Decorated Air Force veteran and former POW Ralph Galati joins Mary McCorvey ahead of his role as Grand Master of the Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade (Nov 9). Shot down over North Vietnam on February 16, 1972, Ralph survived 14 months at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” returned home during Operation Homecoming on March 28, 1973, and has spent his life lifting up veterans—one person, one Family, one day at a time. This conversation covers what Veterans Day should celebrate, the ROTC path during the draft era, taking measured risks, transitioning to civilian life, and building programs that help veterans thrive.
What you’ll hear
Veterans Day: celebration vs. memorialization—and why words matter
Selective Service, ROTC, and flying F-4 Phantoms in wartime
POW lessons on leadership, mentorship, and resilience
From active duty to IBM: translating service into civilian success
“One veteran at a time”: benefits, entrepreneurship, and community impact
Chapters
00:00 Welcome & intro to Ralph Galati
00:29 Shot down over North Vietnam → captured → Hanoi Hilton
01:24 What Veterans Day means (and why it should feel festive)
03:17 Mixed feelings about parades—and the hope for outreach
03:44 Draft era & registering for Selective Service
04:43 ROTC at St. Joe’s → commissioned in 1970
05:42 Earning the F-4 seat and deploying to Vietnam
06:48 1968 Tet Offensive context & staying the course
07:16 Choosing high, calculated risk & finding your path
09:37 Why military service can feel “safe” (discipline, mission, team)
12:06 POW to officer to DC: medals, duty, and perspective
13:19 Leaving active duty: family, moves, and “POW baggage”
14:18 Jumping to IBM—proving yourself without the label
16:17 Learning from honest feedback (presentation, projects, Growth)
17:45 Serving veterans: benefits, higher ed, entrepreneurship
19:33 “Selfish” service—why helping others feels so good
20:42 Closing & gratitude
About Ralph Galati
Vietnam War veteran; former POW; Silver Star, Bronze Star (V, with OLC), Purple Heart (with OLC), Air Medal (with OLCs), Air Force Commendation (with OLCs). Lifelong advocate for veterans’ Education, benefits, and entrepreneurship.
About Mary McCorvey
Host of Experience Over Expectation and author of Experience Over Expectation: Let Go of the Plan, Live on Your Terms. Gulf War veteran, producer, and mentor.
Links & actions
📘 Mary’s book: Experience Over Expectation — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPJ9NK4H?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100
🎧 Podcast hub: YouTube • Substack • major podcast apps
🤝 Veteran resources: Start with your county VA office or VA.gov benefits page (and bring a family member to the first appointment).
💬 Comment: What does Veterans Day celebrate for you? Who’s one veteran you can support this week?
