Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia

About Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia

Veteran Story Hour is dedicated to preserving the stories and voices of the men and women who have served our nation. Recorded weekly in partnership with SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, VA, this podcast is creating a living history, one veteran at a time. Through authentic, heartfelt conversations, veterans share their unique experiences, memories, lessons, and perspectives—capturing voices that future generations can cherish and learn from. Because every voice matters, every story counts, and history is best told by those who lived it.

Publisher

Shenandoah Valley Story Network

Category

history

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Apr 2025

Latest episode

14 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Aug 2026

   More Than a Bike Ride: Ten Years of the Valley Veterans Ride for Heroes

   Ten years ago, a group of veterans who didn’t ride bicycles decided that a bicycle ride might be exactly what could bring VFW posts from across the central Shenandoah Valley together. What began with approximately 45 riders and $8,500 raised in its first year has grown into the Valley Veterans Ride for Heroes—a regional tradition that has now donated more than $300,000 to Boulder Crest Foundation. Melissa Patrick returns to Veteran Story Hour alongside Raymond Carrier, commander of Verona VFW Post 10826 and a longtime member of the ride’s planning committee. Together, they explain how veterans built the original event in only three months, how area VFW posts continue working together to make it possible, and why supporting Boulder Crest became the mission behind the miles. This is also far more than an ordinary bicycle ride. The course includes veteran-operated rest stops, living-history displays, military memorabilia, challenge coins, patriotic opening ceremonies, and opportunities for civilian riders to slow down and spend time with the veterans who make the event possible. Melissa and Raymond also discuss Boulder Crest’s focus on Posttraumatic Growth and its training-based, peer-supported programs offered at no cost to participating veterans, service members, first responders, and their families. The tenth-anniversary Valley Veterans Ride for Heroes takes place September 12, 2026, at Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery in Raphine, Virginia. Ride, sponsor, donate, or learn more at: https://www.valleyvetsride4heroes.com/ (https://www.valleyvetsride4heroes.com/) Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia.

2. 

   28 Jun 2026

   Parker, Jason - Game Master for Game Corps by T4T [Army & Navy]

   This week on Veteran Story Hour, Jason Parker joins us from inside the Game Corps Bunker at Tech for Troops in Richmond, Virginia. And yes, there is a dog snoring nearby, because even mental health missions need a mascot. Jason’s story moves from Navy deployments and addiction recovery to suicide survival, gaming, purpose, and building spaces where veterans can reconnect before crisis hits. Game Corps’s mission is simple, impossible, and absolutely worth chasing - reduce veteran suicide to zero. This episode is about video games, but not really. It is about connection. It is about giving veterans a place to show up as they are. It is about Batman comics, Xbox controllers, dark humor, and the belief that sometimes the first step out of isolation is a Discord server, a controller, and somebody asking, “You good?” CONNECT & SUPPORT: Tech for Troops: ⁠https://techfortroops.org/⁠ (https://techfortroops.org/) Game Corps: https://techfortroops.org/game-corps-by-t4t/ (https://techfortroops.org/game-corps-by-t4t/) Follow Game Corps on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/GameC0rps (https://www.twitch.tv/GameC0rps) Join Game Corps on Discord: https://discord.com/invite/V68RQFM8t7 (https://discord.com/invite/V68RQFM8t7) Website: ⁠https://saluteofvirginia.org/⁠ (https://saluteofvirginia.org/) Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: ⁠https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/give⁠ (https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/give) Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/) Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/) Nominate a veteran to be interviewed: saluteofva@gmail.com If this episode moved you, please leave a rating and review — it helps other listeners find these stories. CREDITS: Hosted by John Fairbanks and Zach Hale A production of SALUTE of Virginia (501(c)(3))

3. 

   14 Jun 2026

   Thompson, Tom [Vietnam - Army & Air Force]

   In this episode of Veteran Story Hour, Zach Hale sits down with Tom Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, Air Force medic, and lifelong witness to the human cost of war. Tom begins with his early military service in the Army before joining the Air Force in search of real medical work. That path eventually took him to Vietnam, where he served at Bien Hoa and became part of a generation asked to carry out impossible duties under impossible circumstances. He recalls the explosion at Bien Hoa Air Base, medevac missions, treating Vietnamese civilians and children, working with leprosy and battlefield trauma, and the haunting moments that have stayed with him for the rest of his life. A central part of Tom’s story is his connection to William H. Pitsenbarger, the Air Force pararescueman who gave his life while helping save wounded soldiers and who was later awarded the Medal of Honor. Tom reflects on Pitsenbarger’s courage, the decades-long fight to see his actions properly recognized, and the importance of keeping his memory alive. This conversation also addresses PTSD, survivor guilt, the burden carried by medics, and the quiet work veterans continue to do for one another long after their service ends. Tom speaks with honesty about the memories that return, the wounds that remain, and the people who helped him keep going. This is a difficult but important episode, one rooted in service, sacrifice, memory, and the responsibility to listen. CONNECT & SUPPORT Support the Mission: Website: ⁠⁠https://saluteofvirginia.org/⁠⁠ (https://saluteofvirginia.org/) Donate to SALUTE of Virginia: ⁠⁠https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/give⁠⁠ (https://subsplash.com/u/-5QRKRR/give) Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/share/167A3VpMJu/) Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/saluteofva/) Nominate a Veteran:Know a veteran with a story? Send us their name and a brief reason why at ⁠⁠saluteofva@gmail.com⁠⁠ (mailto:saluteofva@gmail.com). We'll handle the rest.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.