Heroes I Know
Before we are too old or too sick to tell them.
A chair. A microphone. The story stays in the archive.
Start here
1SG (R) Roger Vickers
The goat. He told a two-star no — then won Jumpmaster of the Year.
Listen to VickersAlso in the archive
- CSM (R) Joe Stout — The Airborne Messiah
- SSG Michelle Murray — Air defender. Mom. Screenwriter.
- SGT Nicole LaViolette — Frenchy. Everybody called her that.
Get the next hero story + Sunday letter.
On Amazon
Entangled at 4000.
Rememberings of a Soldier. Tales of jumping from airplanes, remembering fallen comrades, laughing at the old times.
Buy the book on Amazon01
Sit down
No script. No agenda. A chair, a microphone, and time enough to tell the truth.
02
Hit record
Every veteran has a story worth telling — not just the generals, not just the famous.
03
The story stays
For families. For fellow veterans. For people who will never wear the uniform.
The archive
Featured heroes
SSG Michelle Murray
ListenAir defender. Veteran. Mom. Screenwriter.
SGT Nicole LaViolette
ListenFrenchy. Everybody called her that.
1SG (R) Roger Vickers
ListenThe goat. What right looks like.
In memoryKaren Hunter Watson
RememberA hero that I know. We sat together. We sang.
Bishop Chris Parker
ListenA hero of mine. Jumpmaster. Informal leader.
1SG (R) Bill Shaw
ListenNiceville. 16 Romeo. Twenty years.
The mission
History isn’t just written in books. It lives in the voices of those who were there.
Quiet professionals. NCOs. Young troopers. Everyday heroes. Once those voices are gone, the stories are gone with them. We are here to capture them — while we still can.
If you are a veteran, your story matters. If you know a veteran, their story matters. Don’t wait.
Will Marshall · Dothan, Alabama
From the desk
Essays
January 23, 2020
Entangled at 4000
I remember that untangling our parachute was just as easy as me taking my quick release snap off of my weapons case.
Read the essay
September 20, 2026
The Hang
In the old days, we used to hang.
Read the essay
March 20, 2025
One Pass Over Sicily Drop Zone
One pass. Fifty-nine seconds of green light. One hundred and twenty souls.
Read the essay
The Wire
Air defense news, from the desk.
Washington moves to triple PAC-3 MSE and quadruple THAAD
Open the Wire
On YouTube
Shorts from the wire
SSG Michelle Murray
Air defender. Veteran. Mom. Screenwriter.
SGT Nicole LaViolette
Frenchy. Everybody called her that.
1SG (R) Roger Vickers
The goat. What right looks like.
Tony Love Walker
Florida Gator. Master Fitness Trainer. Extra about it.
1SG (R) Robert Maggot
A hero that I know.
SFC (R) Yogi Wallace
Two-year deal. Twenty-four years. Stinger. Airborne.
In the shop
Bastard Brigade. JM Life. The glass.
On Amazon
Entangled at 4000
Rememberings of a Soldier. Tales of jumping from airplanes, remembering fallen comrades, laughing at the old times.
Buy now
From $20.02
Bastard Brigade Tee
Jumpmaster Life. Proud member of the Bastard Brigade.
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From $28
Jumpmaster Life | Master Wings T-Shirt
The Jumpmaster Life logo and Master Parachutist wings. Seven colors, S–3XL.
Buy now
Wiregrass nights
Crawford & Marshall
Classic country. Rock and folk harmonies. Real good times. Denise Crawford and Will Marshall, out of Dothan — festivals, honor flights, and the kind of room that sings back.
Book the duo