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

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))

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 [saluteofva@gmail.com]. We'll handle the rest.

Williams, Doug [Army National Guard]

A Waynesboro police officer. A late start in the Army National Guard. A deployment to Syria. And a life completely transformed by faith. On this episode of Voices of Valor, Zach Hale sits down with Doug Williams to talk about military service, leadership, law enforcement, family, and finding purpose in unexpected places. Doug shares stories from joining the Guard at 29, surviving Basic Training during COVID, deploying across Syria in small teams, and learning leadership the hard way — sometimes from soldiers younger than him. He also opens up about his walk with Christ, the regrets that shaped him, and why he believes service to others is the highest calling. There are laughs. There are powerful moments. And there are truths every veteran, first responder, and family member will understand. If you’ve ever wondered how military service changes a person — this episode answers that question. 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 [saluteofva@gmail.com]. We'll handle the rest.

Martin, Chris [Navy]

Christopher Martin was 17 when college became impossible. At 18, post-9/11, he chose submarines. Five years as a Sonar Technician on the USS Nebraska—seven patrols, listening to the ocean at 500 feet below the surface. The transition home landed him making $100 per glass break detector, then seven years delivering refrigerators. Through the DCMA Keystone Internship Program, Chris finally finds himself inspecting Navy navigation systems at Northrop Grumman, protecting the same submarines he served on, now going on 14 years. And he calls it all luck. Ladies and gentlemen, Christopher Martin: Sonar Technician, Nuclear Deterrence, and the Long Way Home. 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 [saluteofva@gmail.com]. We'll handle the rest. Veteran Employment Resources: * DCMA Keystone Internship Program: https://www.dcma.mil [https://www.dcma.mil] (Careers/Internships) * USA Jobs Federal Employment Portal: https://www.usajobs.gov [https://www.usajobs.gov] * Virginia Department of Veterans Services: https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/ [https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/]

Patrick, Melissa [Army]

Melissa Patrick spent 28 years in Army Intelligence — from being the first woman in an ROTC classroom at VMI in 1975, to earning master parachutist wings while afraid of heights, to leading NATO intelligence in Afghanistan. After retiring as a Colonel, her civilian work analyzing vehicle attacks led directly to the MRAP decision that saved American lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now she runs a VFW district and a charity bike ride that's raised nearly $300K for combat veterans. She almost didn't think she had a story. She was wrong. CONNECT & SUPPORT: 10th Annual Ride — September 12, 2026 (25th Anniversary of 9/11) Valley Veterans Ride for Heroes: https://valleyvetsrideforheroes.com/ [https://valleyvetsrideforheroes.com/] Valley Veterans Ride for Heroes (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/ValleyVeteransRideForHeroes [https://www.facebook.com/ValleyVeteransRideForHeroes] Valley Veterans Ride for Heroes (Email): valleyveteransride@gmail.com [valleyveteransride@gmail.com] Boulder Crest Foundation: https://bouldercrest.org/ [https://bouldercrest.org/] Goal: $50,000 for combat veterans dealing with PTSD SALUTE of Virginia 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 [saluteofva@gmail.com]If this episode moved you, please leave a rating and review — it helps other listeners find these stories. Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/15536490/join [https://www.patreon.com/15536490/join] CREDITS:Hosted by John Fairbanks and Zach HaleA production of SALUTE of Virginia (501(c)(3))