This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years. And now it takes form in a new way.
The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q.
Most Mother's Day gifts end up in a drawer, but a song lives in the heart forever. This year, tryjoybox.com is giving away 1 million free custom songs to celebrate 1 million incredible moms. Just share a few memories, and Joybox produces an original track and greeting card just for her instantly. It's the most personal gift you'll ever give, and right now it's completely free. Make mom the star of her.
Own song at tryjoybox.com. One million songs, zero dollars, only at tryjoybox.com. Everyone deserves to be connected. T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular are joining forces.
Our networks are coming together, bringing more T-Mobile coverage all over the country. Switch to T-Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built-in benefits they leave out. Check the math at t-mobile.com/slash switch. And now T-Mobile is available in the U.S. Cellular store in Sevierville.
Bigger network, the combination of T-Mobile's and US sellers' network footprints will enhance the T-Mobile network's coverage. Savings versus comparable Verizon plans, plus the costs of options, benefits, plan features, and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third-free-line-free monthly bill credits, credit stop if you can'tceling lines, qualifying credit required. Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public, you can build a multi-asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and now generated assets, which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI.
It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high-free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one-of-a-kind index, and lets you backtest it against the SP 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's.
Go to public.com/slash podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com/slash podcast. Paid for by Public Investing. Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing. Member FINRA and SIPC.
Advisory Services by Public Advisors LLC, SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com/slash disclosures. Uh This is Lee Habib, and this is Our American Stories.
And we tell stories about everything here on this show: from the arts to sports, and from business to history, and everything in between, including your stories. They're some of our favorites. Our next story, well, it's one about service. love and sacrifice. Let's follow Eileen Hall's incredible journey across Europe as she searches for her husband in the middle of World War II.
Eileen was a member in the Women's Army Corps, or WAC. We got together with Eileen and her daughter Sherry. who both live in Kenton. Ohio. Here's Eileen.
I'm from Canton, Ohio. I was born in 10, 11, 23. And my mother and dad had a restaurant in downtown Canton. and we had a hotel up above the restaurant and that's where I was raised. We lived right across the street from McKinley High School, so all I had to do was walk to.
for high school was walk across the street and go to school. after my mother made it to my high school graduation and shortly after that she passed on. And my dad remarried, and I felt very uncomfortable at home with a different mother, really. And you were working at Kempkin Roller Bearing Company.
So It's a long time. That's 75 years ago, you know, so I'm trying to remember. A lot of it I'll never forget, but Um And there I met a girl. And we became friends, and we worked in the stationery supply office. and she had a boyfriend from Gallion, Ohio, and every time he came up to see her, he brought his brother.
So she said, do you think you'd mind dating his brother if he brings him up? And I said, oh no.
Well, that was it because we just melded together and it's just worked out so. But he was being drafted like all the that he was going to be sent to Oklahoma.
So, um After my dad remarried, I just didn't feel comfortable at home.
So I said, I think I'll, I always wanted to go to California.
So I said, I think I'll go to California because I've always wanted to go there. I boarded a train and it stopped in Oklahoma. And I thought, well, I'll just see, you know, him while I'm here.
So that's as far as I got. We got married. After I was there a few days, we had to go through blood tests, and it was really, you know.
So and we were married in a Parsons office. And then it wasn't long after that that he was sent overseas.
So I thought, well. Since I'm married to him, I'll go back home and see what I can do. You know, so I went back home and I decided to enlist in the service.
So I went in downtown Canton where they had their Recruiting Office and told them I would like to Join the Army.
Well, the Navy I really wanted, but you couldn't get in that one until later.
So I decided I'd get in the Army if I could.
So even though I was married, I had to get my dad's consent because of my age, I couldn't. Do it unless I had my parents' consent.
So I went to where he worked and told him, and he said, Well, if I don't do this, you'll do something else crazy.
So he signed. He was a World War One veteran.
So he signed. and I took it back and after that I got into basic training in Daytona Beach, Florida. From there, I was uh I volunteered, they said as we were being interviewed, the girls that had already volunteered said, you'll be sorry. And so, but I volunteered for everything, so I always got the pick of things that I wanted to do.
So I thought that was a good idea. From there I was sent to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia for Driver Trading And uh I led a convoy through. Georgia is one of our tr tryouts, you know, to see how we did.
So uh And then we had to go in gas chambers and take off the gas mask and stay for a few minutes and then go out and catch your breath again. And then we had to lay down and they fired shots over us, you know, to see how we'd react. And then we had to go through other training. Abandoning ship, we had to go to a top of the ship that would be and go down the sides. And a couple of the girls were just terrified of doing it, so I helped along with them.
And then after that was all done, I was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington. And I was only there for a little while. The fellows in the barracks weren't used to having women there, and boy, every time we'd walk out everywhere, shoo, there were guys walking with us. But anyway, I volunteered. They will ask for volunteers to go overseas.
So, um. I volunteered, but there were too many, so. I wasn't going to get to go, but at the last minute, one gal dropped out, and so I took her place. And then It wasn't long after that that We were sent to Fort Dix or New Jersey. and boarded the Queen Elizabeth and headed for France.
So on a ship that in peacetime would accommodate two people. There were twenty four whacks in one room and and then we went on and we landed at Glasgow, Scotland. and the Isle of Clyde. And There, we were met with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and they gave us food. until they decided where we were going to go.
from there and some of us boarded a train and headed for Sutton Coalfield, England. That's where I was going to be stationed for a while. And we've been listening to Eileen Hall's journey to find her husband. in the middle of World War II. A great backstory.
I can't wait to hear more. Sure, you can't either. When we come back, more of Eileen Hall's story. Here. on our American stories.
Lee Habib here, and I'm inviting you to help Our American Stories celebrate this country's 250th birthday coming soon. If you want to help inspire countless others to love America like we do and want to help us bring the inspiring and important stories told here about a good and beautiful country, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Our American Stories. Go to ouramericanstories.com and click the donate button. Any amount helps. Go to ouramericanstories.com and give.
Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years. And now it takes form in a new way. The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage.
Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q. Most Mother's Day gifts end up in a drawer, but a song lives in the heart forever. This year, tryjoybox.com is giving away 1 million free custom songs to celebrate 1 million incredible moms.
Just share a few memories, and Joybox produces an original track and greeting card just for her instantly. It's the most personal gift you'll ever give, and right now it's completely free. Make mom the star of her own song at tryjoybox.com. One million songs, zero dollars, only at tryjoybox.com. Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously.
On Public, you can build a multi-asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and now generated assets, which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high-free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one-of-a-kind index, and lets you backtest it against the SP 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks.
Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com/slash podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com/slash podcast. Paid for by Public Investing. Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc.
member FINRA and SIPC. Advisory Services by Public Advisors LLC, SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com/slash disclosures.
Mm-hmm. This is Martha Stewart from the Martha Stewart Podcast. Ever wonder how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret. when prepping for cooking and baking, get ahead of the mess.
with new Reynolds kitchens countertop prep paper. Just lightly wet the counter so the paper grips. Lay it down. and drips and spills stay on the paper, not on your counter. Cleanup is as simple as lifting it away to reveal clean counters.
Effortless? It is. thanks to Reynolds Kitchen's countertop prep paper. Wet it, set it, prep it, done. Available in the Reynolds wrap aisle at Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Costco.
And we continue here on Our American Stories with Eileen Hall's story. And what an adventurer this lady was, my goodness, and so many other women who served in the war. She wanted to be in the theater. and volunteered for it. Let's pick up.
but we last left off.
Some of us boarded a train and headed for Sutton Coalfield, England. That's where I was gonna be stationed for a while.
So, um. That's where I had to drive. A Jeep, I went through the motor core, so I was allowed to drive a Jeep and up to a two and a half ton truck.
So I drove the uh everybody in Sutton Coalfield in England had the list. if they had a room available. For GIs, because they didn't want the women staying in rooms, they wanted the men to be there.
So that's what I did for a while and got them. all done and and then um I was sent I I drove a major there. Let uh Four of us were drivers, and we all drove an officer.
So I drove a major, so we were on call 24 hours a day. for whatever reason they wanted us. But uh Well, I had to drive in the fog so bad that I had to put my foot up, they drive on the left side, on the curb, so I would know where I was going. And because of that, my left leg is not as big as my right one. It took that much it froze, you know, and I had to go back to the barracks and they put me behind a bakery and so I could thaw out to my leg was so frozen from driving, so We had gone through many air raids at night and And one of the gals said, if I'm gonna get killed, I'm gonna do it right here.
And so the rest of us decided we'd stay together.
So that was it, because there were nightly air reads, you know, so. After I left England I went to France. and was with the post office there as a driver.
so every morning I'd drive into Paris and you could s there were the streets were empty except for people going through garbage cans trying to get something to eat. People and dogs. and that's something I'll never forget. And as I drove to the post office that I was at, just as I drove in, something cracked on the A steering wheel, and I couldn't steer it, but I was already there so. I was that I felt that was a blessing because if I had done that out in the you know, out on the streets it would have been something else.
I have face. And I I just felt I'd be protected whatever I did because If I volunteered for something, I felt that that's what I should do. I just had a different life than some of the other wax. Yeah. The Battle of the Bulge was going on then, and they were bringing the wounded into the a hospital in Paris.
And our commanding officer was called from the hospital and asked to send some wax down to help. Wounded were coming in so fast.
So, um Our Our commanding officer Called me and said, you know, gonna take some wax to the hospital.
So I got a ton and a half truck and loaded it with wax and drove into the hospital in front of the hospital and walked in. And here the GIs are all laying on the floor and you could just walk sideways. And so they we would s kneel down and talk to them and take you know, we all went. and talk to each one and ask what where they were from and just got them calmed downs before and then they finally found room for them all.
So but when I had time off, I was allowed to take the Jeep and I became acquainted with two fellows from Iowa. And one was uh had his a left leg amputated below his knees, so he was going to be sent home. And he said he hated to see go home without seeing Paris. And I said, well, I'll see what I can do.
So I went to my commanding officer, told her the story, and she says, you take a Jeep and show him wherever you want to go.
So there were two whacks in the back, and me driving and him sitting beside me and I took him all over Paris.
So he was you know, excited about that. And uh We kept in touch for years after I got home, so. But I got a letter from my husband saying he was going to be sent to the CBI. That's the China-Burma. And I thought and I started crying.
And the officer was below me. And she came up and wanted to know why I was crying. And I said, well, my husband's gonna be sent to the CB. Area, and I said, I'd probably never see him again. And she said, I'll see what I can do.
So she got me. Orders. attached to Mark Clark's But he he never knew I was part of his service.
So but that got me to early airport and asked, you know, if anybody was going to Paris. And there there was a plane just out there. that was going to be going to Italy. And I told my story to the guy at the desk, and so he said, that plane right there you can get on.
So they put down the bombay doors and I walked out and they, one on one side and one on the other, lifted me up and put me in where the gun turret is. And that's how I rode from there to to Italy. and I got off of the plane. And I was standing on the road. And I didn't realize right in front of me was the Tower of Pisa.
Because I didn't realize it was that big. You know, and so I walked out and I started hitchhiking. And along came a British guy in a truck with three soldiers in the back and one was they were attending to one and I said what happened she said he got hurt but not by fire I don't know exactly how he got hurt and they're going into Rome.
So they stopped for water, and the driver of the truck had to come back and stand. in front of me so I could lean to the back because the people just came from everywhere and they wanted to touch me. And you know, and I I didn't know what to do.
So they looked out for me and then we left and went on to Rome. to the Red Cross there. and they put me up for the night. The next morning was a Sunday.
So it was church.
So I went down and went to church. And after a little while before church started, a g fellow sat down beside me and he looked at my patch. He says, You're not from around here, are you? And I said, no. And I told him my story.
He said, I'll see what I can do.
So the next day he had gotten permission from his officer and he was able to take me from Rome to Milano. And on the way, it started to rain. And the fella didn't know how to do the top to the Jeep, so I showed him how to do that. He took me up and my husband was waiting for me. waiting there, so.
We had our honeymoon on Lake Omo. And I had our own villa. attached to a regular one, which is owned now by George Clooney. And I'm sure George Clooney doesn't know it, but I'm going to write a letter to him sometime if he ever gets it. The Villa DS SD.
Yeah, so. Yeah, that was the 5th Army Rest Camp.
So we left from Le Harve on the E.B. Alexander headed for the United States. As we pulled into New York Harbor, all the lights came on. and they took us off the boat and fed us the best Thanksgiving dinner we ever had.
So So, and from there. We had to go to Fort Dix to get released from the army. And then I boarded a train for Canton, Ohio. And when I got to Canton, There were my husband and my dad. just welcomed me home.
He got home seven days before I did. But other than that, why? I think my experience was something that not too many people have the opportunity to experience. That's my love story. And I love to tell it.
This is so And thanks for the opportunity to tell it.
So okay. That's it. And that's it. And thanks for the opportunity to let us tell it, Eileen. And what a beautiful story about so many things, particularly just a sheer sense of adventure.
Off to Europe to fight Nazis, searching for each other, learning how to drive trucks and tanks, supply lines to defeat one of the world's worst enemies in history. Eileen Hall's Journey to Find Her Husband in the Middle of World War II Her story here on Our American Stories. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years. And now it takes form in a new way.
The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q.
Most Mother's Day gifts end up in a drawer, but a song lives in the heart forever. This year, tryjoybox.com is giving away 1 million free custom songs to celebrate 1 million incredible moms. Just share a few memories, and Joybox produces an original track and greeting card just for her instantly. It's the most personal gift you'll ever give. And right now, it's completely free.
Make mom the star of her own song at tryjoybox.com. One million songs, zero dollars, only at tryjoybox.com. At CVS, it matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night. And we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded.
It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and yeah, healthy snack. At CVS, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters.
So visit us at cvs.com or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location. I'm U. S.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Yeah. The sound of a seatbelt. It's one of the most important sounds in our car. It means everyone is ready and everyone is safe.
The more our kids see us put on our seatbelts, the more natural it is for them to put theirs on too. Make it a priority. Buckle up every time. Hear the sound? Make it a habit.
Paid for by NHTSA.
