Jamie Trudeau of Trudeau Warbird Enterprises in Punta Gorda started his day tuning up the engine of a T28 Trainer. First built 1949, the planes were used to train a generation of Air Force and Navy pilots up through the Vietnam War. But, the old trainer is one of the newer planes on the tarmac outside a hangar at the Punta Gorda Airport. Trudeau said he also has a P51 Mustang in the shop, perhaps the most iconic fighter plane associated with World War II. READ MORE

No matter what war they fought in, what battlefield they bled upon, combat veterans have one thing in common. No matter how hard they try, they can’t forget. Rod Clarke interviewed dozens of vets from World War II to the Gulf wars. On this Veteran’s Day he presents their stories.

They fought on Iwo Jima and in Danang, at the Chosen Reservoir and Kabul. And while the battles raged, warriors dreamt of going home.  Rod Clarke talked with Southwest Florida veterans from World War II to the Gulf Wars about what they found, when they came home..

An estimated 200-thousand veterans call Southwest Florida home. That’s one of the highest concentrations of vets in the country. For many, the horrors of war remain long after they leave the battlefield, driving them down a long, dark path of torment. Experts say every 18 hours, a veteran somewhere tries to commit suicide. Rod Clarke talks to vets who know that dark path.

There is a brotherhood among combat veterans; a brotherhood with an exclusive membership. It exists only in the memories of its members, and only those who have faced first-hand the horror of war can join. Rod Clarke talked with vets from World War II to the Gulf Wars, and found they share many of the same feelings. Today, we look inside that brotherhood of veterans.

As Veterans Day approaches, WGCU examines the challenges and issues facing southwest Florida’s combat veterans. From World War II to Afghanistan, Korea to Vietnam to Iraq, wars have one common denominator: the men and women sent off to fight them return home changed forever. And for many the battles never end. Today he brings us the story of Vietnam Veteran Jim Marshall.

Some old warbirds will be flying over Punta Gorda this weekend – taking part in the 31st Annual International Air Show. And also at this year’s airshow, 3 men who flew those planes right after they came off the assembly line. WGCU’s Valerie Alker remembers the Doolittle Raiders.

Service providers are reaching out to Veterans this week in Ft. Myers. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

Military groups like Operation Gratitude are collecting Halloween candy this year from dentist’s offices in Sarasota and sending it to U.S. Military troops stationed overseas. American Family Dental of Lakewood Ranch is one local office registered as part of the Halloween candy buy- back program. Dr Ji Jackson explains how the program works locally.

"We want the kids to donate their candy and we will give them cash for it for Operation Gratitude. So we can send the candy to the troops overseas."

O’Leary Orthodontics in Port Charlotte is also collecting candy. Each office will give kids a dollar per pound of candy. For the full list of participating dentists, go on line to Halloween candy buy back dot com.

The U-S Army has picked a site in Cape Coral as the probable location for a new Army Reserve Center. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry has more.