Veterans are integral to the fabric of the Miami Valley, bringing unique perspectives shaped by military service across all branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force. WYSO's veterans coverage goes beyond traditional military stories to explore the full spectrum of post-service life in southwestern Ohio.
Through our Veterans' Voices series, supported by Wright-Patt Credit Union and the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission, we spotlight veteran entrepreneurs launching small businesses, advocates fighting for better services, and community leaders using military skills in civilian roles. Our reporting examines both the challenges veterans face—from navigating healthcare systems to overcoming transition depression—and the innovative solutions they create.
We cover veteran-specific issues affecting our region, including housing, employment, mental health resources, and educational opportunities. Stories range from recent service members adjusting to civilian life to Vietnam-era veterans sharing historical perspectives, reflecting the generational diversity within the veteran community.
Our veteran contributors, including graduates of WYSO's Community Voices training program, tell their own stories and those of fellow veterans. This approach ensures authentic representation of military experiences while building bridges between veteran and civilian communities.
Whether exploring veteran-owned businesses, military family dynamics, or policy impacts on local veterans, this coverage recognizes military service as just one chapter in the ongoing stories of remarkable individuals contributing to the Miami Valley's strength and resilience.
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Mike Carrell discusses helping universities support military students, while WYSO hosts and Army vets Dave and Diamond Smith share some of their campus experiences. -
MilitaryAfter struggling with post-military depression, Air Force veteran William Bowers now helps fellow veterans start businesses, using his military skills to fuel success. -
Army veteran Nick Ripplinger founded Battle Sight Technologies to turn military research into safety tools for first responders, transforming his service into purpose. -
Army veteran Jeremy Turner shares how military skills shape his success as an entrepreneur in Dayton, OH, and offers advice for other vets launching their own businesses. -
Scouts honor US soldiers at Dayton National Cemetery every year, placing thousands of flags in a Memorial Day tribute. The day is filled with gratitude and reflection. -
Jonas Bender is a former Yellow Springs resident who became one of the first Black Marines. He was stationed at Funafuti and the Ellice and Marshall Islands during WWII. -
Charlie Palumbo, the Military Voices Initiative Manager at StoryCorps, says everyone who served in the military or supported those in service has a story that matters. -
MilitaryIn this episode of Veterans' Voices, we hear from Emily Maples. Her father served in the Iraq War, and when he came home, the man Maples knew was no longer the same. -
The Support Our Veterans Corporation is installing 14, 500-square-foot homes in Woodstock. The project hopes to offer resources and community to unhoused Veterans. -
Jeanette Ezell reflects on her experience as a military spouse—her pride, the challenges, and dedication to the life she built with her husband in service to the country. -
MilitaryCarol Robinson from Centerville, Ohio, volunteers with Blue Star Families, combining her love for supporting families with her gratitude for those who serve our country. -
MilitaryFreedom Alliance, U.S. Bank, and Fischer Homes are giving away a new, mortgage-free home to a local Fairborn veteran to honor his service and advance his rehabilitation.
