Welcome Home: The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Podcast

The American Legion
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

We’re proud to introduce the Welcome Home podcast, presented by The American Legion. This new series, hosted by Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation Chief of Staff Jennifer Ballou, shares the powerful voices of those whose lives have been shaped by the Global War on Terrorism.

Episodes

  1. Military families and the GWOT memorial

    11/06/2025

    Military families and the GWOT memorial

    Military veterans and military family members are guiding the concept and design for the memorial that will honor and remember all involved in the Global War on Terrorism. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation is welcoming input into the design of the memorial from service members, GWOT veterans, their families, Gold Star Families, and others. This is the final episode in “Welcome Home,” the initial six-part special podcast series produced by The American Legion. It focuses on the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C., that will serve as a special place of honor and remembrance. Check back in the spring of 2026 for the next installment.

    30 min
  2. Super Bowl champion helps envision GWOT memorial design

    10/30/2025

    Super Bowl champion helps envision GWOT memorial design

    Darius Holland won a Super Bowl championship playing for the Green Bay Packers during his 10-year NFL career. Afterward, he found his calling as a chaplain in the Army National Guard and as a pastor of 20 years. He currently specializes in religious practices and coaching that bridges cultural gaps and fosters spiritual readiness, especially within the military community. A member of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation’s Design Advisory Council, Holland is the special guest in this episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou. He talks about his NFL career, service as a chaplain, moral injury, and how he helps veterans and servicemembers heal. This is the fifth episode in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion. It focuses on the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C., that will serve as a special place of honor and remembrance.

    41 min
  3. GWOT memorial shares stories of veterans, their families and all Americans

    10/23/2025

    GWOT memorial shares stories of veterans, their families and all Americans

    All Americans have been affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Global War on Terrorism as a whole. The Global War on Terrorism Memorial is being designed to share the stories, voices and experiences of GWOT veterans, their military families and all Americans. Retired Army Col. Kirsten Brunson and Gen. Xavier Brunson are the special guests in this episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou. It is the fourth in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion. It focuses on the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C., that will serve as a special place of honor and remembrance.

    39 min
  4. GWOT veterans memorial reflects their voices, war stories

    10/16/2025

    GWOT veterans memorial reflects their voices, war stories

    The Global War on Terrorism Memorial will reflect the voices, unique experiences and war stories of those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.  Marine Corps combat veteran Elliot Ackerman, the co-chairman of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation’s Design Advisory Council, is helping to collect the voices that will be used to represent all those who served, sacrificed and contributed to the GWOT. He is the author of a half-dozen books, including “The Fifth Act: America’s End in Afghanistan.” This episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, is the third in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion. It focuses on the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C., that will serve as a special place of honor and remembrance.

    36 min
  5. Creating the design for the GWOT veterans’ memorial

    10/09/2025

    Creating the design for the GWOT veterans’ memorial

    The design for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial will incorporate the stories of those most closely affected including veterans, their families, Gold Star Families and other military members. Kengo Kuma, who was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People, and Balázs Bognár from Kengo Kuma and Associates are the lead designers in the memorial to honor and memorialize GWOT veterans. They explain the design process, their vision and more for the project that will result in the memorial dedication in Washington, D.C. This episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, is the second in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion.

    28 min
  6. GWOT veterans’ memorial for honor and remembrance

    10/02/2025

    GWOT veterans’ memorial for honor and remembrance

    The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is on a journey to dedicate a place of honor and remembrance for all service members and military families who served and sacrificed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Former Army Green Beret and foundation CEO Michael Rodriguez shares his vision for the GWOT memorial in Washington, D.C.; how it is a “sacred duty” and more. This episode, hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, is the first in the initial six-part special series produced by The American Legion.

    29 min

  7. Season 1 Trailer

    Introducing the Global War on Terrorism Memorial podcast series

    The American Legion is proud to introduce “Welcome Home,” a new podcast series from the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. GWOT Memorial Foundation CEO and former Army Green Beret Michael “Rod” Rodriguez chats with Chief of Staff and Army veteran Jennifer Ballou, who will host the upcoming series. The memorial will honor and remember military members who served since 9/11. Rodriguez and Ballou talk about their personal connections to the Global War on Terrorism, the memorial foundation and more in advance of the first episode of Season 1 of "Welcome Home," which will be released on Oct. 2. Links Global War On Terrorism Memorial Foundation - Advocating for a memorial on the mall for GWOT service members.

    17 min

Trailer

About

We’re proud to introduce the Welcome Home podcast, presented by The American Legion. This new series, hosted by Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation Chief of Staff Jennifer Ballou, shares the powerful voices of those whose lives have been shaped by the Global War on Terrorism.

Information