American Legion launches new podcast, “Welcome Home,” chronicling the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation’s journey to dedicating a place of honor for all those who served and sacrificed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
The American Legion is proud to introduce “Welcome Home,” the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation’s new weekly podcast series produced by the Tango Alpha Lima podcast.
Guests include foundation CEO Michael Rodriguez, as well as others who are deeply involved in the creation of the memorial.
“I would call the Legion mi familia (my family),” he said in the first episode of the initial six-part season. “This opportunity provided by them — I could never say thank you enough to them. But they've always supported this mission for nearly 10 years that we've been working on this. They've been by our side and we're really honored to have this opportunity to continue our relationship together.”
GWOT foundation Chief of Staff Jennifer Ballou, an Army veteran, hosts the podcast.
“This podcast is for everyone,” she says. “The Global War on Terrorism Memorial that will ultimately be on the National Mall on Washington, D.C., will honor all those who served and sacrificed in GWOT. The American people are a huge part of that story. This podcast is for everybody to learn more about the foundation and our work that will eventually lead to the dedication of that memorial.”
In this episode, Rodriguez talks about:
• Why now for the memorial? “Aside from the fact it is our sacred duty, our shared duty, as citizens to honor and remember those who are willing to step forward, serve and possibly give their lives for us, that's our duty. If you don't do it, who's going to do it in the future? It needs to be done. The sooner we can get this done, the sooner we can impart that value, and the sooner we can start saving lives.”
• The podcast name, Welcome Home. “We’re building a place where you can engage and talk with those who may not know you, or reunite with those who you serve with or to remember those that we've lost. Home is a place of love and that's what we're doing.”
• His hope for the podcast. “I hope for a lot of things. I hope for people to learn. Learn about our nation's greatest asset: the men and women who step forward and serve, and their families. I hope people become engaged. Obviously, I would love to have them there on groundbreaking day and on dedication day, and have them contribute in whatever fashion they can, whether it's time, talent or treasure.”
Each episode of “Welcome Home” is available where you access American Legion Tango Alpha Lima episodes. Visit legion.org/tangoalphalima, or Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast-hosting sites.
- Tango Alpha Lima