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
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