"We want to remember the individual and we want to give them a voice."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Karen Worcester, Executive Director of Wreaths Across America. Karen shares the incredible journey of how a surplus of wreaths led to a viral moment at Arlington National Cemetery, the logistics of coordinating 3 million volunteers to place wreaths at 5,994 ceremony locations, and how the organization works year-round to support veterans and Gold Star families through its three pillars: Remember, Honor, and Teach.

In this episode:
- Discover the movement's origins and how a single photograph in 2005 sparked a global outpouring of support, turning a family tradition into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Learn about the Remembrance Tree program, where Gold Star families tag balsam fir trees in Maine to create a living memorial that provides wreaths for veterans' graves.
- Hear how the organization's pillar, Teach, is reaching a million children through free lesson plans designed to shift the focus from "what is a veteran" to "who is that veteran."

"It's never lost on any of us what a privilege it is to do what we do."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Dr. James Bulgin, Head of Public History at the Imperial War Museums. James shares how the museum preserves the stories of conflict from the First World War to the present day, how the Holocaust galleries emphasize individual stories, and why engaging younger generations remains a vital and urgent task.

In this episode:
- Learn about the museum’s challenge of communicating complex histories to visitors whose understanding is increasingly shaped by popular media
- Hear how survivors and their families helped influence the Holocaust galleries and why their stories matter
- Discover why digital outreach, learning programs, and global accessibility help the museum connect with audiences far beyond its physical sites

"If gamers look up some piece of information or read about a piece of history and start connecting dots based on their experience in the game, I think that’s an incredibly powerful experience."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Quinn Duffy, a longtime video game director whose games have shaped how millions of players interact with history in the video game franchises "Company of Heroes" and Microsoft's "Age of Empires". Quinn shares how reading veteran accounts, visiting battlefields, and studying military tactics helped bring depth and accuracy to titles that connect players with real history in meaningful ways.

In this episode:
- Learn how Quinn’s battlefield research in places like Leningrad, Caen, and Normandy shaped the authenticity and emotional tone of his games
- Discover how immersion and storytelling come together to create strategy games that stand the test of time
- Hear why Quinn believes historical games can serve as powerful learning tools that encourage players to explore the past beyond the screen

"It’s impossible to overemphasize the support that many escapers and evaders had."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Allan Hunn of Escape and Evasion Research and Tours. Allan shares how his work uncovers the routes taken by Allied servicemen crossing the Pyrenees during the Second World War and how retracing those paths helps families connect with acts of courage, sacrifice, and humanity.

In this episode:
- Learn how Allied aircrew and soldiers escaped occupied Europe through the Pyrenees with the help of local civilians
- Hear how meticulous research and on the ground exploration bring escape and evasion stories to life
- Discover how walking these routes provides families with understanding, connection, and closure

This week, we speak with Jim Landon of ATCO Frontec, a former British Army officer whose career has spanned global operations, disaster response, veteran advocacy, and major international partnerships through the Invictus Games.

Jim shares how service shaped his leadership, the values that carried him into his work at ATCO Frontec, and why veterans bring powerful skills into civilian organizations.

In this episode:
- Explore the impact of ATCO's Invictus Games involvement and how it is transforming veteran employment and awareness
- Understand why remembrance, defence readiness, and cultural understanding matter more now than ever
- Learn how Jim’s 28 years in the British Army shaped his approach to leadership and teamwork

Learn more: https://frontec.atco.com/en-ca.html
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Wreaths Across America Radio.

“When you interact with historical documents, it’s like having a conversation with the past and nobody else can have that conversation for you.”

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Zita Ballinger Fletcher, a military historian and author whose work spans World War II research, defense journalism, and cultural preservation. Zita shares how her deep dive into archives and original sources is reshaping our understanding of history and why those lessons matter today.

In this episode:

- Learn how language and translation shape historical narratives
- Hear about her work with the German War Graves Commission and a challenging search for fallen policemen in Berlin
- Explore how FPV drones are changing the future of warfare—and what history can teach us about adapting to new threats

Learn more: https://zitasteele.com/
Listen on Apple, Spotify, and Wreaths Across America Radio.

“Glasnevin is of course famous in this country for having the burials of so many people who shaped Irish history.”

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we speak with Ultan Moran, historian and tour guide at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, Ireland's National Cemetery. Ultan shares powerful stories of Irish lives that shaped, and were shaped by, North American history.

In this episode:
- Discover how a Dublin-born soldier became a hero of the American Civil War
- Learn how Frederick Douglass was inspired by Irish abolitionist Daniel O’Connell
- Explore the legacy of Irish-born veterans of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and how their memory is preserved today

"Veterans are constantly faced with problems. You're constantly having to solve them. You almost don't know how to walk by a problem, and not solve it."

This week on Story Behind the Stone, we're joined by Kristin Sargent, founder of Sargent Initiatives. We explore Kristin’s transition from the US Army’s air defense artillery to her work at the intersection of technology and national security, helping companies navigate the complexities of the defense sector.

In this episode:

Discover Kristin’s journey from serving as a unit Information Assurance Officer to leading modernization efforts at Booz Allen Hamilton and Amazon Web Services.

Learn about the core challenges entrepreneurs face when entering the government system, including identifying essential requirements and managing corporate resources efficiently.

Hear Kristin’s "Measured Restraint" philosophy for business growth and why she believes the defense sector is an "endurance sport" that requires patience and C-suite commitment.

Explore the unique value veterans bring to the tech industry, fueled by a desire to solve archaic processes and a commitment to the "Mission, Men, Me" hierarchy of service.

Learn more: Sargent Initiatives and the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum

Listen on Wreaths Across America Radio on Friday December 19: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/