We asked people to participate in Real American Stories and were astonished by the responses we received. From people we stopped on the sidewalk to household names eager to tell their unique and inspiring American stories.
Fast and furious, this American tradition features tiny tots riding woolly wonder beasts.
Jamie Poindexter’s drumline is bringing together a tough neighborhood with a joyful beat.
A barista gives a kidney to a complete stranger, giving her the ultimate pick-me-up.
Raised by migrant farm workers, Jose Hernandez used hard work and a big heart to reach the stars.
Monica Haslip’s afterschool program is creating artists and serious entrepreneurs.
Michael Reagan and his Fallen Heroes Project provides closure for the families left behind.
This shoe shine man is changing the world through his Clean Water Foundation.
Through hard work and perseverance, Mila Apostol created the little store that could.
A refugee survivor, Derreck Kayongo is saving the world, one bar of soap at a time.
Some call air guitar part perf. art, pro wrestling and rock’n’roll. Whatever it is, it sure is fun!
A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.
A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.
Aaron Dworkin brings classical music to the inner city, and opens up a world of possibilities.
An Iraq War veteran, James talks about surviving a suicide attack and serving our country.
She talks about coming over from Italy as a child and the chances America has given her.
She’s following in grandfather’s footsteps, paying it forward, and living up to her good name.
Her parents left Albania so she could grow up with the freedom to live out her “American Dream.”
A 1st grade teacher talks about teaching the Pledge of Allegiance to her students.
She raised nine children and talks about overcoming adversity and following your dreams.
As devoted parents, they provided a safe and loving environment for over 40 foster babies.
She shares her ancestors’ sacrifices and struggles for the freedoms we enjoy in America.
Inspired by wounded soldiers, he’s in med school training to become a doctor in the U.S. Army.
Julie Smith & Joyce Hogan have served our nation through their husbands’ military service.
They adopted two children from Russia and share how the experience changed their lives.
Vietnam Vet who talks about how service changed his life and his feeling for this country.
He compares football to unity and talks about the importance of America coming together.
She’s a 3rd generation American who talks of fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers.
A Vietnam Vet, Anthony talks about surviving a vicious attack, and the costs of freedom.
The couple talks about raising their kids and the freedoms we cherish in this country.
A teacher who credits her ancestors for giving us the freedoms we share in this country.
A Cuban American who talks about how her father risked his life to bring his family here.
Married for 52 years, they talk about growing up and raising a family in a small town.
He came from India to become an engineer and is currently applying for U.S. citizenship.
The award winning country music group talks about performing for the troops in Iraq.
Your lives for ours, there are not enough words in this world to thank you and praise you and recognize you. Your valor and dedication can only be properly rewarded by the Most High and your names are there already. God bless you all men and women in uniform from the bottom of my heart and the tears of my eyes as I see your stories and imagine the rest.
[...] Proper Exit, which was featured in the recent edition of ON PATROL, was also featured here by Real American Stories. Sgt. Rob Brown, Rick Kell and others tell their incredible [...]
Thank you for your service and welcome home…
SGT Shore US Army 85-92 1st ID Desert Storm
Thank you for fighting for our freedom. My family and I appreciate it so much.
Sacrifices have been made, and we sleep peacefully at night knowing there is some one out there who loves us and this country we call America. Thank you Tom Tom, Eric, and Lee, and to my dad, granddads, sisters and aunts. Tom Tom may you always rest in peace and live in our hearts forever. My way of giving back will never be enough for the sacrifices you have made.
As a veteran of the first Persian Gulf War and now having a younger brother serve his second tour in Iraq. I understand and salute all who have and currently serve honorably in the service of our country. You are in our prayers and thoughts every day. I look forward to saluting SGT Brown in the Olympics! Thank you.
That’s what you call “defeating satan. Looking this disgusting THING in the face and going, “man, you UGLY!” Walking out, declaring victory over that enemy and going on with life.
I give you my heart felt gratitude, everyone of you serving our country in the Armed Forces…thank you for your sacrifice and dedication to freedom.
We love you and pray for your safety, and admire your commitment to fight to keep our freedoms in this country for us.
Though there are those right here who are battleing against you, trying to take our freedoms, we will never lose, and we will never forget all that you have given up to fight and be where some of us cannot be.
May God richly Bless you and may God richly bless this United States of America !!
Always remember, we have read the last page of the Book, and we know Who wins !! Praise be His Holy Name !!!
To my fellow Brothers & Sisters in Uniform,
As a prior service Marine, I want to thank each & every one of you for your heart in serving our country, ffor sacrificing everything you are as a man or woman, as an AMERICAN in uniform and by placing your lives on the line knowingly that you may not come home alive or in a few pieces. You joined the military to protect our country and the people who live here. The sacrifices you make every day is more than the civilians can fathom or understand. You are my HEROS!
Thank You and may our LORD & SAVIOR Bless you, keep you safe and bring you back home to US, your family safe and sound.
Semper Fidelis
SSGT Jim Healy
USMC
I cannot thank you enough for your service to your country. My son-in-law is in the Army and deployed to Iraq right now. My father served in the army as well. We are the land of the free because of the brave. God Bless you.
As a vetran USAF Viet Nam. I thank you for your sacrafice and for your courage and dedication to duty honor and country. You have sacrificed for the freedoms all American’s enjoy and many take for granted. it is my greatest hope that some day all in our country will gather as one and pay tribute and thanks to the many brave men and women who have served so gallently our country and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our great nation Again, Thank you and God Bless!
Count on a check. I’m out of work, but I am still sending one. The LEAST I can do. The VERY least. You made me cry not because I feel sorry for you at all, but because I am so proud of you as an American. You are the best among us.
Thank you so much for serving and more so in being an inspiration to all of us.I am an Army vet and my son is serving now in the Army.May my Higher Power bless you and protect those standing in harms way for our freedoms here at home.
Thank You for your service to this country – It will not go unforgotten in this house. My dad who lives with me is 86 years young, Served in WWII in the Pacific, and in Korea, and my brother served in Vietnam. We ALL wish the best to you, and your family. Again, Thank you for your Service – and your Sacrifice to this great country we all call home.
Wow! That’s an awesome program. God Bless all involved and all it serves with thanks for all they have given in service themselves.
God Bless You!
You have given this entire country and me the greatest gift a person can recieve, even without knowing me. You have fought for my freedom and I am forever greatful; words cannot describe how thankful I am to have brave men and women like you proudly defending our great nation and our values. I try hard in school and strive to be a good person so that I may help to honor what you have given me. I know that it is not enough, but thank you for what you have done and continue doing and may God bless you.
On this Veteran’s Day, I sincerely thank you for your service to our glorious country. You and all those who fight for us are in my family’s prayers daily.
Just wanted to say thank you for your sacrifice and Im glad to see that you have done something for yourself. What great strength you have, I know that your family is so very proud of you. A soilder that i know hasnt done as well with the same loss as you. I wish you all the best in the future it looks very bright from where im sitting.
How can we begin to say thankyou for your great sacrifice you made in fighting for our country and keeping us safe. We tend to go about our daily lives and too often forget that freedom is not free. It’s because of brave and fearless young soldiers like you, who are willing to serve this great nation and defend our freedom, that we enjoy each day without fear. Thankyou for sharing your courageous story with us. We pray for you and all our soldiers serving our country all over the world. God Bless you!
On this Veteran’s Day — I thank you with all my heart for my freedom and for your sacrifice for our beloved America. God Bless you and each of you serving proudly for each and every one of us. THANK YOU. You are all in our prayers.
Rob – There aren’t enough words that can really express my gratitude and gratefullness to you for your willingness to put your life on the line everyday for all Americans – including me. GOD has blessed American with great strength in its young men and women – their character and their commitment to serve her. THANK YOU ROB. I am glad that you are home and are doing as well as you are. I pray the LORD continues to bless you and your family in ways beyond your ability to imagine. There are so many reasons to be proud to be an American. You are one of them.
this story really motivating me in dailylife,as a vet. myself I came home in one pcs. Salute to all Vets. we owe you a great deal.
Thank you for what you are doing. This program seems like a great idea. Our great country is blessed to have heroes like Sgt. Rob Brown.
To say thank you sounds so ordinary, so I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH AND A GREAT BIG HUG AND KISS.