Talking with Heroes - August 20

This talk show from Fort Wayne will air on the Talking with Heroes regular Sunday night talk show on www.talkingwithheroes.com at 8pm EST. on August 20, 2006. Can't listen live? Remember you can listen to this program ANY time via streaming or download from the site.

It will be Co-Hosted by Fort Wayne’s Emery McClendon with www.armad.net
Emery McClendon who lives in Ft Wayne, Indiana, is the founder of ARMAD / Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day. McClendon, a former Air Force sergeant, served four years on active duty, and two years with the Indiana Air Guard. ARMAD was started in 2004 to show support to our communities and troops during the Memorial Day holiday. ARMAD has been very successful, and grown to worldwide status.

Emery has conducted Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Days, events held in communities Worldwide, that allow the public to communicate with members of the military, veterans, and support groups in a live forum, so that messages of appreciation and thanks can be exchanged. Ham Radio Operators facilitate this by using various radio equipment, computers, and the internet.

ARMAD involves Amateur Radio Operators in communities throughout the USA, and Worldwide. ARMAD invites the people of our communities to come out and show support for our Military members, Veterans, and Retired military with “LIVE” messages of thanks, and appreciation over two way radio

Host Bob Calvert and Co-Host Emery McClendon will interview:

*Tracy Fitzgerald with Operation Tribute to Freedom at the Army Outreach Division in Washington, DC. For more information - www.army.mil/otf
Operation Tribute to Freedom is a Department of the Army program created to recognize and honor Soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle. Just as Soldiers vow to never leave a fallen comrade, OTF’s goal is to never leave a Soldier’s story untold. Working with event organizers, OTF seeks out opportunities to share the stories of these courageous Soldiers through homecoming, speaking and recognition activities.

*Larry Thiele with The American Legion in Ft. Wayne will talk about The American Legion Heroes To Hometown
Larry Thiele was an SGT E-5 in the Army and he served in Vietnam two tours of duty. Larry was also in the 173rd Airborne Brigade from 1966-1968. Larry was a previous Commander of American Legion Post 296 for four years in Ft Wayne, Indiana. He has been a member of the American Legion for 18 years. He is also the 4th District of the American Legion Flag Etiquette Chairman.

Larry will be talking about the American Legion "Heroes to Hometown" program which is a project to help our wounded soldiers. The American Legion is very supportive of our men and women serving our country today. They also support the families of those now serving.

*Three Indiana National Guard Military Personnel courtesy of Operation Tribute to Freedom. They will talk about their experiences while deployed overseas and helping people where they have served.

**SGT Steven A. McCue - Infantry Fire Team Leader, C Company 1-293d Infantry Afghanistan veteran

A five-year Army veteran, Sgt. McCue served in Afghanistan for 11 months with the 1/151st Infantry Regiment, responsible for helping train Afghani Soldiers. After only three months at home, Sgt. McCue deployed with the 1/293rd Infantry to Columbus and Gulfport, Mississippi in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

He is currently a fire team leader for Charlie Company, 1/293rd Infantry with the Indiana National Guard, and resides in Fort Wayne, Ind.

**SFC Michael S. Mullins - Anti-Armor Platoon Sergeant, D Company 1-293d Infantry Afghanistan veteran

A 14-year Army veteran, Sgt. 1st Class Mullins served twice in Afghanistan with Task Force Phoenix III as the Assistant Operations Non-Commissioned Officer and with Company C, 1/87th Infantry of the 10th Mountain Division. His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

He is currently a Platoon Sergeant for Company D, 1/293rd Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Brigade of the Indiana National Guard. He is also pursing a degree in public administration management at Indiana University and completing coursework to become a certified firefighter.

**CPT Douglas C. Rapp - Company Commander, D Company 1-293d Infantry SFOR 11, OIF I, Hurricane Katrina (Vigilant) Relief.

A 22-year Army veteran, Capt. Rapp served in Iraq for 11 months with the 1-293rd Infantry Battalion of the Indiana National Guard. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman’s Badge for outstanding performance in combat operations. He then deployed in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, spending six-weeks conducting security and humanitarian missions throughout coastal Mississippi.

He is currently the Battalion Adjutant and Commander of Delta Company, 1-293rd Infantry Battalion, responsible for the management of five armories and the Battalion’s full-time staff. He resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his wife and two children.