We asked people to participate in Real American Stories and were astonished by the responses. From people we stopped on the sidewalk to household names eager to tell their uniquely American stories, we invite you to watch selections that moved us.

 
Melinda Doolittle – NEW

Melinda Doolittle – NEW

This American Idol Finalist defied all the odds on her way to stardom.

Rachel Grusse – NEW

Rachel Grusse – NEW

A bi-lateral amputee, Rachel leads her teammates with a truly inspiring attitude.

New Haven Pizza Wars – NEW

New Haven Pizza Wars – NEW

New Haven’s battle over brick oven supremacy.

Robledo Family Winery – NEW

Robledo Family Winery – NEW

Reynaldo Robledo turned a $12  job into a million dollar operation.

Rick’s Picks – NEW

Rick’s Picks – NEW

Pushing the limits of pickling by bringing lots of taste to the traditional mason jar.

The Sphinx Org. – NEW

The Sphinx Org. – NEW

Aaron Dworkin brings classical music to the inner city, and opens up a world of possibilities.

Back On My Feet – NEW

Back On My Feet – NEW

Anne Mahlum starts a running program that helps homeless men reclaim their lives.

Hyde/Model Rugby – NEW

Hyde/Model Rugby – NEW

A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.

Hyde/Model Rugby – (CC)

Hyde/Model Rugby – (CC)

A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.

Project Healing Waters – NEW

Project Healing Waters – NEW

Bringing wounded vets fly-fishing to heal their mind and soul.

Operation Proper Exit – NEW

Operation Proper Exit – NEW

Taking wounded vets back to Iraq to provide emotional closure.

Tova Friedman – NEW

Tova Friedman – NEW

A Holocaust survivor, she was one of five children that survived from her town.

Dogfish Head

Dogfish Head

Owner, Sam Calagione overcame adversity to create, a bigger, bolder American beer.

Pat’s and Geno’s

Pat’s and Geno’s

Can it get any more American than steak, onions and cheese whiz on a homemade bun?

The Phillie Phanatic

The Phillie Phanatic

This lovable mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies brings imagination to life.

Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner

He talks about his journey from homelessness to financial freedom.

Air Guitar

Air Guitar

Some call air guitar part perf. art, pro wrestling and rock’n’roll. Whatever it is, it sure is fun.

Tom Clarke

Tom Clarke

He talks about seeing the last two 9/11 survivors being pulled from the wreckage.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

This July 4th patriotic pig out is rooted in love of country.

Fireworks by Grucci

Fireworks by Grucci

A family’s unbelievable story of courage, love and perseverance.

James Martinez

James Martinez

An Iraq War veteran, James talks about surviving a suicide attack and serving our country.

Giuliana Rancic

Giuliana Rancic

She talks about coming over from Italy as a child and the chances America has given her.

Gary Szabo

Gary Szabo

A firefighter who helped with the rescue efforts at the WTC after the 9/11 attacks.

Ken Krimstein

Ken Krimstein

He took his son to his first day of Kindergarten in NYC on 9/11.

Tara Deckard

Tara Deckard

She’s following in grandfather’s footsteps, paying it forward, and living up to her good name.

Teuta Dedvukaj

Teuta Dedvukaj

Her parents left Albania so she could grow up with the freedom to live out her “American Dream.”

Wayne Hosmer

Wayne Hosmer

An Iraqi veteran, he talks about the price of freedom.

Jillynn Rasmussen

Jillynn Rasmussen

A 1st grade teacher talks about teaching the Pledge of Allegiance to her students.

Mathew Knowles

Mathew Knowles

The father of entertainer Beyonce, he talks of the importance of reaching for your dreams.

Gidgett Lovingood

Gidgett Lovingood

She raised nine children and talks about overcoming adversity and following your dreams.

Fred & Tina Sayers

Fred & Tina Sayers

As devoted parents, they provided a safe and loving environment for over 40 foster babies.

Rachel Castaneda

Rachel Castaneda

She shares her ancestors’ sacrifices and struggles for the freedoms we enjoy in America.

Joe Dannenbaum IV

Joe Dannenbaum IV

Inspired by wounded soldiers, he’s in med school training to become a doctor in the U.S. Army.

Leeza Gibbons

Leeza Gibbons

Like her mother, she teaches her children that in America, anything is possible.

Musician LL Cool J

Musician LL Cool J

He shares his admiration for his grandfather and the importance of unity in America.

Military Wives

Military Wives

Julie Smith & Joyce Hogan have served our nation through their husbands’ military service.

Ken & Guen Williams

Ken & Guen Williams

They adpoted two children from Russia and share how the experience changed their lives.

Charles Ward

Charles Ward

Vietnam Vet who talks about how service changed his life and his feeling for this country.

Val Lofgreen

Val Lofgreen

He looks back and remembers what NYC was like on the day they buried JFK.

David Tyree

David Tyree

He compares football to unity and talks about the importance of America coming together.

CEO Jack Welch

CEO Jack Welch

Chairman and CEO of GE from 1981-2001, he talks about following your dreams.

Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher

She’s a 3rd generation American who talks of fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers.

Anthony Lassiter

Anthony Lassiter

A Vietnam Vet, Anthony talks about surviving a vicious attack, and the costs of freedom.

Peter & Dea Bauer

Peter & Dea Bauer

The couple talks about raising their kids and the freedoms we cherish in this country.

Alp Gurpinar

Alp Gurpinar

He emigrated from Turkey to go to college and follow his dreams.

Launa Costley

Launa Costley

A teacher who credits her ancestors for giving us the freedoms we share in this country.

Jimmie Sue Blose

Jimmie Sue Blose

She remembers the Oklahoma City bombing and how Americans stand together.

Thais Prado

Thais Prado

A Cuban American who talks about how her father risked his life to bring his family here.

Walter & Janet Loy

Walter & Janet Loy

Married for 52 years, they talk about growing up and raising a family in a small town.

Oleg Haskel

Oleg Haskel

He’s a Russian immigrant who talks about coming to America and achieving his dreams.

Andria Mellon

Andria Mellon

She talks about her ancestors’ hard work and sacrifice emigrating here from Greece.

George Padavil

George Padavil

He emigrated from India and talks about the opportunities America has given him.

Utkarsh Sata

Utkarsh Sata

He came from India to become an engineer and is currently applying for U.S. citizenship.

Stella Kozanecki

Stella Kozanecki

Her family has celebrated a family reunion every year for the past 70 years.

Montgomery Gentry

Montgomery Gentry

The award winning country music group talks about performing for the troops in Iraq.

25 Responses to “Operation Proper Exit – NEW”

  1. Viviana said:

    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.

  2. Sloan Gibson on Your USO and Operation Proper Exit « FYI…USO said:

    [...] 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 [...]

  3. Travis said:

    Thank you for your service and welcome home…
    SGT Shore US Army 85-92 1st ID Desert Storm

  4. Caleb Kennedy said:

    Thank you for fighting for our freedom. My family and I appreciate it so much.

  5. Rose said:

    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.

  6. Keith said:

    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.

  7. Dena said:

    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.

  8. Judith E.Lovold said:

    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 !!!

  9. SSGT Jim Healy said:

    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

  10. Patrice said:

    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.

  11. Bill said:

    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!

  12. Joseph M. Vottis said:

    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.

  13. Rodger said:

    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.

  14. Linda said:

    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.

  15. Andrew said:

    Wow! That’s an awesome program. God Bless all involved and all it serves with thanks for all they have given in service themselves.

  16. Marsha Luebbers said:

    God Bless You!

  17. Madeline said:

    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.

  18. Karen said:

    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.

  19. Janet Kearns said:

    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.

  20. Dane & Cindy Hancock said:

    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!

  21. Patti Boudos - Chicago said:

    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.

  22. Marshal Cantrell said:

    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.

  23. thomas pphan said:

    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.

  24. Forgotten Liberty said:

    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.

  25. Trish said:

    To say thank you sounds so ordinary, so I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH AND A GREAT BIG HUG AND KISS.

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