Episodes
Episode 1 - Karen Worcester
Joining Cindy this week is the Executive Director of Wreaths Across America, Karen Worcester.
Episode 2 - Lachanda Garrison
Joining Cindy this week is Lachanda Garrison with the Military Child Education Coalition.
Episode 3 - Mason Farr
Joining Cindy this week is Mason Farr, the Education and Outreach Manager at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.
Episode 4 - Julie Bright
Episode 5 - Mark Smit
Mark Smit joined Cindy from the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) to discuss their youth leadership initiatives.
Episode 7 - Eisenhower Foundation
Cindy chatted with Kim Hanke and Julie Conley from the Eisenhower Foundation.
Episode 6 - Andrew Huber
Cindy is joined by Andrew Huber from the Library Of Congress.
Episode 8 - Kemery Colbert
This week, host Cindy Tatum welcomes Kemery Colbert, Senior Learning and Communications Manager for Wreaths Across America. They talk about the power of storytelling, the 2026 theme “Remember Me,” and the ways we can all help teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Episode 9 - Joe Kornhoff 9-11 Memorial Foundation
Cindy sits down with the Executive Director of the Pentagon Memorial Foundation, Joe Kornhoff, to discuss the history of the Memorial, and the Memorial's construction timeline to honor the 184 lives lost at the Pentagon on 9/11.
Episode 10 - Michelle Gaspar
This week, host Cindy Tatum welcomes Michelle Gaspar, a Junior High Mathematics teacher and the recipient of the 2024 WAA Teach Award.
Episode 11 - Joe Karb and Greg Ahlquist
Cindy Tatum welcomes educators Joe Karb and Greg Ahlquist. Through their digital archives and teacher curriculum, they are helping to bring the Forgotten War to classrooms around the globe.
Episode 12 - Sarah Kay Bierle, American Battlefield Trust
On this episode of Past Stories, Current Lessons, our host Cindy Tatum, Wreaths Across America TEACH Curriculum Developer, welcomes Sarah Kay Bierle! Sarah is an Education Coordinator at the American Battlefield Trust, where she helps translate complex military history into engaging, accessible learning tools for students and teachers across the country. On top of that, she’s an accomplished historian and author who has written extensively about the human experiences of the American Civil War.
Episode 13 - Renee and Miles Worcester
This week, Cindy is joined by the Director of Development and Partnerships for Wreaths Across America, Renee Worcester, and her son Miles who is enlisting in the Air National Guard.
Episode 14 - Patrice Cook
On this episode, host Cindy Tatum, Curriculum Developer for Wreaths Across America, welcomes Patrice Cook! Patrice is the Lead Ambassador for the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit, a 'museum on wheels' that travels nationwide with a distinct mission: to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Episode 15 - Kirk Higgins
This week on "Past Stories, Current Lessons," host Cindy Tatum, Wreaths Across America TEACH Curriculum Developer, welcomes Kirk Higgins! Kirk is the Vice President of Content at the Bill of Rights Institute. BRI is at the forefront of civics education, providing free, open-source resources to over a hundred thousand teachers and students across the country!
Episode 16 - Angela Beason
This week on Past Stories, Current Lessons, host Cindy Tatum welcomes Angela Beason! Angela is a dedicated high school Assistant Principal, military spouse, champion of civic education, and board member for Arkansas Run for the Fallen. Angela was also the 2018 recipient of the TEACH Award!
Episode 17 - Liz Ortiz
This week on Past Stories Current Lessons, host Cindy Tatum welcomes Liz Ortiz! Liz is the Education Programs Manager for the Medal of Honor Foundation, where she helps bring the Medal of Honor Character Development Program to educators and students across the country. She works closely with teachers and education partners to expand the program, develop new resources, lead professional development, and find new ways to make character education engaging and accessible for students.
Episode 18 - Kim Mitchell
This week on Past Stories Current Lessons, host Cindy Tatum talks with Dr. Kim Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell is a 996 United States Naval Academy graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering and her Doctor of Education degree in organizational leadership from the University of Massachusetts Global. She served in the U.S. Navy for 17 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, holding leadership positions aboard surface ships and shore commands. The Past Story of her journey from a Vietnamese orphanage to the halls of the Pentagon serves as a powerful Current Lesson for all of us. Her post-military life continues to be one of dedicated service, as she advocates for service members, veterans, military families, and Gold Star Families.
Episode 19 - Kim Mitchell part 2
This week on Past Stories Current Lessons, Wreaths Across America Radio presents part two of host Cindy Tatum's conversation with Dr. Kim Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell is a 996 United States Naval Academy graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering and her Doctor of Education degree in organizational leadership from the University of Massachusetts Global. She served in the U.S. Navy for 17 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, holding leadership positions aboard surface ships and shore commands. The Past Story of her journey from a Vietnamese orphanage to the halls of the Pentagon serves as a powerful Current Lesson for all of us. Her post-military life continues to be one of dedicated service, as she advocates for service members, veterans, military families, and Gold Star Fami
