Memorial Day Salute: Tom Ruck, Author of “Sacred Ground: A Tribute to America’s Veterans” & USMC Major Paul Grenseman (RET.)

On this special Memorial Day episode, Host Amanda Head is first joined by “Sacred Ground: A Tribute to America’s Veterans” author Tom Ruck. In their conversation, the two discuss his professional experience as he has served as the director of several national cemeteries including in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Los Angeles, California during Memorial Day.

During their conversation, Head asks Ruck what he specifically focuses on when he keynotes Memorial Day celebrations across the country, such as the address he’s delivering today at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Ruck tells Head to just simply ‘remember’ that one family member or close friend who they choose to honor on this federal holiday. He goes on to inspire people of America to encourage their friends or family who have served in the military to, “write out their story, put it on tape, put it on video, just anything, so that it’s never lost because that’s the spirit of America, that’s the fabric of America — our veterans stories.”

Additionally, Head talks to Ruck about his unique book, “Sacred Ground: A Tribute to America’s Veterans”. This award-winning book authored by the now-Advisor to the Department of Homeland Security is a sweeping tour of some of America’s most beautiful and moving cemeteries. The book features 144 color photographs from 47 of our national military cemeteries, has a foreward written by the late-Kansas Senator and Republican Presidential Nominee Bob Dole, as well as featured essays from Laura Ingraham, Oliver North, Sean Hannity, Buzz Aldrin, Mickey Rooney, Bob Hope, Fred Travalena, Dennis Miller, and many others. This one-of-a-kind book also has expressions of gratitude to our military and thoughts on honor, duty, sacrifice and courage by many great American politicians veterans. You can buy a hardcover illustrated copy of Tom Ruck’s book on Amazon by simply clicking here: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Ground-Tribute-Americas-Veterans/dp/1596985240. All proceeds from the sale of the book go directly to the “Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund” which provides scholarships to children who lost their parents while wearing the uniform of America.

Furthermore, Amanda Head rounds out this special Memorial Day podcast episode with retired United States Marine Corps Major Paul Grenseman. Major Grenseman talks to Head about his sacrifice and service while in the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps which dates back to 1974. Major Greneseman said he was, “very aware of Joe Biden during the entire time [Biden was in the Senate] and his lack of support for everything that the military has ever asked him for.” The two also delve into the current statistics and issues our service men and women face today, going on to say that our military is “seriously falling behind”. Major Grenseman said former President Donald Trump brought readiness way up in just about every aspect and if he had remained in office for a second term, Major Grenseman has absolutely ‘no doubt’ that the fiasco in Afghanistan would have never happened.

After a quick political discussion, Head redirects the conversation away from politics to dive into the significance of Memorial Day, and honor Major Paul Grenseman by allowing him to tell his personal story. Major Grenseman goes on to discuss how military service was very much a ‘tradition in his family,’ and he dives into the amazing stories of his service, as well as his father, and uncles.

On this Memorial Day we come together once again to honor and remember the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication have secured the freedoms we enjoy today and their legacy lives on in our hearts and minds. Today, we salute our veterans and extend our deepest gratitude to our fallen service members, their families and friends, who have also borne the weight of their sacrifice. May we strive to live in a way that honors their memory and upholds the values they fought to defend.