Fragout Podcast

❤️🇺🇸 This Memorial Day, I reflect on four of the finest gentlemen I ever had the honor of serving with and knowing.

Top Left: SPC Aaron Aamot
KIA November 5, 2009, Afghanistan. Aaron and I slept right next to each other at Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA. He was a kind-hearted man who just wanted to serve, plain and simple.

Top Right: Seamus Byrne
I met Seamus at Infantry School as well. He was from Long Island, NY, and he was a true New Yorker. A combat veteran of Afghanistan, CIB recipient, and Purple Heart recipient. Tragically, he was killed on his 33rd birthday after being struck by a car in his hometown. Seamus was an incredible leader and a truly interesting man to talk with. When he spoke, everyone listened.

Bottom Left: SPC Joshua Kurer
Josh and I met in Kuwait in 2010. We bonded fast because he was from Rochester, WI, and I was from Waterford. We lived less than three miles from each other during high school and never met until the end of our deployment. He was a stellar dude, always smiling and joking around, but he had the heart of a warrior.

Bottom Right: 1LT Thomas Wortham IV
Tom was my platoon leader in my first infantry unit. He was the epitome of a true leader. The way he spoke to me and our fellow soldiers was soft, but it carried direction. He cared about everyone and always checked in on his troops. Tom was murdered in Chicago in 2010. The last thing he told me was:

“Don’t associate yourself with people who do the bare minimum, because they will affect your success.”

These men came into my life and left part of themselves within me. I would do anything to have these warriors back. I miss them dearly.

It is my duty to share their stories, continue their legacy, and honor their service.

Never above them. Never below them. Always beside them.

Cheers. 🇺🇸❤️

Great podcast with my new friend Robert Schaefer. 🇺🇸

Rob is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, diplomat, best-selling author, and co-owner of Horse Soldier Bourbon. 🥃

With more than 35 years of leadership and service, he has been recognized with the prestigious OSS Veterans & US SOCOM Award of Excellence. Rob joined the Fragout Podcast to discuss leadership, military service, transition, entrepreneurship, and the experiences that shaped both his military and business career. This episode will be out soon!

I’m down in Iowa doing VA Home Loan education for deploying troops. 🇺🇸

If you didn’t know.. I operate the Fragout Podcast full time and also serve as the MIL/Vet Coordinator for MortgageNerds.com full time. Every now and then I get the opportunity to travel the country educating and empowering veterans and service members on the VA Home Loan.

It’s bigger than mortgages to us. It’s about helping military families understand the benefits they earned and giving them confidence throughout the home buying journey.

We truly love being part of that process from start to finish.

Check them out and call Brian Hofmann. 🤙🏻🇺🇸