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

Filmmaker Sid Holmes joins Untold Valor to discuss The Wait, his powerful documentary chronicling the lives of Vietnam veterans beyond the battlefield. Rather than beginning with combat, Sid explores who these men were before they served, revealing how childhood, military service, and the journey home shaped the rest of their lives. The conversation highlights the importance of preserving veterans' stories, the healing power of sharing difficult experiences, and why no veteran should ever suffer in silence.

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

The Wait – Why Sid created his Vietnam documentary

Vietnam Experience – Following veterans from enlistment through homecoming

Healing Through Storytelling – Why sharing experiences can be therapeutic

From Film to Stage – Turning veteran stories into a live production

Hope & Resources – Encouragement for veterans to seek support

0:00 – Intro

1:19 – Why Sid wanted to tell Vietnam veterans' stories

3:20 –Why the film begins with childhood

9:16 – Veterans opening up through conversation

10:37 – Powerful veteran stories

14:06 – The many different paths that led men to Vietnam

16:30 – Adapting The Wait into a stage play

19:39 – Sid's message to veterans and their families

Sid Holmes

Learn more about Sid HERE

EPISODE LINKS

Check out Sid’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@afamreport/videos

The Weight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_zOZMAf8ec

The Stage Play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo3VIMzNmg8&t=9s

Articles about The Weight:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1keX1Q6MLqv-3SUyOAWOzvSL1rkEOcDHi/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_dh3HkLuX2rtSi906LQKjOsZQ8zhY563/view?usp=sharing

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

In this special "Best of Season 3 – Part 2" episode of Untold Valor, we revisit powerful conversations about leadership, resilience, and finding purpose after military service. Bart Womack shares lessons on embracing change and helping others reach their potential. Jeremy Stalnecker reflects on his Marine Corps experience, personal transition, and the mission behind Mighty Oaks. Dartanyun Wilkins-Harvey discusses the challenges veterans face after service and how helping fellow veterans find employment has become his calling.

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

• The importance of embracing change and understanding the "why"
• Lessons in leadership and accountability
• Finding purpose after military service
• The value of veteran-to-veteran support
• Helping veterans overcome barriers to employment

0:00 - Intro

0:40 - Bart on leadership, change, and accountability

5:12 - Jeremy on military service and Mighty Oaks

10:43 - Dartanyun on transition, employment, and helping veterans succeed

EPISODE LINKS

From Service to Storytelling: CSM Bart Womack’s Story (Part 1)

The Mighty Oaks Foundation: Saving Lives, Restoring Families and Changing Legacies with Jeremy Stalnecker (Part 1)

DVOP: Helping Veterans Find Their Next Step with Dartanyun Wilkins-Harvey

EPISODE 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://bit.ly/3GgKryU

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