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!
