Patriot to the Core

Ep 124 | Colleen Shine – The Search for Her Father in Vietnam

[https://www.thadforester.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ep.-124-Colleen-Shine-thumbnail-1024x576.png] In this episode, Colleen Shine, daughter of Air Force Lt. Col. Anthony Shine, shares her decades-long search for answers about her father’s fate after he was shot down and went missing in Vietnam in 1972. At just eight years old, Colleen began a journey that led her from uncertainty and loss to a determined investigation, including traveling to Vietnam to discover her father’s crash site and bringing his remains home in 1996. Colleen reflects on her personal experience as a Gold Star Daughter, the impact of POW/MIA families, and the enduring lessons about honor, family, and the lasting reverberations of war. Colleen is a member of the board on Sons and Daughters in Touch [https://sdit.org/], committed to uniting the Gold Star sons and daughters of American servicemen who were killed, or who remain missing, as a result of the Vietnam War. You can read more about Colleen’s quest to get answers in Vietnam here: What Remains – Winter 2013 – Wellesley College [https://www.thadforester.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/What-Remains-Winter-2013-Wellesley-College.pdf]Download [https://www.thadforester.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/What-Remains-Winter-2013-Wellesley-College.pdf] You can also watch this interview on YouTube here [https://youtu.be/JpCqySDcnc8]. Copyright 2025 Thad Forester http://www.patriottothecore.com [http://www.patriottothecore.com/]email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com [thad@patriottothecore.com]

Ep 123 | Lori Chapman Longfritz | Remembering John Chapman – Left Alone on Takur Ghar: Part 2

[https://www.thadforester.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ep-123-Remembering-John-Chapman-4-1024x576.png] In part 2 of my interview with Lori Chapman Longfritz, sister of Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman, we discuss John’s final moments at the Battle of Takur Ghar in 2002, his courage as an Air Force Combat Controller, and the delayed recognition and non-recognition of his heroism (from who you ask?? The Navy, his SEAL team, National Medal of Honor Museum). Lori shares personal stories about John’s character, his dedication to family, and the lasting legacy he left behind. We also cover the Medal of Honor journey, the National Medal of Honor Museum, and Lori’s new book First There: The Life and Legacy of American Hero John Chapman. Listen to Part 1 here: https://www.thadforester.com/lori-chapman-longfritz-122/ [https://www.thadforester.com/lori-chapman-longfritz-122/] What this video of the First Medal of Honor ever recorded, narrated by fellow CCT [https://youtu.be/3oKMjTqdTYo?si=g1Z3vQ5bG3gugnM6] and co-author of Lori’s first book “Alone at Dawn [https://www.amazon.com/Alone-Dawn-Recipient-Deadliest-Operations/dp/1538729652]“, Dan Schilling. Get Lori’s new book: “First There: The Life and Legacy of American Hero John Chapman [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC3ZGGPM?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0]“. I read it and ask all my listeners to consider getting it–physical copy or e-book. Also mentioned in this episode: Episode 64: Dan Schilling – Alone at Dawn [https://www.thadforester.com/danschilling/] Episode 102: Darrell Utt – National Medal of Honor Bus. Ops. [https://www.thadforester.com/darrellutt/] The outgoing song, “Sons of War Veteran [https://open.spotify.com/track/5iujSF8UmN4VyvWB42UfLa]“, was written by former CCT, and 2-time PTC guest, Dan Schilling [https://www.thadforester.com/danschilling/]. You can also watch this interview on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/F2IUJCZqKP0 Copyright 2025 Thad Forester http://www.patriottothecore.com [http://www.patriottothecore.com/]email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com [thad@patriottothecore.com]

Ep 122 | Lori Chapman Longfritz | Remembering John Chapman – Left Alone on Takur Ghar: Part 1

[https://www.thadforester.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ep-122-Remembering-John-Chapman-1024x576.png] In this episode, I speak with Lori Chapman Longfritz, sister of Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman, about her brother’s remarkable life and ultimate sacrifice. Lori shares personal stories that reveal John’s character, his commitment to family, and his job as an elite Air Force Combat Controller. She also reflects on the events that led to his death during the Battle of Takur Ghar in 2002, the recognition of his heroism, and the lasting legacy he left behind. This heartfelt conversation honors John’s memory while offering an intimate look at the man behind the uniform and the man left to fight and die alone on Takur Ghar. This is Part 1 of our 2 Part interview. In Part 2 we’ll delve into how John saved the lives of his SEAL team and then another 18 members of a quick reaction force (QRF). What this video of the First Medal of Honor ever recorded, narrated by fellow CCT [https://youtu.be/3oKMjTqdTYo?si=g1Z3vQ5bG3gugnM6] and co-author of Lori’s first book “Alone at Dawn [https://www.amazon.com/Alone-Dawn-Recipient-Deadliest-Operations/dp/1538729652]“, Dan Schilling. Read Lori’s new book: “First There: The Life and Legacy of American Hero John Chapman [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC3ZGGPM?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0]“. Enjoy the short subtle outro music, “Sons of War Veteran [https://open.spotify.com/track/5iujSF8UmN4VyvWB42UfLa]“. This song was written by former CCT, and 2-time PTC guest, Dan Schilling [https://www.thadforester.com/danschilling/]. Copyright 2025 Thad Forester http://www.patriottothecore.com [http://www.patriottothecore.com/]email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com [thad@patriottothecore.com]

Ep 121 | Marc Fitzwater – Army JTAC, I68 Consulting Group

[https://www.thadforester.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Ep-121-Marc-Fitzwater-thumbnail-resize-1024x575.jpg] In this episode, I talk with Marc Fitzwater (@i68consultinggroup [https://www.instagram.com/i68consultinggroup/])—former Army Green Beret, JTAC, and teammate of my brother Mark Forester [https://markaforester.com/]. Marc shares what it was like serving alongside Mark in combat, the bonds formed with the guys from ODA 7212, the intense responsibility of calling in air support, and how those experiences shaped his life and leadership. Additionally, he talks about the day Mark and Calvin Harrison were killed on the battlefield in 2010. Now the founder of I68 Consulting Group [https://www.i68consulting.com/], Marc helps empower others, drawing from the same principles that guided him in Special Forces. This episode is a powerful mix of brotherhood, sacrifice, and living a mission-driven life. Related episodes: Ep 60: ODA Team Captain Wes Wilson [https://www.thadforester.com/wes-wilson/] Ep 31: Teammate George Earhart, TACP [https://www.thadforester.com/george-tacp/] Copyright 2025 Thad Forester http://www.patriottothecore.com [http://www.patriottothecore.com/]email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com [thad@patriottothecore.com]

Ep 120 | Col. Derek Oaks – A-10 Warthog and JTACs

[https://thadforester.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ep-120-Derek-Oaks-thumbnail-1024x573.jpg] In this episode, we unpack the legendary role of the A-10 Warthog in the battlespace, the irreplaceable bond between pilots and JTACs, and the critical missions led by Air Force Combat Controllers. Col. Oaks shares insights from his time in the cockpit, what ordnance the A-10 can carry, when a show of force is necessary, and the lasting legacy of my brother SrA Mark Forester, a Combat Controller who gave his life in Afghanistan while Derek’s squadron was deployed. Strap in—this one is loud, low, and lethal (maybe exaggerating a little bit). Topics Covered: * The mission and legacy of the A-10 Warthog * Why Close Air Support (CAS) is about more than just firepower * The intense coordination between A-10 pilots and JTACs (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers) * 70 rounds of 30mm per second * The vital role of Combat Controllers in both air and ground ops * Lessons in leadership, humility, and courage under fire Learn more about Derek Oaks here: Derek Oaks – Decisive Leadership [https://derekoaks.com/home] Derek’s book he co-authored with this dad, Gen. Robert Oaks – “Rising Above” [https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Above-Gaining-Perspective-Confidence/dp/1478793538] Copyright 2025 Thad Forester http://www.patriottothecore.com [http://www.patriottothecore.com/]email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com [thad@patriottothecore.com]