Freedom’s Pulse

Ep. 47 Marine To Double Amputee Police Officer-Matias‘ American Story

This podcast was recorded the week of the American withdrawl from Afghanistan.  You will hear many references to the events.
Matias Ferreira was born in Uruguay.  His parents were able to move the family to the United States for a better life.
Matias remembers the first time he saw a marine in Centennial Park.  The clean, crisp uniform and shiny medals made an impression on the young Matias.
Matias was in seventh grade on September 11, 2001.  He watched the events on television from his classroom.  Matias learned the concept of freedom.
Matias joined the marines after high school graduation.  He went to Parris Island, SC for boot camp.  Matias was over 6 feet tall and 145 pounds dripping wet.
Rigorous training followed boot camp.  Matias called Camp Geiger in N.C. home for a 11/2 months as he attended school of infantry, including a machine gun course.
Matias was assigned to the 1st batallion, 8th marines, 2nd division.  They had a year to train before being deployed to Afghanistan in September 2010.
Matias and his marines landed at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan.  From there they went to their FOB (forward operating base) to patrol or post every day.
Matias' next move was to 7171, a big mountain top to oberserve the Taliban.
On January 21, 2011 the marines marched into a compound, Matias accompanied as part of the observation team.  He went onto a roof top 8 ft up.   Matias jumped from the roof to gather more equipment.  He landed on an unseen IED.  The explosion blew off both of Matias' legs below the knee.
The long road of recovery began:  Bagram Base in Afghanistan for a stabilizing surgery;  a second surgery in Landstuhl, Germany; and a final flight to Walter Reed Hospital.
Matias arrived to America with two amputated legs, a broken pelvis, and a shattered femur.  He stayed at Walter Reed until May 2012.
Six years later, Matias Ferreira became the first below the knee double amputee police officer.  He served on patrol for 11/2 years in Long Island, NY; transferred to midnight hours for 2 years; served on community outreach for 9 months; and now works at the police academy as an instructor.
Matias lives by the motto, "Life without limbs is limitless."  He has scuba dived, ran 1/2 marathons; jumped out of planes, practices jiu jitsu, and enjoys biking with this girlfriend.
You can find Matias on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/matias_n_ferreira/
Facebook: Matias Ferreira
Matias supports the following organizations:
Homes For Our Troops
Semper Fi Fund
Achilles International
 

Ep. 46 ”Proactive, Not Reactive”-Eric‘s American Story

Eric McCants is a police officer in Georgia.  He has gained a large, loyal following on LinkedIn with his positive messages, memes, and quotes.  Officer McCants also uses his platform as a tribute to fallen officers.
In this episode, Eric speaks about his career as a public servant.  We discuss the challenges of his vocation in today's climate including the hostility from a minority in the public towards our blue line.
Eric talks about the "Proactive, not reactive" mentality needed for this line of work; a process that is especially useful for everyone in every day life.  He answers the burning question, "Do cops really love donuts?"  Finally we end with Eric sharing what America means to him.
Eric McCants LinkedIn
 
 

Ep. 45 ”No Quit Gene”-Navy SEAL Jason Redman‘s American Story

Jason grew up in a patriotic family.  He listened to stories of family members who served in the military.  Jason's father was an army paratrooper; his grandfather on this father's side was a highly decorated B-24 pilot who flew over Europe; his grandfather on his mother's side fought for France during World War 2.
This legacy was planted within Jason.  Joining the military was the only thing he ever wanted to do.  At age 14, Jason's father told him about a highly elite, highly secret unit with the toughest training in the military who went to airborne school with him.  They were called the Navy SEALS.  It intrigued Jason. 
Jason did everything within his power to build his physical strength in order to one day become a SEAL.  Although small in size, he played football and wrestled to help him achieve the goal.
Jason enlisted at age 17.  By the time Jason turned 19, he was headed for Navy SEAL training.  BUDS has an attrition rate of 75-80%.  There are approximately 2,400 active SEALS today, and only 12,000 total in American history.  It is a prestigious brotherhood.
Jason was eager to prove himself.  That eagerness turned to confidence, which turned to arrogance.
Jason was sent to school to become an officer.  While enrolled, September 11, 2001 rocked the nation.
After completing school, Jason came back to the SEALs.  What he found was very different.  When Jason began school the U.S. was operating with a peace time military, and he arrived to a war time military.
Tactics were different.  Jason had very little combat experience, and yet he was a leader.  Jason did not handle criticism well.
The perfect storm erupted in Afghanistan.  Jason went against a commanding officer by going into a valley to help in a fire fight.  Jason was sent to army ranger school to cool his jets.
Jason's attitude in ranger school was less than stellar.  He found the training harder than anticipated, but found his footing and a change of attitude.
It took a long time for Jason to earn the trust and respect of his brothers, but he did it with patience and hard work.
On September 13, 2007 Jason and three others walked into a well planned ambush in Iraq.  Jason was traumatically injured:  two rounds in his left elbow nearly took his arm; a round went through his face and exited the right side of his nose; blew out his right cheek bone; blew out his orbital floor; broke all bones above his eye; and shattered his jaw down to his chin.
Jason spent considerable time at Walter Reed hospital, but he did not want people feeling sorry for him.  Jason created a proclamation that now hangs permanently at the wounded ward in Walter Reed.  His proclamation went viral, gaining him a visit with George Bush.
Jason is a highly sought after author and motivational speaker.  Most recently you might have heard his name associated with Task Force Pineapple, an operation airlifting people out of Afghanistan.
And plus, Jason is really cool...
Jason Redman Website
Jason Redman Facebook
Jason Redman Instagram
Concussion Legacy Foundation
Get Head Strong
Gary Sinise Foundation
 
 

Ep. 44 Remembering 9/11-John‘s American Story

John Pontacolone was on his way to work on the morning of September 11, 2001.  John worked for the city of New York.  He was on the sidewalk when the first plane careened overhead and crashed into the World Trade Center.  John and other New Yorkers instinctively crouched onto the ground as the plane screamed past them.
John was an eyewitness to both planes hitting the buildings and the subsequent imposions.
John spent 13+ harrowing hours trying to escape the city.  He saw dead bodies in the East River.  He saw the faces of fear everywhere he looked.
John's story is also a story of miracles, and how things could have been much worse.  
This episode is one for families to hear together.
September 11, 2001, WE WILL NEVER FORGET.
 

Ep. 43 Kimberly Remembers 9/11-Mini Episode

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Kimberly and her husband were preparing to leave on a vacation for the first time as a family of three with their baby girl, Bronwyn.
Their excitement for the trip was abruptly quelled by the events unfolding in New York.  They watched with horror as evil reached American shores.
Twenty years later Kimberly is still emotional recounting the events of the day and the ghastly images she viewed.
Kimberly is thankful for the men and women who protect us every day.  She is proud to be an American....and she will never forget.

Ep. 42 Peggy Remembers 9/11-Mini Episode

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Peggy was on her way to work when she heard news on the radio about a plane hitting the World Trade Center in New York City.
Convinced it must be a terrible accident, Peggy continued to work.  When she reached work, it became evident that this was no accident as word of a second plane hitting the World Trade Center spread through the office.
Peggy and her co-workers spent the day glued to the t.v. They watched in horror as people jumped from the buildings to escape fiery death.  They watched both buildings crumble.  
Twenty years later, these images stay with Peggy.  She will never forget.

Ep. 41 Craig Remembers 9/11-Mini Episode

On September 11, 2001, Craig Gustafson was a crew member on the USS Dallas.  
When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center, Craig had just relieved the watch as the duty chief petty officer.
Craig remembers the sights and smells of that day aboard the submarine.  Twenty years later, he still feels the righteous anger.
Most especially, Craig remembers his daughter's words, "Go find the bad guys."
Craig remembers September 11, 2001.
 
 

Ep. 40 Michelle Remembers 9/11 Mini Episode

Michelle remembers where she was on September 11, 2001.
As a flight attendant, Michelle has a unique take on the horrific events from that day.  
Michelle recounts flying over ground zero only days after the attack; how the area below was lit up like a baseball field with hundreds of workers laboring night and day to search for any survivors.
Michelle's career trajectory was vastly altered because of September 11, 2001.  She loved her work as a flight attendant, but it was unsustainable as that industry was crippled by the after effects.
Take a few moments and listen as Michelle shares her story from September 11, 2001.
We will never forget.
 
 
 

Ep. 39 ”Best Shot in The Marines”-Julia‘s American Story

Julia Watson Carlson was born and raised in Utah.  She is the second of seven children; both parents were school teachers.  Both of Julia's grandfathers served in WW2.
Julia began shooting as a junior in high school in small bore and high power rifles.  This experience introduced Julia to the military shooting community.
Julia attended the National Junior Rifle Competition at age 17.  She also participated in the Marine Corps. Junior Clinic.
Julia enlisted in the Marines through the delayed entry program in February of her senior year in high school.
October 1994, Julia spent 13 weeks at boot camp located in Paris Island, SC.  If frustration began to settle in, Julia concentrated on her ultimate goal; the title of marine.
Julia made her way to Camp Lejeune, NC to begin her career in the enginnering field via heavy equipment.
She earned a spot on the shooting team at Camp Pendleton.
Julia showed her skills with shooting, winning several competitions.  She shot well enough, winning a spot on the 1996 Marine Corps. Summer Team; receiving permanent orders to the Rifle Team for 3 years.
In 2001, Julia married, had two beautiful daughters, and moved back to Utah as a member of the Army Reserves.
In 2006 Julia was deployed to Iraq to support Civil Affairs out of Camp Pendleton.  As public affairs, Julia worked with media and rehabilitating the local area.
Julia's second deployment was Afghanistan where she focused more on helping Afghan women and children.  
Between and after deployments, Julia found time to become the first woman to win the National Shooting Championship.
Julia retired from the Marines in 2016.  She is the mother of 2 daughters; stepmother to 7 children; and grandma to 3 beautiful, little girls.
Today, Julia is the mentor coordinator for the 4th District Veterans Treatment Court.
Doc & Gunny's Facebook Page
Julia Watson Carlson Facebook
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ep. 38 WW2 & Korean War Vet-Bob's American Story

Al Capone, Jack Dempsey, and Colonel Sanders are all part of Bob's American Story.
Robert Bates grew up during the depression.  He remembers going hungry.  His father worked hard to keep a roof over the heads of his wife, son and daughter.
The Bates moved from Wisconsin to California as Bob's dad chased employment.
Bob and his family lived in California when the great earthquake shook Los Angeles on May 31, 1938.
At age 17, Bob's mom gave him permission to join the military and offer his service to the effort of WW2.  Bob enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard with the promise of staying close to American shores.  The promise was not fulfilled as Bob was sent to the Phillipines.
Bob finished his time in the U.S. Coast Guard and returned to civilian life.  He bought his first of many Cadillacs.
The Korean War called brave men to fight, and Bob found himself in the ranks again, this time with the U.S. Army.  He spent part of the war (Bob hates the words police action) in the DMZ.  
Bob does not consider himself a hero; only doing what was expected of him; only as he was commanded.
The Greatest Generation is disappearing every day, and with them goes their stories.  Sit down with a neighbor, a family member, a veteran....learn their stories...and keep their words alive.