Corporal Oswaldo “Ozzie” Perez: Iraq War Veteran, Fallujah & Marine Corps Service | Living History with Alex

Corporal Oswaldo “Ozzie” Perez: Iraq War Veteran, Fallujah & Marine Corps Service | Living History with Alex

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Corporal Oswaldo “Ozzie” Perez, a United States Marine Corps veteran and Iraq War veteran who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002, just one day after the September 11 attacks. He shares how his family's history—particularly his father’s escape from Cuba and first encounter with a U.S. Marine at Guantanamo Bay—inspired his decision to serve in the Marine Corps. Corporal Perez takes us through his experiences during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, departing for war on his birthday and witnessing history unfold in real time. He discusses his service as a 2171 Electro-Optical Ordnance Repair Technician, maintaining critical systems ranging from night vision devices to advanced weapon systems used by Marines in combat. He also reflects on his second deployment, including the Second Battle of Fallujah, one of the most intense urban battles fought by U.S. forces since Vietnam. With honesty and emotion, he shares how the difficult moments of war became the most memorable and how those experiences shaped his life. Beyond his military service, Corporal Perez talks about his continued commitment to veterans as District Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, carrying forward the organization's motto: “Still Serving.” 🌟 Topics Covered: 🇺🇸 Joining the Marine Corps after September 11, 2001 🇨🇺 His father’s escape from Cuba and the Marine who inspired his family 🦅 Marine Corps boot camp and discovering personal limits ⚔️ The 2003 invasion of Iraq and the road to Baghdad 💥 Serving during the Second Battle of Fallujah 🔧 Working as a 2171 Electro-Optical Ordnance Repair Technician 🎖️ Wearing the Marine Corps Dress Blues and Marine pride 🤝 Leadership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and continuing to serve veterans 💡 Advice for young people and the importance of preserving veterans’ stories If you enjoy real stories of military service, sacrifice, and leadership, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex. 📩 If you know a veteran who should be featured, reach out and help us preserve their stories for future generations. 🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

Corporal Frank Sosa: Desert Storm Marine, TOW Gunner & Tank Battles in Kuwait | Living History with Alex

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Corporal Frank Sosa, a United States Marine Corps veteran who served from 1988 to 1994 and fought during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm as an 0352 Anti-Tank Assault Guided Missileman (TOW Gunner). Corporal Sosa shares his incredible journey from growing up watching World War II movies with his father to earning the title of United States Marine at Parris Island. He explains the pride of becoming a Marine, the brotherhood of the Corps, and what it was like serving in the reserves before being activated for the Gulf War. He gives a firsthand account of breaching Iraqi minefields under enemy fire, navigating through burning oil fields, surviving mortar attacks, and engaging Iraqi T-62 tanks with the TOW missile system. One of the most gripping moments of the episode is his story of destroying an enemy tank from nearly 4,000 meters away, waiting seconds that felt like an eternity as the missile traveled through the desert heat. Corporal Sosa also shares rare photographs and artifacts from Desert Storm, including Iraqi equipment, medals, letters from home, MREs, and his personal challenge coin, offering a powerful look into one of the largest tank battles since World War II. 🌟 Topics Covered: 🦅 Joining the United States Marine Corps in 1988 👣 Boot camp at Parris Island and earning the title of Marine ✈️ The story of the rare Lockheed Constitution aircraft owned by his father 🚀 Training as an 0352 Anti-Tank Assault Guided Missileman (TOW Gunner) 🌍 Activation for Desert Shield and deployment to Saudi Arabia 💥 Breaching minefields and surviving mortar attacks during Desert Storm 🎯 Destroying an Iraqi T-62 tank with a TOW missile from nearly 4,000 meters away 🔥 The burning Kuwaiti oil fields and combat conditions in the desert 🎖️ Combat Action Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and unit commendations 🤝 The lifelong bond between Marines and preserving veterans' stories If you enjoy real stories of combat, military history, and firsthand accounts from veterans who lived through history, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex. 🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

Mr. Terry Thompson: Educator, Mentor & Inspiring Future Generations | Living History with Alex

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Mr. Terry Thompson, Assistant Principal at Royal Palm Elementary School, educator, mentor, and a lifelong advocate for helping young people reach their potential. Mr. Thompson shares his remarkable journey from studying criminal justice and political science with dreams of becoming an attorney to discovering that education and mentoring were truly his calling. He reflects on his family's extraordinary history, including their connection to one of the first schools for Black students in Taylor County, Florida, and explains how teaching and mentoring had always been part of his DNA—even before he realized it himself. Mr. Thompson also shares powerful lessons about leadership, authenticity, the impact of positive role models, and why patience and teaching are often more effective than punishment. Throughout the conversation, he discusses his experiences working in elementary, middle, and high schools, supporting students facing difficult circumstances, and the profound moments that shaped his philosophy as an educator and mentor. One of the most touching moments of the episode is when Alex reflects on how Mr. Thompson's guidance, history lessons, and words of encouragement during fourth grade helped shape his own love for history and personal growth. 🌟 Topics Covered: 📚 Discovering a calling in education and mentoring 🏫 Family history and one of the first schools for Black students in Taylor County, Florida ⚖️ Studying criminal justice and aspiring to become an attorney 👨‍🏫 Life as an assistant principal and working with students of all ages 💡 Leadership, authenticity, and the importance of strong values ❤️ Supporting children through difficult circumstances and trauma 📖 The power of history, mentorship, and lifelong learning 🌟 Inspiring the next generation to pursue their dreams If you enjoy real stories about education, mentorship, leadership, and personal growth, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex. 🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

Ramon Torralba: Firefighter, Investigator & 26 Years of Service | Living History with Alex

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Ramon Torralba, a retired Fire Lieutenant who dedicated more than 26 years of service to his community as a firefighter, paramedic, rescue and suppression officer, fire inspector, fire investigator, aviation fuel safety inspector, and much more. Ramon shares the incredible story of what first inspired him to become a firefighter after witnessing a tragic childhood accident in Miami, and how television shows like Emergency! fueled his passion for the fire service. He opens up about the many obstacles he faced along the way, including severe vision limitations, back surgery, and having to leave fire college before eventually returning years later to finally achieve his dream. Throughout the conversation, Ramon reflects on his long career with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, including responding to major incidents, investigating fires, working in inspections and plan review, and balancing the demands of public service with the importance of family. He also shares emotional stories about teamwork, sacrifice, leadership, and the pride he feels for the men and women he served beside. One of the most powerful moments of the episode is Ramon’s deeply personal story about his father’s journey from Portugal to Cuba, surviving political imprisonment under Castro, and the unwavering love story between his parents that carried through hardship, faith, and sacrifice. 🌟 Topics Covered: 🚒 Becoming a firefighter despite major obstacles 🔥 Fire investigations and emergency response stories 👨‍🚒 Life inside Miami-Dade Fire Rescue ✈️ Responding to the Fine Air plane crash 👓 Overcoming vision requirements and back surgery 👨‍👩‍👦 Why family always came first 🇨🇺 His father’s imprisonment in Cuba and family history 🙏 Faith, perseverance, and leaving a legacy If you enjoy real stories of service, sacrifice, leadership, and perseverance, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex. 🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

Carlos Lopez: FAST Marine, Somalia Deployment & Marine Brotherhood | Living History with Alex

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Carlos Lopez, a United States Marine Corps veteran who served from 1992 to 1996 in the elite Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST Company) as both an infantry rifleman and anti-tank guided missileman. Carlos shares what inspired him to join the Marine Corps at just 17 years old, his intense journey through Marine Corps training, and what it took to earn a position in FAST Company — a highly specialized Marine security force responsible for protecting embassies and responding to high-threat situations around the world. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is Carlos reflecting on his deployment to Mogadishu, Somalia, where he served during the final phase of Operation Continue Hope and was part of the remaining Marine presence after the major withdrawal of U.S. forces. He also explains the camaraderie of the Marines, the lasting brotherhood formed through service, and how those experiences shaped his life long after the military. Beyond his military career, Carlos talks about overcoming PTSD, anxiety, and depression through scuba diving and his volunteer work with Aquanauts Scuba Academy and veteran dive organizations that help veterans heal through underwater therapy. 🌟 Topics Covered: 🦅 Joining the United States Marine Corps at 17 years old ⚔️ Serving in FAST Company (Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team) 🚀 Training as an anti-tank guided missileman using the TOW missile system 🇸🇴 Deployment to Mogadishu, Somalia during Operation Continue Hope 🤝 Brotherhood and camaraderie inside the Marine Corps 🎖️ Marine Corps boot camp and infantry training 🌊 Healing through scuba diving and aquatherapy for veterans 💡 Life advice about learning, communication, and keeping an open mind If you enjoy real stories of military service, resilience, and history, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex. 🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.