0:00:00 – Opening
0:02:51 – Jake Larsen
2:06:35 – How to stay on THE PATH.
2:40:34 – Closing Gratitude
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Putting this story in the spot light is what sets this podcast apart! Keep up the great work!
This hits home. My dad was a combat engineer in Europe. Fought with Patton in North Africa, landed at Utah beach, liberated Cherbourg, broke out with Patton and Bradley at St. Lo, stormed across France and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Lost his Thompson when the Germans shelled the pontoon bridge he was building across the Rhine and he had to swim back to the west side. He helped liberate Cologne and ended the war on the Czech boarder. I shouldn’t be here, there should be no way that Dad survived all this. Thanks for the podcast, gave me a reason to think about and thank my Dad for his service.
First let me, say thank you for you service and all that you do, Jocko! Thank you for this episode. I have a soft spot for World War 2 vets to begin with, but this episode was extra special. The reason is my Dad was in the Red One (26 Infantry, Company K -Blue Spade), and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Here’s the crazy part: my Dad was a policeman in Austin Minnesota for 46 years, and retired in his 70s. When Mr. Larsen said his Dad was thrown in the city of Austin’s jail, my mouth started to drop, but when he said he lived in Austin for four years, it hit the floor. There is a chance he and my Dad knew each other. By virtue of his position, everyone in town pretty much my Dad. My Dad’s name was Duane Klingerman, who passed on in 2018. He had been drafted at the age of 17. Again, thank you so much. This one meant a lot.
Thank you so much for having Mr. Larsen on today and for telling his story! I listen to your podcast regularly, and always find your content informative and inspiring. As a graduate student pursuing a MA in WWII Studies, however, today’s podcast was especially important to me. Oral and written histories are absolutely essential for remembering the past, not just as the official recorders notate it to be, but as the everyday men and women making the history tell it for themselves. Having just observed the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the men who fought the war on our behalf are dwindling, which makes recordings like today’s podcast even more important. I don’t often feel the need to reach out and comment on content, but I felt as though a heartfelt thanks needed to be extended for this contribution. As always, the sincerest thank you to Mr. Larsen himself, as well. I have read countless books on the war, D-Day, and Omaha Beach, but hearing those who lived it tell their own story is very humbling, and I am always amazed that anyone made it through. What always shines through is the humility of the survivors, which in turn makes it impossible to be anything but humbled oneself.
What an amazing story! I grew up not far from Hope, and my son even has a wrestling meet in Austin, MN tonight! A big takeaway for me, is that Mr. Larson is so grateful for the good things in his life, and that’s what he focuses on. We have a lot to learn from the older generations. My dad was an army veteran, serving from 1968-1970. He was fortunate to get sent to Okinawa instead of Vietnam as an E5. He had just graduated from the U of M and married my mom, who was pregnant with my brother when he got drafted (Fort Campbell, KY). I wanted to join the army reserves, but my dad talked me out of it. It’s something I’ve always regretted not doing. He just passed away this year from Alzheimer’s, and was an amazing man. Thank you for always having great guests. It really puts life into perspective when you hear their stories. Thank you.
Best. Podcast episode. Ever. God Bless America and the true American Spirit. I appreciated this so much. And Jocko’s reverence speaks volumes of his character as well. Best. Podcast.Ever.