COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE THE
PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN.
AND SO EXPERIENCING THE ATTACKS
(18:26):
ON THE PENTAGON, REALLY GAVE US
LASER FOCUS ON WHAT OUR MISSION
WAS.
AND WE KNEW THAT WE HAD TO TAKE
A STAND AND TO MAKE EVERY
AVAILABLE ATTEMPT TO RID THIS
WORLD OF SOME VERY, VERY EVIL
MEN.
YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT
(18:47):
THE LIBERATION OF WOMEN IN
AFGHANISTAN.
AND MANY OF US ARE VERY FAMILIAR
WITH MA LAILA, 17-YEAR-OLD WHO
WON THE NOBLE PEACE PRIZE AT AGE
17.
>> THE YOUNGEST.
THE YOUNGEST SHOT IN
THE HEAD AND FACE BY THE
TALIBAN.
AND YOU TALK ABOUT NOT JUST HER
BRAVERY AND COURAGE IN THAT, BUT
(19:08):
YOU KNOW, WHY THAT IS SO
IMPORTANT THAT MOMENT THEN GOING
FORWARD.
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS A
TIME WHERE THERE WAS SOME UPWARD
MOBILITY OF WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN
AND THEN AFTER 20 YEARS OF THAT
LIBERATION AND THAT DIPLOMACY IT
WAS GONE.
>> RIGHT.
AND THERE IS A
STRUGGLE FOR IT TO THIS DAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
(19:28):
IN FACT, I THINK THE TERRORISTS
KNOW HOW VERY IMPORTANT
EDUCATION IS.
THAT IS WHY THEY FORBID WOMEN
FROM PURSUING JUST YOUR PRIMARY
EDUCATION.
AND THEN GO ON TO ATTAIN YOUR
PROFESSIONAL DEGREES.
SO AS YOU INDICATED FOR 20 YEARS
WOMEN WERE ABLE TO WORK OUTSIDE
THE HOME, CONTRIBUTE TO THE
(19:49):
LOCAL ECONOMY, PROVIDE FOR THEIR
FAMILIES IN THAT WAY.
AND THEN WHEN THE U.S. DEPARTED
AFGHANISTAN, THE AFGHAN NATIONAL
ARMY COLLAPSED WITHIN MONTHS
AGAINST A TALIBAN OFFENSIVE.
AND THEN REALLY TOOK THAT
EDUCATION THAT SO MANY WOMEN HAD
WORKED SO VERY HARD FOR MUCH
LIKE YOU AND I WAS TORN FROM
(20:11):
THEM.
AND THE TERRORISTS FEEL
THREATENED AND THAT IS WHY
THEY'VE TAKEN ISLAMIC LAW AND
REALLY JUST TAKEN IT TO THE VERY
EXTREME END SAYING WOMEN YOU
CAN'T EVEN TALK TO YOUR MOTHER,
TO YOUR SISTER TO YOUR FRIEND.
SO THEY FEEL VERY MUCH
(20:32):
THREATENED BY JUST THOSE SIMPLE
LIBERTIES THAT WE HERE IN THIS
GREAT NATION OFTEN TAKE FOR
GRANTED.
ARE THERE ANY LESSONS
WE COULD LEARN AS A COUNTRY THAT
IS A FREE DEMOCRACY, FROM WHAT
WE SEE IN COUNTRIES THAT DO THAT
ENJOY THAT FREEDOM PARTICULARLY
WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN?
(20:52):
>> CERTAINLY.
I ADDRESS THIS IN MY TALK TO
SOME EXTENT.
EDUCATION IS THE SINGLE ELEMENT
THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN
POVERTY AND ATTAINING LIBERTY,
ECONOMIC LIBERTY TO PROVIDE FOR
YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
I WAS THE FIRST OF SIX CHILDREN
NUMBER FIVE OF SIX, THE FIRST TO
ATTEND COLLEGE.
(21:13):
AND THAT IS SOMETHING MY FATHER
STRESSED TO ME AS A VERY YOUNG
AGE GET YOUR EDUCATION, ANGELA,
BECAUSE ONCE YOU HAVE IT NOBODY
CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU.
AND FORTUNATELY IN THE UNITED
STATES, THAT IS THE CASE.
WHEREAS IN A COUNTRY LIKE
AFGHANISTAN, WOMEN HAVE TAKEN
THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO STEP
(21:34):
PACK AND IT'S --
STEP BACK AND IT IS A DIRE
SITUATION THAT MA LAILA, SHE
STILL CHAMPIONS TODAY IT'S
GENDER APARTHEID AND IT'S NOT
JUST IN AFGHANISTAN THAT WE
SHOULD BE CONCERNED.
BECAUSE IF WE DON'T STAND UP FOR
WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN,
THEN WE MIGHT FACE A NEW
GENERATION OF RADICAL EXTREMISTS
THAT WILL MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT
(21:56):
LIKE THE 9/11 ATTACKS.
WHETHER IT'S ON THE UNITED
STATES OR ANOTHER COUNTRY.
ANGELA DID A TED TALK
AT BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY IN
LOUISVILLE ABOUT THE LIBERATION
OF THE WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN.
THAT YOU CAN FIND ON
YouTube.
>>> THIS YEAR, MARKS THE 50TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE
VIETNAM WAR.
(22:16):
A WAR THAT MOST STUDENTS LEARN
ABOUT IN SCHOOL.
BUT FOR SOME FREDERICK DOUGLASS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN
LEXINGTON, THE LESSON WENT
BEYOND THE TEXTBOOK WHEN A GROUP
OF VIETNAM VETERANS VISITED
THEIR SCHOOL TO SHARE THEIR WAR
STORIES.
>> I HAVE LONG THOUGHT ABOUT HOW
CAN I TEACH VIETNAM IN A
(22:37):
MEANINGFUL WAY, ESPECIALLY NOW
THAT MOST OF THESE PARTICULAR
GENERATION, THIS PARTICULAR
GENERATION OF KIDS THEIR
GRANDPARENTS MIGHT HAVE SERVED
OR GREAT UNCLES THAT SORT OF
THING.
I WANTED TO BRING IN AS MANY
VETERANS AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WAY
THEY COULD HEAR FROM REAL PEOPLE
THAT WERE THERE AND THAT SERVED.
>> WE GAVE VIETNAM SOMETHING
(22:57):
THEY DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE WE GOT
THERE.
WE GAVE THEM FREEDOM.
>> WELL, I THINK IN THIS DAY AND
TIME THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF
THE VIETNAM WAR.
ALL EXCEPT FOR MAYBE WHAT THEY
HEAR OR READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
IT.
>> I THINK THAT TELEVISION AND
MOVIES SOMETIMES WRONGLY DEPICT
WHAT A VETERANS GOES THROUGH.
(23:18):
WHAT I WAS TOLD IS SOME OF THE
THINGS I WENT THROUGH, I'VE GOT
THREE PURPLE HEARTS AT HOME.
>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT
THAT THEY KNOW WHAT REALLY WENT
ON AND TALKING TO PEOPLE AS
MYSELF FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OVER
IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.
LET THEM KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE.
(23:39):
READINGS THINGS IN BOOKS AND
MAGAZINES ARE DIFFERENT THAN
ACTUALLY TALKING TO SOMEONE THAT
ACTUALLY LIVED THAT LIFE FOR I
ALITTLE WHILE.
>> I HAD A LOT OF VETERANS THAT
WANT TO COME BUT I THINK THEY
WERE NERVOUS ABOUT THE TYPES OF
QUESTIONS THEY WERE GOING TO GET
ASKED.
I TOLD THE KIDS IF THEY ARE
WILLING TO TALK ABOUT THOSE
THINGS AND SHARE THOSE THINGS
WITH YOU THAT'S FINE.
(24:01):
BUT IF THEY DON'T WANT TO, THEN,
WE CAN TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS.
>> THIS IS THE FIRST EXPERIENCE
WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL.
AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT.
THE QUESTIONS WERE GREAT.
I RESPONDED TO EVERYONE OF THE
QUESTIONS.
>> WHAT ARE ARE YOUR FEELINGS ON
PEOPLE THAT DODGED THE DRAFT?
>> THEY DODGED REALITIES OF
(24:22):
LIFE.
>> I WAS HONEST WITH THEM.
I THINK THAT'S THE WAY THAT WE
SHOULD OPERATE, BE HONEST.
>> I WANTED THEM TO EXPRESS
THEIR FEELINGS HOW THEY FELT
ABOUT IT AND THE QUESTIONS THEY
ASK AND THAT I COULD ANSWER JUST
AS TRUTHFULLY AS I COULD SO
THEY'LL HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF
IT.
>> I THINK THAT IT CAN BE
(24:43):
HEALING IN A LOT OF WAYS FOR
THEM.
JUST GETTING TO SHARE THEIR
STORY AND GET THAT OUT IN THE
OPEN.
>> IT ACTUALLY HELPS THE
VETERANS THAT IS THERAPY FOR THE
VETERANS, ESPECIALLY THE VIETNAM
ONES.
>> IT GAVE US A CHANCE TO REALLY
OPEN UP ABOUT WHAT WE
EXPERIENCED.
WHAT WE SAW, WHAT WE DID.
(25:04):
BECAUSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT A LOT
OF US WON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT THE
VIETNAM EXPERIENCE.
SO THIS WAS A CHANCE TO, I
GUESS, MOSTLY NOT NECESSARILY
VENT BUT TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE
LIFE WAS REALLY LIKE BEING IN
THAT ENVIRONMENT.
>> THIS DIDN'T BOTHER ME AS MUCH
AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD.
(25:25):
I HAD MY DAUGHTER WITH ME AND
SUPPORTS ME 100% AND SHE HAD
PHOTOGRAPHS IN A I CALL A
VIETNAM BOOK OF PHOTOS AND SO
FORTH.
THAT REALLY TELLS THE STORY AND
THE STUDENTS LOVED IT.
>> FOX TROT ONE?
>> I WAS IN FOX TROT.
(25:46):
>> WHEN YOU ARE A KID THERE'S
THINGS THAT YOU DON'T
NECESSARILY CARE ABOUT OR CARE
TO HEAR AT THE TIME.
BUT AS YOU GET OLDER THINGS YOUR
VALUE SYSTEMS AND MORALS AND
LIKE MAN, I WISH I HAD LEARNED
ABOUT THAT.
AND WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT LIVED IT
AND THEY CAN HEAR FROM THEM.
SO I THINK SOME OF THEM THEY MAY
BE DOING IT BECAUSE IT IS JUST A
(26:07):
PROJECT FOR THE CLASS.
BUT I THINK THE BENEFIT FOR THE
KIDS IS THEY GET TO HEAR THAT
EXPERIENCE.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR KIDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE
MAKE DECISIONS WE MAKE LAWS BUT
THERE ARE REAL PEOPLE AND THEY
HAVE TO LIVE WITH THESE
DECISIONS.
>> I HOPE YOU LEARN THAT FREEDOM
IS NOT FREE.
WE HAD TO FIGHT FOR IT.
(26:29):
WE'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF
LIBERTIES, FREEDOM OF SPEECH,
ASSEMBLE AND SO FORTH.
BUT THERE'S MEN THAT FOUGHT FOR
IT AND DIED FOR IT AND I HOPE
THEY UNDERSTAND THAT.
WE CERTAINLY HOPE THEY
DO.
MAGGIE SCHOLL WHO YOU HEARD FROM
SAYS HER STUDENTS SPENT A MONTH
TALKING ABOUT VIETNAM AND
PREPARING FOR A PODCAST THAT
(26:51):
FEATURES CONVERSATIONS WITH
VIETNAM VETERANS.
WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF
"KENTUCKY EDITION."
AND OUR GRATITUDE TO ALL THOSE
WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FREEDOM.
YOU CAN CONNECT WITH US ALL THE
WAYS ON YOUR SCREEN, FACEBOOK, X
AND INSTAGRAM TO LEARN MORE
ABOUT "KENTUCKY EDITION" AND THE
GREAT PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING
HERE AT KET.
(27:12):
AND WE INVITE YOU TO SEND US AN
E-MAIL A STORY IDEA TO PUBLIC
AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.
AND LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO
APP THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD ON
YOUR PHONE AND SMART TV.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE'LL SEE YOU
NEXT TIME.
NEXT TIME.
TAKE GOOD CARE.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!