In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Technical Sergeant Juan Salazar, a current member of the United States Air Force and an Aircraft Armament Technician.

TSgt Salazar explains what an aircraft armament technician does—from loading bombs, bullets, and missiles onto aircraft to maintaining and repairing the systems that carry and fire those weapons. He shares how his mother’s service in the Air National Guard and the events of September 11, 2001, especially living near the Pentagon, deeply influenced his decision to join the military.

Juan takes us through his Air Force journey, including basic training in 2002, deployments to Saudi Arabia during the lead-up to the Iraq War, and later service in Afghanistan. He talks about working on iconic aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon (Viper) and the A-10 Warthog, explaining their missions, capabilities, and why they hold such an important place in military aviation history.

He also brings a powerful show-and-tell collection—coins, patches, and even different ammunition calibers—to visually explain his career, TDYs (Temporary Duty Assignments), deployments, and the units he served with across the world.

This episode dives into pride in service, being part of something bigger than yourself, and the importance of setting goals and finding your path—whether through the military or beyond.

🌟 Topics Covered:
✈️ What an Aircraft Armament Technician does
🇺🇸 Inspiration to serve after 9/11
🔥 Air Force basic training and early career
🌍 Deployments to Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan
💣 Working on the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Warthog
🎖️ TDYs, deployments, and military terminology explained
🪙 Coins, patches, and memorabilia from around the world
💡 Life advice on goals, discipline, and building your future

If you enjoy real stories from those who served and learning history directly from the people who lived it, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

📩 Know a veteran or service member who should be featured? Reach out—or contact my chief of staff (aka my mom).

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In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Michael Raigoso, a U.S. Marine who served from 1989 to 1993 and took part in operations connected to Desert Shield, the Gulf War, and Somalia (Eastern Exit / Mogadishu).

Michael shares what inspired him to join the Marine Corps after immigrating from Cuba at 13, why he wanted to give back to the country that gave him new opportunities, and what life was really like preparing for war—the “hurry up and wait,” the fear, the drills, and the reality of serving on ships near minefields and under threats of chemical attacks.

He also talks about his unique role in water supply, using reverse osmosis systems to produce drinkable water in extreme desert heat, and what it meant to support the mission even when you weren’t the one on the front line.

One of the most powerful parts of this episode is Michael ’s story of injury—how a boot camp ankle break kept returning, how it affected his career, and how he reflects on it today with honesty and perspective.

Finally, he brings in his Marine Dress Blues and explains the medals and ribbons that represent his service.

🌟 Topics Covered:

🇨🇺 Growing up as a Cuban immigrant and choosing to serve the U.S.

🦅 Joining the Marine Corps (May 10, 1989) and serving 1989–1993

🌍 Deployments and missions across the world

⚓ Desert Shield & Gulf War: ship life, drills, mine threats, and the amphibious “fake landing” strategy

💧 Water supply operations: reverse osmosis purification and chilling water in 125° desert heat

☣️ MOPP gear and chemical/biological threat alerts

🇸🇴 Somalia / Eastern Exit: evacuating civilians from the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu

🩼 Injury and discharge: repeated ankle breaks and long-term impact

🎖️ Marine Dress Blues: ribbons and medals explained

💡 Life advice: getting “1% better than yesterday”

If you enjoy real veteran stories and personal history, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Hansel Perez—a United States Marine Corps veteran whose call to serve was sparked by September 11. Trained as an 0352 Anti-Tank Missileman (later a machine gunner on a Mobile Assault Platoon), Hansel deployed to the Fallujah–Ramadi corridor, running MSR (Main Supply Route) security, route reconnaissance, and convoy escort. After a combat injury and medical retirement (2009), he used the GI Bill to build an Information Systems career, helped launch SVA and a Veteran Alumni Chapter at FIU, and co-founded Miami Military Trucks to preserve rolling history and mentor the next generation.

🌟 Topics Covered

• 🧭 9/11 as the catalyst to enlist in the USMC

• 🎯 MOS 0352 Anti-Tank Missileman → Machine gunner, Mobile Assault Platoon

• 🚧 Fallujah–Ramadi: MSR security, route recon, convoy escort—“highway patrol” in a combat zone

• 💥 Training, teamwork, and staying alive under pressure

• 🩹 Injury, medical retirement (2009), and rebuilding with the GI Bill

• 🎓 From uniform to campus: starting SVA and a Veteran Alumni Chapter at FIU

• 🚚 Miami Military Trucks: Humvees, parades, Touch-a-Truck, and community outreach

• 🛡️ Show-and-tell: flak vest with Level III plates & Kevlar helmet—what they’re built to stop

• 💡 Advice for young people: faith, family, service—and be the change in your community

This is more than a war story—it’s about purpose, recovery, and turning history into living outreach.

If you enjoy real stories of history, service, and mentorship, like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Major James “Ammo” Caraway—a Miami-raised FIU grad who traded TV production for the cockpit—walking us from Civil Air Patrol and Officer Training School to flying the T-38 as an aggressor, the F-22 Raptor with the 94th Fighter Squadron, and a four-year Eurofighter Typhoon exchange.

🌟 Topics Covered

🛫 From Cessna flight gift to Civil Air Patrol missions (SAR, post-hurricane imagery) and the OTS route to a commission.

🎓 OTS life: leadership exercises, ROE/Geneva coursework, field living, and commissioning as 2nd Lt.

✈️ Pilot training: T-6 basics → T-38 Talon; flying “red air” against F-22s as an adversary pilot.

🦅 F-22 Raptor: first solo adrenaline, BFM (1-v-1), DCA/OCA mission sets, and life in a 5th-gen stealth jet.

🎯 Call sign “Ammo”: the legend of “digital missiles” and training shots gone… enthusiastic.

🛡️ 94th Fighter Squadron: Eddie Rickenbacker lineage, Lafayette Escadrille roots, and the 2017 centennial.

🇬🇧 NATO exchange: instructing on the Eurofighter Typhoon in the UK and low-level mountain flying.

⚔️ Military “domains” & myths: most jobs aren’t front-line; how support teams keep jets arborne.

⚖️ Advice for future JAGs: be well-rounded—academics, athletics, service—and live the USAF core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do.

If you enjoy real stories of aviation, service, and mentorship, like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Bill Stallcup—a fellow coin collector, church volunteer, and military-artifact enthusiast—to explore the stories stamped into metal: from Roman emperors and “widow’s mites” to 1776 Delaware paper money and classic U.S. coins like Large Cents, Indian Heads, Morgans, and Walking Liberties.

🌟 Topics Covered

🪙 How it started: inheriting a small stash of old coins and asking, “What could people buy with these?”

🏛️ Ancients: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero; Pontius Pilate & Herod pieces; a c. 147 BC silver denarius.

📜 Colonial/Rev-Era: Continental Currency (Delaware, 1776)—“To counterfeit is death,” anti-counterfeit flakes.

🧵 Early U.S.: Large Cents (copper value, cornet design) → Flying Eagle → Indian Head (Liberty in a headdress).

🦅 Silver Icons: Morgan Dollars (1878–1904, 1921), Peace Dollars, everyday buying power in the early 20th c.

🥇 Gold & Bullion: Krugerrands (fractionals) vs. Canadian Maple Leafs; design notes.

🇺🇸 Design Greats: Walking Liberty Half (dawn of a new day, sapling America), Mercury Dime (winged Liberty).

⚙️ War & Money: 1943 steel cents (copper to the war effort); 3-cent silver “trime” & 3-cent nickel “thricle”.

🦬 Nickels & More: Buffalo and Shield nickels (post-Civil War issues, 1867).

🎓 Life Lesson: Learn history—or risk repeating it.

If you love real stories of history, money, and meaning, like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Ralph Fernandez, a retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue lieutenant with 27 years of service and a veteran member of Florida Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue.

From fast-paced firehouse life in Miami to deployments across the U.S. and the Caribbean, Ralph shares what it’s really like to respond to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and large-scale disasters—often when communities are living through the worst days of their lives.

He also opens up about the meaning behind his leather helmet, the sacrifices of family life during hurricane season, and his work training firefighters across Latin America and the Caribbean.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🚒 Growing up with a firefighter father and choosing the fire service
⏰ Life on a 24/48 schedule and always being “ready for action”
🔥 The most challenging fires and technical rescues
🌪️ Deployments to major hurricanes like Katrina, Florence, Michael, and Maria
🌊 Rescuing trapped residents during severe flooding in the Carolinas
🇭🇹 Responding to the Haiti earthquake and the challenges of collapsed buildings
🐕 Working alongside search dogs and international USAR teams
🪖 The story and symbolism behind his leather helmet and USAR helmet
🌎 Teaching firefighting and rescue techniques across South & Central America and the Caribbean
💡 Advice for young people—and future firefighters—about commitment, training, and service

This episode is not just about emergencies—it’s about courage, mentorship, and a lifelong commitment to helping others, both at home and around the world.

If you enjoy real stories of rescue, leadership, and service, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Brandon Post, a Miami-Dade firefighter with 24 years of service, an international extrication competitor, and a world-traveling FEMA rescue specialist.

From lifesaving missions in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina to teaching extrication tactics across the world, Brandon shares a powerful look into the courage, skill, and heart behind modern firefighting.

He also gives us an inside look at the jaws of life, the Halligan tool, his global competitions, and what it truly means to respond to emergencies when every second counts.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🚒 Becoming a firefighter and discovering a lifelong calling
🌎 Competing internationally in vehicle extrication and representing the USA
🏆 Founding the Black Heart Extrication Team and winning world and national titles
🌪️ Deploying with FEMA to major disasters — Haiti, Katrina, and more
🛶 The challenges of rescuing victims during massive flooding
🧰 How the jaws of life, hydraulics, and the Halligan tool actually work
⏱️ Responding to emergencies under 2 minutes — the reality of the firehouse
💡 Advice for young future firefighters (including a message for Alex’s little brother!)

Brandon’s story is one of passion, sacrifice, mastery, and service — on the streets of Miami, in disaster zones, and on the world stage.

If you enjoy stories of dedication, leadership, and real heroes at work, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Robert “OV” Oyarvide, a retired U.S. Air Force jet mechanic whose career spanned the Cold War, Desert Storm, and multiple deployments across Europe and the Middle East.

From maintaining F-111s, F-5 aggressors, U-2s, A-10s, and F-16s to training pilots during the Soviet threat, OV shares an inside look at the aircraft, missions, and dangers faced by the crews who kept America’s fighters in the air.

🌟 Topics Covered:
✈️ Volunteering for Desert Storm and serving at King Khalid Military City
🔥 Experiencing Scud, rocket, and mortar attacks on the ground
🛠️ Working as a jet mechanic on some of the Air Force’s most iconic aircraft
🎯 Training NATO and U.S. pilots to fight Soviet-style tactics during the Cold War
🇮🇶 Multiple tours supporting operations in Iraq near Baghdad
🤝 The unique bond between crew chiefs and their pilots
💡 Career lessons, discipline, and advice for the next generation

This is more than the story of a mechanic — it’s the story of a man who kept fighters battle-ready, trained future leaders, and served through decades of global conflict.

If you enjoy real stories of sacrifice, aviation, and service, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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