Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

The Global War on Terrorism Memorial will reflect the voices, unique experiences and war stories of those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.  Marine Corps combat veteran Elliot Ackerman, the co-chairman of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation’s Design Advisory Council, is helping to collect the voices that will be used to represent all those who served, sacrificed and contributed to the GWOT. He is the author of a half-dozen books, including “The Fifth Act: America’s End in Afghanistan.” This episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, is the third in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion. It focuses on the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C., that will serve as a special place of honor and remembrance.

Traditional prosthetic care can be labor and time-intensive, difficult to scale to all VA facilities, and challenging for some veterans to access. However, the Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning is making progress in digital prosthetics. Digital innovation, AI and other technologies are allowing VA to deliver prosthetic devices to disabled veterans sooner so they can play video games, feed themselves, play sports like golf and pickleball, and more. Learn more in this week’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast. Other topics in this episode include changes the Pentagon is making to MREs, Chuck Yeager’s historic supersonic flight and a Vietnam veteran’s journey back to school. The American Legion is proud to be an Associate Sponsor of Army-Navy Game presented by USAA [https://www.legion.org/about/organization/national-alliances/army-navy-game] https://www.innovation.va.gov/hil/home.html Dr. Ripley discusses development of 3D-printed medical devices [https://youtu.be/hw5quUs_FVQ?si=3cDfIfDQ_VisPtTA ] Join the USA 250 Challenge [https://www.legion.org/get-involved/community-programs/usa250/challenge] 81-year old Vietnam War veteran graduations from Bristol College [https://www.legiontown.org/gibill/14574/vietnam-veteran-post-303-graduates-bristol-community-college-testament-lifelong ] Ron Cabral graduation video [https://youtu.be/Rz6tI4uUzD8?si=Ojff7Wjp7IRL-aV6 ] New MRE options coming soon [https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-09-23/new-mre-options-arriving-soon-19193141.html?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru ] Celebrating Chuck Yeager's supersonic flight [https://www.onthisday.com/people/chuck-yeager]

The design for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial will incorporate the stories of those most closely affected including veterans, their families, Gold Star Families and other military members. Kengo Kuma, who was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People, and Balázs Bognár from Kengo Kuma and Associates are the lead designers in the memorial to honor and memorialize GWOT veterans. They explain the design process, their vision and more for the project that will result in the memorial dedication in Washington, D.C. This episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, is the second in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion.

Former Army 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper Doug Evans has landed on a niche for affordable health and wellness. After losing both parents and witnessing his aunt's double amputation due to preventable disease, Evans had his "come to cucumber moment" and transformed his life through nutrition. Now the founder and CEO of The Sprouting Company and bestselling author of The Sprout Book, Evans reveals how anyone can grow the most nutrient-dense food on the planet right in their kitchen — for under a dollar per serving. Learn how sprouting works, why sprouts are up to 100 times more nutrient-dense than regular vegetables, and how this ancient practice is helping modern families eat fresh, healthy food without soil, sunshine, or fertilizer.  Other topics in this episode include the Army-Navy Game, PBS “After Action,” the Department of Defense or Department of War, and more. The American Legion and the Army Navy Game [https://www.legion.org/about/organization/national-alliances/army-navy-game] The Sprouting Company [https://www.thesproutingcompany.com/] The Sprout Book [https://sproutman.com/products/the-sprout-book-doug-evans?variant=35203822059680] After Action on PBS [https://www.pbs.org/show/after-action/] After Action Website [https://www.afteractionshow.org/] History of the Department of War [https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/military-history/2025/09/17/why-truman-changed-the-war-department-to-the-department-of-defense/?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru] Legion Rider writes song about ALR [https://www.legiontown.org/riders/14608/southern-virginia-american-legion-riders-post-284-member-records-song-about-alr] Ride with the Wind by Dick Cole [https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=JrrdIIA3rDY&list=OLAK5uy_kw_AFSDWk_Rk_ACUE1PXDwr4aycBGB8ME]

The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is on a journey to dedicate a place of honor and remembrance for all service members and military families who served and sacrificed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Former Army Green Beret and foundation CEO Michael Rodriguez shares his vision for the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C.; how it is a “sacred duty” and more. This episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, is the first in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion.