Today we’re honoring Memorial Day with a tribute to 1st Lt Nainoa Hoe, a Hawaiian soldier who became an inspiring Army Officer bravely leading his men in Mosul, Iraq.

But his story begins with an American family who, like many Hawaiians, bravely serve in the military for generations.

His father Allen Hoe, a former Army combat medic in Vietnam, begins this incredible tribute with memories of his service in Vietnam during the late 1960s.

Hoe eventually returned to his native Hawaii and settled into family life raising two wonderful sons. He shares how they were inspired by visits from Dad's Vietnam buddies and stories from their deployments.

In a touching comparison to his own combat experiences, Hoe shares how his brave son, 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe was killed during combat Operation Iraqi Freedom, the deep impact he had on his men and how his legacy lives on today.

Watch Allen Hoe and the story of 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe during the National Memorial Day Concert

Sunday May 26, 2024 8p on PBS

https://www.pbs.org/show/national-memorial-day-concert/

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Today we’re talking with Tim Jensen, Marine Corps combat vet and outspoken leader of “Grunt Style” apparel. Grunt Style T-shirts are loved by military vets and easy to spot with the infantry battle flag and crossed rifles on the sleeves. Jensen shared how this multi-million-dollar apparel company started with the founder selling shirts out of his car.

More than just apparel with massive veteran appeal, Grunt Style often steps up and becomes a loud voice supporting important veteran causes. (Like investing several years fighting Congress to pass Toxic Exposure legislation.) Jensen shared more on their latest cause- calling out the city of Chicago (and Marine Corps) for closing a Marine Corps monument in front of a building that has become housing for immigrants.

Jensen also shared strong feelings about VA managed veteran health care and a lack of transparency on the heavy amounts of prescription meds they still doll out to vets. We also hear how the Grunt Style Foundation is giving vets access to alternative treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which the VA still refuses to utilize for treatment of TBI, PTSD, etc.

We also discussed some of the hilarious shirt designs just released for Summer. Jensen, the "1st Sgt of Fashion" explains how GS shirts are more than just patriotic, but they actually help build a community among vets, patriots and anyone who loves whiskey, bacon and freedom!

Check out Grunt Style apparel and the Grunt Style Foundation here:

https://www.gruntstyle.com

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host and Navy vet, Phil Briggs

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Today we’re talking with the founder of Go Daddy dot com, PXG Golf clubs and Marine Corps combat veteran Bob Parsons about his new book, “Fire in The Hole! The Untold Story of my Traumatic Life and Explosive Success”.

While he is best known for being an icon of the Internet age, in the late 1960’s he was a tough kid from Baltimore, who fought for his life in Vietnam. Parsons shares vivid (and at times hilarious) stories from his days on "Hill 190" in Vietnam.

Later, Parsons tracks his career through the early 1980’s when he was an accountant and self-taught computer programmer, who eventually earned a small fortune by selling a computer software program he wrote from his small home-based business.

He also describes the early days of his Internet domain name company, and the events that would change his life, and the Internet, forever. Parsons offers details about the tumultuous journey building GoDaddy dot com, the dot Com bust of the early 2000’s and the path that would eventually make him a billionaire.

Through it all, Parsons maintains "everything I've ever accomplished, I owe to the Marine Corps."

Check out his exciting new memoir, "Fire in Hole: The Untold Story of my Traumatic Life and Explosive Success"

https://bobparsons.com/fire-in-the-hole/

Launches May 7, 2024

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host and Navy vet, Phil Briggs

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On Monday Apr 22 we remembered the anniversary of the death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan. A unique Ranger in that he left a pro football career with The NFL’s Phoenix Cardinals to join the Army shortly after 9/11, along with his brother.

On the evening of April 22, 2004, Pat’s unit was ambushed as it traveled through the rugged, canyon terrain of eastern Afghanistan. His heroic efforts to provide cover for fellow soldiers led to his tragic death.

Today we’re not only honoring his memory, but also hearing how his incredible legacy lives on through the Pat Tillman Foundation. We’re joined by Tillman Foundation CEO Dr. Katherine Steele, and scholar recipient, Army veteran Maj. Bernard Toney Jr.

Steele shares unique memories of Pat and how the Tillman Foundation grew from donations to his alma mater Arizona State University to helping elite veteran students complete college and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Army veteran Bernard Toney Jr. shares how he went from the Special Forces community (serving in the same area as Tillman, just 4 months after his death) to serving in The White House. And, how he hopes his impact in Public Health can improve the lives of Americans from all socio-economic backgrounds.

See more about The Pat Tillman Foundation here:

https://pattillmanfoundation.org/

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

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Army veteran and Senior Tech recruiter Norm Workman describes the urgent need for cyber warriors at Intelligent Waves, secure IT solutions company. He shares the qualifications they’re looking for and the certifications veterans need right now.

Check out careers at Intelligent Waves here:

https://intelligentwaves.com

Reach Army veteran Norm Workman here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/normworkman/

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

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This week we’re talking with Molly Brooks and retired Coast Guard Officer Sean Hagerty from the veteran support organization Hero’s Bridge. They work to help aging veterans find affordable housing, healthcare, and even coordinate rides to and from appointments. Their recent attempt to build a village of small homes for veterans on the grounds of a church in Warrenton, VA sounded like a simple request.

But when they announced their project, they were met with fierce opposition and zoning red tape.

Brooks and Hagerty describe the negative reactions many residents had to building homes for low-income elderly veterans in their neighborhood. They were especially surprised to see that some of the residents in opposition were also veterans themselves.

They also shared more about the work of Hero’s Bridge and how they will continue fighting to build the village.

See more about Hero's Bridge and their plans for the village here:

https://herosbridge.org/

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

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Nick Lambie found success in auto detailing and restoration by opening a "Ziebart" franchise in Morgantown, West Virginia. But before he took the brave step into business, he was an Air Force Master Sergeant who helped protect the skies above combat zones and the Super Bowl.

Lambie shares more about his Air Force career and his time at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). He also shares his thoughts on rogue Chinese weather balloons.

Lambie shares more about his Ziebart franchise, what it takes to open a successful franchise, how to hire a great team, and the key factors to being a successful boss.

See Nick's Ziebart franchise here:

https://www.ziebart.com/find-my-ziebart/location/wv90-wv-morgantown

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

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Matt Baker is the voice of TV promos, national commercials and Discovery Network's thrilling "Shark Week". But, before he was a celebrity voice actor, he was an enlisted Marine.

We talked with him about his unlikely entrance into the world of celebrity voice over, his work on Shark Week and the art of making a script come to life.

We also hear how his love of reading (while on Navy ships as a Marine) inspired him to become an author. Baker shares details from his latest novel "Strange Circles". It's a crime thriller with a supernatural twist featuring an ex-Force Recon Marine turned detective, who searches for a killer and ultimately must stop a bomb plot in Washington DC.

Baker shares some interesting details about his writing process and what it's like living in the nation's Capitol.

Check out the killer new book "Strange Circles" here

More about celebrity voice actor Matt Baker here:

https://www.mattspeaking.com/home/

Or follow him @BigBaldVO

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

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