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A Veteran’s Story
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A Veteran's Story
Pete is a graduate of Memphis State University with a BA Degree in Political Science and Public Administration. His minors include Native American History and American Military History.
He served with Air Force Intelligence for 4 years, plotted missions and flew on B-52 bombers out of McCoy AFB in Orlando, then served a 2½ year stint in Vietnam.
Pete conducts lectures, panel discussions and symposiums, and has thus far interviewed over 400 veterans from all branches, all ranks, and all wars. His new website: veteransarticle.com contains dozens of his stories and has experienced over 10,000 hits in just a few months.
His award-winning narrative "A Veteran’s Story", is featured in several Georgia newspapers. He has served as a consultant for PBA-30 Atlanta and several other venues, including George Walton Academy, General Ray Davis Middle School, and Emory University at Oxford. His stories pertaining to aviation are featured at: warbirdnews.com.
His first book in a series of 10-12 books, VETERANS: STORIES FROM AMERICA’S BEST, hit the market in early April of last year and is doing well. A 2nd book in the "Veterans" series is due out this spring as is another book on female warriors "Fights Like a Girl", past and present.
Pete has been featured in Georgia Magazine, appeared on Channel 69 and AM-1160, was Keynote speaker for Wreathes across America, 12th Armored Division Annual Banquet, and many other organizations. Pete served as Lieutenant Colonel Aide-de-Camp to Governor Nathan Deal and last year was presented a letter of appreciation from the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. He has served as Commander of the prestigious Atlanta World War II Round Table for the past six years plus serves as their Program Director. His other memberships include: Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, Golden Age Warriors, American Legion, the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance; VFW, North Georgia Veterans, and served on the board of directors for Honor Flight Conyers for several years, including many trips to Washington, DC with WWII veterans as a guardian or mission assistant.
December 1914, Sworn enemies emerge from their trenches during the great war (WWI) to share Christmas. They share food, cigars, and cigarettes, they swap news, and play soccer in the middle of "No Man's Land".
Join Pete Mecca for this wonderful Christmas story.
Join Pete Mecca for this wonderful Christmas story.
Eighty years ago, on Dec 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. US Navy veteran, Jesus Cepeda, was there at Pearl Harbor during the attack and witnessed the devastation. After almost four years of continuous war, he was in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender.
My thoughts, you may disagree, but it's time for all of us to take a stand, to make a choice, I've made mine.
With Pete Mecca
With Pete Mecca
With Pete Mecca and his guest, Ron Webb. Ron served in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Policeman including a tour of Vietnam. He received a degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State and a Masters Degree from Central Michigan. After serving four years with the Georgia State Patrol, Ron then served six years as a special agent for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In 1978, Ron was appointed Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and retired after 22 years of service.
With Pete Mecca and his guest special Marty Broderick. Marty is an old buddy I never knew. He replaced me at the 306h Bombardment Wing, B-52 base, after I had left for Vietnam. We 'found' each other on Facebook 53 years later. You're going to love hearing his story.
With Pete Mecca and his guest Christine "Tina" Woods, author of "MY WAR", she will discuss her mother's first husband, a fighter Ace in WWII, being killed in action. Her mother joined the Red Cross, went overseas, enduring bombings and personal losses as so many did during the war. Mrs. Woods has letters from her mother, and notes from her grandmother's diary describing life on the home front.
With Pete Mecca and his guest, Herb Smith, a member of the Elite of the Elite, a Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns during the Vietnam War.
Pete Mecca's guest is Heather Thies. Heather is the Director of Education, and Volunteer for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Savannah GA. Heather will brief us on this outstanding museum and the men who flew with the Mighty 8th during WWII.
With Pete Mecca and his guest K-9 handler, Jon Hemp. Listen to Jon's fascinating story of the K-9 Corps and the tough jobs that both dog and handler have protecting America's best.
Pete's guest is General Tim Britt. General Britt was seven years old when his older brother, Pfc. Ted Britt, was killed during a 'fix bayonets' four hour brawl 'outside the wire' during the historic siege of Khe Sanh, Vietnam in 1968. Pfc. Britt saved several Marines by charging and wiping out two enemy machine gun nests. He was awarded the Silver Star. General Britt will discuss his own career, then his older brother's heroic service.
Pete's guest is Lew Paper, author of "In The Cauldron". https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../in-the.../1130712743
Join Pete Mecca and his guest, Professor Robert Turner. Bob is an expert on Communism, Marxism, and the radical movements confronting our country today.
He is a Vietnam veteran, and a highly trained Intelligence Operative.
He is a Vietnam veteran, and a highly trained Intelligence Operative.
Three eyewitnesses to 09/11 - they watched the twin towers hit, they watched the twin towers burn, they watched the twin towers fall. NEVER FORGET!
Pete Mecca speaks with his guest Jack Barsky. Jack grew up believing in Communism. He became a KGB agent and spy for the Soviet Union.
He came to America as our enemy, yet traveled a long road to rejecting Marxism and Communism for the freedom America offered.
Now an American citizen, he is extremely worried by what he sees taking place in America.
Tune-in. You do not want to miss this program.
He came to America as our enemy, yet traveled a long road to rejecting Marxism and Communism for the freedom America offered.
Now an American citizen, he is extremely worried by what he sees taking place in America.
Tune-in. You do not want to miss this program.
Pete Mecca's guests are two young veterans of Afghanistan and one young veteran of Iraq
We will be discussing their service and what the evacuation of Afghanistan means to them.
We will be discussing their service and what the evacuation of Afghanistan means to them.
A Veteran's Story with Pete Mecca
War correspondent Joe Galloway, the "Ernie Pyle" of Vietnam, passed away last week. His best-selling book "We Were Soldiers Once...And Young" told the story of America's first major battle in Vietnam at the I Drang Valley. I knew Joe, we emailed each other often, he was my friend. He also covered the fall of Saigon in 1975.
The fall of Saigon; the fall of Afghanistan.
I will be discussing Joe Galloway, the fall of Saigon, and make poignant comments concerning our pullout in Afghanistan from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran, a patriot, and like you, someone totally pissed.
War correspondent Joe Galloway, the "Ernie Pyle" of Vietnam, passed away last week. His best-selling book "We Were Soldiers Once...And Young" told the story of America's first major battle in Vietnam at the I Drang Valley. I knew Joe, we emailed each other often, he was my friend. He also covered the fall of Saigon in 1975.
The fall of Saigon; the fall of Afghanistan.
I will be discussing Joe Galloway, the fall of Saigon, and make poignant comments concerning our pullout in Afghanistan from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran, a patriot, and like you, someone totally pissed.
Join Pete Mecca for part 2 of his interview with Professor Robert Turner. Bob is an expert on Communism, Marxism, and the radical movements confronting our country today.
He is a Vietnam veteran, highly trained Intelligence Operative, and believes in the good of America without dwelling on the bad of America.
He is a Vietnam veteran, highly trained Intelligence Operative, and believes in the good of America without dwelling on the bad of America.
With Pete Mecca and his guest Professor Robert "Bob" Turner.
Pete's guest is be David Yuzuk, author of The Giant Killer, the story of Captain David Flaherty, the shortest soldier to ever serve in the US Army.
Imagine it's 1942. You're a four year old child in Budapest, Hungary when your father is conscripted into a Jewish labor battalion. You never see your father again. In 1944 they take away your mother. She survives the horrors of a concentration camp but is so weak someone has to bring your mother home in a wheel barrel. You run back into the house because you believe there is no way the flesh and bone human in the wheel barrel could be your mother.
Pete Mecca and his guest, Veteran Steve Snyder discuss his book "Shot Down" - the story of his father being shot down over Europe flying B-17s while assigned to the 8th AF in England with the 306th Bomber Group.
In 1965, the Navy conducted their last pilot training class without a college degree necessary for the cadet. Jim "Nomad" Lawrence was in that class; he was 19 yrs old, already with over 1400 hours behind the controls of civilian aircraft. He soloed at age 16.
Thus began a lifelong career and love of aviation, and war: 432 combat missions in North Vietnam-South Vietnam-Laos. Total combat missions: 608 in Vietnam-Bosnia-Iraq-Afghanistan. In war and peace: 7,700 hours in single-seat fighters.
Total hours to date in aviation: 41,250
You cannot know Pete Mecca's guest's name, but his pseudonym is Tom McIntosh. He flew C-130s in the US Air Force and eventually flew CRJ-900s for Al Mekong in communist Vietnam. He married a Vietnamese woman, but if the Vietnamese communists knew his real name they could make life difficult for his wife's parents.
Pete Mecca's guest is Chieu Le. Chieu Le was born into war, grew up in war, fought in war, shot down four times, and fled war when Saigon fell. Join us for the side of the Vietnam War you have never heard.
Pete's guest is F-8 Fighter Pilot John Laughter. John flew 155 combat missions over North Vietnam.
Pete's guest, Captain Lou Eisenbrandt was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 19 years ago, the result of exposure to Agent Orange while working on injured soldiers in the emergency room at the 91ST Evac Hospital at Chu Lai, Vietnam. God Bless the Angels of Mercy.
From an infantryman in Vietnam to the highest rank for an enlisted man, Command Sergeant Major Bob Dare's thirty year career included First Sergeant of the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) at Arlington, serving in six of the Army's ten divisions and deployment to 28 countries. Leadership, loyalty, love of country.
With host Pete Mecca
With host Pete Mecca
Pete Mecca's special guest is Sue VerHoef, Director of Oral History and Genealogy at the Atlanta History Center. Sue is curator of "More Than Self: Living the Vietnam War", and won an Emmy for her contribution to "37 Weeks: Sherman on the March".
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in Nam, my guest, CH-47 Chinook pilot Glenn Carr will describe the harrowing mission plus much more.
With Pete Mecca
With Pete Mecca
Pete Mecca's guest is Caribou Pilot Alan Gravel. Listen to find out why Alan flew his last mission in Vietnam... Naked.
Join Pete Mecca and his guest, Jeff ‘Bic’ Bickerton for the story of his Otter Reliable 713 in Vietnam, from 1968 to 1969
Pete Mecca's guest, Author Deborah Lindsay, will tell the tale of the history behind barbed wire.
Ted Bolgar's mother and sister were murdered on day one at Auschwitz. He and his father survived the concentration camps and the war.
Join host Pete Mecca and his special guest, 96 year old Holocaust survivor Ted Bolgar. Mr. Bolgar will relate his story of life and death at Auschwitz and Dachau.
Join host Pete Mecca and his special guest, 96 year old Holocaust survivor Ted Bolgar. Mr. Bolgar will relate his story of life and death at Auschwitz and Dachau.
Dan Turner's mom served as a Marine in WWII, his dad was a Navy Seabee, his brother, Michael, served in Vietnam with the Marines. Michael was 'in country' less than a week when he lost his life in the 68' Tet Offensive.
Join host Pete Mecca for a "Home Front" story from a male's perspective.
Join host Pete Mecca for a "Home Front" story from a male's perspective.
Cesar "Rico" Rodriguez downed 2 Migs in Iraq and a 3rd Mig in Yugoslavia.
Join host Pete Mecca for this fascinating interview.
Join host Pete Mecca for this fascinating interview.
Host Pete Mecca's rant on Vietnam and the National Vietnam War Veteran's Day, plus a few political observations
Join host Pete Mecca and his guest Dr. Hal Raper. Dr. Raper will deliver the famous "Date of Infamy" speech to congress as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Dr. Raper will then discuss FDR's personal life and polio affliction. Dr. Raper is also a Vietnam Veteran.
Host Pete Mecca’s special guest is author Jan Slimming. Jan will be discussing her mother's contribution as a code breaker at Bletchley Park during WWII.
Without these ladies, England could have easily lost the war.
Host Pete Mecca's guest is John Butler. John served in vietnam as an Artillery Forward Observer and a Battalion Fire Direction Officer from October of 1970 to October of 1971. Join us to learn about artillery and the men behind the guns.
Host Pete Mecca's guest is Don Moeller, a medic in Vietnam, an oral surgeon in Desert Storm, a collector of military vehicles, and inventor of a recently VA approved device to treat PTSD.
With host Pete Mecca
Host Pete Mecca's guest is U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate Art Katz. Art will relate his service in Vietnam. The Coast Guard story in Vietnam is rarely mentioned nor understood.
I am honored to have Betty Webster Bishop as my guest. She was a 'real' Rosie the Riveter in WWII and worked on P-39 and P-63 fighter aircraft. Betty is a 96 year old bundle of fire and patriotism. A wonderful American and lady.
Nationally known "Rosie the Riveter" personality and entertainer, Carol Cain, will open the program with her "Rosie the riveter song" in a special tribute to my guest, WWII Rosie the riveter Betty Webster Bishop.
Nationally known "Rosie the Riveter" personality and entertainer, Carol Cain, will open the program with her "Rosie the riveter song" in a special tribute to my guest, WWII Rosie the riveter Betty Webster Bishop.
Host Pete Mecca's special guest is Tsalagi (Cherokee) Native American Peter Elizabeth Wolfe, retired Army Major with 27 years in reserves and active reserves, plus recently retired as a detective from the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office. In her closing remarks, she will relate her opinion of 'defunding of the police'.
Host Pete Mecca speaks with his guest, Citadel graduate. Lt. Col. William "Will" Coleman, with over 35 years leading and managing complex Army organizations and logistics teams. Will's strong suite is his leadership capabilities and unbelievable 'motivational' personality. His 'take' on the Citadel is an interesting topic.
With Pete Mecca
With Pete Mecca
Learn about the Citadel and it's graduates.
With host Pete Mecca and his guest Colonel Chris Coley.
With host Pete Mecca and his guest Colonel Chris Coley.
Vietnam: Why? What Were We Doing There? Who is to Blame?
With host Pete Mecca
With host Pete Mecca
The real story of WWII combat pilot and Hollywood star, Jimmy Stewart.
With host Pete Mecca
With host Pete Mecca
From the diary of a WWI veteran
With host Pete Mecca
With host Pete Mecca
With host Pete Mecca
Twin brothers Hilbert and Howard Margol fought side by side across Europe with the 42nd "Rainbow" Division Field Artillery as gunners on 155mm Howitzers and witnessed the horrors of the Dachau concentration camp. Hilbert is my special guest today for A Veteran's Story on America's Web Radio. Join host Pete Mecca and his special guest for this historic and fascinating story on the true cost of freedom.
Host Pete Mecca's guest is Vietnam Veteran Doug Gardner
Host Pete Mecca speaks with his guest Captain Brian Settles
A Veteran's Day Special Show with host Pete Mecca
June, 1968. Jewish Chaplain's assistant Jeff Fienstein lands in Vietnam for a one year tour. Stationed at Long Binh, he would be on one of only five Jewish religious teams serving in Vietnam. From the DMZ in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south, he visited and served in all four corps.
With host Pete Mecca
With host Pete Mecca
Host Pete Mecca's guest is USMC Vietnam Veteran Gary Price.
Merrill's Marauders fought in the thick jungles of Burma behind Japanese lines in WWII. Named the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) - 2,750 went into the jungles, 272 were killed, 955 wounded, and 980 evacuated for illness and disease. Japanese casualties were in the thousands. Most likely the first special forces unit, Vinvent Melillo was one of those brave men. His daughter, Jonnie Melillo Clason, an expert on Merrill's Marauders, is Pete Mecca's special guest.
Host Pete Mecca's gust is Rachel Torrance. Rachel was a Donut dolly in Vietnam.
Listen to this show to learn about the Donut Dollies, and Rachel's incredible story.
Listen to this show to learn about the Donut Dollies, and Rachel's incredible story.
Host Pete Mecca speaks with his special guest, Carol Cain.
Carol has performed as Rosie the Riveter at the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia and other locations throughout the U.S. As Rosie the Riveter, Carol dons coveralls, work boots, and the iconic head scarf to tell the story of women workers on the home front during World War II. For her work as Rosie the Riveter, Carol received the 2013-14 Little White House Carolyn Carter Award for the most outstanding volunteer and the DAR Women in American History Medal. Additionally, the Little White House was recognized for the most innovative program for a Georgia state park in 1996 and again in 2010 for Carol's performance. Carol is a "Rosebud" affiliate member of the American Rosie the Riveter Association and performs annually for the organization and at the group’s 2016 National Convention. In August of 2007, she performed as Rosie for the National Convention of the American Legion Auxiliary in Reno, Nevada and has been featured at events at Fort Benning, GA, World War II Heritage Days, the Atlanta World War II Roundtable, and the Atlanta History Center.
Carol has performed as Rosie the Riveter at the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia and other locations throughout the U.S. As Rosie the Riveter, Carol dons coveralls, work boots, and the iconic head scarf to tell the story of women workers on the home front during World War II. For her work as Rosie the Riveter, Carol received the 2013-14 Little White House Carolyn Carter Award for the most outstanding volunteer and the DAR Women in American History Medal. Additionally, the Little White House was recognized for the most innovative program for a Georgia state park in 1996 and again in 2010 for Carol's performance. Carol is a "Rosebud" affiliate member of the American Rosie the Riveter Association and performs annually for the organization and at the group’s 2016 National Convention. In August of 2007, she performed as Rosie for the National Convention of the American Legion Auxiliary in Reno, Nevada and has been featured at events at Fort Benning, GA, World War II Heritage Days, the Atlanta World War II Roundtable, and the Atlanta History Center.
Host Pete Mecca's Special Event
Guests include:
Paul Grassey, WWII B-24 Combat Bomber Pilot
Scott Loehr, CEO of the Mighty 8th AF-Museum in Savannah Ga.
John O'Neil. Chairman of the Board of the Mighty 8th AF-Museum
Col Brent Brasswell, Army Aviator, Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Iraqi Freedom
Guests include:
Paul Grassey, WWII B-24 Combat Bomber Pilot
Scott Loehr, CEO of the Mighty 8th AF-Museum in Savannah Ga.
John O'Neil. Chairman of the Board of the Mighty 8th AF-Museum
Col Brent Brasswell, Army Aviator, Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Iraqi Freedom
Host Pete Mecca's guest is Vietnam Veteran, Col. Carl "Skip" Bell (Ret).
With host Pete Mecca
Host Pete Mecca and his guest Jeff Johnson, a veteran of the US Navy, discuss the use of the atomic bomb in Japan.
Host Pete Mecca's guest is Lt. Col. Wayne Waddell
Host Pete Mecca speaks with his guest, Brigadier General Steve Blanton.
A graduate of North Georgia College, Steve was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the Army in October of 1970. The young 2nd LT. went on to fly combat in Vietnam and served 31 years in uniform serving his country, retiring on August 28, 2008 as a Brigadier General.
A graduate of North Georgia College, Steve was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the Army in October of 1970. The young 2nd LT. went on to fly combat in Vietnam and served 31 years in uniform serving his country, retiring on August 28, 2008 as a Brigadier General.
With host Pete Mecca and his guest Ms. Zellie Orr, an author, motivational speaker, and a nationally known authority on the Tuskegee Airmen.
With host Pete Mecca
Host Pete Mecca's guest is Jeff Johnson, a veteran of the US Navy, having served four years on US military bases in Japan during the final years of the Cold War.
With host Pete Mecca, and his guest Ray Fordyce
War is not a part-time proposition. It is waged 24/7, 365, relentlessly. Necessarily, this puts tremendous strain and pressure on combatants, particularly if they were aircrews of The Mighty Eighth Air Force.
This is an attempt to describe a day in the life of these heroes, our heroes, these men of The Greatest Generation.
War is not a part-time proposition. It is waged 24/7, 365, relentlessly. Necessarily, this puts tremendous strain and pressure on combatants, particularly if they were aircrews of The Mighty Eighth Air Force.
This is an attempt to describe a day in the life of these heroes, our heroes, these men of The Greatest Generation.
With host Pete Mecca
I don’t care whether you are a man or a woman. When you listen to Col. Blassie on Pete Mecca’s inaugural show, you will be grabbing for the tissue, so listen to the true story of a known KIA buried in Arlington, in a tomb of an unknown soldier.