Honoring the GWOT Generation

It’s one thing to survive war, it’s another to make sure it’s remembered.

In this powerful conversation, Special Forces veteran Michael “Rod” Rodríguez opens up about his journey through combat, traumatic injury, and personal loss, and how those experiences led him to a new mission: building the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Rod isn’t just talking about his story. He’s fighting for all our stories – service members, Gold Star families, civilian contractors, and anyone touched by the Global War on Terrorism. As the president and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Rod walks us through what it takes to build a national memorial: the red tape, the victories, and the deep emotional stakes of making sure our generation isn’t forgotten.

From delivering hope in Somalia to eating charges on breaching missions, Rod’s story is one of grit, growth, and leadership. But more than anything, it’s about building something that lasts, not just for us, but for the next generation who needs to know what we lived through.

Timestamps

00:06:42 – Early deployments and the reality of combat in Somalia
00:17:31 – TBI, PTSD, and the personal cost of continuing to serve
00:28:50 – Reaching rock bottom and finding healing through purpose
00:41:12 – Why the Global War on Terrorism Memorial matters now
01:01:46 – Honoring the invisible wounds and collective sacrifice of the GWOT generation