Dive into an inspiring conversation with Aaron Hudgins, a retired first sergeant and surviving spouse of Staff Sergeant Jari J. Hudgins. Aaron’s journey through 26 years of service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, including multiple deployments and state activations, offers an insight into the sacrifices and responsibilities of military life. Discover how Aaron fulfilled his wife’s dream posthumously, his pivotal role in advocacy through the Survivors Advisory Working Group, and his contributions to the Travis Manion Foundation. His candid recount of personal loss, resilience, and ongoing dedication to supporting military survivors is a testament to the enduring spirit of service members and their families.

00:00 Introduction to Aaron Hudgins
01:16 Military Service and Deployments
05:02 State Activations and Personal Reflections
20:31 The Love Lives Long Act and Survivor Advocacy
30:30 Travis Manion Foundation Involvement
38:33 Honoring His Wife’s Dream
50:15 Advice for Service Members and Families
01:03:08 Call to Action and Closing

Links & Resources

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Follow Aaron Hudgins on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.hudgins.712
• Follow Aaron Hudgins on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awh197844/
• Follow Aaron Hudgins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-hudgins-598a3a211/

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.

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