HERITAGE MINUTE

heritageminute

With Steve Simon ’77, Highlighting What Makes the Academy Great!

  1. USAFA'S Storytellers - Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Dean Miller

    5d ago

    USAFA'S Storytellers - Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Dean Miller

    In this edition of Heritage Minute Podcast, a behind-the-scenes look at how the U.S. Air Force Academy tells its story. Host Lt Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 is joined by Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Dean Miller, a former USAFA public affairs specialist and strategic communications leader, who explains why relationships and trust matter most. Miller reflects on what he carried forward from the Academy — integrity, service and excellence — and how those values matter in every role.

    32 min
  2. 50 Years with Women at USAFA - Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tanya Hurwitz ’95

    Apr 17

    50 Years with Women at USAFA - Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tanya Hurwitz ’95

    This April in Colorado Springs, more than 600 members of the Long Blue Line will come together to mark 50 years of women at the U.S. Air Force Academy For five decades, thousands of women have helped define the mission and legacy of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Today, leaders like Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tanya Hurwitz ’95 are bringing those stories full circle — connecting past impact with future generations.

    16 min
  3. Homestead Roots

    Mar 15

    Homestead Roots

    The U.S. Air Force Academy’s history didn’t begin in the 1950s. In this edition of Heritage Minute Special, Col. (Ret.) Jack Anthony ’78 discusses the pioneers who lived on the land before the founding of the U.S. Air Force Academy — including the McAlroy family. Col. David McAlroy ’03 joins the conversation to reflect on discovering his family’s connection.     The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation

    16 min
  4. Wecker Hall: Home at Last

    Mar 1

    Wecker Hall: Home at Last

    Groundbreaking began in October 2023. By September 2024, employees signed the final beam at the topping out ceremony. Staff moved in May 2025 — bringing the Association & Foundation and the Falcon Foundation together under one roof. Designed in the Academy’s modernist style, Wecker Hall features collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms and a dedicated podcast studio. Its geothermal field, rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient design support a net-zero vision — maximizing stewardship. Named in honor of Dr. Bill Wecker ’63 and his late wife, Mary Linn, the facility reflects a commitment to growth, sustainability and the future of the Long Blue Line.

    3 min

  5. Feb 16

    Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck ’12 - Honoring Air Power's Roots

    In this edition of the Heritage Minute Special, Maj. Julian "Cosmo" Gluck ’12 returns to the U.S. Air Force Academy to reflect on the enduring legacy of the late Gen. Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, the U.S. Air Force’s first chief of staff and a foundational figure in American airpower. This episode examines Civil Air Patrol’s origins and the significance of the Spaatz Award. Julian shares how early exposure to military traditions shaped his own path to USAFA and why preserving heritage remains essential to developing future leaders.       The Heritage Minute Channel is a production of the Long Blue Line Podcast Network and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation

    19 min
  6. Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold Sculpture

    Feb 2

    Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold Sculpture

    The bronze statue of Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold standing in front of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Arnold Hall was dedicated on Nov. 5, 1993, following a multi-year effort led by the Falcon Foundation. After receiving superintendent support in 1991, the foundation selected sculptor Glenna Goodacre and raised approximately $150,000 to bring the project to life. The statue depicts Gen. Arnold in uniform, standing beside a globe and pointing toward Europe — a reflection of his global vision and leadership. Members of the Arnold family attended the dedication, including daughter-in-law Barbara Arnold and her son, Robert. Today, the statue remains a lasting symbol of the leadership legacy that continues to inspire USAFA cadets and graduates alike.

    2 min
  7. The Long Blue Line: A Way of Life - Heritage Minute Special

    12/19/2025

    The Long Blue Line: A Way of Life - Heritage Minute Special

    In this Heritage Minute Special, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Simon ’77 interviews Col. (Ret.) Carolyn Benyshek ’87, who shares her journey from growing up in Colorado Springs to becoming the U.S. Air Force Academy’s director of admissions. She reflects on her cadet experience, her Air Force career in space operations, and her continued commitment to mentoring and service after retirement.

    31 min
  8. The Col. James Jabara Statue - Heritage Minute

    12/08/2025

    The Col. James Jabara Statue - Heritage Minute

    Above Arnold Hall’s main entrance stands a statue of Col. James Jabara — America’s first jet ace and the second-leading ace of the Korean War. Dedicated in 2004, this monument is closely tied to the Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship, an annual honor established in 1967 and presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Association of Graduates and the Jabara family. The award goes to a USAFA graduate, living or deceased, whose actions directly associated with an aerospace vehicle set him or her apart from contemporaries. The first recipient was Capt. Donald Stevens ’60 in 1968, and past honorees include Karol Bobko ’59, Steve Ritchie ’64, and Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger ’73.

    3 min
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About

With Steve Simon ’77, Highlighting What Makes the Academy Great!

Information

  • Creator
    heritageminute
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025-2026 | U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation | All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    HERITAGE MINUTE

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