Episode Details

Interviewed by Historical Archivist Dee Galvin

For the first time on The Lost Art Project: Veterans' Voices, one of our Historical Archivists takes the lead behind the microphone. Dee Galvin sits down with Marine Corps combat veteran Tony Johnson for an authentic conversation that captures a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and perseverance.

Tony shares how growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and learning the value of hard work from his father helped shape the man who would eventually earn the title of United States Marine. Throughout his career, he served in demanding assignments, trained on heavy weapons systems, prepared for Drill Instructor School before being redirected to combat operations in Iraq, and reflects on the realities of deployment, combat, leadership, and the bonds forged through military service.

The conversation doesn't stop when the uniform comes off. Tony also speaks openly about life after retirement, living with PTSD, and how he now uses his own experiences to help fellow veterans through peer support and group therapy. His message is one of resilience, healing, and continuing to serve long after active duty has ended.

This episode also marks an important milestone for The Lost Art Project as Historical Archivist Dee Galvin conducts her very first preservation interview, helping fulfill our mission of ensuring every veteran's story is professionally recorded and preserved for future generations.

Because every veteran has a story. Every story deserves to be remembered.

Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.