American Warriors

Part 1 of 2 Growing up in a broken home caused Ben to put up walls around his heart. When repeated sports injuries ruined his chances of a college scholarship, he joined the Marines. The training he received hardened him further and he was ready for war, but the daily stress and grim realities of war took an even greater toll on his soul. Through an unexpected turn of events, the help he needed to restore his marriage and soul found him. www.americanwarriors.com

After a stint in the Marine Corps as an aviator Derek found himself on the frontlines of MARSOC as a newly minted JTAC. His battle become the frontlines of war against Taliban leadership and the IED trainers. His aviation background suited the ground warfare dynamics. After 20 years of service he retired from the Marine Corps and dedicated his service to a new mission, Project Recover. He has since become president of the organization that has repatriated MIA soldiers from around the world. His missions take him deep into mangrove jungles and the depths of the sea. His story spans the spectrum of dedication and service to country and others. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA #americanwarriors #veterans #army

After a stint in the Marine Corps as an aviator Derek found himself on the frontlines of MARSOC as a newly minted JTAC. His battle become the frontlines of war against Taliban leadership and the IED trainers. His aviation background suited the ground warfare dynamics. After 20 years of service he retired from the Marine Corps and dedicated his service to a new mission, Project Recover. He has since become president of the organization that has repatriated MIA soldiers from around the world. His missions take him deep into mangrove jungles and the depths of the sea. His story spans the spectrum of dedication and service to country and others.

Derek started life without a rudder or sail. A tragedy at age 13 left him yearning to find meaning - a pursuit into the Marine Corps filled that void. His career spanned multiple conflicts and MOS's but for Derek the meaning of serving his country was utilizing his best talents on the battlefield. In part 1 of his story we hear about his early years in the Marine Corps as an enlisted Communicator, his journey to commissioned officer, and his time in the F-18 Hornet throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is his story.

Derek Abbey strived to be the best Marine he could be. That attitude and strive for the next best thing took him to the frontlines of America's rmost ecent wars. His full story airs this Thursday at 8am PST.

She never had any plans of joining the military, but when Lisa's father urged her to pursue an Army nursing scholarship to help their family, she found herself on a course she never expected but which she described as "the best decision of my life." www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA #americanwarriors #veterans #army

Michigan-born Amanda Allen is a self-described adrenaline junkie. The fire department wasn't enough so she joined the Army. Even though she wanted to be in the infantry and join the Rangers, as a female, she wasn't allowed so the next closest option was Military Police. When she deployed to the middle east, she found that while being a female in the military is already hard, being a female in the military in Afghanistan is even harder. Fortunately her natural grit and fighting spirit served her well. This is her story. Full episode: https://youtu.be/hDV0yG9LieA

Michigan-born Amanda Allen is a self-described adrenaline junkie. The fire department wasn't enough so she joined the Army. Even though she wanted to be in the infantry and join the Rangers, as a female, she wasn't allowed so the next closest option was Military Police. When she deployed to the middle east, she found that while being a female in the military is already hard, being a female in the military in Afghanistan is even harder. Fortunately her natural grit and fighting spirit served her well. This is her story.

FULL LENGTH EPISODE: https://youtu.be/3nqJ64QQo48 She never had any plans of joining the military, but when Lisa's father urged her to pursue an Army nursing scholarship to help their family, she found herself on a course she never expected but which she described as "the best decision of my life." www.americanwarriors.com

Dennis enlisted in the Army when he realized his student deferment was no good. The recruiter looked at his paperwork - his educational background in Biology and Kinesiology stood out - so he stamped his documents and Dennis went to Combat Medic school. When Dennis went to Vietnam he served his fellow soldiers, bravely pulling them from the battlefields and later picking them up as a Medavac medic. His actions would receive many awards including the Silver Star. Dedicating his life to service, Dennis continues to do so with the VFW. He says, "whether the battlefields of Vietnam or here at home with the VFW, serving fellow veterans and the community is what I do."

The stories behind his Silver and Bronze stars are full of valor and bravery. In the jungles of Vietnam, Dennis selflessly served his fellow soldiers while facing overwhelming odds.

Vietnam was a land far away - a distant thought in his mind before a draft notice on the mantel brought reality rushing to him. He frantically joined the Navy in hopes of being a pilot but fate and a disdain for motion lead him to military intelligence and the fields of Vietnam as a Naval Intelligence Liaison Officer. He dealt in the covert operations of paid informants and scoured the landscape from the sky. Ultimately his service was what he described as, "fulfilling, even enjoyable at times." He would go on to serve another 20 years and ultimately retire from the Navy. This is his story.

On March 17, 2023, AW Directors Bradley Lanphear & Cody Rheault joined a one-hour slot of a 24 hour livestream marathon hosted by military content platform ParadeDeck and sponsored by Stars and Stripes. Bradley & Cody discussed the vision and process of creating the American Warriors series and interviewed a few of the past featured veterans from the channel.

Vietnam was a land far away - a distant thought in his mind before a draft notice on the mantel brought reality rushing to him.

A tour to Vietnam introduced Keith to the Psy Op flights dropping leaflets over Vietnam. A second tour saw more direct action when he flew close air support missions in the F4 Phantom. Probing China and North Korean coasts to test their RADAR limits are among his more provocative experiences.

With two tours in Vietnam, in a variety of aviator roles, Keith's aviation career spanned continents with stories to spare. Bombing runs in the F4 Phantom were his most direct-contact involvement, and his brief time in the CH-47 helicopter taught him respect for this fellow aviators traveling low and slow. Ultimately his career was a success, something he didn't realize until reflecting on it long after. He had a 10-year stint with Lockheed Martin, first building Landing Ship Docks (LSD) then transferring to California where he managed quality assurance for the Hubble Space Telescope program. After retiring he called Central Oregon home and has since become an avid, and decorated, runner. This is his story.

American Warriors is a non-profit documentary series honoring the service of veterans from all eras and branches of the US Military. We focus on telling the stories of individuals, not politics. Visit our website: www.americanwarriors.com

Keith served two tours in Vietnam in a variety of roles. But his bombing runs in the F4 Phantom were some of the most daring.

In college, a young Keith Sime fell in love. But not with a woman, instead with the allure of Naval aviation. After graduating Naval ROTC at Oregon State University, he joined the Marine Corps for a quicker transition into the pilot training pipeline. His first deployments were in electronic countermeasure aircraft - radar jamming and photographic tools in the sky. A tour to Vietnam introduced him to the Psy Op flights where he co-piloted and dropped leaflets over Vietnam. A second tour saw more direct action when he flew close air support missions in the F4 Phantom. His career spanned 20 years, a variety of aircraft, and when he left the service he never stopped moving. Keith is also a highly decorated runner. His wall of medals proves his effort. This is his story.

War was something distant on a far away land for Keith Sime. But when he graduated college he realized flying military airplanes would be a rewarding career. He deployed 3 times, flying a variety of aircraft in a number of conlicts.

When he joined the Army shortly after the end of Vietnam, Cliff Brumels never thought he'd be sent to a large scale conflict. After serving for more than a decade in a time of relative peace, he found himself on the ground in Iraq. Now, more than 30 years later, he is still haunted by the things he experienced during the 3 days of Desert Storm. This is his story. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA

In 1968 Gary Stormer was drafted. Serving his country wasn't an option, but in what capacity took him by surprise. He studied Vietnam knowing that the Army would take him there. His early days in the country were with Military Intelligence, plotting maps and troop involvement throughout the country. When that unit dissolved he transferred to Long Range Recon Patrol, or LRRP for short. Harrowing close calls and stories of NVA special forces tracking his 5-man team quickly followed. After the army came a career as a Washington DC police officer during the 1971 riots. Gary has a story-filled life. This is his stroy.

During combat, Dave Thomason suffered many concussions over years. Repeated head injuries took a serious toll and forced him to leave a job he loved. After years of uncertain future, he found what seemed a miracle treatment for brain injury. "It gave me my life back." He said. His own recovery gave him a new sense of purpose in life and he became certified to use the same treatment to help others. Today, his mission is to help vets heal from the effects of PTSD anxiety, TBI (traumatic brain injury) and other related head injuries. www.americanwarriors.com For more information about IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback Therapy visit: www.va.gov www.anamcaratexas.com www.campvtyler.org Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA

Dave Thomason suffered numerous concussions over many years. The repeated head injuries took a serious toll on his cognitive ability and even forced him to retire from a job he loved. After a few years of facing an uncertain future, he found a new and effective treatment for brain injury. "It gave me my life back." He said. His own recovery gave him a new sense of purpose in life and he got certified and licensed to use the same treatment to help others. Today, his mission is to help vets heal from the effects of PTSD anxiety, TBI and other related head injuries.

He told his father that he was tired of school and he wanted to join the Marines. Dave Thomason joined in 1973 thinking that he would probably be sent to Vietnam. However, during basic training, his aptitude for technical skills set him apart from the crowd and he was offered a very different and unexpected career path. He then spent 20 years working in the highly classified field of Electronics Intelligence. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA