History Makers

The Cold War ends. Desert Storm begins. Stealth technology changes the battlefield.
In this episode of the Heritage Minute Podcast, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tony Monetti ’87 reflects on a decade that reshaped the U.S. Air Force and transformed the way America projects airpower around the world.
 

What sticks around after nearly three decades at the U.S. Air Force  Academy? For Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tom Mabry ’80, it’s the cadets. His greatest reward wasn’t the roles or recognition — it was calling names and watching cadets cross the stage at graduation. Col. Mabry shares some of his story with Heritage Minute host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77.
 

In this edition of the Heritage Minute Special, Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck ’12 returns to the U.S. Air Force Academy to reflect on the enduring legacy of the late Gen. Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, the U.S. Air Force’s first chief of staff and a foundational figure in American airpower.
This episode examines Civil Air Patrol’s origins and the significance of the Spaatz Award. Julian shares how early exposure to military traditions shaped his own path to USAFA and why preserving heritage remains essential to developing future leaders.
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
 
 

In this Heritage Minute Special, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 interviews Col. (Ret.) Carolyn Benyshek ’87, who shares her journey from growing up in Colorado Springs to becoming the U.S. Air Force Academy’s director of admissions. She reflects on her cadet experience, her Air Force career in space operations, and her continued commitment to mentoring and service after retirement.
 
 

Above Arnold Hall’s main entrance stands a statue of Col. James Jabara — America’s first jet ace and the second-leading ace of the Korean War. Dedicated in 2004, this monument is closely tied to the Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship, an annual honor established in 1967 and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Association of Graduates and the Jabara family. The award goes to a USAFA graduate, living or deceased, whose actions directly associated with an aerospace vehicle set him or her apart from contemporaries. The first recipient was Capt. Donald Stevens ’60 in 1968, and past honorees include Karol Bobko ’59, Steve Ritchie ’64, and Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger ’73.
 
 

The second part of the This Heritage Minute Special dives into partnership, preservation and a unique perspective of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Erwin Roemer, former U.S. Air Force Academy cultural resources manager, reflects with host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ‘77 on Roemer’s decades of experience working with tribal nations and federal agencies. Hear how the Academy's landscapes connect with generations past and present.
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
 
 
 

Native Americans have a long and proud history of military service. In fact, they are among the most represented ethnic groups in the U.S. armed forces.
In this special episode of the Heritage Minute podcast, Erwin Roemer shares how that tradition continues at USAFA today.
 
LISTEN to the Cathedral Rock episode referenced here.
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
 
 

In between Vandenberg and Fairchild Halls, in the shadow of the Core Values Ramp, is the green oasis known as the Mall of Heroes.  This mini-park is the gift of the Class of 1964.  It features statues of three Academy legends.  The first statue to be dedicated was that of First Lieutenant Karl Richter, Class of ’64, who was shot down and killed on 28 July 1967 during his 198th combat mission in Vietnam.  The Richter statue was dedicated on 27 May 2008, just before the Class of ’08 graduated, as Richter was the class’s exemplar.  It would be eighteen months until more statues were added, causing some cadet comedians of the time to call the area “The Mall of Hero.”  Before long, however, Lieutenant Richter had company.  On 6 November 2009, during its 45-year reunion, the Class of ’64 dedicated and ceremonially donated to the Academy the Mall of Heroes.  The ceremony included the unveiling of two new statues, honoring Captain Valmore Bourque, Class of ’60, the first Academy graduate killed in combat, and Captain Lance Sijan, Class of ’65, the first Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor.  Since then, as cadets march down the ramp and past this area en route to the Stillman Parade Field, they execute an Eyes Right and salute these icons.
 

This Heritage Minute Special features Col. (Ret.) Leonard "Lucky" Ekman, Class of 1963, who shares the remarkable story of Maj. Robert Lodge ’64 — a fighter pilot, warfighter and patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting America's interests during the Vietnam War. Col. Ekman shares his personal mission to see the Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to Lodge. Listen today!
 
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
 
 

In this Heritage Minute Special, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 is joined by Col. (Ret.) Max Miller ’59, a proud member of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s first graduating class. They discuss a significant event that occurred 70 years ago, as well as Col. Miller’s long and distinguished service to the Air Force and the USAFA community.
 
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
 
 

In Part 2 of this 3-part series, Heritage Minute Special host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77, gets his conversation started with Mr. Duane Boyle, recently retired USAFA architect, a position he held for many years. The two discuss Mr. Boyle's role as the Academy’s Architect, his work and impact, specific projects, and their shared experiences having worked together over the years going back to the 1980's.
You don't have to wait for all parts to publish. You can listen to the full 1 hour and 22 minute conversation at your convenience here:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/49y8c5jbsc9aadew/HMS_PARTS_1-3_DUANE_BOYLEajqmk.mp3
 
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
 
 

In Part 1 of this 3-part series, Heritage Minute Special host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77, gets his conversation started with Duane Boyle, recently retired USAFA architect, a position he held for many years. The two discuss Duane's role as the Academy Architect, his work and impact, specific projects, and their shared experiences having worked together over the years going back to the 1980's.  
You don't have to wait for parts 2 and 3 to publish. You can listen to the full 1 hour and 22 minute conversation at your convenience by CLICKING HERE
Thank you for listening!  
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
 
 
 

During his days as a cadet, Col. (Retired) Jim Moschgat ’77 made a remarkable discovery: one of the Academy’s janitors was a Medal of Honor recipient. Listen now to hear the amazing story of William Crawford.
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
 
 

April 1, 1954 is the day President Dwight D. Eisenhower shook hands with then Secretary of the Air Force, Harold E. Talbott. The president had just signed legislation authorizing the establishment of the U.S. Air Force Academy. USAFA’s Founders Day has been celebrated on April 1 ever since. 
 
(Left Image) President Dwight D. Eisenhower (seated) shakes hands with Secretary of the Air Force Harold E. Talbott on April 1, 1954, after signing legislation authorizing the establishment of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Looking on (from left) are Congressman Carl Vinson, Georgia; Gen. Nathan F. Twining, Air Force chief of staff; Congressman Dewey Short, Missouri, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee; James H. Douglas, undersecretary of the Air Force, and Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon, special assistant for the Academy.
 - (Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force Academy McDermott Library Archives)
(Right Image) The first class of Air Force Academy cadets at the Academy's first home, Lowery AFB, Denver, CO.
 
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
 
 
 
 
 

In this Heritage Minute Special: Col. (Ret.) Darrel Whitcomb '69 recently led a reunion of his classmates and emceed a briefing outlining their roles during the Vietnam War. The group heard from fellow pilots, search-and-rescue team members and former POWs. Join the conversation between host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 and Col. Whitcomb, a passionate historian and published author with a great many stories to tell.
 
 
 
 
The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation