12/18/2025
Happy Thursday! Here's what we have coming up on Wreaths Across America Radio:
At 6 AM ET, it's the "Military Voices of Maine", brought to you by Maine Public. In the summer of 2023, Maine Public partnered with Story Corps in a Military Voices Initiative to capture the stories of Maine veterans who served in the Armed Forces. During the recording sessions, veterans shared details about their families, their time of service, and how their service in the military affected their lives. Military Voices of Maine is hosted by Keith Shortall and produced by Allison New and Keith Shortall.
Followed by Meet the Civil Air Patrol at 7 AM ET hosted by Michael W Hale, who sits down with members of the Civil Air Patrol from all across the nation!
At 8 AM ET it's Service To Startup: The Veteran Service Podcast brought to you by The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes. In this episode of Service to Startup, host Ron Nussbaum sits down with Lisa Bradley, co-founder of R. Riveter, a handbag company built to support military spouses through flexible, purpose-driven employment. Lisa shares how constant relocations as an Army spouse revealed the career and identity challenges so many spouses face and how those experiences sparked the idea for R. Riveter. She explains how the company’s unique manufacturing model allows spouses to handcraft components from home, creating stability, income, and community wherever the military sends them. Lisa reflects on the broader systemic barriers spouses face in the workforce and why flexible, portable opportunities matter now more than ever. She also gives an inside look at R. Riveter’s growth, including their retail stores in North Carolina and Ohio and how they continue to expand their impact.
Following that at 9 AM ET, we have a new episode of Welcome Home - A Podcast for Veterans, About Veterans, By Veterans and the official podcast of Serve Our Willing Warriors - SOWW. Some stories hit like a clean snap pass: direct, fast, and aimed at the open ice ahead. That is the energy we bring to our conversation with Pete Perzel, president of the Capitol Beltway Warriors, a veteran hockey nonprofit serving the National Capital Region. From the first whistle, we delve into how a simple idea—putting skates on veterans and giving them a team—became a powerful engine for purpose, connection, and mental health.
Stay tuned at 10 AM ET for Oscar Mike Radio with your host, Travis Partington. In this episode, Travis interviews Army veteran Sean Loosen, CEO of PDS Optical. Sean shares his journey from West Point to leading a company that manufactures prescription eyeglasses for U.S. veterans through VA contracts. They discuss his military background, transition to civilian life, PDS Optical’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable eyewear, and the challenges of leadership and innovation in the optical industry. Sean also highlights the company’s core values—Pride, Dignity, and Service—and its commitment to supporting veterans and engaging with veteran organizations nationwide. Go to https://pdsoptical.com/ to learn more.
Listen Live anytime: ihr.fm/3JVmmiO