We had the good fortune of connecting with Casey and Drew Gomez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Casey and Drew, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Drew: I’m an AF Veteran. Served 10 years – half as an enlisted member and half as an officer. I was medically separated from my last assignment; was assigned to the 6th ARS as a KC-10 Pilot.

My Grandpa was a Colonel in the USAF. Served 30 years. He was enlisted in the Army; served on the frontlines of WW2. He died when I was 5.

Casey: My grandparents served in WW2; my grandpa was in the Bataan death march, my grandma was a nurse. I served as a Space Officer; I launched multiple satellites and rockets as well as observed and tracked satellites.

Together: Our mission, Their Story, started when Drew overheard to older gentleman in the gym locker. They were both over a hundred and had lived through the Depression and WW2.

Having both of our grandparents pass at our young age, we never heard their stories of War and life.

We started our trip last year before COVID, for the 75th anniversary of WW2. We bought a sprinter van, fully converted, and started traveling the country before CVD19 fully sidelined the trip.

We’ve begun again but have expanded to all wars as WW2 veterans are far and few now (all of our interviewees have been over 100 at this point). This August our new van will be ready from Sportsmobile in Texas and we get to begin again!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Our art form, if it’s even called that, is simplifying the military experience to the American public. In addition, sharing the journey and talents along the way. We’re not trained editors/videographers/interviewers. We just love to ask questions, learn, and share hidden gems through silent hero’s.

The last 3 years, since Casey and I left the military – we’ve became more and more inseparable. We’ve travelled to 17 countries, started a small business together, and have been living out of backpacks the entire time. It’s been a blessing but unbelievably challenging. We’re super small in following right now so it’s all passion driven. Our barometer for success is whether we’re having fun or not.

Casey was a news media major and has a background with editing. She taught me so much and that was a challenge to begin with for sure!

In addition, I love to play music (guitar/sing) and snowboard/skate/surf. Im best at music and snowboarding – ok at the others. Casey is a great snowboarder. Our passions have definitely mixed nicely and she’s picked up the ukele. Gives us great B roll and an opportunity to learn about each other’s passions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re from Bend, OR. I have family in Monument, and lots of friends (Air Force Academy / Peterson) in the Springs. Denver has been the spot for so many bachelor parties, family outings, and weekend romantic retreats for Casey and I when I was in pilot training.

HOWEVER

I know nothing beyond Coors Field, 1UP and the Capital Grille. So. We could talk about Portland, OR 😉

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
For those brave men and women, who came before and served in our nations military. Our whole mission is to share their stories. Also, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for their bravery.

In WW2 – the world was at war against Hitler. He was that guy that every one wanted to punch and SO MANY brave men and women even signed up to serve under age! One of these men was Papa Jake Melvin Larson (Staff Sergeant, WW2). He signed up at 15 years of age.

He stormed Normandy and participated in multiple battles after. He took both of his sons back for the 75th anniversary and they stood where he stormed the Omaha Beach front. He found the berm in which he hid and survived being fired upon. He showed his boys, his name sake and legacy, where their existence was fractions of an inches cut short from machine gun fire. They wouldn’t have been there had it not been for him. As Papa Jake says, “we’d be speaking German!”

Instagram: @Twonomadichearts @theirstoryveterans

Youtube: Two Nomadic Hearts

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