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Michael "Rod" Rodriguez's life reads like an epic American saga—a generational story of service spanning from his grandfathers to his son. As a Green Beret with ten combat deployments behind him, Rod now leads the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation with the same fierce dedication that characterized his military career.
When Rod shares the origin of his different-colored eyes—keeping a prosthetic blue lens after a young girl with heterochromia saw herself reflected in him—you immediately understand his character. "The good Lord made you that way," he told the child who was bullied for her appearance. "I have to try to look as cool as you." This moment of connection reveals Rod's natural empathy and selflessness, traits that defined his military service.
The heart of Rod's philosophy comes from two simple words his father spoke before he enlisted: "Just do more." During the grueling Special Forces selection process, when pushed beyond what seemed possible, these words sustained him. Unlike "do your best," which creates a self-imposed ceiling, "do more" acknowledges our nearly limitless human potential. It's a philosophy that carried Rod through ten deployments and now drives his mission to create a memorial for America's longest war.
What makes the Global War on Terrorism distinct—and why this memorial matters so profoundly—becomes clear as Rod explains its unprecedented nature. This is a conflict where children who watched their parents deploy are now serving in the same war. It's a global struggle that has claimed not only over 7,000 military lives but also more than 3,400 non-uniformed Americans whose sacrifices often go unrecognized. By creating a space on the National Mall where these contributions are honored, Rod believes we impart value to those who have given so much.
Join us as Rod shares how service taught him that "devotion cannot exist without love," why ego is the enemy of growth, and how his current mission might be his most important yet. Subscribe to hear more conversations with extraordinary warriors whose stories remind us of the power of human resilience, community, and purpose.