He Served Nixon and Ford, Prepared for Nuclear War, and Survived Cancer | Lt. Col. Alan Buhler #18

by | Jul 2, 2026 | Interview

From a two-room schoolhouse in rural Oregon to the halls of the White House and the front lines of the Cold War, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alan Buhler has lived a life few can imagine.

In this fascinating conversation with Jeff Gould, America’s Storyteller, Colonel Buhler shares remarkable stories from his extraordinary journey:

• Serving in the United States Air Force for 22 years during some of the most tense moments of the Cold War.

• Working in the White House under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford—and even having President Nixon serve him eggnog at a Christmas reception.

• Flying aboard the Strategic Air Command’s “Looking Glass” airborne command post, where crews stood ready to assume command of America’s nuclear forces if the unthinkable happened.

• Serving in Greenland and Korea, enduring extreme conditions and witnessing history unfold.

• Reflecting on fifty years of marriage, raising a family through military life, and finding purpose through faith, service, and teaching.

• Sharing the deeply personal story of battling cancer himself, losing his beloved wife of nearly fifty years to cancer, and walking alongside his young granddaughter as she courageously fought—and defeated—leukemia.

This is more than a military story. It’s a story about resilience, sacrifice, faith, family, love, and the extraordinary experiences hidden inside ordinary people.

Every life is a story, and Colonel Alan Buhler’s story is one you won’t forget.

What part of Alan’s journey surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below.

If you enjoy conversations with fascinating people and incredible life stories, please like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

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GENERAL COLIN POWELL’S RULES

  1. IT AIN’T AS BAD AS YOU THINK. IT WILL LOOK BETTER IN THE MORNING.
  2. GET MAD, THEN GET OVER IT.
  3. AVOID HAVING YOUR EGO SO CLOSE TO YOUR POSITION THAT WHEN YOUR POSITION FALLS, YOUR EGO GOES WITH IT.
  4. IT CAN BE DONE!
  5. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU CHOOSE. YOU MAY GET IT.
  6. DON’T LET ADVERSE FACTS STAND IN THE WAY OF A GOOD DECISION.
  7. YOU CAN’T MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S CHOICES. YOU SHOULDN’T LET SOMEONE ELSE MAKE YOURS.
  8. CHECK SMALL THINGS.
  9. SHARE CREDIT.
  10. REMAIN CALM. BE KIND.
  11. HAVE A VISION. BE DEMANDING.
  12. DON’T TAKE COUNSEL OF YOUR FEARS OR NAYSAYERS.
  13. PERPETUAL OPTIMISM IS A FORCE MAGNIFIER. (IN THE MILITARY, ONE ALWAYS LOOKS FOR WAYS TO INCREASE OR MULTIPLY YOUR FORCES.)

 

 

Almighty God, tell me please,  what’s in your heart tonight?

Nothing created, no one to love.

Six days I’ll take to change all that

Making beauty where none has been before.

So now, tell me please, what’s in your heart tonight?

Father Abraham, tell me please, what’s in your heart tonight?

As you stand there watching o’er this miracle of life,

A promise now fulfilled

Now Father of a promised nation

So now, tell me please, what’s in your heart tonight?

Mary, tell me please, what’s in your heart tonight?

Delivered of a baby boy, One bathed in heavenly light.

A tender child, the Holy One, lying in that manger

So now, tell me please, what’s in your heart tonight?

Jesus, tell me please, what’s in your heart tonight?

Praying in a garden, before Your final fight.

A coming cross, a grave, a stone

Then glorious light when sin is overcome.

So now, tell me please, what’s in your heart tonight?

Sinner, tell me please, what’s in your heart tonight?

A hopeless world? A broken spirit?

A path that leads to death?

So now, tell me please what’s in your heart tonight?

 Sinner!  Now hear the good news!!!

Jesus wants to cleanse your evil heart tonight

Wipe all those things that lead to death.

To hear you say “adopt me into your family,

“Now come, take over my life

“Now thanks eternally, for paying for my sin,

So now, make that be what’s in your heart tonight.

Alan Buhler (2026)