DFN - Don't Forget Nuthin'

Leonard J. Samborowski
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Lessons learned from conversations with Military Veterans.

  1. MAR 22

    Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army

    Heidi Langbein-Allen discusses the harrowing survival of her father, Wilhelm Langbein. Forced into the Nazi army in 1943 at the age of 13, Wilhelm's story is one of indoctrination, survival on the Russian front, and the lifelong struggle with PTSD. Heidi reflects on growing up in the shadow of his silence and how this legacy shaped her own life as a Navy spouse. Key Discussion Points ·       The Indoctrination of a Generation: o   Wilhelm grew up in Witten, Germany, during the Nazi rise to power. o   By 1935, schoolbooks were rewritten to replace "God and family" with "obedience to the Fuhrer". o   At age 10, enrollment in the Hitler Youth became mandatory, transforming "boy scout" activities into paramilitary training. ·       The KLV Program and Forced Conscription: o   In 1943, Wilhelm was moved to the countryside under the Kinderlandverschickung (KLV) program, which purposed to protect children from bombings but was largely used for indoctrination. o   The SS eventually arrived at his school to select the "biggest boys" for service; Wilhelm was chosen at age 14. o   Wilhelm and his peers chose the regular army over the SS because they found the SS "creepy". ·       The Trauma of the Front Lines: o   The Execution: Wilhelm witnessed the execution of a schoolmate by an SS firing squad for the "crime" of stealing food. o   "Save the Last Bullet": Soldiers were instructed to keep their final bullet for themselves to avoid being captured and tortured by Russian forces. o   The Bayonet Incident: During the Battle of Vienna, Wilhelm faced a Russian soldier—a boy his own age. He deflected a bayonet into his own leg and used his "last bullet" to kill the other boy. ·       The Long Shadow of PTSD: o   After the war, Wilhelm suffered from night terrors and was "emotionally unavailable," burying himself in his work. o   He eventually became a high-level lawyer for NATO and the German Department of Defense, yet he spent his retirement fascinated by the very war documentaries that brought him fears. o   Heidi discusses her role as the "fixer" and the unsaid weight of the past. Heidi's DFN - Don't forget your humanity. We're all the same. We all have the same wants, emotions, loves, and needs." — Heidi Langbein-Allen ·  Book: Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army ·  Guest Website: heidilangbeinauthor.com This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders.

    42 min

  2. FEB 7

    Bloom Where You're Planted: Ranger Class 9-69.

    Brian O'Donnell is a former airline pilot, operations manager, Patriot and Military Veteran. LTC O'Donnell served 6 years in the Army and 18 in the U.S. Marine Corps. A resident of Massachusetts, Brian is a member of the U.S. Army Ranger Association, New England Chapter.    Along the way we discuss: The Military, A Family Business (1:00), Ranger Class 9-69 (6:15), 173rd Airborne Bde, Vietnam (12:00), Dahlonega Mountain Ranger Instructor (18:00), Flight School (26:15), U.S. Marine Corps (31:45), Colonel Claire B. Wilcox (35:45), Don't Forget Nuthin' (39:00) Support from the Better Half (42:30), and the importance of Loyalty (45:30).     This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. Music intro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders

    48 min

  3. JAN 7

    Hope, Healing, Heart: Jeff Ladieu

    Jeff Ladieu is an Army Veteran, Retired Captain of the New Hampshire State Police, and the current Executive Director of Camp Resilience, Gilford, NH. In this inspiring discussion Jeff shares his journey of leadership. Along the way we discuss the 3rd Generation Veteran (1:30), Ranger Class 6-97 (3:45), Stan McChrystal (5:15), Flutter Kicks with a SEAL (8:00), the Ranger Regiment (11:00), Mogadishu Warriors (13:15), Leadership phases (17:30), "What's so special about you?" NH State Police (22:00), a Curious Creature (26:15), "You Can't Run Through Politics" (28:30), Camp Resilience (29:45), Swim With A Mission and the Green Beret Challenge (34:45), 222 Miles (38:00) and Don't Forget (45:00).   Learn more about supporting Veterans @ Camp Resilience Thanks to the Ladd Farm for their relentless support to Veterans. This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

    46 min

  4. 12/24/2025

    Aggressive Leadership: Ranger Class May 1973

    Sam Wood, Veteran and successful entrepreneur talks about the impact of his military service. Along the way we learn about Ranger School (5:35), the Intelligence of the U.S. Military (10:30), the difference between Special Forces and Rangers (11:40), the 1st Sergeant and Officer relationships (19:00), skydiving into Beaver Stadium (22:55), building roads in Honduras (23:20), and the value of the Boy Scouts of America (31:05).  This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

    36 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Tab, Tanks, & DARPA, Ranger Class January 1971

    Originally recorded 21 April 2024 Thomas Quinn offers lessons learned from a remarkable military careeer, from Penn State ROTC to Germany, Fort Carson, ATEC and DARPA. Along the way we discuss Hands on Leadership (3:50), the Fulda Gap (17:25), Fort Carson (22:15), the Officer/NCO Partnership (26:50), LTG Caldwell (28:40), Combined Arms Operations (34:10), DARPA (37:35), and Advice to the Troops (42:30). This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

    46 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    Decide Who You Would Be, Ranger Class, November 1982

    Orginially recorded 16 June 2024. David Siden, USMC, tells of his days as a Marine. Assigned to Co H, 23rd Marine Regiment and Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Siden served 7 years in uniform.  Along the way we talk about his motivation for joining the Corps (2:00), parental support (or lack thereof) of the Military (11:30), dissing Chesty Puller (26:00), Comparative Liguistics (32:22), and advice from the Stoics (40:55). Application for and donations to educational scholarships for children of military Veterans can be made through this website LukeLeaders1248.com Music intro and outro from the creative genius Kenny Kilgore, lead guitarist for The Shadows @ Blind Willie's Blues Club, Marietta, Georgia. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

    44 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    Drill Sergeant Love: Victims vs. Champions

    Robert Fecteau Jr., is a clinical business analyst with the Leidos' Health Group.  He currently supports Electronic Healthcare Record Modernization (EHRM) within the Department of Defense Healthcare Management System Modernization (DHMSM) program.   Rob served on Active Duty for 8 years. He entered the US Army in 1999 and completed Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Benning, Georgia.  His assignments include Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Lewis, Washington; Walter Reed in DC; Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan; and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Sergeant Fecteau proudly served his country as a 68K, a Medical Laboratory Specialist in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).     In May of 2010, Rob suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Fecteau's powerful story of despair, acceptance, and recovery will leave you motivated to reach your own personal summit. Along the way we discuss – Message to Garcia (3:30), Basic Training (6:30), "Road Guard Post" (9:00), "Feces, don't waste my ammo" (10:30), 9-11, Pentagon (11:00), "Rerouting" Coax Cable (12:00), Hard as Woodpecker Lips (13:15), Drill Sergeant Love (13:15), Know Your Values (14:30), Family Care Plan (16:30), Life after the Military (18:00), the "Event" (19:00), Last Rites (20:30), FRAGO & Rehab (22:00), Dark Days (24:30), VA medical care (28:45), Hard Work and Improvement (31:00), Murder Ball (34:00) and the new passion – Sherpa Guides (36:15).   Need help, reach out to Rob @  Sherpa Guides: Back on Your Summit Bonus Link. If you haven't yet, read "A Message to Garcia"   This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

    43 min

  8. 11/27/2025

    Irreverent Warriors

    Bob Savin, is a private trainer, owner of Fitness Together, and Lead Coordinator of Irreverent Warriors (I.R.) an organization that brings Veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and drive a healthy culture within its members. Along the way we discuss – History of Irreverent Warriors (1:15), The Army is People (6:30), Veteran Humor (7:30), Silkies Hike (12:00), Code of Conduct (15:45), Size of I.R. (18:30), Hike Tags (21:45), Pay-it-Forward (23:45), Grunt Style Foundation (25:00), and Trump & Biden walk into a bar (27:30). Buy your Silkies @ Irreverent Warriors Merch Page If you're Veteran and need to talk reach out @ VA Help Line This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

    32 min
See All (22)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Lessons learned from conversations with Military Veterans.

Information

  • Creator
    Leonard J. Samborowski
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    DFN - Don't Forget Nuthin'