Warning: This interview contains language that may not be suitable for children (there's a beeped version available here), and it also contains descriptive war scenes that may be uncomfortable for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

The Museum of South Texas History hosted the spotlight exhibit "Hometown Heroes of South Texas: A Veterans Day Exhibit" during November 2022.

Exhibits & Collections Coordinator Melissa Peña curated this exhibit with personal items from four veterans: Gina Guajardo, Jerry Arteaga, José Villarreal and Jessica Villarreal. The veterans also shared their stories through a video produced by the MOSTHistory Communications team, which inspired more recordings of other individuals with similar experiences. This podcast season will feature veterans from across South Texas.

In this first episode of season five, Communications Officer Pamela Morales de Hendricks interviews veteran Reynaldo Leal, who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in the early 2000s. He shares stories on joining the military and participating in the Iraq War. Currently he lives in the Rio Grande Valley with his family.

Links to Reynaldo's work:

Instagram

IMDb

Self-portrait at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Stories from the Rio Grande: The Lost Empires (Final Episode)

Stories from the Rio GrandeBy Museum of South Texas HistoryFeb 27, 2019