Story Behind the Stone

Memory Anchor

Stories of veteran service and sacrifice straight from the people driving today’s most important veterans causes and veterans organizations around the world. The show shines a spotlight on their inspiring projects making a real difference for veterans and their families, and along the way we'll hear the stories that drive them to do their best every day as they work to support veterans and their memory.

  1. 15h ago

    Boyd Laanstra (Bank of Canada) - Symbolism and Design on Canada's New Vertical $20 Note

    "The Vimy Memorial was built as a tribute to Canadians who fought in the First World War and for us at the bank, it's featured in honour of Canada's contributions and sacrifices in military conflicts throughout its history." This week, we speak with Boyd Laanstra, Bank Note Visual Content Specialist at the Bank of Canada. Boyd gives behind-the-scenes insight into how Canada’s newly unveiled vertical $20 bank note, featuring His Majesty King Charles III and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, came to fruition. He explains the multi-year process of creating a circulating national canvas, balancing cutting-edge 3D security technology with historic commemoration and royal portraiture. In this episode:- Hear how the Bank of Canada planned a photo session at Buckingham Palace and worked with a master engraver to translate King Charles III’s likeness into secure hand-engraved line work- Learn why the note incorporates provincial floral emblems and vines inspired by the Books of Remembrance, alongside four traditional Indigenous plants representing sustenance, gratitude, and healing - Discover the complex rollout of a national currency and how the lengthy project must coordinate with cash-handling networks to update ATMs, bank note counters, vending machines, and parking meters across Canada before public release

    Boyd Laanstra (Bank of Canada) - Symbolism and Design on Canada's New Vertical $20 Note

  2. 6d ago

    John Monahan & Jeremy Diamond (Mount Pleasant Group & RCAF Foundation) - Lights of Remembrance

    "Veterans are not some unique group of others that are specially called upon to serve and to give sacrifice to their country and to their communities. They are all of us. They are our neighbors, our siblings, our family members, those nearest and dearest to us." This week, we speak with John Monahan, President and CEO of Mount Pleasant Group, and Jeremy Diamond, CEO of the RCAF Foundation. Together, they share how community partnerships are redefining remembrance across the Greater Toronto Area, why the Lights of Remembrance activation is changing how the public interacts with veteran graves, and the importance of connecting new generations with personal stories of service. In this episode:- Hear how Mount Pleasant Group evolved from Toronto’s first non-denominational burial ground at Potter’s Field in 1826 into the resting place of over 15,000 known Canadian veterans- Learn about William Barker, Canada’s most decorated serviceman, and the unveiling of a new commemorative monument - Find out how Indigenous Veterans Day is being observed at Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough

    John Monahan & Jeremy Diamond (Mount Pleasant Group & RCAF Foundation) - Lights of Remembrance

  3. Oct 15

    The Honourable Erin O'Toole (ADIT North America) - The Modern Fight for Recognition of Valour

    "We owe it to our men and women to say there's no time limit on recognizing valour and recognizing extraordinary citizens." This week, we speak with the Honourable Erin O'Toole, former Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, a Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, and the current President and Managing Director of ADIT North America. Erin's expansive career began with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), where he served for 12 years before attending Dalhousie Law School and spending nearly a decade in corporate law. In 2012, he was elected to represent the Ontario riding of Durham in Parliament and was re-elected for three more consecutive terms in 2015, 2019, and 2021. Erin served as the Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition between 2020 and 2022. In 2023, he joined ADIT North America as President and Managing Director. In this episode:- Hear how Erin and fellow veteran, the Honourable Roméo Dallaire, started the Sam Sharpe Breakfast, bringing attention to veterans' and service members' mental health challenges- Find out about Erin's very personal future donation to the Concussion Legacy Foundation and what the organization, under Tim Fleiszer's leadership, is doing to better understand traumatic brain injury - Listen to Erin's thoughts on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and how Odysseus's journey back from trauma and moral injury reflects the experiences of current service members

    The Honourable Erin O'Toole (ADIT North America) - The Modern Fight for Recognition of Valour

  4. Sep 18

    Alan Amelinckx (National Park Service) - The Ripple Effect of Remembrance

    "She could say thank you every day for the rest of her life, but it would never be enough. For her, liberation was a very personal thing." This week, we speak with Alan Amelinckx, Program Manager of Interpretation and Education with the U.S. National Park Service at Springfield Armory National Historic Site and Coltsville National Historical Park.  Alan shares how his childhood in France, hearing his father's stories of German occupation, shaped his own service and career path. After serving as a Medical Sergeant with the US Army, including a deployment in Iraq, he spent nearly a decade with the American Battle Monuments Commission, managing military cemeteries overseas in France and Belgium. Once he returned stateside, he worked for the National Cemetery Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, before joining the National Park Service.  In this episode:- Hear how descendants of World War II B-17 airmen uncovered a surprising connection after 30 years of friendship- Learn about the unique architectural differences between World War I and World War II sites- Reflect on how evolving technology can bridge the gap between generations and continents, allowing veterans and their families a chance to commemorate from afar

    Alan Amelinckx (National Park Service) - The Ripple Effect of Remembrance

  5. Sep 10

    Dr. Elizabeth Hillman (9/11 Memorial & Museum) - Honoring Service & Preserving 9/11 History

    "People can come together with courage, with compassion, with unity in the aftermath of exceptionally difficult events." This week, we speak with Dr. Elizabeth Hillman, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, as she discusses preserving historical memory and engaging new generations as the 25th anniversary of September 11th approaches. A former U.S. Air Force officer and university president, Dr. Hillman shares how the museum connects with millions of global visitors, honors the sacrifice of victims and first responders, and expands its educational reach. In this episode:- Learn about the mission to educate post-9/11 generations, discovering how the museum engages over 100 million Americans born after the attacks through educator institutes and nationwide digital learning programs- Uncover powerful personal stories of sacrifice, including the legacy of Welles Crowther, the "Man in the Red Bandana", and how daily birthday tributes connect global visitors with individual victims- Hear about key 25th-anniversary commemorations, highlighting a new exhibition on inspired service, interactive online campaigns, and the addition of a seventh ceremonial bell honoring those lost to 9/11-related illnesses

    Dr. Elizabeth Hillman (9/11 Memorial & Museum) - Honoring Service & Preserving 9/11 History

  6. Sep 4

    Clifford Chanin (9/11 Memorial & Museum) - Building a Sacred Legacy from Ground Zero

    "No one who went to work that morning at any firehouse in the city understood what was going to be happening." This week, we speak with Clifford Chanin, Executive Vice President and Museum Director of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum, as he shares his two-decade journey helping build the institution from Ground Zero. Clifford discusses the complex architectural decisions made beneath the original Twin Towers' footprints, the sensitive work of turning individual family grief into a sacred historical record, and how the museum continues to expand its reach through digital education and specialized first responder programs. In this episode:- Examine the architectural significance of Ground Zero, looking at how the underground museum was constructed directly beneath the memorial pools to project the physical volume of the original towers into the space below- Understand the sensitive evolution of working with affected families, exploring how years of open dialogue transformed sudden, devastating loss into a unified and sacred historical narrative- Discover how the museum educates millions born after September 11th, highlighting specialized training programs for probationary firefighters alongside nationwide classroom initiatives

    Clifford Chanin (9/11 Memorial & Museum) - Building a Sacred Legacy from Ground Zero

  7. Aug 19

    Danny Chahbouni & Melissa Grosche (Volksbund) - War Graves as Spaces for Reconciliation

    "Young people are the future. They're the future leaders, the future managers, the future decision makers. So it's good to educate them about their historic responsibility, bring them together, and let them shape a better future." This week, host Matthew Stewart visits the headquarters of Volksbund, the German War Graves Commission, to sit down with Head of Communications Danny Chahbouni and historian Melissa Grosche. Together, they discuss Volksbund’s ongoing mission across 840 cemeteries in 45 countries. Their work includes recovering thousands of World War I and II casualties in Eastern Europe each year, alongside reshaping traditional cemetery architecture into active spaces for civic education and international reconciliation. Throughout the conversation, Danny and Melissa share how preserving individual stories helps future generations learn from the dark chapters of history. In this episode:- Learn about the ongoing recovery of thousands of fallen soldiers, discovering how Volksbund continues to recover and identify 10,000 to 15,000 military casualties each year- Explore how the War Biographies project analyzes primary letters, diaries, and family archives to reconstruct complex personal lives- Understand the architectural evolution of German war cemeteries, examining how site design transitioned from nationalist, fortress-like structures to open, reflective spaces built for global dialogue and youth education

    Danny Chahbouni & Melissa Grosche (Volksbund) - War Graves as Spaces for Reconciliation

  8. Aug 6

    Matthew Stephens (Mount Auburn Cemetery) - Reimagining Cemeteries as Vibrant Community Landscapes

    "Having these public spaces where people can escape to reflect or feel inspiration or just be alone with their thoughts or take a quiet walk with friends is becoming increasingly more valued by a world that just keeps moving faster and faster." This week, we speak with Matthew Stephens, President and CEO of the historic Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831 as the first garden cemetery in the United States, Mount Auburn revolutionized burial spaces by centering nature. Matthew shares how his journey from urban horticulture led him to preserving the 175-acre National Historic Landmark that serves as a working cemetery, world-class arboretum, and a thriving community sanctuary. In this episode:- Learn how Mount Auburn invites the community in, breaking traditional cemetery stereotypes through pedestrian gate access, educational welcome centers, and the exciting Winter Solstice light and sound installation- Uncover the therapeutic power of "getting good lost," experiencing how wandering through 175 acres of historic trees, rich perennial gardens, and 200 vibrant sugar maples helps visitors disconnect from daily noise and stress- Explore the strategic balance between nature and active operations, including Mount Auburn's plans designed to safeguard its tree canopy, manage climate change, and elevate family care for centuries to come

    Matthew Stephens (Mount Auburn Cemetery) - Reimagining Cemeteries as Vibrant Community Landscapes
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Stories of veteran service and sacrifice straight from the people driving today’s most important veterans causes and veterans organizations around the world. The show shines a spotlight on their inspiring projects making a real difference for veterans and their families, and along the way we'll hear the stories that drive them to do their best every day as they work to support veterans and their memory.

Information

  • Creator
    Memory Anchor
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    81
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Memory Anchor Inc.
  • Show Website
    Story Behind the Stone