In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be sharing the story of President William McKinley and his wife Ida, as recounted by their 2x great nephew, Massee McKinley. The McKinleys’ story is a tale of love, resilience, and tragedy that humanizes the 25th President and his First Lady beyond the pages of history books.

William McKinley, known for his leadership during a transformative time in U.S. history, also shared a deeply personal and tender relationship with Ida, who faced health challenges and personal loss throughout her life. Massee McKinley shares intimate insights into their lives, portraying a marriage filled with devotion and mutual support. He brings to life stories of William’s gentle care for Ida and the ways they navigated both their public and personal lives.

Joining Massee McKinley is Nicholas Inman, the founder of “The National First Ladies Day Commission,” which was established in 2021. The commission seeks to honor America’s First Ladies with a National Day of Service, celebrating their contributions to the country by encouraging acts of service in their names. Inman highlights the often-overlooked influence of First Ladies, from their roles as advocates to their impact on social issues. This initiative not only aims to bring attention to their contributions but also to inspire a new generation of service-minded citizens who continue their legacy. Through these stories and the efforts of the commission, Ida McKinley, along with other First Ladies, receive recognition that honors both their personal legacies and their roles in shaping the nation.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Massee McKinley

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For more information about this episode:

First Ladies Museum

National First Ladies Day Commission

Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival

Welcome to Your History Your Story! In this episode, we have a truly remarkable guest: George Meade.

George was a Vietnam helicopter pilot, a man who faced the perils of combat from the cockpit and witnessed history from above. But his flying career didn’t end with the war. George went on to become the voice from the sky as a helicopter traffic pilot for WOR radio, guiding countless New Yorkers through their morning commutes.

Join us as George takes us from the perilous missions he flew in Vietnam to the daily challenges of navigating the skies over New York City. Get ready to hear about a journey filled with courage, focus and dedication.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of George Meade

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Welcome to Your History Your Story! In this episode, we journey back to the late 1800s, the final days of the Wild West, when notorious outlaws found refuge in remote hideouts like Robbers Roost, Brown’s Hole and the infamous Hole in the Wall.

We’re joined today by New York Times best-selling author Tom Clavin, who’s here to discuss his latest book, Bandit Heaven: The Hole in the Wall Gangs and the Final Chapter of the Wild West. Tom will share riveting stories of some of the West’s most infamous criminals—names like Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, Blackjack Ketchum and Kid Curry. We’ll also hear about the women who stood by their side, and how legendary lawmen such as, Allan Pinkerton and Charlie Siringo, known as the “cowboy detective” played a pivotal role in bringing an end to the lawlessness of that era.

Stay with us as we uncover the fascinating final chapter of the Wild West.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Tom Clavin

To Support Your History Your Story: Please consider becoming a Patron or making a one time donation via PayPal. - THANK YOU!!!

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Tom Clavin website: www.tomclavin.com

Welcome to *Your History Your Story*! We're excited to welcome back Vincent and Robert Gardino, better known as "The Grave Trippers." These brothers have traveled across the country, uncovering and documenting the final resting places of some of the most fascinating and noteworthy figures in history.

Today, we’re diving into their latest release, *Grave Trippers II: Remembering and Respecting America’s Heroes and Heroines*. Together, we’ll explore the lives and legacies of a President, astronauts, a military hero, entertainers, and a sports legend, all of whom have left a lasting mark on history. Let's begin the journey!

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Robert and Vincent Gardino

To Support Your History Your Story: Please consider becoming a Patron or making a one time donation via PayPal. - THANK YOU!!!

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"Grave Trippers II" purchase on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/cnj09ni

Just over twenty years ago, a group of Peoria, Illinois eighth grade English and History students, under the guidance of their teacher, Tim Pletkovich, embarked on an ambitious project requiring the students to write to the sons and daughter’s of Civil War Union veterans to collect information about the lives of their fathers. It was soon realized that many of the children of the Union soldiers were themselves veterans of WWII.

What began as an interesting and educational school assignment, quickly became an engaging and fascinating journey for the students, their teacher and the Civil War “children” with whom they were corresponding, ultimately resulting in a book titled, “Civil War Fathers: Sons of the Civil War in WWII”.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with author, teacher and historian, Tim Pletkovich. Tim, who edited the various correspondence from this project, also added his own extensive research about the lives of the soldiers profiled in the book. He will tell us how this project came to be and will share from some of the history and personal stories gleaned from the work accomplished by his dedicated students.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Tim Pletkovich

Support Your History Your Story: Please consider becoming a Patron or making a one time donation via PayPal. - THANK YOU!!!

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"Civil War Fathers" purchase on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/bJQfPQ9

In 1981 President Ronald Reagan appointed New Jersey businessman, Raymond J Donovan to his cabinet as Secretary of Labor, a position he served in until 1985. During his tenure, Donovan carried out Reagan’s policies of advocating for free-market by reducing government regulation in labor issues.

Donovan's tenure as Secretary of Labor was marked by controversy. He was accused of having ties to organized crime and in 1984, he was indicted on charges of larceny and fraud in connection with a construction company he had been involved with before his government service. However, after a lengthy trial, Donovan was acquitted of all charges in 1987.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Donovan’s son, Ken, who will give us insight into the life of his father, including his challenging start in life, his success as a businessman, his political prominence in the Reagan campaign and his heart for his family and philanthropic causes.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man Photo(s): Courtesy of Ken Donovan Support Your History Your Story: Please consider becoming a Patron or making a one time donation via PayPal. - THANK YOU!!! YHYS Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS: Social Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS: Join our mailing list: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #yhys #yourhistoryyourstory #history #storytelling #podcast #njpodcast #youhaveastorytoo #jamesgardner

In October 2024, we will be celebrating the 4th anniversary of Your History Your Story! Over the years, we have received a number of questions from listeners about the podcast, such as:

- What is the host, James Gardner’s background and how did he develop a passion for history?

- What inspired James and his wife, Kelly to launch the podcast?

- Who are some of the guests that have had a significant impact on us and why?

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be joined by James and Kelly’s daughter, Katie, who will be asking James these questions and more.

So, sit back, relax and let’s connect on a more personal level with our host, James.

If you have any questions or thoughts about our podcast, please email us at yhyspodcast@gmail.com

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man Photo(s): Courtesy of YHYS Podcast Support Your History Your Story: Please consider becoming a Patron or making a one time donation via PayPal. - THANK YOU!!! YHYS Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS: Social Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS: Join our mailing list: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #yhys #yourhistoryyourstory #history #storytelling #podcast #njpodcast #youhaveastorytoo #jamesgardner

Guest host: Katie DeFrank, LPC, CLPC katiedefrankcounseling@gmail.com

Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1811, Charles Sumner was a prominent American statesman and a fervent abolitionist. Sumner grew up in a society deeply divided over the issue of slavery. He eventually became a powerful voice in the fight against this institution, dedicating his life to the principles of equality and justice.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1851, Sumner quickly became a leading figure in the anti-slavery faction. His passionate speeches and uncompromising stance often put him at odds with pro-slavery congressmen. This led to an incident where Sumner was almost beaten to death with a cane wielded by a member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina, Preston Brooks.

After recovering from his injuries, Sumner returned to the Senate and worked closely with President Lincoln during the Civil War and was at Lincoln’s bedside when he died following his assassination in 1865. For the remaining nine years of his life, Sumner continued to serve in the US Senate and fought tirelessly for the cause of Civil Rights and the equality among races.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, our guest is historian, teacher and award-winning author, Stephen Puleo. Stephen will talk about his recently published book, “The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union” and will tell us why he feels that Sumner is one of the most significant figures in American History.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man Photo(s): Courtesy of Stephen Puleo / YHYS Podcast Support Your History Your Story: Please consider becoming a Patron or making a one time donation via PayPal. - THANK YOU!!! YHYS Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS: Social Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YHYS: Join our mailing list: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #yhys #yourhistoryyourstory #history #storytelling #podcast #njpodcast #youhaveastorytoo #jamesgardner

To order The Great Abolitionist:

https://www.amazon.com/Great-Abolitionist-Charles-Sumner-Perfect/dp/1250276276

Website for Stephen Puleo:

https://www.stephenpuleo.com/