EP 88 | Guy Hardman | Founder, Rocket City Refugees

Guy Hardman is the Co-Founder of Rocket City Refugees. The summer of 2021 saw horrible events unfold in Afghanistan. After months of food shortages and internal government turmoil, Taliban forces marched back into Kabul to once again establish their tyrannical reign over the populace. Having built strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood with Afghan counterparts, our core leadership immediately began developing plans to fund and aid in the escape of several families known to us from prior deployments. In August 2021, five of those families managed to evacuate as part of the large-scale airlift from Kabul. Following their escape, these families were relocated to holding camps in various countries and eventually arrived in the United States. They began their new lives, safe and free from the oppression of the Taliban and other extremist groups that hunted them based solely on their duty alongside US and allied counterparts. Rocket City Refugees was founded to bridge the gap between initial US Government support and total self reliance of our clients. We do this by leveraging public programs and private support to the best interests of our new neighbors. Though initially formed solely in support of former Afghan commandos and security forces, we have expanded our program to include other legal and vetted refugees to the United States. We seek to grow and nurture our community of new Americans and show them what makes this country great. For more information, visit their website https://www.rocketcityrefugees.com Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town Podcast Website: www.ourtownpodcast.net Spotify Channel: https://spoti.fi/3QtpT8z Audio available on all platforms - just search for "Our Town Podcast" Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/41rlgTt Facebook: https://bit.ly/ourtownpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/ Episode Timeline: 00:00 Start 01:00 Thoughts on Israel 03:30 Origin of RCR 07:38 Z and Family 10:55 Emergency Comms Plan 14:05 Airlift 19:31 Documentation 23:05 Splitting Up the Family 28:10 Volunteers/American Dream 32:18 Acceptance 35:40 Non-Profit History 41:50 Background 46:30 Goals 49:50 Realities of Escape 54:20 Emotional Strain 59:10 Support Elements 01:03:30 What is Progress? 01:13:00 Final Thoughts