In this poignant and powerful episode of WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast, host Marshall Spevak welcomes a truly remarkable guest—Assemblywoman and Gold Star Mother, Melinda Kane.

Melinda shares the deeply personal story of her son, Marine LCpl Jeremy Kane, who was killed in action during combat operations in Afghanistan in 2010. With courage and grace, she reflects on the profound grief that followed—and the strength it took to transform that loss into a lifelong mission of service.

From her work with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S.) to her ongoing efforts in public service, Melinda has become a passionate advocate for military families, veterans, and surviving loved ones. Now serving in the New Jersey State Legislature, she continues to fight for those who serve—both in her local Camden County community and across the state.

This heartfelt conversation explores themes of resilience, sacrifice, and purpose. It’s an episode that will move you, inspire you, and remind you of the enduring strength of those who bear the weight of service beyond the battlefield. Don’t miss this unforgettable WETSU conversation about honor, heartbreak, and hope.

WETSU: A Battleship NJ Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Engineers Labor Employer Cooperative / ELEC 825.

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Step aboard for Episode 8 of WETSU, where Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Dr. Chris Lehman for an extraordinary conversation.

A key figure in the reactivation of the Iowa-class battleships, Chris brings firsthand insight from his time on the Senate Armed Services Committee staff and as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs in the Reagan White House. He was in the Situation Room with President Reagan when the USS NEW JERSEY unleashed its powerful 16-inch guns on targets in Lebanon—witnessing history as it happened.

Chris also shares the remarkable military legacy of the storied Philadelphia Lehman family, from his father’s service as a World War II Navy Captain to his brother John’s tenure as Secretary of the Navy.

Don’t miss this riveting episode as we go behind the scenes of congressional maneuvering, naval recommissioning, and real-world combat operations that cemented the Battleship New Jersey’s legacy in the 1980s.

WETSU: A Battleship NJ Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Engineers Labor Employer Cooperative / ELEC 825.

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Join the WETSU community or Follow us on Instagram.