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PODCAST

Operation Insight

The Mid America Veterans Museum

Every Veteran Has a Story, They Can Share It Here Brought to you by the Mid America Veterans Museum in O’Fallon, Missouri, this podcast facilitates stories of service and sacrifice as told by veterans. Marvel as military history is brought to life through firsthand accounts and insightful conversations. Operation Insight delivers compelling interviews with servicemembers both past and present, veteran advocates, and friends of our museum who remain dedicated to preserving the legacy of our

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All Episodes

109:07

Memorial Day 2026 w/Gold Star Father Mark Schmitz

Operation Insight ·

2026/05/25

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Gold Star Father Mark Schmitz, whose son, Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, was killed in the Abbey Gate Bombing on August 26th, 2021. Monday, May 25th, marks this year's Memorial Day. Americans all across this great nation will commemorate loved ones lost in service to our country and honor their sacrifices. This Memorial Day, we remember one such hero: LCpl Jared Schmitz. Gold Star Father Mark Schmitz shares the story of his son, from memories of Jared as a

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105:00

Airman First Class Art Minor

Operation Insight ·

2026/05/24

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Airman First Class Art Minor of the U.S. Air Force! For as much time as Art spent in and around airports, one might think he would seek out a career in Aviation. In fact, Art did decide to join the Air Force, perhaps as a way to finally realize that dream. But no. In fact, Art would have even less to do with Aviation as an Airman than he had as a civilian. Despite that, Art made the most out of his military career, except for the part about getting out three

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156:07

Master Sergeant Rebecca Tallman - Veterans Community...

Operation Insight ·

2026/05/10

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Master Sergeant Rebecca Tallman of the U.S. Air Force and Traveling Executive Director of the Veterans Community Project!In this episode, Rebecca guides us through the places that formed her: El Sobrante and San Pablo, a childhood threaded with family military service and the sudden loss of a beloved brother, and the poor choices that drove a young woman to seek belonging. That need for acceptance was the seed that later blossomed into service, discipline,

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128:06

Sergeant First Class Diane Cole Phipps

Operation Insight ·

2026/04/26

Join us, Operation Insight, as we host Sergeant First Class Diane Cole Phipps of the U.S. Army!From Ashes to Archives: Diane Phipps’ Record-Driven Journey In this episode, Sergeant First Class Diane Cole Phipps takes us on a journey through family, service, and a career that sat at the intersection of history and humanity. Born and raised in St. Louis with a Southern family legacy, Diane’s story begins amid motorcycles, hard work, and a household where the rules were clear: you earned what you

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76:03

Specialist Phil Wight

Operation Insight ·

2026/04/12

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Specialist Phil Wight of the U.S. Army! While you're here, check out Phil's upcoming event: Boots & Bling! Enjoy a night of cars, casino games, fashion, and country music! This great event will take place on Wednesday, April 29th, from 6-10PM at the Piazza Messina in Cottleville, Missouri. Purchase your ticket at www.STLTopRides.com/Tickets (00:00) Disclaimer (01:01) Opening Theme (01:30) Introduction (43:10) Bud Haedike (49:25) Gunner (54:52) The VA

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112:18

Staff Sergeant Tom Bommarito

Operation Insight ·

2026/03/29

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Staff Sergeant Tom Bommarito of the U.S. Army!(00:00) Disclaimer (01:01) Opening Theme (01:30) Introduction (38:21) Vietnam Preparation & Deployment (49:24) SFC Douglas ”Woody” Woodward (54:32) Two Purple Hearts & Mortar Fire (1:06:35) The Futility of War & Honoring the ”Unwritten Contract” (1:15:35) No Rest & No Recuperation (1:20:36) "Welcome Home" (1:28:32) "It Didn't Smell Like Anything, and That Was Good" (1:36:04) The American

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100:27

Sergeant First Class Sheldon Hartsfield

Operation Insight ·

2026/03/15

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Sergeant First Class Sheldon Hartsfield of the U.S. Marine Corps & the Missouri National Guard!Collins Horton and Tai Shan's Live Performance of "Just What We Do" as featured by Songs for Heroes: https://youtu.be/nxru5MHTBRk?si=5Y_w3LBluT8SN26t (00:00) Disclaimer (01:01) Opening Theme (01:30) Introduction (42:52) Training for Anything & Extraction Ops (50:21) Attica! Attica! (53:32) Admiral Pugh & Career Advancement (1:03:06) Moving to St

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106:00

Captain Mike Lavin

Operation Insight ·

2026/03/01

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Captain Mike Lavin of the U.S. Army!(00:00) Disclaimer (01:01) Opening Theme (01:30) Introduction (35:40) Once a Scout, Always a Scout (38:52) Vietnam & the 515th Transportation Company (1:07:47) Part II (1:12:16) "Born on the Fourth of July" & PTSD (1:18:48) The Westminster Seven & Returing to 'Nam (1:24:45) The Veteran Experience (1:34:04) Mike's Dog Tags (1:43:27) Closing

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113:00

Sergeant Brandon Eichholz - Sky Soldier Dog Training

Operation Insight ·

2026/02/15

Join us on Operation Insight as we welcome Sergeant Brandon Eichholz, founder and owner of Sky Soldier Dog Training!(00:00) Disclaimer (01:01) Opening Theme (01:31) Introduction (49:41) 173rd Airborne Brigade & the Sky Soldiers (1:18:34) Part II (1:27:15) COVID (1:37:49) Sky Soldier Dog Training (1:44:21) Closing

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2:03

The Freedom 13: Salute Our Troops Gala Night...

Operation Insight ·

2026/02/08

Operation Insight is proud to support The Freedom 13 organization and its upcoming Salute Our Troops Gala Night!WHAT: This special event includes a full-plated dinner, entertainment, a keynote address by former Green Beret veteran Adam Smith, and an unforgettable night! WHEN: Friday, February 27th (two days after Jared's birthday) from 6-11 PM WHERE: The Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, Missouri Tickets are on sale NOW, and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.TheFreedom13.org Support

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92:00

Sergeant Sif Sifford

Operation Insight ·

2026/02/01

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Sergeant William "Sif" Sifford!"You have the spirit that will make this country the greatest the sun has ever shone upon." When Harry S. Truman said those words, he spoke from experience. Raised on a humble Missouri farm and born with poor vision, not much was expected of Harry's future. Yet, the farmboy from Independence would go on to serve in World War I and win favor as an effective leader and officer. Several decades later, Harry would have the massive

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105:28

First Lieutenant Repps Hudson

Operation Insight ·

2026/01/18

Join us on Operation Insight as we host First Lieutenant Repps Hudson! “In order to write about life, first you must live it.” Ernest Hemingway knew that from experience, one could say, life experience. While others drew inspiration from silence and solitude, Hemingway dwelt in the catastrophic and chaotic pulse of the front lines, literally. His swashbuckling ways began as a volunteer Red Cross ambulance driver during World War I. It wasn’t long before he was wounded by mortar fire whilst

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72:25

Captains Kim & Dakota - Reveille & Retreat Project...

Operation Insight ·

2026/01/04

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Captains Kim & Dakota, co-founders of the Reveille & Retreat Project and co-hosts of Dog Tag Diaries!It's June 11th, 2001, and millions of Americans are tuning in for NBC's newest reality television show. Coupled with overly dramatic music and a montage of contestants attempting seemingly death-defying stunts, the narration begins, "Imagine a world where your greatest fears become reality...this is Fear Factor!" After the show's host, Joe Rogan,

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117:17

Lieutenant Colonel Mike Vincent

Operation Insight ·

2025/12/21

Join us on Operation Insight as we welcome Lieutenant Colonel Mike Vincent!After leading a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung to Jesus Christ, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman announces to his Marine Corps recruits, "Today is Christmas!" During this scene in the oft-cited and critically acclaimed film Full Metal Jacket, the Senior Drill Instructor says things not normally included in a yuletide message, such as, "You can give your heart to Jesus, but your ass belongs to the Corps!" So, in the

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64:00

Private First Class Walter "Wally" Mayer

Operation Insight ·

2025/12/14

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Private First Class Walter "Wally" Mayer!As the sun sets this evening, Jewish people across the globe will begin celebrating Hanukkah. Despite its status as a "minor" holiday on the Jewish calendar, it has become one of the most widely recognized Jewish traditions. This is likely due to the use of the Menorah and the lighting of its eight candles. The act of lighting a candle each night during the dead of winter represents the miraculous flame that remained

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179:20

Lieutenant Commander Trey Warren

Operation Insight ·

2025/12/07

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Lieutenant Commander William "Trey" Warren! There's a poignant scene in Top Gun: Maverick in which Tom Cruise's iconic character meets with his rival-turned-friend Iceman, played by Val Kilmer. During the scene, Iceman (now an Admiral and technically Maverick's superior) instructs him, "It's time to let go." The context for that advice revolves around the death of Maverick's former backseater, "Goose," for which Maverick feels responsible. While Lieutenant

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45:29

Corporal Rusty Marlen

Operation Insight ·

2025/11/30

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Corporal Rusty Marlen, veteran of the Women's Army Corps!In the spirit of Thanksgiving and family togetherness, we introduce you to Dorothy Mae "Rusty" Marlen, Ethan's great aunt. For as long as Ethan can remember, Rusty has been the life of the party and one of his absolute favorite relatives. To think that if it wasn't for a box of donuts in a bar, Rusty would have never met Eddie Grover Marlen, and eventually joined the family. Whereas Eddie was a single

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91:52

Major Herb Silva - Smiles for Veterans

Operation Insight ·

2025/11/16

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Major Herb Silva, Founder of Smiles for Veterans through the Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health in conjunction with A.T. Still University!Fifty years. That's how long it has been since the end of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. A conflict that began as a "police action" would eventually receive several monikers, one of which was the "Helicopter War." In fact, in the Spring of 1975, that's exactly how it all ended for American troops

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67:09

Veterans Day 2025 w/the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight

Operation Insight ·

2025/11/11

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Captain Jim Pettit, Operations Director of the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, and Captain Joel Eisenstein, a recent Honor Flight participant!Before Veterans Day, there was Armistice Day. Before that, there was "The War to End All Wars." And yet, less than a quarter of a century later, humanity would be embroiled in yet another global conflict. One that would result in more casualties than ever before. While Memorial Day honors those who gave their lives

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120:19

Staff Sergeant Chris Munro

Operation Insight ·

2025/10/19

Join us on Operation Insight as we host Staff Sergeant Chris Munro!"Where'd you go to high school?" "Cubs or Cardinals?" "Panera or Bread Co.?" These are questions for which every good St. Louisan has an at-the-ready answer. Then there's, "What was it like being a Combat Medic?" Well, that's much more complicated. St. Louis native Chris Munro has his own take on that query, but we recommend buckling in for his answer! SSG Munro has spent nearly half his life in uniform, and that's not even

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