Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
To the American especially on this Memorial big weekend, and
hopefully you just take some time and stop and think
of why we really celebrate or honor Memorial Day weekend
in general.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Yeah, I think a lot of us, you know, see
our neighbors grilling out, cleaning up stuff. But what it
really has to do with is the men and women
who gave their lives for this country, and you should
do something every Memorial Day weekend to honor.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Every single time this weekend comes around, I think of
Michelle Riley all the time. Her son, Joey Riley was
killed back in twenty fourteen November of twenty fourteen, and
he was a paratrooper with the United States Army. Well,
Joey's mom, Michelle is on the line with us right now.
And Michelle, you know I texted you. It was either
yesterday or the day before, and I just said thinking
(00:46):
about you this weekend and then automatically sending me these
pictures from Fort Bragg. How wonderful of an experience that
you've been having.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Yes, yes, it was wonderful. I've had a chance to
go several times and this was definitely highlight year for
Fort Bragg. They always treat us well, they give us
an escort, They set aside the whole week for activities,
(01:21):
and all the paratroopers of the eighty second Airborne are
there just celebrating what our freedoms are and what they
work for, what they work so hard for. They invite
the veterans, and they do take care of the gold
Star families.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Michelle, we do.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
We talk about you every Memorial Day. We think about
you every Memorial Day. We're definitely talking in between the breaks.
So I'm so glad you can join us. Tell us
what the week looks like, some of the things that
you have done this past week, and that they do
on a regular basis there at Fort Bragg.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Well, we always travel down on Sunday so that we
can be there for early Monday morning, because the first
thing they do and how they start the week is
with a division run. So approximately fifteen thousand soldiers in
the eighty second Airborne run a division run for I
(02:19):
don't even know exactly how many miles, but it's quite inspiring.
I wish everyone could see it. And the whole entire
time that they're running, the black Hawks and the Chinooks
are flying overhead back and forth. You can look up
and see the soldiers hanging their legs out of the chinook,
which is really amazing. But they run, and they run
(02:43):
in a formation while they're running, and you know, there's
probably a little bit of Shenanigan's going on during that time,
but it's just fun to watch. We always stand at
a vantage point where we watch them do their turnaround
and there's a if you can picture a stadium that's
kind of dug out and it goes down up. They
(03:06):
have a boot memorial where they have a boot there
representing every soldier who has died in the War on
Terror since two thousand and one in nine to eleven,
and they run down and then around and back up
the hill and back past us while we were standing
there watching. Everybody's there cheering people on. When my mom
(03:27):
was there, my eighty something year old mom, she was
out there high fiving them. So it starts with that.
On Monday. On Tuesday this week, they had a prayer
breakfast and I always say, I'm so thankful that faith
is alive and well and a big part of their
daily lives. So we had a wonderful breakfast and a
(03:50):
message from a chaplain who now works at the Pentagon.
So he talked about hope.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Hey, Michelle, let me stop you for a second. Let
me stop you for it, because you sent so many
pictures and the one picture you did send was the
field of all those boots, and how you sent me
the one picture of Joey's picture on the boot. When
you see that, what does that mean to you as
a mom to see your son being represented there?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Well, it means a lot. I mean it's staggering when
you look at the big picture because of how many
there are. But then when I see his that's honoring him.
And I also noted that you know there are coins there.
That means that either someone who might have known of
(04:36):
him or even served with him put a coin there
to remember him specifically. Oh that is that makes me
very proud. Yes, really really impressive that they do that.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
You know, Michelle or michaela Michelle Mickayla lives in Hilliard
and she has been by Joey's gravesite in Grove City,
haven't you, m Keela?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Yeah, there a memorial day Michelle. Within I don't know,
probably the last five years, we were headed down to
Cincinnati and I wanted my boys to understand what Memorial.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
Day is about.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
And so we stop by the grave side and it's
beautifully done.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
There's so much to it.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
I it was really really a good moment for us.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Well, I remember you talking about that, and I thank
you for that, and it's just wonderful that you both
choose to get it right. I mean, Memorial Day is
the day when we remember those who died while serving,
and it's so important to make that distinction. You know,
it's our one day when we know that they're going
to be remembered. And I mean, I'm telling you, there's
(05:42):
nothing tougher than deciding what you want your son's grave
to look like. And you know, Mindy, I think about
your mom, you know, having to go through the loss
of a child. I just found out today that Gary Sonie,
who has a foundation for the military, has lost a son,
and so you know it really it really touches my
(06:04):
heart when I know someone's been there, someone has maybe
left a little token, or he had a high school
friend who used to lead little lego people. So yeah,
it means a lot.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Well, the picture you also said was you were able
to meet Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Yes, he was there as a special guest. He gave
the speech on Thursday, So I left off Tuesday. We
had a prayer breakfast. Wednesday they had a memorial service
and then they sent us a beautiful lunch that day.
They eat a lot down there.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
That's a good thing.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Yeah, but yes, But then on Thursday they do a
pass and review and all the troops are lined up
out in formation and they passed by the stands, but
they had Pete giving the speech that day. However, when
he arrived, he came up into the stands where we were,
and it's a reserve section and he came by each
(07:02):
gold Star family and gave his full attention, I would say,
for at least a minute for each of us. And
so I told him a little bit about Joey. I
looked straight at him and I said, we pray for you,
and he said, thank you and God bless you. And
then of course I said, can I get a picture?
Speaker 4 (07:21):
And you got one, you got it.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
But yes, but he was very gracious and talked to
every family.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
You know, the fact that they do this full week,
it just is so impressive, and we had not known
about the boots.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
It's so touching and what a beautiful picture.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
If you're okay with that, Michelle, we would love to
share that photo because it is so neat. But like
the fact that this is a full week leading up
to Memorial Day just means so much.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
And I know how much it must mean to you.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
It does. It's something that I've looked forward to and
been on many adventures. There some where people would say, oh,
that was maybe a something you shouldn't have done, but
we have had opportunities to do things I never thought
I would do, So it's pretty great.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Well, we think you're pretty great, and we're so appreciative
of you graciously sharing your time on this Memorial Day Sunday.
And it is so important to honor and remember those
who really did give the ultimate sacrifice for the United
States of America.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
It is it is important, Yes, And it is important
to teach our kids and our grand kids. Yes. And
my husband said to tell you, we're also high school sweetheart.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Oh, I didn't know that.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
That's fantastic.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
How many years of marriag Yes, we're going on forty six.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Oh my gosh, Well you tell him, I said, hi,
because he graciously was able to do the interview with
and I talked to your family years ago, so you
guys are very special to our hearts for sure.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Well, we appreciate you so much. We get to listen
off and on when we're driving back from visiting our
son and grandkids. So yes, we just shaate you.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
We appreciate you. Michelle. Thanks for your time with us
today too.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Okay, and have a blessed time tomorrow with your family.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
You do the same, yeah, Michelle, Okay, Well, yeah, what
a good conversation.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
Great way to end the show.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Right, couldn't end the show any better, any stronger. I'm
glad you guys sticking around for that was able you
were able to hear that, because it just as meaningful
and just as meaningful.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Yep, and we'll get it up online.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Gosh, another week ahead of US unofficial start of summer too.
But yeah, take some time tomorrow to talk to your
family about what the day really means
Speaker 1 (09:32):
And whatever you do, make sure you spend some time
doing what