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This week’s Urban Valor episode features former U.S. Special Forces Green Beret, Matt Pech. He’s the Founder of Ruck for Vets and Lead Advisor for Hard to Kill Fitness. Matt talked us through fond memories of his military service. From rocking out in Afghanistan, to thriving off the adrenaline rush from conducting missions, to remembering a good friend and warrior he served with. Matt also speaks on how he continues to serve by giving back to the veteran community and how he keeps a strong mental state of mind. In this interview, you truly get a glimpse INSIDE the Green Berets and what incredible and heroic stories Matt shares with us! Not only will you hear some history of the Green Berets, but what it takes to become a Green Beret. Enjoy listening and watching as this Green Beret tells stories that are absolutely incredible to hear, as well as this may inspire those wishing to become a green beret! If you'd like to discover more about Urban Valor and our mission to share the heroic stories of our veterans, then please SUBSCRIBE and click the bell notification- we have weekly episodes! Want to listen on the go? All of our episodes are currently being uploaded to our podcast as well! Just search for URBAN VALOR on your favorite podcasting platform, you'll find us! Lastly, be sure to check out urbanvalor.com as we work to spread our veteran stories and military interviews with the masses!

Our next guest Brandon Fugal is the owner and proprietor of Skinwalker Ranch. Initially, Brandon's intention was to dispel the rumors and mystique surrounding Skinwalker Ranch. However, a meeting with an Area 51 specialist on the property led to a series of unexplained and peculiar phenomena. This encounter profoundly impacted him and fueled his determination to pursue the truths concealed within the ranch.

During this episode, we learn about Brandon's upbringing, explore how he built a prosperous career in commercial real estate, and delve into his acquisition of the infamous Skinwalker Ranch from Aerospace billionaire, Robert Bigelow.

Brandon has allocated millions of dollars to support research endeavors at the ranch, unraveling anomalies along the way. True to his character, he has never personally profited from these exploits, opting instead to reinvest proceeds into the project and charitable causes.

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan....with confidence in our armed forces with the unbounded determination of our people we will gain the inevitable triumph so help us God." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

These were the words that would change the course of history forever. These words would also give way to the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most costly campaigns of World War II. Of the 7,000 killed and nearly 20,000 wounded, Don Graves, a Marine would survive amongst them. Graves shouldered one of the most feared responsibilities in the Marine Corps–wielding a flamethrower in the caves and pill boxes that littered the island. In this episode, Graves recounts his experience in those 36 days of fighting and lends his perspective on where the country is headed now. Graves, now 98 years of age, has a wise view and a wealth of knowledge to share with the American people.

In this episode, Tyler talks with Tim Tetz, Director of Outreach at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund about the healing and reflection this mobile education center provides to the veteran community and their families as well as an educational resource for young minds.

On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) unveiled a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel to communities throughout the United States. Since its dedication, The Wall That Heals has been displayed at nearly 700 communities throughout the nation, spreading the Memorial’s healing legacy to millions.

Bringing The Wall home to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. The traveling exhibit provides thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.

The main components of The Wall That Heals are The Wall replica and the mobile Education Center.

The Wall That Heals exhibit was on the road for more than 13,000 miles and visited 26 communities from coast to coast during its 2021 season. We were escorted by more than 3,000 vehicles into those communities, and we were able to spread The Wall’s healing legacy to nearly 200,000 visitors. Guided tours of the exhibit were provided to more than 12,000 students.