The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices#752 FireSide Chat w/ The Crew — War Stories, Sea Stories & the History Hidden in Them; 26 Oct 2026
🔥 #752 FireSide Chat w/ The Crew — War Stories, Sea Stories & the History Hidden in Them
25 October 2026 | The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices
How much history is hidden in the stories veterans tell? And what happens when the people who remember the lessons behind those stories are no longer around to explain them?
In this episode of FireSide Chat, host Andrew “AJ” Cox joins Aaron Davis, Mike McNany, Jess Kindelspire, and Vick Ney for an evening of military memories, overseas adventures, good-natured trash talking, and serious reflections on leadership and lessons learned.
Aaron shares a story from Rota, Spain, while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. An attempt to help junior Marines return to the ship becomes a confusing liberty deadline, a confrontation with senior leadership, and a private explanation that puts the whole encounter in a different light.
Jess brings memories from amphibious deployments, foreign ports, and shipboard life. From Australia and the Middle East to Japan, his stories capture the unpredictable combination of close quarters, colorful personalities, and questionable decisions that make military experiences unforgettable.
AJ and Vick revisit their trip to France, where an unavailable interpreter leaves them navigating conversations with limited French. An early-morning cigar purchase and a memorable restaurant encounter become reminders that military travel produces stories far beyond the official itinerary.
The crew also explores the Lance Corporal Underground and how stories change as they travel. Jess recalls a damaged weapon barrel turning into a rumor that a crew member had died—an example of how quickly a real event can become something entirely different.
But beneath the laughter are difficult memories.
The conversation turns to training accidents, equipment failures, fatigue, and the consequences of overlooked warning signs. The crew reflects on incidents involving armored vehicles, aircraft, and live-fire ranges, discussing how quickly an ordinary training day can become life-changing.
A central theme emerges: remembering why the rules exist.
As experienced service members move on, the stories behind safety requirements can disappear. Training that once followed a painful lesson may begin to seem unnecessary when nobody remembers what prompted it.
Leadership becomes another major part of the discussion. Aaron and Jess recall leaders who chose to teach after mistakes rather than immediately end careers. Vick describes raising concerns after a range incident, leading to a conversation about accountability, speaking up, and whether leaders are willing to hear uncomfortable information.
Drawing on his experience supporting military training as a contractor, Jess discusses resistance to adapting training for emerging threats, including improvised explosive devices. The crew considers the cost of refusing constructive criticism and treating important information as something to hold onto rather than share.
Throughout the episode, humor and hard-earned experience come together around a shared understanding: military stories preserve more than entertainment. They carry lessons about responsibility, judgment, leadership, and taking care of one another.
Words of Wisdom from the episode:
Jess recommends The White Donkey, discussing its portrayal of military experience and PTSD and his connection to its original crowdfunding effort.
Vick shares: “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king,” prompting a few variations from the crew.
AJ encourages veterans to ask for help when they need it and check on the people they served with.
The crew adds one final piece of familiar advice: “Change your socks.”
🎙️ On This Episode
Host:
Andrew “AJ” Cox — United States Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) | Founder & Executive Director, The Lost Art Project
FireSide Chat Crew:
Aaron Davis
Mike McNany
Jess Kindelspire
Vick Ney
🇺🇸 A Reminder to Our Veteran Community
If you’re struggling, please reach out. Crisis support is available by calling 988.
And if you’re doing well, take a moment to check on someone you served with. Sometimes a simple conversation can make all the difference.
The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices
Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.
Collect • Preserve • Educate • Inspire
🌐 www.thelostartprojectveteransvoices.org
▶️ YouTube: @TheLostArtProject
