Veterans Radio

Tune in for an interview with Charles Lachman, author of “Codename Nemo”Host Dale Throneberry talks with Charles Lachman, author of “Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and the Elusive Enigma Machine.”On June 4, 1944—two days before D-Day—the course of World War II was forever changed. That day, a US Navy task force achieved the impossible—capturing a German U-Boat, its crew, all its technology, Nazi encryption codes, and an Enigma cipher machine. Led by a nine-man boarding party and the maverick Captain Daniel Gallery, US antisubmarine Task Group 22.3’s capture of U-505 in what was called Operation Nemo was the first seizure of an enemy ship in battle since the War of 1812, one of the greatest achievements of the US Navy, and a victory that shortened the duration of the war.Charles Lachman’s white-knuckled war saga and thrilling cat-and-mouse game is told through the eyes of the men on both sides of Operation Nemo—German U-Boaters and American heroes like Lieutenant Albert David (“Mustang”), who led the boarding party that took control of U-505 and became the only sailor to be awarded the Medal of Honor in the Battle of the Atlantic; and Chief Motor Machinist Zenon Lukosius (“Zeke”), a Lithuanian immigrant’s son from Chicago who dropped out of high school to enlist in the Navy and whose quick thinking saved the day when he plugged a hole of gushing water that was threatening to sink U-505.Three thousand American sailors participated in this extraordinary adventure; nine ordinary American men channeling extraordinary skill and bravery finished the job; and then—like everyone involved—breathed not a word of it until after the war was over. Nothing leaked out. In Berlin, the German Kriegsmarine assumed that U-505 had been blown to bits by depth charges, with all hands lost at sea. They were unaware that the U-Boat and its secrets, to be used in cracking Nazi coded messages, were now in American hands. They were also unaware that the 59 German sailors captured on the high seas were imprisoned in a POW camp in Ruston, Louisiana, until their release in 1946 when they were permitted to return home to family and friends who thought they had perished.We also feature an interview with leadership from the Wounded Warrior Project to recognize National Nonprofit Day.

As National Nonprofit Day approaches (Aug. 17), it’s important to recognize the powerful role business-nonprofit partnerships can play in changing and saving lives in our community. Wounded Warrior Project partners with organizations across the country to expand reach, enhance programs, and improve advocacy efforts for post-9/11 injured veterans and their families. In return, the organization provides companies with a way to support their communities, involve their employees, and make an impact in the lives of wounded, ill, and injured veterans.

Veterans Radio has a partnership with the Literature of War Foundation to exchange podcast content to reach a wider audience. This week, Army Ranger, editor, and author Marty Skovlund, Jr., sits down with the LitWar Podcast to discuss his book, SEND ME. It tells the powerful story of Shannon Kent, a Cryptologic Technician who rose to the apex of the military as an intelligence operative in elite special operations units. She spent a career hunting the world's most ruthless terrorists while navigating a multitude of other roles and challenges. It is a story that will resonate with future generations of servicemen and women.MARTY SKOVLUND, JR. is the editor-in-chief of Task & Purpose, a military news and cultural publication. He is a former Army Ranger and an experienced conflict reporter who has reported on assignments from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine in addition to embedding with the U.S. military around the world.Learn more about our Platoon Book Club Initiative in which we are funding and facilitating platoon-sized book clubs for active duty and reserve platoons in every branch of the military.

Dr. Mark Moyar has written books on military history involving Vietnam, special operations, counterinsurgency and recently "Masters of Corruption". He is a professor at Hillsdale College and heads it Center for Military History and Strategy. He talks to host Jim Fausone about lessons learned .

This week we talk with two authors and Veterans of the War in Afghanistan.Staff Sergeant Travis Harman, U.S. Army Pennsylvania National Guard (medically retired), writes about going to war with his father. Travis was in Afghanistan while his dad, Dean, was in Iraq. Travis explains to host Jim Fausone the life at Outpost Nigel and discusses his book “Remote Outpost: Fighting with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.”Staff Sergeant Mikael Cook, U.S. Army (ret.) writes about the fall of Afghanistan and the Operation to Save our Afghan allies in “Life and Death at Abbey Gate: The Fall of Afghanistan and the Operation to Save our Allies.” He tells host Jim Fausone about the failure of American policy and the ‘Digital Dunkirk’ efforts of many to try to get a few more Afghan allies and families out.

(Previously Aired on 2/18/2020) Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL commander. He spent 20 years as an enlisted man and officer. He shares lessons of leadership the SEAL team experiences taught him with host Jim Fausone. Jocko has written a new leadership field manual with instructions in simple, clear, step-by-step language to help soldiers complete their mission. In the civilian sector, books offer information on everything from fixing a leaky faucet to developing an effective workout program to cooking a good steak. He's co-authored other books, including "Extreme Ownership" and "The Dichotomy of Leadership". But "Leadership Strategy and Tactics" is the first leadership field manual with a direct and situational how-to guide anyone can instantly put to use. It explains how to take leadership theory, quickly translate that theory into applicable strategy, and then put leadership into action at a tactical level. This book is the solution that leaders at every level need, not just to understand the leadership game, but also how to play the leadership game, and win it.

Jim Cowper has had a long career in placing temporary technical talent in jobs for major companies. He explains up to 15% of the workforce is in "temporary" slots which provides companies and individuals with flexibility and great pay. He talks about the value of NVBDC with host Jim Fausone and about why veterans should look at such positions.

GET ANSWERS FROM OUR EXPERT PANEL!Dale Throneberry – Founder and Host of Veterans RadioBrig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone (ret) – Legal Help for VeteransDavid Saims – Director, Washtenaw County Veterans AffairsChris Arbino – Assistant Communications Director, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare SystemMike Cox – Attorney, Former MI Attorney General, USMC VeteranTopics include; Camp Lejeune Deadline, Pact Act Deadline, Survivors benefits, Burn Pit Registry, and much more. DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER GIVEN. THIS PROGRAM WAS RECORDED ON 4 August 2024

(Previously Aired on 3/23/2021) We talk to James Carl Nelson, author of "The York Patrol - The Real Story of Alvin York and the Unsung Heroes Who Made Him World War I's Most Famous Soldier." York grew up in the backwoods of Tennessee. After being a hell-raiser in his teens, he found his way to a fundamentalist Christian church. When drafted in World War I, he struggled to take arms with the commandment "Thou Shall Not Kill." He did his duty and found himself in a bloody offensive in the Argonne Forest in October 1918. His platoon leadership was decimated, and he found himself in charge. They captured roughly 130 Germans after a harrowing firefight. This is a story of the other men and what Sgt. Alvin York went through for the rest of his life. He became the poster boy of WWI, with books and movies were made of his efforts. Gary Cooper starred in "Sergeant York" a blockbuster biopic in 1941 when the country needed a shot in the patriotic arm while heading into WWII. Listen to James Carl Nelson tell his story to host Jim Fausone.

August 10, 2024 is the last date to file toxic water contamination claims for Marines, families , civilians that spent time at Camp LeJeune from 8/1953 to 12/1987. Attorney Mike Cox, a Marine, explains the deadline and who can file. He tells host Jim Fausone about the toxic chemicals in the water and health conditions covered .

Staff Sergeant Travis Harman, U.S. Army Pennsylvania National Guard (medically retired), writes about going to war with his father. Travis was in Afghanistan while dad, Dean, was in Iraq. Travis explains to host Jim Fausone the life at Outpost Nigel and his book "Remote Outpost - Fighting with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan."

This week we hear the incredible story of Father Philip Salois, Vietnam Veteran and Silver Star recipient.In this episode, host Dale Throneberry speaks with Fr. Phil, as well as the two authors of the book that tells his tale. In the Shadows of Vietnam: The Gallant Life of Fr. Philip Salois, written by Julien Ayotte and Paul F. Caranci, is the true story of Fr. Phil’s experience in Vietnam and his lifelong dedication to fellow servicemen. From the book’s description: In 1970, an infantryman and his platoon encountered a horseshoe-shaped ambush in the jungles of Vietnam.Six members of the young soldier’s unit were trapped behind enemy lines, facing no chance for survival if rescue were not imminent. Twenty-one-year-old Specialist 4 Philip Salois and a fellow grunt were determined to save their six comrades. Before crawling out into the line of fire, Phil asked God to protect him and see him through this ordeal unharmed in return for a promise to do anything wanted of him afterwards. It is a promise that many men about to do battle make, but few keep.Four years later, while attending a Catholic seminary in California, this Rhode Island native heard an inner voice reminding him of the promise he had made, and informing him of what God had planned for his life. Fourteen years after the ambush and rescue, that young soldier became Fr. Philip Salois, a Catholic priest about to embark on a new charge. This time, the mission was to rescue veterans who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the horrors of their deployment in Vietnam.Over nearly forty years, Fr. Phil brought spiritual healing to countless troubled veterans, from infantrymen to chaplains alike, in his role as the Chief of Chaplains in the Boston VA Healthcare System, and in numerous retreats and conferences that he organized all over the U.S.This is the awe-inspiring true story of the life of a gentle giant, a man who received the Silver Star for his acts of valor in Vietnam, and a man who has merited the highest distinction for his service, from veterans’ organizations to religious and civic groups alike.

(Previously Aired on 10/13/2020) LCDR Reuben Keith Green (ret.) from Florida talks about his book "Black Officer, White Navy" (2017). It is likely the first memoir of a Black naval officer who rose from high school dropout to unrestricted line officer in the post-Vietnam War era. Reuben's unique career path/insightful analysis of personal experiences and others give a clear picture of what was happening in the service. Including how the forces of discrimination, institutional denial, and damage control efforts can make a career in the military fraught with obstacles. But there are also opportunities for well-qualified minorities of any gender, race, or ethnic origin. Reuben talks about what it was like being a minority sailor or officer between 1975 and the mid-1990s. Great opportunities and great challenges are explained and explored by LCDR Green with the host Jim Fausone.

Staff Sergeant Mikael Cook, U.S. Army (ret.) writes about the fall of Afghanistan and the Operation to Save our Afghan allies in "Life and Death at Abbey Gate". He tells host Jim Fausone about the failure of American policy, the #DigitalDunkirk efforts of many to try to get a few more Afghan allies and families out. Cook tells a candid story that should cause shame and reflection by the policy makers.

This week we share an interview from VVA Veteran “Dispatches” series, hosted by Marc Leepson.Marc Leepson interviewed author Kristin Hannah about “The Women,” her new novel, which shot to the top of all the bestseller lists when it came out February 6 and has remained there ever since. It’s the compelling story of a young woman who joins the Army Nurse Corps at twenty and within months finds herself in just about the worst that war can offer in an evac hospital in South Vietnam—as well as what she faced after coming home from the war. The full interview can also be found on the archive.In this episode, Vietnam War veteran Diane Carlson Evans, who served as a U.S. Army nurse in Vietnam and later was the driving force behind the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, discusses her intense tour of duty; her adjustment problems after she came home; the amazing story of her successful fight to have a memorial to the American women who served in the Vietnam War installed on the National Mall in our Nation’s Capital; and much more.For the full interview, visit the VVA Veteran Dispatches Archive. We thank VVA Veteran Dispatches for sharing these interviews for our Veterans Radio audience!Jim Fausone talks with Jim Cowper of the NVBDC for our monthly NVBDC Council Highlight.

(Previously Aired on 11/10/2020) Col. Clifford Worthy, the great-grandson of slaves, was one of the first African-American men of his generation to be accepted and excel as a Black Knight of the Hudson, a traditional nickname for West Point cadets. In the late 1940s, the doors to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were closed to most young African-American men. The few who had attended before were subjected to relentless abuse and few survived. Worthy took the chance of reaching out to U.S. Rep. John Dingell Sr., who had been a proud part of the New Deal in Washington, D.C., and was ready to unlock closed doors.Col. Clifford Worthy’s commitment to faith, family, and service included his loving support of his son Mark, who was born with developmental disabilities at a time when they were not widely understood. That part of this memoir is already inspiring readers who share the journey of loved ones living with disabilities. Cliff talks to host Jim Fausone about life over 5 decades and the lessons he has learned.

Veterans Radio has a partnership with the Literature of War Foundation to exchange podcast content to reach a wider audience. This week, New York Times best-selling author Sebastian Junger sits down with the LitWar Podcast to discuss his thoughts on death, the healing power of having a stage with an audience that is willing to listen, and his new book, In My Time of Dying.SEBASTIAN JUNGER is the New York Times bestselling author of Tribe, War, Freedom, A Death in Belmont, Fire, and The Perfect Storm, and co-director of the documentary film Restrepo, which was nominated for an Academy Award. He is also the winner of a Peabody Award and the National Magazine Award for Reporting.Learn more about our Platoon Book Club Initiative in which we are funding and facilitating platoon-sized book clubs for active duty and reserve platoons in every branch of the military.

Army Veteran Mark Kelm suffers from Parkinson's Disease, and John Lehr is CEO of the Parkinson's Foundation. Both talk with host Jim Fausone about the disease, veterans who have it from Agent Orange exposure, TBI, or other environmental pathways. Kelm talks about living well with Parkinson's and Lehr discusses resources available at the Parkinson's Foundation.

Join host Jim Fausone and our two guests for an episode on the Air Force and Navy fleet condition and effects on National Security.We hear from Heather “Lucky” Penney, former F-16 pilot and a Senior Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. Penney talks about the aging air frames and needs of the Air Force. Jim also talks with VADM Kevin Green (USN, ret) about Naval fleet readiness. Our guests discuss how fleet readiness impacts National Security.

(Previously Aired on 10/5/2020) Another 22 Helicopter Rescue missions from the Vietnam War as told by the very youthful aircrews who flew those missions in their wondrous machines. All stories are told with no holds barred. Climb into the aircraft with them and re-live their “adventures”! Phil Marshall was a 21-year-old Warrant Officer in Vietnam as a Huey Dustoff pilot. In November of 1969, he was wounded on an insecure night rescue of 3 seriously wounded soldiers. Marshall’s ever-growing series of Vietnam Helicopter Rescues documents the helicopter rescue missions that were flown by very youthful crews. The stories are all told by the men who flew the missions and are not embellished. They are as true as they can be remembered; a truly amazing series of missions flown by very humble men doing uncommon things.

Author Michel Paradis offers a fresh look into General Dwight D. Eisenhower in "The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower". Paradis' research shines as he discusses Ike's relationships with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Thurgood Marshall, Omar Bradley, James H. Doolittle, etc. He talks with host Jim Fausone about how he faced adversity, dealt with ethical issues on race & chemical weapons, and carried the pressures of D-Day.

Guests this week include two service nursesBrig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone USAF (ret) – Legal Help for VeteransLt. Col. Sandie Wilson USA (ret) – Director at Large, Vietnam Veterans of America and Chair of the VVA National Agent Orange and Toxic Exposure Committee. Topics covered in today program included:More presumptive conditions covered by the PACT ACT.Deadline for filing for benefits from Camp Lejeune-August 10th, 2024Effects of Toxic Exposure on Veteran's OffspringAnd much more.The song at the end of the program is God Bless America and America the Beautiful performed by Brothers of the Heart

(Previously Aired on 10/20/2020): Captain John L. Kaul (ret) served as a full-time Navy Catholic chaplain for 26 years. He spent time with Marines, Admirals, and other chaplains of all faiths. Fr. Kaul was born in Wyandotte and attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township. He also attended Mercy College in Detroit. He was ordained on May 24, 1975, at St. Joseph Church in Wyandotte. After 7 years of parish ministry, he was allowed to join the Navy full-time. Twice he was stationed as a chaplain at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Upon retirement he worked for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Fr. Kaul has worked to facilitate contracts and faculties for priests serving the military on a non-active-duty basis and a short time as vocations director. Fr. Kaul has earned several honors and recognitions for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal twice, the Navy Commendation Medal four times, the Overseas Deployment Ribbon four times, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal. He talks about his career and the needs of chaplains with host Jim Fausone.

Army veteran Steve White talks about ROTC, six years of military service, and a 30-year career in franchising for multiple companies. Steve is now President of PuroClean USA a disaster restoration company that is veteran-friendly. Steve talks with host Jim Fausone about what he learned in the military that applies to business today.

What are ethics? What is morality? How can one behave in a moral manner? These are among the most difficult and most interesting questions that face people of any age. What defines a “Warrior” today? We explore these important questions with our guest, Dr. Shannon E. French, (then) Assoc. Prof. Associate Chair, Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Law at the United States Naval Academy and author of The Code of the Warrior. More info on the book can be found here. About the book:Warrior cultures throughout history have developed unique codes that restrict their behavior and set them apart from the rest of society. But what possible reason could a warrior have for accepting such restraints? Why should those whose profession can force them into hellish kill-or-be-killed conditions care about such lofty concepts as honor, courage, nobility, duty, and sacrifice? And why should it matter so much to the warriors themselves that they be something more than mere murderers? The Code of the Warrior tackles these timely issues and takes the reader on a tour of warrior cultures and their values, from the ancient Greeks and Romans to the Vikings and Celts, from legendary chivalric knights to Native American tribesmen, from Chinese warrior monks pursuing enlightenment to Japanese samurai practicing death. Drawing these rich traditions up to the present, the author quests for a code for the warriors of today, as they do battle in asymmetric conflicts against unconventional forces and the scourge of global terrorism.

(Previously Aired on 9/15/2020) Erica Robertson holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, worked for Accenture Consulting, then at Nike as a Change Agent. She is now a K-12 Education crusader in Metro Detroit. She wrote about her upbringing and intergenerational trauma in her book "The Adventures of a Little Black Detroit Girl". The story of an 18-year-old single mother, working two minimum-wage jobs to make ends meet.Our interview focuses on the reasons why she joined the Navy and what she got out of that service. Erica explains how it was transformational in her life and wishes more young people would consider a few years in service. Erica's now focused on education for children of color and her 501c3 "Education at Scale" and her publishing company "Little Black Girl Adventures". She has a wide-ranging discussion with host Jim Fausone.

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Beth Kubala is now a professor at Syracuse Law School. Retired Navy Veteran Angela Hamilton earned her MBA and is now attending law school. Both join host Jim Fausone to discuss the US Supreme Court case deciding you can use both Montgomery GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

We hear from Vietnam Veteran Bill Sheehan, author of “Together We Served,” and a storyteller from his book, Dan Thompson.Sheehan and Thompson served as Navy Corpsmen in the Vietnam War. Sheehan’s book is a collection of stories from combat Navy Hospital Corpsmen serving in the jungles of Vietnam. Sometimes difficult to talk about, but always heart wrenching, these stories are true and a reminder of the consequences of a war that has initiated PTS, various cancers and emotional trauma that they still battle.For more information about the book, click here. Camp Liberty MichiganCamp Liberty is a local Michigan nonprofit that provides access to outdoor recreation for Veterans and their families. They’re hosting fundraiser on June 29th, the Car & Motorcycle Show & Family Picnic with live music, lunch, and activities for all ages.

(Previously Aired on 7/15/2020) This spotlight on NVBDC-certified business is with Sid E. Taylor. The National Veteran Business Development Council is the leading Veteran-Owned Business Certification organization developed by Veterans, for Veterans. Its purpose is to provide a credible and reliable certifying authority for all sized businesses ensuring that valid documentation exists of a Veterans status, ownership and operational control. Many lucrative business opportunities are available to VOBs through Supplier Diversity programs offered at many corporations and government agencies. The total spend available from corporations to qualifying Veteran businesses is estimated to be more than $80 billion annually. Mr. Taylor is a U.S. Marine and Vietnam combat veteran. He has over 48 years of service in the Automotive Industry. Following a 22-year career with GM, Sid founded SET Enterprises, Inc. in 1989. Through his dynamic leadership, it grew into the 8th-largest African-American-owned company in the United States with revenues exceeding $500 million. An industry leader in Metal Processing Services, SET Enterprises, Inc. expanded to six locations following its acquisition of Noble Metal Forming & Processing-Midwest in 2001, and Michigan Steel Processing in 2003.These acquisitions expanded the company’s range of metal processing services to four states, servicing customers including Ford Motor Co., Chrysler, GM, Honda, Nissan, and FCA to name a few. Built on quality, service, and innovation. Sid talks to host Jim Fausone about his business career and charitable activities.

Robert Middleton talks about the Montford Point Marines history, Association and its upcoming Gala on June 23, 2024 in Livonia, Michigan, and its keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Cornell Wilson (USMC-Ret) with host Jim Fausone.

This week, following the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we’re sharing stories from the archives that remember and honor WWII veterans.First we hear an interview with Len Lomell, originally aired in 2006. SSGT Lomell was a WWII Veteran and the last survivor of the assault on Pointe-Du-Hoc.D-Day, 6 June 1944, was the largest invasion in the history of the world. Pointe-Du-Hoc was a nearly 100-meter high cliff, with perpendicular sides jutting out into the English Channel. You won’t believe the story of this incredible example of American ingenuity as we learn how this small group of Rangers was finally able to accomplish their mission despite all the SNAFUs. Join us as we talk with Len Lomell, the last survivor of the assault on Pointe-Du-Hoc. Len was a Toms River, NJ man. After the war he married and had 3 daughters while building a successful law practice. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 91. Next we hear from author and history scholar Robert Lundgren, author of “The World Wonder’d: What Really Happened off Samar,” in an interview recorded in 2015.This year marks the invasion’s 80th anniversary, and the last of the battle’s veterans are dying off, which makes honoring their sacrifice all the more important.“The battles of WWII are not only part of our immediate heritage; our success in the war is why our heritage survives today,” says Lundgren, who adds that other veterans of the war also deserve to be honored. Throughout a 10-year period, he wrote “The World Wonder’d: What Really Happened Off Samar”. In the process of writing he had to learn how to read Kanji, which, in 1944, was closer to Chinese than what is spoken today in modern Japan.“Accuracy in history matters,” he says. “Not only does it inform our current and future decisions – we also owe that integrity for those who fought for our privileges today.”Lundgren discusses more details from WWII in honor of D-Day.For the original program information, click here.

(Previously Aired on 3/24/2020) Jeffrey Copeland is a professor at the University of Northern Iowa and prolific author. He talks with host Jim Fausone about lessons the military and society should learn from COVID-19, the Spanish Flu of 1918 - its incredible death toll - and the Black Plague of 1924 in LA.

Former F16 pilot Heather "Lucky" Penney talks about the shrinkage of the Air Force's fleet and its impact on national security. She is a senior fellow at AFA's the Mitchell Institute. At this think tank, she speaks and writes on US Air Force related issues and discussed them with host Jim Fausone.

Join host Jim Fausone this week for three interviews: Dr. James Rogers, war historian and drone expert, about modern drone warfare, the use of drones around the world, and where the military applications are headed.Robert Middleton, US Marine Corps veteran and National Commandant of Montford Point Marines of America, discussing the history of the first Blacks in the Marine Corp. He also shares details of the 14th Annual National Heritage Military Banquet & Awards Ceremony, a gala from the organization on June 23rd. Literature of War Foundation’s Michael Plunkett regarding its military book club approach to providing troops literature that unit members can read, discuss and bond over.

(Previously Aired on 5/19/2020) Andy Kubik spent 15 years in USAF Special Operations. He was stationed in theatres like Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. But his six overseas deployments as a combat controller and rescue man took its toll on his mental health and family. He talks about the heroic actions on November 23, 2001, that led to a Silver Star award. Substance abuse, PTSD, and TBI are mentioned; and the relationship with his son is highlighted with host Jim Fausone.

National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC.org) Founder Keith King talks about the success over the last decade of certifying veteran-owned businesses with host Jim Fausone,

GET ANSWERS FROM OUR EXPERT PANEL!Dale Throneberry – Founder and Host of Veterans RadioBrig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone (ret) – Legal Help for VeteransBrian Hayes – Director of Communications, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare SystemDavid Saims – Director, Washtenaw County Veterans Affairs

(Previously Aired on 11/26/2019) Taras Lyssenko wrote a new book with everything from mystery and adventure, to government dealings and World War II history. "The Great Navy Birds of Lake Michigan" documents a 30-year-long effort to recover WWII-era Navy planes from Lake Michigan. He introduces the long-lost history of how Navy pilots trained and sometimes lost their lives and aircraft over Lake Michigan. It offers an inside look at his company’s recovery & salvage efforts and their sometimes-contentious relationship with federal agencies. These submerged Navy planes now find themselves in muesums and public spaces around the United States. Taras talks with host Jim Fausone of VeteransRadio.org to explain how this passion started for two Army guys and how it keeps history alive.

Marine Michael Plunkett talks about the Literature of War Foundation which supplies copies of the same book to units to read so they have a common experience to discuss. They read and discuss military history, leadership, recent engagements, etc. Plunkett explains how the nonprofit works to host Jim Fausone. Currently, 50 units have asked to start this military book club!

Our Memorial Day Program this year will include a reading of names of service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. Thank you to those who remembered and honored those lost by submitting names for the program.Dale speaks with Melissa Youngblood, President and Clinical Director of Therapeia Counseling. Melissa is a licensed professional mental health counselor and a Master-Certified Accelerated Resolution Therapist (ART). Melissa specializes in PTS in veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers, and has devoted much of her professional and personal life to helping veterans.We also talked with Doug Bradley, Vietnam Veteran, author, and educator, about his recent publication, “He Ain’t Heavy” (Medium, Warriors Publishing Group). Doug has authored many works about his Vietnam and post-Vietnam experiences, including:Who’ll Stop the Rain: Respect, Remembrance, and Reconciliation in Post-Vietnam AmericaDEROS Vietnam: Dispatches from the Air-Conditioned JungleWe Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War, which was named “the Best Music Book of 2015” by Rolling Stone Magazine.

(Previously Aired on 9/3/2019) In December 1890, the Army engaged a band of Lakota Indians at Wounded Knee Creek. Who shot first is lost to history, but the deaths of approximately 350 Lakota and 30 Army troops made it one of the bloodiest engagements of the American-Indian period. The Army calls it a battle; the Lakota people call it a massacre. Multiple times the Lakota people have sought an apology (received), reparations, and revocation of the 20 Medals of Honor awarded. Historian and Army Colonel Samuel Russell (ret.) discusses the history, and his submittal to the House Armed Services Committee regarding HR 3467 "Remove the Stain Act" of 2019. Russell offers host Jim Fausone why the bill is misguided and what precedents it would set.

Julie Dyer, a 20-year Navy veteran, started her promotional business while on ship. She has owned Express Yourself Promotional Products, LLC for over 20 years, and is an NVBDC-certified veteran-owned business! Julie talks to host Jim Fausone about the value of certification and the importance of the National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC.org).

This week’s show includes guests from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS), the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC), and the Patriot Promise Foundation.Dale speaks with Laura Jowdy, Medal of Honor historian and resident archivist from the CMOHS. Laura’s role is to ‘keep the memory of our nation’s heroes alive.’ You can learn more about Laura and her work here, and learn more about the CMOHS here. Dale also speaks with former Air Force General Bob Taylor, founder of the Patriot Promise Foundation. Bob is a former B-52 navigator, veteran of the Gulf War, and author of “From Service to Success,” a roadmap of how other veterans and their families can find their new purpose. We also hear from NVBDC founder and CEO Keith King, who speaks with host Jim Fausone. Keith is a US Army and Vietnam War Veteran, has over 40 years of experience in advertising and public relations, and has an extensive background of lobbying for and assisting veterans with the transition from military to civilian life.

(Previously Aired on 6/16/2019) MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM "BILL" HENDERSON'S CAREERMajor General William A. "Bill" Henderson was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a Marine pilot, he flew 125 combat missions over South Vietnam, Laos, and North Vietnam. From 1970-1974, he served as an F-4 check pilot and instructor. He left active duty and then joined the Michigan Air National Guard, flying F-100s and A-7s. He was named commander of the Michigan Air National Guard in 1992 and was promoted to Major General in 1996. He also served as the corporate pilot, chief pilot and director of flight operations for General Motors Corp.AUTHOR DWIGHT ZIMMERMAN - THE HISTORY OF TOP GUNDWIGHT JON ZIMMERMAN is a bestselling and award-winning author, radio show host, producer, and past president of the Military Writers Society of America. A writer of extraordinary scope in genres, he has written everything from comic books to young adult, adult histories, biographies, and more. He has received critical praise for his skill in adapting bestselling adult works into young adult and graphic novel formats.Zimmerman's new book is TOP GUN: 50 YEARS OF NAVAL AIR SUPERIORITY, and was scheduled for a May 2019 release. It is an exciting history of the U.S. Navy's fighter pilot training program that includes the origin and evolution of aviation combat and the impact of the Tom Cruise "Top Gun" movie.

(Previously Aired on 11/21/2017) Dave Biller discusses the environmental contamination at Andersen AFB, Guam, and its impact on him as an airman in a Civil Engineering Squadron in the mid-1980s. Dave talks to host Jim Fausone about the VA's handling of his claim and the impact of groundwater contamination on the new Marine base in Guam.

Law Professor Yelena Duterte talks about Veterans Basic Income as a "big idea" to help veteran transitions, VA processing problems, and as a recruitment tool. Yelena is a professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago and Director of the Veterans Legal Clinic. She talks to host Jim Fausone about the benefits a veteran basic income could provide.

Join us on Mother’s Day, 2024, to hear the incredible story of Navy Senior Chief Shannon Kent, mother of two and Navy intelligence warrant officer and language specialist. Senior Chief Kent was KIA in Syria in January 2019. Her story is told in “Send Me: The True Story of a Mother at War” co-authored by her husband Joe Kent and Marty Skovlund Jr. (editor-in-chief, Task & Purpose). Host Jim Fausone speaks with the authors.To learn more, see this recent article from Task & Purpose.To find a bookseller, visit the publisher page.Jim also speaks with Carrie Filipettie, executive director The Vandenberg Coalition: can civics education help solve the recruiting crisis?Learn more about Carrie here.

(Previously Aired on 10/27/2020): Captain Steven J. Craig (ret.) tells the story of the grounding and rescue of the USCG Cutter Jarvis on its maiden voyage to Alaska in 1972. He tells the story of its namesake, Lt. David Jarvis, and his 1897 rescue of icebound whalers in Alaska. A Japanese fishing trawler came to the rescue in the best tradition of the sea. The Captain discusses the Coast Guard and his 38 years in the service with host Jim Fausone. "All Present and Accounted For" is a Military Writers Society of America award-winning book, go pick it up today.

Vice Admiral Kevin P. Green (ret.) has been thinking about recruiting challenges for over two decades. With the Navy and other services in the worst recruiting crisis of the all-volunteer service, his insights are instructive. He talks with host Jim Fausone how recruiters must use leadership and meeting today's youth where they are. He asserts if the youth have "ambition and heart" they will be able to enlist. It may take time to overcome limitations like physical fitness, but it can be achieved and a world of opportunities exist.

Topics include Caregiver Programs, VA Healthcare for less Than Honorable Discharges, Cancer Treatment closer to home, How the Rating system works, VA Claim Denials, and much more.GET ANSWERS FROM OUR EXPERT PANEL!Dale Throneberry – Founder and Host of Veterans RadioBrig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone (ret) – Legal Help for VeteransBrian Hayes – Director of Communications, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare SystemJoseph F. Battisfore – Director, Veteran Service Office, Houghton County, MI