Militarily Speaking dives into the heart of military life through the voices of those who’ve lived it. Hosted by Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery — seasoned professionals with a passion for serving the military community — the show blends financial insight, real-world experience, and honest conversation. Jodi, a proud military spouse, and Tom bring different perspectives that make every episode both relatable and practical.
Each episode, we sit down with veterans, spouses, and leaders who share stories that matter — from the challenges of deployment and transition to insights on careers, family, and finances. It’s about the military journey, told through the people who know it best.
And don’t miss our Military Minute, a trivia segment where listeners can test their knowledge of military history, pop culture, and more — with chances to win prizes for you and your favorite charity. Head over to our Facebook page for more info.
Season 2 brings even more stories, new voices, and more ways to engage with the community. Follow us on Facebook at Militarily Speaking Podcast and be part of the conversation.
Produced by Armed Forces Bank. This is who we are.
AFBank.com | Member FDIC
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Militarily Speaking dives into the heart of military life through the voices of those who’ve lived it. Hosted by Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery — seasoned professionals with a passion for serving the military community — the show blends financial insight, real-world experience, and honest conversation. Jodi, a proud military spouse, and Tom bring different perspectives that make every episode both relatable and practical.
Each episode, we sit down with veterans, spouses, and leaders who share stories that matter — from the challenges of deployment and transition to insights on careers, family, and finances. It’s about the military journey, told through the people who know it best.
And don’t miss our Military Minute, a trivia segment where listeners can test their knowledge of military history, pop culture, and more — with chances to win prizes for you and your favorite charity. Head over to our Facebook page for more info.
Season 2 brings even more stories, new voices, and more ways to engage with the community. Follow us on Facebook at Militarily Speaking Podcast and be part of the conversation.
Produced by Armed Forces Bank. This is who we are.
AFBank.com | Member FDIC
The Astonishing Legacy of a 9/11 Firefighter and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Militarily Speaking
46 minutes 18 seconds
7 months ago
The Astonishing Legacy of a 9/11 Firefighter and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Welcome to the "Militarily Speaking" podcast with Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery. In this episode of “Militarily Speaking,” Tom and Jodi have a heartfelt conversation with Jack Oehm, a retired FDNY Battalion Commander and current board member of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. This episode dives into Jack's contributions to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, its mission, and the impactful work being done, such as building smart homes for injured veterans and supporting the families of fallen first responders and Gold Star Families.“Militarily Speaking” is a podcast produced by Armed Forces Bank (https://www.afbank.com/) that is dedicated to the military lifestyle (https://www.afbank.com/blog) and all the things that makes the military community (https://www.afbank.com/community) who they are. Ep. 77 – The Astonishing Legacy of a 9/11 Firefighter and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation The episode kicks off with a discussion about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's beginnings, closely tied to the events of September 11, 2001. Jack Oehm shares the harrowing yet inspiring story of firefighter Stephen Siller, who on that fateful day ran nearly two miles through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers with 60 pounds of gear on his back. Though Stephen lost his life in his heroic efforts, his legacy lives on through Tunnel to Towers. The Foundation was established by his family to honor not only him but all the victims of 9/11 and the brave souls who came to their aid. Honoring Their Sacrifice Jack paints a vivid picture of the Foundation's evolution from its grassroots beginnings, reflecting on its commitment to supporting communities affected by 9/11 and subsequent tragedies. One significant turning point was the decision to build the first "smart home (https://t2t.org/smart-home-program/about-shp/)" for quadruple amputee and fellow Staten Islander, Brendan Marrocco. This initiative was the start of a larger program that has since provided more than 200 smart homes to severely injured veterans. Building Smart Homes and More The creation of smart homes is just one facet of the Foundation's impactful work. These homes are designed to adapt to the needs of their occupants, offering a level of independence that many lost in service to their country. In 2023 alone, the Foundation plans to build 60 more smart homes, demonstrating a commitment to expanding their support. Paying Off Mortgages for Fallen Heroes Jack also discusses other pivotal programs such as their efforts to pay off mortgages (https://t2t.org/fallen-first-responder-home-program/) for families of fallen first responders and Gold Star families. This support extends a lifeline to those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty, ensuring they have one less burden to bear during their time of grief. Helping Tunnel to Towers Foundation Throughout the podcast, the hosts and Jack emphasize how listeners can contribute, whether through participating in various fundraising events (https://t2t.org/events/) like golf outings and 5K runs or by donating directly to the Foundation. One of the most accessible ways to support is their $11 a month donation initiative, which significantly aids in continuing the Foundation's vital work. Looking Forward: A Commitment to Never Forget As the conversation winds down, Jack highlights the Foundation's latest ambitious endeavor: a program aimed at eradicating homelessness among veterans (https://t2t.org/homeless-veteran-program/).
Militarily Speaking
Militarily Speaking dives into the heart of military life through the voices of those who’ve lived it. Hosted by Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery — seasoned professionals with a passion for serving the military community — the show blends financial insight, real-world experience, and honest conversation. Jodi, a proud military spouse, and Tom bring different perspectives that make every episode both relatable and practical.
Each episode, we sit down with veterans, spouses, and leaders who share stories that matter — from the challenges of deployment and transition to insights on careers, family, and finances. It’s about the military journey, told through the people who know it best.
And don’t miss our Military Minute, a trivia segment where listeners can test their knowledge of military history, pop culture, and more — with chances to win prizes for you and your favorite charity. Head over to our Facebook page for more info.
Season 2 brings even more stories, new voices, and more ways to engage with the community. Follow us on Facebook at Militarily Speaking Podcast and be part of the conversation.
Produced by Armed Forces Bank. This is who we are.
AFBank.com | Member FDIC
