The Kagan Dunlap Show

The “Lionheart” tank crew was a four-man United States Marine Corps team from Charlie Company, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Augmented to Alpha Company 1st Tanks deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.On May 8, 2005, Mothers Day, their M1A1 Abrams tank, callsign Lionheart, was struck by a massive improvised explosive device (IED). The blast was catastrophic, completely destroying the tank and marking the first Abrams tank lost to an IED during Operation Iraqi Freedom.Against all odds, every member of the Lionheart crew survived.This is a story about modern armored warfare, the evolving threat of IEDs, and the resilience, training, and brotherhood of U.S. Marines operating in one of the most dangerous combat environments of the Iraq War.It’s also a reminder of the thin line between life and death in combat and the warriors who continue the mission, even after surviving what should have been impossible.Their Names Are:Staff Sergeant Chad Brumpton – Tank commanderLance Corporal Joseph Lowe -- GunnerLance Corporal Mitch Ehlke – LoaderLance Corporal Fernando Lazalde (later Sergeant) – DriverPlease leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/#USMC #OperationIraqiFreedom #M1A1Abrams #TankCrew #CombatStories #MilitaryHistory #AlAnbar #Marines #WarStories

Sergeant Major Mike R. Vining, retired U.S. Army legend and Delta Force’s first EOD technician, shares vivid war stories and career-defining moments. He recalls Vietnam cache destructions, joining and shaping Delta Force, the Desert One disaster, and intense combat in Grenada. He also discusses major investigations, special operations evolution, and life after a storied military career.

Sergeant Major Mike R. Vining enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 and completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Following his completion of Advanced Individual Training at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama in the Ammunition Renovation Course, he attended the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course and the Nuclear Weapons Disposal Course at Indian Head, Maryland.Following his training, SGM Vining deployed to Vietnam with the 99th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) where he was awarded the Bronze Star in 1971 for his meritorious service in ground operations and EOD duties. In 1973, he joined the 543rd Ordnance Detachment (EOD) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, during which time he was awarded for heroism as an EOD specialist during a series of terrorist bombings in Quincy, Illinois.In 1978, SGM Vining volunteered for a new unit being formed, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta, where he served until 1985 as the unit’s first EOD specialist. During his assignment, he participated in Operation Eagle Claw in Iran and Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada.Following an assignment with the 176th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) at Fort Richardson, Alaska, he returned to Delta Force where he served as Chief EOD Technician, Research and Development Sergeant Major, and Breaching Sergeant Major from 1986 until 1992. During this assignment, he deployed in support of Operation Pocket Planner and Operation Desert Storm.Sergeant Major Vining culminated his Army career as the Special Plans Sergeant Major for U.S. Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command. During this tour, he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Joint Special Operations Task Force during Operation Uphold Democracy and as the Explosives Expert on the Downing Assessment Task Force, which investigated the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia in 1996.Sergeant Major Mike R. Vining retired in 1999.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/Sergeant Major (Ret) Mike Vining Links:X - https://x.com/BlastingThrough

Leighton Willhite is a distinguished World War II veteran and former U.S. Marine Corps tank driver whose courage and service are woven into the history of the Battle of Iwo Jima. At just 19 years old, Cpl. Willhite landed on the black sands of Red Beach II with C Company, 5th Tank Battalion, driving an M4A3 Sherman tank nicknamed “Lucky” during one of the fiercest and most iconic battles of the Pacific Theater.During the brutal campaign on Iwo Jima in 1945, Willhite and his crew supported infantry units under intense combat conditions. In one notable act of valor, he assisted in a rescue under fire to save another Marine tank crew at Hill 362A, earning him the Bronze Star with “V” device for heroism.Decades after the war, in August 2025—on the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender—100-year-old Willhite experienced a remarkable reunion with Lucky, the very tank he operated in battle. The event, held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ support facility in Dumfries, Virginia, brought together his family across generations and offered a powerful, living connection to history that few veterans ever get to see.Leighton Willhite’s story is one of bravery, resilience, and enduring legacy. His service in the Marines and his bond with Lucky remind us of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/

Leighton Willhite is a distinguished World War II veteran and former U.S. Marine Corps tank driver whose courage and service are woven into the history of the Battle of Iwo Jima. At just 19 years old, Cpl. Willhite landed on the black sands of Red Beach II with C Company, 5th Tank Battalion, driving an M4A3 Sherman tank nicknamed “Lucky” during one of the fiercest and most iconic battles of the Pacific Theater.During the brutal campaign on Iwo Jima in 1945, Willhite and his crew supported infantry units under intense combat conditions. In one notable act of valor, he assisted in a rescue under fire to save another Marine tank crew at Hill 362A, earning him the Bronze Star with “V” device for heroism.Decades after the war, in August 2025—on the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender—100-year-old Willhite experienced a remarkable reunion with Lucky, the very tank he operated in battle. The event, held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ support facility in Dumfries, Virginia, brought together his family across generations and offered a powerful, living connection to history that few veterans ever get to see.Leighton Willhite’s story is one of bravery, resilience, and enduring legacy. His service in the Marines and his bond with Lucky remind us of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/

Ethan Benard is a popular content creator and influencer documenting his inspiring weight-loss journey after reaching a peak weight of 660 pounds. A former Twitch partner and gaming broadcaster, he now shares daily vlogs, gym sessions, meal preps, and motivational updates across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X blending his passions for God, gaming, tech, and personal transformation. With radical transparency, Ethan has built a massive following while navigating the challenges of sustainable health, public accountability, and real-life progress.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/Ethan Benard Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ethanbenard/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/EthanBenardLIVE/Threads - https://www.threads.com/@ethanbenardYoutube - https://youtube.com/@TheEthanBenardShowTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ethanbenardlive?lang=enX - https://x.com/EthanBenard

Ethan Benard is a popular content creator and influencer documenting his inspiring weight-loss journey after reaching a peak weight of 660 pounds. A former Twitch partner and gaming broadcaster, he now shares daily vlogs, gym sessions, meal preps, and motivational updates across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X blending his passions for God, gaming, tech, and personal transformation. With radical transparency, Ethan has built a massive following while navigating the challenges of sustainable health, public accountability, and real-life progress.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/Ethan Benard Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ethanbenard/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/EthanBenardLIVE/Threads - https://www.threads.com/@ethanbenardYoutube - https://youtube.com/@theethanbenardshowTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ethanbenardlive?lang=enX - https://x.com/EthanBenard

Johnny Vargas is an active-duty U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) and prominent military influencer known for his authentic content on military life, veteran news, benefits, mental health, and humorous skits.Hailing from California's San Fernando Valley, Vargas enlisted in the Army on January 1, 2013, initially serving as a cavalry scout before transitioning to Air Defense Artillery. His accidental entry into social media began in 2023 when a video posted by his wife went viral, sparking his curiosity and leading him to build a dedicated presence under the handle  @Viva_La_Vargas  (primarily on TikTok, with accounts on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook).Through consistent posting—often multiple videos per day focused on educating, entertaining, and emotionally connecting with audiences—he grew his following to approximately 300,000 across platforms by late 2025, reaching 35-45 million users monthly.Vargas has turned this into a thriving side business exceeding his military salary (around $90,000 annually), offering consulting, media management, keynote speaking, and brand partnerships while collaborating with organizations like the Association of the United States Army and veteran support groups.A married father of four with family military ties (including a grandfather in the Korean War), he is set to medically retire from the Army in summer 2026 and plans to expand his media ventures full-time. Vargas emphasizes genuineness, persistence, and supporting service members' transitions, often stating, "If I can do it, other veterans and active-duty members can too."Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/Johnny Vargas Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/viva_la_vargas_/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyVargasMusic/Threads - https://www.threads.com/@viva_la_vargas_Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Viva_La_VargasTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vivalavargasX - https://x.com/Viva_La_Vargas

Johnny Vargas is an active-duty U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) and prominent military influencer known for his authentic content on military life, veteran news, benefits, mental health, and humorous skits.Hailing from California's San Fernando Valley, Vargas enlisted in the Army on January 1, 2013, initially serving as a cavalry scout before transitioning to Air Defense Artillery. His accidental entry into social media began in 2023 when a video posted by his wife went viral, sparking his curiosity and leading him to build a dedicated presence under the handle  @Viva_La_Vargas  (primarily on TikTok, with accounts on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook).Through consistent posting—often multiple videos per day focused on educating, entertaining, and emotionally connecting with audiences—he grew his following to approximately 300,000 across platforms by late 2025, reaching 35-45 million users monthly.Vargas has turned this into a thriving side business exceeding his military salary (around $90,000 annually), offering consulting, media management, keynote speaking, and brand partnerships while collaborating with organizations like the Association of the United States Army and veteran support groups.A married father of four with family military ties (including a grandfather in the Korean War), he is set to medically retire from the Army in summer 2026 and plans to expand his media ventures full-time. Vargas emphasizes genuineness, persistence, and supporting service members' transitions, often stating, "If I can do it, other veterans and active-duty members can too."Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/Johnny Vargas Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/viva_la_vargas_/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyVargasMusic/Threads - https://www.threads.com/@viva_la_vargas_Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Viva_La_VargasTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vivalavargasX - https://x.com/Viva_La_Vargas

Alyssa Michelle was born and raised in upstate New York as one of four sisters in a middle-class family. Growing up in the 90s, she was more drawn to art, music, and church than athletics—until high school, when she decided to pursue the military and began building discipline through individual sports like track and cross country. That decision ultimately set her on a path of resilience and leadership.Alyssa attended SUNY Brockport, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and commissioning as the top cadet in her ROTC class in 2015. Alyssa branched into Field Artillery and began her Army career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as a Fire Support Officer. During her time in uniform, she took on roles at the company, platoon, and executive officerlevels, leading through demanding training cycles such as JRTC and earning a reputation for mental toughness and adaptability.In 2017, Alyssa became a mother and simultaneously navigated the challenges of divorce, leading her to make the difficult decision to leave active duty as a Captain in 2019. She transitioned into a corporate role in Austin, Texas, determined to create stability for her young son. During this time, she also launched her personal brand, Little Fit Patriot, which began with fitness modeling and bodybuilding competitions before evolving into online coaching and fitness content creation. By 2024, Alyssa realized her passion extended beyond fitness into storytelling and entrepreneurship. She exited corporate life to start her own media and production company, LFP Creative, while also partnering with the veteran nonprofit Warrior Rising. Today, Alyssa is the CEO of LFP Creative, blending her military discipline, creative vision, and entrepreneurial spirit. Her journey—from ROTC to active duty, from fitness influencer to founder—reflects resilience, reinvention, and risk-taking in pursuit of freedom and a life centered on meaningful connections and time with her son.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Alyssa Michelle Links:Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/littlefitpatriot/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FitPatriotTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@littlefitpatriot_YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LittlefitpatriotLinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-michelle/