In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Retired Sgt. Rudy Espinosa, who served nearly three decades (1984–2013) in the Miami-Dade County Police Department.

Rudy shares what inspired him to pursue a career in law enforcement from a young age and what it was like going through the police academy in the 1980s — from intense training under the Florida heat to the discipline and dedication required to succeed.

One of the most powerful parts of this episode is his experience during Hurricane Andrew, one of the most devastating natural disasters in South Florida’s history. He reflects on the destruction, the fear many officers and families faced, and the incredible unity of communities coming together to help one another during crisis.

Rudy also talks about his role as a Public Information Officer, working closely with the media during emergencies like wildfires, helping maintain safety and communication in high-risk situations.

Throughout the episode, he shares meaningful lessons about responsibility, integrity, and what it truly means to wear the badge — serving others, doing the right thing, and staying proud of your work.

🌟 Topics Covered:
👮‍♂️ Joining the Miami-Dade Police Department (1984–2013)
🌪️ Serving during Hurricane Andrew and disaster response
🎓 Police academy training in the 1980s
📢 Role as a Public Information Officer during emergencies
🔥 Wildfire response and working with the media
💡 Life lessons on service, integrity, and community

If you enjoy real stories of service, resilience, and community impact, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights — the elite parachute team of the United States Army — including Sgt. Nelson Velez, Sgt. Katie Leadbetter, and Sgt. 1st Class Dusty Gebhardt.

They share what inspired them to join the Army, how they found their way to the Golden Knights, and what it means to serve on one of the most respected airborne teams in the world.

The team reflects on their different paths into military service, from family military traditions to Airborne service, medical work, helicopter maintenance, and Pathfinder operations. They explain how the Golden Knights are more than just parachutists — they are a mission-driven team supported by aviation, medical, and logistics personnel, all working together to represent the Army at the highest level.

They also talk about the pride of wearing the Golden Knights uniform, the intense training schedule behind each jump, and the life lessons they’ve learned through service, sacrifice, and doing hard things even when they seem intimidating.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🪂 Joining the Army and earning a place on the Golden Knights
🇺🇸 What it means to represent the U.S. Army at an elite level
✈️ Airborne service, aviation support, medicine, and Pathfinder experience
🎯 Training days, jump operations, and life behind the scenes
🏅 Pride, teamwork, and the legacy of those who came before them
💡 Advice on courage, growth, and going after difficult goals

If you enjoy real stories of service, leadership, and excellence, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with SFC Cheri Hooker, a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran who began her military journey at just 17 years old and went on to serve over 20 years in the armed forces.

SFC Hooker shares her inspiring story of how she followed in her father’s footsteps, joining the National Guard as a teenager and later transitioning into active duty Army service. She talks about her early experiences in basic training at Fort Jackson, the challenges of being a woman in the military during the 1980s, and the determination it took to prove herself in a male-dominated environment.

Throughout the episode, she reflects on her roles as an administrative specialist and later in the Signal Corps, working in communications and field operations. She also shares powerful memories from her time stationed overseas, including her experiences in Germany and Korea, where she faced both cultural challenges and the emotional difficulty of being away from her young son.

One of the most meaningful moments of her career includes reenlisting at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, a powerful and emotional experience she was able to share with her son. Beyond her military service, she also speaks about life after retirement and how she found a new passion in art and entrepreneurship.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🎖️ Joining the National Guard at 17 and serving over 20 years
👨‍👧 Influence of family and military legacy
💪 Being a woman in the military during the 1980s
📡 Serving in communications and Signal Corps operations
🌍 Experiences living in Germany and Korea
💔 Challenges of military life as a single mother
🇺🇸 Reenlisting at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor
🎨 Life after service and starting a creative business

If you enjoy real stories of service, sacrifice, and resilience, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Dr. Vern, a retired U.S. Coast Guard veteran and author of The Power of Transformation: My Journey from High School Dropout to PhD.

Dr. Vern shares an incredible story of perseverance, faith, and personal growth. He talks about joining the Coast Guard in the mid-1970s as a high school dropout, struggling with tests in boot camp, and eventually earning his GED through a Coast Guard education program that changed the course of his life. From there, he discovered a passion for helping others through education, eventually rising through the ranks, becoming a Chief Warrant Officer, and later earning his master’s degree and PhD.

He also reflects on major moments from his Coast Guard career, the Sunshine Skyway disaster, and the sinking of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn, while explaining how those experiences shaped his sense of service and purpose. Beyond the military, he shares how education opened doors for him to become a university dean, president, professor, and mentor to future leaders.

🌟 Topics Covered:

⚓ Joining the Coast Guard as a high school dropout

📚 Earning a GED and discovering the power of education

🎓 From enlisted service member to PhD and professor

🌊 Service during the Mariel boatlift and other Coast Guard operations

🏫 Building learning centers and helping military members earn degrees

💡 Life lessons on faith, transformation, and never giving up

If you enjoy real stories of service, perseverance, and transformation, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Michael O’Connor, a community leader dedicated to giving back through initiatives that support organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, Special Olympics, American Cancer Society, and more.

Michael shares the story behind the St. John Neumann Men’s Club Golf Tournament, now in its 34th year, and how it has raised thousands of dollars to support programs such as children’s hospitals, homeless outreach, and the well-known Teddy Bear Christmas, which has donated over 16,000 teddy bears to children in need.

He also opens up about his personal journey, including overcoming cancer, becoming a grandfather, and how those life-changing moments strengthened his purpose to continue serving others.

This episode is a powerful reminder of what it truly means to give back, lead with heart, and make a lasting impact in your community.

🌟 Topics Covered:
⛳ St. John Neumann Men’s Club Golf Tournament
🎁 Teddy Bear Christmas & community outreach
👨‍👩‍👧 Supporting children, families, and underserved communities
🤝 Leadership through service and giving back
💪 Overcoming cancer and finding purpose
💡 Advice on making a real impact in your community

🌐 Learn more or get involved:
https://sjngolftournament.com/

If you enjoy real stories of leadership, resilience, and community impact, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

In this special six-month anniversary episode of Living History with Alex, we bring back several past guests to reflect on the podcast journey, why they said yes to being interviewed, and why preserving veterans’ stories matters so much. Featured voices include Elio Dominguez, Lupe Casanova, Michael Becerra, Chase Provencher "Dad", Don Jackson, and Thomas Gammon, each sharing what the experience meant to them and what they hope future generations will learn from military service.

This episode is not just about military history before service, but also about what happens during and after—how stories are remembered, how families react, and why these conversations help connect generations. The guests reflect on Alex’s knowledge, professionalism, and passion for honoring veterans, while also explaining why it is so important that these stories be recorded and preserved.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🎙️ Why each guest agreed to join the podcast
🇺🇸 Why veterans’ stories deserve to be preserved and shared
👨‍👩‍👦 How families reacted after hearing these stories publicly
📚 The importance of teaching younger generations about service and sacrifice
🤝 What makes Living History with Alex meaningful to veterans and their communities
💡 Reflections on courage, gratitude, unity, and legacy

This episode is a celebration of the first six months of Living History with Alex—and of the more than 25 stories already preserved for future generations.

If you enjoy real stories of service, sacrifice, and remembrance, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Col. George Cadman III, USMC (Retired), a United States Marine who served from 1964 to 1995 and experienced some of the defining moments of the Vietnam War era, including the Tet Offensive.

Col. Cadman shares what inspired him to join the Marine Corps, how he transitioned from an enlisted Marine to an officer, and what it was like training at Parris Island, Officer Candidate School, and The Basic School before eventually deploying to Vietnam.

He talks about his role in communications and artillery units, the challenges of leadership in combat, and the intense experience of helping form a provisional rifle company during the Tet Offensive. He also reflects on close calls in combat and the responsibility of leading Marines in dangerous situations.

During the conversation, Col. Cadman also shares meaningful artifacts from his long career, including rank insignia, medals, dog tags, and his Marine Corps memorabilia, while reflecting on the pride he still feels from serving alongside fellow Marines.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🇺🇸 Joining the Marine Corps during the Vietnam era
🪖 From enlisted Marine to officer
📡 Communications and artillery operations
🔥 Experiences during the Tet Offensive
🎖️ Marine Corps medals, insignia, and artifacts
💡 Leadership lessons from decades of service

If you enjoy real stories of service, sacrifice, and leadership, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Mr. Benny F. Benitez, a U.S. Navy veteran and Commander of American Legion Post 346.

Mr. Benitez shares his journey into the Navy, the experiences that shaped his years of service, and how military life influenced his values of discipline, leadership, and commitment to others. After completing his service, he continued dedicating himself to veterans and the community through the American Legion, where he now serves as a commander helping support fellow veterans and their families.

He reflects on the importance of honoring those who served, building strong veteran communities, and preserving the stories and lessons of military service for future generations.

🌟 Topics Covered:
⚓ Joining and serving in the U.S. Navy
🇺🇸 Life lessons learned through military service
🎖️ Leadership and veteran advocacy
🤝 The mission of the American Legion
🏛️ Supporting veterans and strengthening the community

If you enjoy hearing real stories from those who served, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Stay tuned for more conversations that keep history alive.