Veterans Day 2025

In this heartfelt solo episode of Off The Beaten Podcast, host Dion McGill reflects on his military service in Afghanistan in honor of Veterans Day. He shares personal stories about his early reluctance to embrace the veteran identity, the bonds he built with Afghan soldiers, and the lessons he learned about shared humanity. McGill also explores the dangers of xenophobia and the enduring importance of solidarity, invoking the words of Fred Hampton. The episode closes with McGill’s reading of the St. Crispin’s Day speech, a moving tribute to camaraderie, sacrifice, and the unseen journeys of those who serve.

00:00 Introduction and Veterans Day Reflection

01:48 The Decision to Record an Episode

02:43 Revisiting Military Service Stories

07:14 Joining the Army: The Early Days

11:40 Deployment and Training Challenges

18:01 Life in Afghanistan

22:36 Memories of PRT Sharona and Bo Bergdahl

23:25 Dealing with Injury and Taking Responsibility

24:26 Life on the Base with Afghan Soldiers

25:49 Cultural Exchange and Learning

28:16 Reflections on Shared Humanity

34:00 Fred Hampton's Legacy and Modern Reflections

42:36 Veterans Day Reflections and St. Crispin's Day Speech

48:53 Outro and Final Thoughts

 

Thank you for listening. This was so fast, I didn't worry about all the social media stuff, but I will get back to that soon!