In a world that often forgets the labor it took to build it, this is the story of a man who never did.
At 18, Rob Beaton stared at a Navy recruiting sign from a traffic light in the searing Texas heat. Thirty-five years later, he retired as a Navy Commander with a pension, a family intact, and a lifetime of lessons shaped by swabbing decks, late-night watches, and decisions that pulled him across oceans and into the lives of thousands of sailors.
This week, Veteran Story Hour steps outside the arena and into the barracks, exploring what it means to build something lasting—out of sweat, out of mistakes, out of pure endurance. The episode chronicles the journey from small-town Iowa to Okinawa, Cuba, Corpus Christi, and finally, Waynesboro, Virginia, where service hasn’t stopped—it’s only changed uniforms.
This is an intimate conversation about mentorship, failure, leadership, and why the American Legion still matters—not just as a place for old war stories, but as a living, breathing part of a community trying to reconnect across generations.
If you've ever wondered what it costs to serve—and what it gives back—this one’s for you.
CONNECT WITH AMERICAN LEGION POST 340:
🌐 https://www.legionpost340.org/
📖 https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost340Virginia
📧 communications@legionpost340.org
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Listen & Subscribe to Veteran Story Hour: Voices of Valor, Presented by SALUTE of Virginia, everywhere podcasts can be heard
Every veteran has a story worth preserving—stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and humanity. Veteran Story Hour captures these remarkable personal histories directly from the voices of the men and women who’ve served our nation.
Recorded live each week at SALUTE of Virginia in Waynesboro, this podcast creates a living history, ensuring these powerful memories are preserved and shared for generations to come.
Hosted by John Fairbanks of the Shenandoah Valley Story Network, join us as we honor those who served by listening, reflecting, and remembering.
Because every veteran’s story deserves to be told—and every voice deserves to be heard.
