Semper Try

Sometimes the best conversations happen when you least expect them.

I attended a Memorial Day ceremony simply to record the event. I had no idea who the guest speaker was or that I was about to meet someone whose story deserved to be shared.

After hearing Buford Johnson's powerful speech, I introduced myself and asked if he would sit down for a conversation. Thankfully, he said yes.

In Part One, Buford shares an incredible journey that begins in a seminary where he was studying to become a monk before life took him in a completely different direction. He takes us through ROTC, the Army, Special Forces, Cold War Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, sharing firsthand stories, lessons on leadership, and the moment he realized his military career was about to change forever.

This is more than a military interview. It's the story of a life shaped by service, sacrifice, and purpose.

Guest: Buford Johnson
• U.S. Army Infantry Officer
• U.S. Army Special Forces
• Vietnam Veteran (1964–1965)
• Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.)
• Life Member of the VFW, American Legion, DAV, and Vietnam Veterans of America

Part Two continues next week.

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🎙 Semper Try Podcast
Because Trying Beats Quitting.

🌐 https://sempertry.com

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, Podbean, and wherever you get your podcasts.

At just 14 years old, Heinz Langbein found himself standing in a foxhole with four Panzerfausts, facing advancing Soviet T-34 tanks during the final weeks of World War II.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Heidi Langbein-Allen, she shares the incredible true story of her father's first battle, the split-second decisions that saved his life, his capture by American forces, and the emotional journey that followed after discovering the truth about the Holocaust.

This isn't just a story about survival. It's a story about indoctrination, courage, redemption, and the lifelong pursuit of democracy after experiencing one of history's darkest chapters.

If you enjoy military history, World War II stories, or powerful conversations about the human cost of war, this is an episode you won't forget.

📘 Get Heidi's book, Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army

🌐 Learn more about Heidi and her work:

Heidi Langbein-Allen Official Website

📚 Save the Last Bullet

Be sure to watch 029 P1 to hear how a 13-year-old German boy was taken from his family, indoctrinated by the Nazi regime, and prepared for a war he never chose.

At just 13 years old, Heinz Langbein was taken from his parents by the Nazi regime.

What began as a promise of safety from Allied bombing quickly became a systematic effort to turn German boys into soldiers. Indoctrinated through the Hitler Youth, separated from his family, forced to endure starvation, and trained for war, Heinz watched his childhood disappear one day at a time.

In Part 1 of this unforgettable conversation, author Heidi Langbein-Allen shares the incredible true story of her father's journey from an ordinary German schoolboy to a 14-year-old child soldier during the final months of World War II.

This isn't a story about politics.

It's a story about what war does to children.

As America celebrates 250 years of freedom, stories like Heinz's remind us why freedom is precious—and why history must never be forgotten.

Heidi's book, Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army, tells the complete story and is available here:

📖 Official Author Website: HeidiLangbeinAuthor.com

📚 Order the Book: Save the Last Bullet – Pen & Sword Military

Thank you to the Brainerd American Legion Post 255 for supporting the Semper Try Podcast and helping preserve stories that deserve to be remembered.

Because everyone has a story.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

n Part 3 of our conversation with John Pietruszewski, we explore a side of service that often goes unnoticed the service that continues long after the military career ends.

From earning the Green Beret to mentoring young people through Scouting, coaching youth sports, serving in the American Legion, and honoring veterans through the Color Guard, John shares how purpose, leadership, and commitment don't end when the uniform comes off.

This episode is about giving back, building future leaders, supporting fellow veterans, and answering the call to serve in new ways throughout life.

Because the mission doesn't end at retirement.

It continues.

Topics include:
🇺🇸 Special Forces lessons that carried into civilian life
🇺🇸 Coaching and mentoring the next generation
🇺🇸 Boy Scouts and developing future leaders
🇺🇸 The American Legion and veteran service organizations
🇺🇸 Color Guard and military funeral honors
🇺🇸 Veteran pride, purpose, and continued service
🇺🇸 Why "Service Over Self" still matters today

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

#SemperTryPodcast #JohnPietruszewski #ServiceOverSelf #Veterans #AmericanLegion #ColorGuard #Scouting #Leadership #GreenBeret #VeteranStories #BecauseTryingBeatsQuitting #BrainerdMN #VeteransHelpingVeterans #TheMissionContinues

In Part 2 of my conversation with John Pietruszewski, we continue his incredible journey from Green Beret to community leader.

John takes us inside life at Fort Bragg, shares what day-to-day service in Special Forces was really like, and tells the story of earning a chance to try out for the Army's elite Golden Knights parachute team. Competing for just five spots, John completed 50 jumps during the selection process and came remarkably close to making the team.

But as John reflects, not every dream ends with selection.

After active duty, he continued serving through the National Guard, built a successful engineering career, and eventually found a new mission through the American Legion, Honor Guard, and Color Guard. Today, he helps honor veterans, support military families, and ensure the stories of those who served are never forgotten.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while the uniform may come off, the commitment to service can last a lifetime.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

In 1971, John Pietruszewski faced a reality many young Americans knew all too well—the Vietnam draft. With a draft number of 26, he knew his chances of being called were high. Rather than wait, John made a decision that would change the course of his life: he enlisted in the Army with one goal in mind—earning the Green Beret.

In Part 1 of this conversation, John shares his journey from growing up in Northeast Minneapolis to Basic Training at Fort Knox, Infantry School at Fort Ord, Airborne School at Fort Benning, and eventually the path that led him to Special Forces. Along the way, he talks about military life in the early 1970s, jump school, drill sergeants, KP duty, and the determination it took to chase a dream that few ever achieve.

This is the beginning of an incredible story of service, perseverance, and a young man who refused to leave his future to chance.

Semper Try Podcast
Because Trying Beats Quitting.

#SemperTry #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #ArmyVeteran #VietnamEra #Airborne #MilitaryHistory #VeteranStories #BecauseTryingBeatsQuitting #Podcast

 

 

 

At 19 years old, Julie Becker returned home from a trip to Mexico and found a voicemail waiting for her.

It was from a Navy recruiter.

What started as a simple phone call led Julie from Phoenix, Arizona, to boot camp in Great Lakes, intelligence training in Pensacola, and eventually aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) as a Cryptologic Technician and plank owner.

In this episode of Semper Try, Julie shares stories from life at sea, intelligence operations, counter-drug missions, the aftermath of the USS Cole attack, and what it was like serving in the Navy during the events surrounding 9/11. She also reflects on the friendships, challenges, and unexpected moments that shaped her military career.

Today, Julie owns Better Days Acupuncture in Brainerd, Minnesota, where she helps people heal from pain, trauma, stress, and the challenges life throws their way.

This conversation is filled with humor, military history, life lessons, and a reminder that sometimes one small decision can change the entire course of your life.

And yes, you'll hear the story of how a handsome Navy recruiter and a voicemail helped launch it all.

 

In Episode 026 Part 2 of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill Lowe continues walking and talking with Army veteran Ray Reynoso somewhere along the back roads of Minnesota as Ray hikes the entire Mississippi River Trail from source to sea.

This episode is raw and real. The camera mount failed, the audio cuts out at times, traffic flies by, and nothing about it feels polished — but honestly, that’s what makes this one special. It’s two veterans sharing stories while walking down the road.

Ray talks about his deployment to Iraq, injuries suffered during a rocket attack, life after the military, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail, setting world records, and turning outdoor adventure into a career. He also shares why he raises money for organizations like Team Rubicon and Hike for Mental Health.

Along the way, the conversation turns into something bigger — purpose after service, mental toughness, travel, adventure, and learning how to keep moving forward one step at a time.

Follow Ray and his journey at “Geared Up Adventures” on social media and support his fundraiser for Team Rubicon.

This is Semper Try Podcast.
Because trying beats quitting.