Season four of Untold Valor introduced listeners to veterans whose service continued long after they left the military. Their experiences reveal how grief, leadership, faith, family, advocacy, and storytelling can shape a new mission after life in uniform. This special retrospective revisits three conversations that reflect the many different ways veterans continue serving their communities and fellow military families.

In part one of this best of show, Matt Cahill explains how personal loss inspired the Green Star Families of America and a national effort to recognize families affected by veteran suicide. KC Drayton reflects on four generations of military service, his Marine Corps experience, and the importance of identifying your priorities when transitioning into civilian life. David Kelly also shares how his work documenting nearly 200 Marines and sailors in Iraq grew into a series of books preserving their firsthand stories for future generations.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Green Star: Recognizing families affected by veteran suicide
• New Mission: Personal loss can inspire meaningful advocacy
• Continued Service: Military values can guide civilian life
• Life Priorities: Faith and family shape major decisions
• Preserving History: Firsthand accounts keep service stories alive

0:00 – Intro

0:40 – Matt on Green Star Families

5:46 – KC on Military Service

13:13 – David on Recording Veterans’ Stories

EPISODE LINKS

Green Star Families of America: Honoring Families of Veterans Lost to Suicide with Matt Cahill

A Life Committed To Serving with Kevin (KC) Drayton

Preserving Veteran Stories with Lt. Col. David Kelly

MORE RESOURCES

Need immediate help? Contact the Veterans Crisis Line via phone, text or online chat. Dial 988 then Press 1 or text 838255 or use the online chat at https://bit.ly/3OunXzg

Voice & Vision: https://bit.ly/3miwFoy

CompeerCORPS: https://compeerfriends.org/compeercorps

Be a Volunteer for CompeerCORPS: Voice and Vision, Inc | CompeerCORPS Volunteer Application

Be a Peer for CompeerCORPS: Voice and Vision, Inc | Compeer & CompeerCORPS Referral Application

Information on how to apply for VA Healthcare Benefits from anywhere in the USA: https://bit.ly/40PtrrN or call 877-222-8387 (M-F 8am-8pm EST)

To apply for veteran’s benefits and find resources in Pennsylvania veterans need to contact their County Office of Veterans Affairs as listed in this document: https://bit.ly/3m8PBWS

View more about PA’s resources for veterans: https://bit.ly/416cf0Q