The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices

Tune in for a powerful and inspiring story from Navy Veteran Anthony “Token Squid” Price.
Growing up in an incredibly small town, Anthony knew early on that he wanted more. He wanted to leave, to explore, to see the world. The Navy seemed like the perfect path.
Ironically, his journey to “see the world” started just 500 miles from home.
But as many veterans know, it’s not just about geography — it’s about growth.
After his time in service, Anthony’s mission took an unexpected turn when he participated in a motorcycle ride with the Gold Star Ride Foundation. What began as a ride quickly became something much bigger. Witnessing firsthand the strength of Gold Star Families — and the importance of standing beside them — changed him.
That moment wasn’t just impactful.
It became his calling.
Since then, Anthony has logged countless miles across the country, riding to support Gold Star Families, raise awareness, and help generate funding for those who have sacrificed the most. His passion is real. His commitment is relentless. And his mission is clear.
Don’t miss this incredible conversation as he shares how one opportunity turned into a lifelong purpose.
An inspiring example for veterans and civilians alike.
goldstarride.org

Dan Gross, Navy Veteran, shares a candid look at growing up, getting into trouble, and realizing he needed discipline in his life.
He figured the Marines were a little too hard-core for him. The Air Force told him he had too much baggage. Army green just didn’t look right on him. And growing up landlocked, the Coast Guard wasn’t even on his radar.
That left one clear choice — the United States Navy.
After boot camp, Dan trained as a specialized electrician and was eventually assigned to one of the Navy’s smaller ships. But getting there wasn’t completely smooth sailing. A few missteps along the way nearly derailed his arrival — yet through persistence and determination, he made it to his ship and began carving out his place in the fleet.
Don’t miss Part 1 of his veteran story as he shares his unique and entertaining introduction to Navy life.

Join us this week for another FireSide Chat with the Crew, where the conversation is relaxed, the stories are real, and the camaraderie feels just like sitting around the fire with fellow veterans and friends.
Each week the Crew gets together to talk about current events, life after the military, leadership lessons, and the everyday experiences that continue to shape us long after service. There’s always plenty of laughs, a few sea stories, and honest conversations that only happen when veterans get together.
Whether you served, support those who did, or just enjoy hearing authentic stories and perspectives, pull up a chair and join the conversation.
Grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy this week’s FireSide Chat with the Crew.

Tune in for a little behind-the-scenes look at what happens after the cameras stop rolling.
During the latest FireSide Chat, the conversation kept going once the recording ended—and the discussion was just too good not to share. So we decided to bring you some of the insight, laughs, and honest conversation that normally happens in the after show.
Sometimes the best conversations are the ones that weren’t originally planned. Hope you enjoy this extra look behind the scenes.

Join the Crew and AJ as they sit down with these special guests for a relaxed evening of stories, laughs, and the kind of conversations that naturally happen whenever veterans get together. It’s a chance to hear about leadership, camaraderie, and the shared experiences that keep the brotherhood strong.
Pull up a chair, grab your favorite drink, and enjoy another great FireSide Chat.

George Chester grew up in Poteau, Oklahoma, where he enjoyed a good childhood rooted in small-town values. In 1954, after finishing school, he chose to serve his country by joining the United States Navy, training as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate.
After completing his initial enlistment, George decided to step away from military life — but it didn’t take long for him to realize the Navy was where he belonged. He reenlisted and continued building his career in naval aviation.
Over time, he became a loadmaster with a C-130 squadron, logging countless hours flying in and out of Vietnam. His role required precision, responsibility, and trust — ensuring aircraft were properly loaded and missions were executed safely in a demanding operational environment.
After years of dedicated service, George retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer — a testament to his leadership, experience, and commitment to those he served alongside.

Army Veteran Danny Fitzwilliam joined the Army with a clear goal in mind — to follow in his uncle’s footsteps and become a Military Policeman.
After completing boot camp and advancing through Military Police training, Danny achieved exactly what he set out to do. He served proudly as an MP, carrying out his duties with professionalism and commitment.
Unfortunately, injuries sustained during his time in uniform cut his military career short. But service was part of who he was — and he wasn’t finished serving.
After transitioning out of the Army, Danny put his experience to work in civilian law enforcement, building a remarkable 28-year career as a police officer before retiring.
From military service to nearly three decades in law enforcement, Danny dedicated his life to protecting and serving his community.

Dexter Cole, an Army Veteran from a small town in Oklahoma, knew early on that college wasn’t his path. Instead, he chose to serve — enlisting in the United States Army as a truck driver, not fully realizing where that decision would take him.
After completing boot camp and Military Occupational Specialty training, Dexter found himself assigned to a Special Forces unit in a support role — an opportunity few could have predicted. Working alongside the Special Forces community, he sharpened his skills in driving, logistics, and operational support in high-demand environments.
His service eventually led him to Iraq, where he participated in numerous missions supporting Special Forces operations. It was a role that required precision, trust, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Following his time in uniform, Dexter returned home to Oklahoma and transitioned into civilian life, carrying with him the discipline, experience, and lessons forged through service.

Pull up a chair and join us for another episode of the Weekly FireSide Chat w/ the Crew, where the stories are real, the laughs are earned, and the conversation goes wherever the night takes us.
Each week the crew gathers to talk about life in and out of the military, share sea stories, discuss current events affecting veterans, and highlight the experiences that connect those who have served. From lessons learned in uniform to the humor that gets veterans through the toughest moments, nothing is off the table around the fire.
Whether you're a veteran, active duty, or someone who simply enjoys hearing the unfiltered stories and perspectives of those who served, this is your place to listen in.
So grab a drink, settle in, and be part of the conversation as the crew keeps the tradition of storytelling alive—one FireSide Chat at a time.

Tune in w/ Aj, Mike, Mark, and Aaron for a good discussion about the project and its new identity as a nonprofit. We will discuss what you can do to support the project. There are several ways to support the project without $$$. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe. See you tomorrow evening. 
thelostartprojectveteransvoices.org