Veterans Radio

Join us for a discussion with three Veterans Radio board members on their experiences as women in the military, serving in operational and technical roles, the transition to civilian life, and more. Featuring: Kate Melcher, U.S. Army (2005-2020)Dr. Christine Cook, Army National Guard & U.S. Army Res. (1986-2016)Lydia Pinkham, U.S. Coast Guard (2011-2017)ILLUMINATE - ADVOCATE - EDUCATEOur mission since 2003 has been to advocate for the veteran and provide education for veterans and their families along with illuminating the extraordinary actions of ordinary people who have gained and preserved the freedom all Americans enjoy - and the ultimate price that is often paid.Veterans Radio includes our listeners' stories and experiences, not only while in the service, but afterward as well. Interviews with guest speakers and authors are a weekly feature.Veterans Radio is a production of Veterans Radio America, Inc. a 501(3) non-profit corporation. EIN # 83-2746681

Host Dale Throneberry and Carol Ann Fausone, (USAF Brig Gen ret), from Legal Help for Veterans answer your questions during our monthly Benefits Program.Topics on this program include: Upgrading your current rating. Reapplying for conditions now covered by the Pact Act. New ratings for gastrointestinal conditions.Contact Veterans Radio with your questions for our next Benefits Program on Sunday, May 5th at 5 PM eastern.

CAPTURED AND CONFINEDCaptured on November 2, 1950, by North Korean-Chinese Soldiers, Father Kapaun was confined at Prison Camp #5, Pyoktong, North Korea until his death, at the hands of his captors, on May 23, 1951. Granted the title of “Servant of God” by the Catholic Church Father Kapaun is the Most Decorated Chaplain in US military history.In April of 2013, President Obama awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Father Kapaun.THE MIRACLE OF FATHER KAPAUNJoin Veterans Radio Host Bob Gould and guests: Father John Hotze, Priest, and Judicial Vicar for the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Roy Wenzl, national award-winning reporter for the Wichita Eagle and co-author of The Miracle of Father Kapaun, and William “Bill” Funchess, soldier and fellow POW who was there at Camp 5, all together to honor a great humanitarian.

Dr. James Patton Rogers is an expert in drone warfare. He discusses the evolution of drone warfare, the 1st and 2nd Drone Ages, and how we're moving into the 3rd Drone Age. Rogers discusses drone use from Ukraine to Africa with host Jim Fausone. Go read his recent book, "Precision: A History of American Warfare".

Claire Dahl, a retired Ann Arbor history teacher, talks with Dale about Rosie the Riveter and the notable women who entered World War II. Claire was recently featured in an article by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds in the Ann Arbor Observer. Read the full article from the Ann Arbor Observer here. Dale also speaks with Larry St. Antoine, board member for Camp Liberty Michigan, about the camp’s history and all they are doing to help veterans. Camp Liberty is a nonprofit that helps provide inclusive outdoor recreation programs to service members and their families. Learn more about Camp Liberty here.

Allan Lutes, President of Camp Liberty, Inc., explains the non-profit's programs in 2023 & 2024. Allan discusses new staffing opportunities at Camp in Brooklyn, Michigan. He talks candidly about their programming, fundraising, and volunteer challenges after pandemic shutdowns. Allan gives host Jim Fausone an update on Camp Liberty.

Army Veteran Scott Lopez made people a lot of money in sales and finally said, "I'm going to work for myself". He took his years of experience in IT Sales for OEMs and entered the alternative OEM Distribution business. He says getting locally certified and using his Hispanic/Veteran status helped open doors. Scott talks about the benefits of a National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC.org) certification with host Jim Fausone.

Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), talks about veterans, the 2023 IAVA member survey, issues for women veterans, and the need for more emphasis on military recruiting. Learn more about the IAVA here. President of the Michigan Air & Space Forces Association, Brig. Gen. Doug “Odie” Slocum (ret.), discusses his career and mission of the Michigan AFA. Learn more about the Michigan AFA here.

Carrie Filipetti is the Executive Director of the Vandenberg Coalition. She and Hans Zeiger, Jack Miller Center, wrote about the need to teach civics to our youth so they can appreciate "why their country is worth defending". She explains teaching civics can help younger generations understand the value of freedom in the country and possibly be more inclined to serve the military. Carrie talks to host Jim Fausone about the Vandenberg Coalition and the Jack Miller Center.

Documentary photographer, photojournalist, and writer Jenn Tuero "J.T." Blatty, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000 and served six years as an active-duty U.S. Army officer, deploying with the first troops into Afghanistan following 9/11 and again into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since early 2018, she has been documenting the conflict in eastern Ukraine while simultaneously creating a photographic/audio archive of the 2014 volunteer soldiers of the Donbas (exhibited in Chicago and NYC in 2019-2020, March 2022 in Kyiv postponed due to the full-scale invasion), the revolutionaries who self-deployed during the original Russian invasion and saved Ukraine’s independence. A 2021-2022 Ukraine Fulbright alum, Blatty continues her photojournalistic work in Ukraine and recently completed writing Snapshots Sent Home: From Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine (publication Feb 20 2024), a military memoir that speaks of her journey in Ukraine, the volunteers, and a universal bond between combat veterans around the world. jtblatty.com

Leigh St. Julian Billeaud, of Lafayette Louisana, spent 6 years in the Navy and 6 more with the CIA. She talks about her experiences and coming back to St. Landry's Parish in Louisiana to find balance, start her family, and embark on a career in counseling. Leigh talks with host Jim Fausone about the value, benefits, and costs of therapy.

Welcome to Veterans Radio. This week are experts are Carol Ann Fausone, Retired USAF BG, Veterans Service Officer from Legal Help for Veterans and Brian Hayes, Director of Communications Health System Specialist/Public Relations, LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. These are just a few of the topics we talked about in today's episode of Veterans Radio. Help for older Veterans is available through the VA. Elderly Veterans - Veterans (va.gov) What assistance are you entitled to? We talk about Incarcerated Veterans. What benefits are they eligible for through the VA. Incarcerated Veterans - Veterans (va.gov) How can the VA help Homeless Veterans. Homeless Veterans - Veterans (va.gov)

Andrew Pettegree, of Scotland's University of St. Andrews, discusses his recent publication "The Book at War" with host Jim Fausone. They cover the printed word for encouraging a nation to go to and stay at war, the value of books to the troops, the rationale for book burning, and related topics in a thought provoking interview.

Host Dale Throneberry speaks with author William Yeske about his book, “Damn the Valley,” a first-hand account from an airborne unit engaged in some of the toughest fighting in Afghanistan. Look for his book on Amazon. “DAMN THE VALLEY” was a phrase regularly uttered by the men that spent any amount of time in the Arghandab River Valley during the deployment of 2 Fury to Afghanistan in 2009–2010. The valley has claimed bodies from the troops of Alexander the Great, the British Empire, and more recently, the Russian Army. Operating in the valley was like nothing the men could have envisaged, they called it the “meat grinder.” It was a deployment that the media didn’t talk about, and the government doesn’t acknowledge. Three of the company were KIA, more than a dozen suffered life-changing injuries, and half the company had Purple Hearts—not many modern-day deployments have a 52% casualty rate. Since their return, many of the survivors have struggled to move on with their lives, and the unit has been declared at “extraordinary risk” by the Department of Veteran Affairs. No one who entered that region was left unscathed. Dale then speaks with Scott Lopez, NVBDC member, veteran, and business owner. Scott Lopez is the CEO and Founder of Zepol Productions Inc., (ZPI) which he founded in 2009. Scott brings over 25 years of channel experience, both creating distribution-specific brands and selling multiple service and hardware lines through the channel, and is proud of his Veteran and Latino American heritage, as a NVBDC-certified, service-disabled and veteran-owned small business (from nvbdc.org). Learn more about NVBDC.

Eden Stratton, a War Horse Journalist, wrote about the high representation of Black Women in the U.S. Army's Sergeant Major ranks. The culture these women built to support the promotion of enlisted black women is explored. Stratton talks with host Jim Fausone about the surprising statistics and the value of mentorship and connections.

NATIONAL ASSOC. OF BLACK MILITARY WOMEN WITH TWEILA ROCHELL-CAUTHENMarine Gy Sgt Tweila Rochell-Cauthen discusses her military experiences and the role of National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW), which is advocating for the service academies to boost the number of minorities admitted so that the number of black officers increases. NABMW filed with the US Supreme Court supporting military academies using race as a factor in admissions for the purpose of increasing black officers. She talks to host Jim Fausone about the value of military service and the benefits of diversity.BLACK SURGEONS OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH AUTHOR JILL NEWMARKJill Newmark discusses 14 Black surgeons who served with the Union Army during the Civil War. She explores their struggles to get trained in surgery, prejudice in society and the military, struggles as Black officers, and overcoming obstacles. Newmark talks with host Jim Fausone about their desire to practice medicine, the status of commission and contract officers, racial inequities, and post-war struggles. Her book is “Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of Black Civil War Surgeons.”

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tweila Rochell-Cauthen discusses her military experiences and the role of the National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW). Which is advocating for the service academies to boost the number of minorities admitted so that the number of black officers increases. NABMW filed with the US Supreme Court supporting military academies to use race as a factor in admissions to increase black officers. She talks to host Jim Fausone about the value of military service and the benefits of diversity.

PREPPING FOR THE NEXT FIGHT - AUTHOR HOPE HODGE SECKHost Dale Throneberry speaks with Hope Hodge Seck, author of “Prepping for the Next Fight” appearing in the February 2024 issue of Military Officer, a publication of the Military Officers Association of America. Seck is an award-winning investigative reporter covering the military and national defense, and is the former managing editor of Military.com. What all the branches of the military are doing to prepare for the next fight. "SPEAK OUT!" - USMC VETERAN BILL GRAHAMThen, Dale talks with Vietnam-era USMC Veteran Bill Graham, contributor for The VVA Veteran, a publication of Vietnam Veterans of America. Bill recently wrote “Speak Out! The Case for Universal National Service” regarding an alternative to selective service. Read Bill’s full article on The VVA Veteran online The VVA Veteran, a publication of Vietnam Veterans of America.

President of the Michigan Air & Space Forces Association, Doug "Odie" Slocum, discusses his career and mission of the Michigan AFA. The retired pilot & General talks about their pillars of Education, Advocacy, and Support for our Air & Space Forces. The newly established Ann Arbor location joins the Sterling Heights chapter of Michigan. All are welcome at AFA chapters to learn what's happening in the air and space defense of our country. Brigadier General (ret.) Slocum talks to host Jim Fausone about the events and purpose of joining AFA.

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 Service Dept., MACVC Trustee Missed this month's program? Tune in the last Sunday of the month for our Benefits Program. Send your questions to [email protected]

Navy Veteran Jenna Carlton, known on social media as The Millennial Veteran, talks to host Jim Fausone about her time in the Navy, her transition to a government job, and an opinion piece written for Task & Purpose on the current military recruiting crisis. Carlton contends younger veterans will not help until their transition, mental health, and physical health issues are all addressed by the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Lt. Commander Will Bowden, USCG (ret), talks about his time in the Coast Guard, law enforcement, pharmaceutical industry, and then his pivot to the cannabis industry. He grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and has lived in Naples, FL, and Wilmington, DE. He has seen the world with the Coast Guard and obtained an MBA, but is no farmer by upbringing. Grasshopper Farms has outdoor grow locations in Michigan, Colorado, and New Jersey. He ties all this together when talking to host Jim Fausone.Lt. Col. Tracy Farrell, US Army (ret.), is the VP of Program Operations and Partnerships at The Wounded Warrior Project. Tracy talks about her service, the Wounded Warrior Project, and recent “Women Warriors Report.” Farrell discusses the data collection from 5,000 women warriors, the key findings and recommendations. She also talks with host JimFausone about whether women warriors would join up again.

Jill Newmark discusses 14 Black surgeons who served with the Union Army during the Civil War. She explores their struggles to get trained in surgery, prejudice in society and the military, struggles as Black officers, and overcoming obstacles. Newmark talks with host Jim Fausone about their desire to practice medicine, the status of commission and contract officers, racial inequities, and post-war struggles. Her book is "Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of Black Civil War Surgeons."

Zero Day is a non-profit that helps veterans with counseling, housing, job skills, and outdoor therapy; showcasing the power of partnerships and volunteers. Two volunteers, Nate Cropsey and James Dentler, talk with host Jim Fausone about all the activities that Zero Day is involved with to help veterans.

Dr. Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst and the President of IRIS Independent Research. IRIS is a small, woman-owned business that specializes in defense and aerospace research and consulting. Initially, Rebecca began her professional career with RAND in Santa Monica, California. Likewise, she also worked at Pentagon for three years as the Air Staff on the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Apart from that, Rebecca is a guest speaker on airpower and technology at different venues from active-duty Air Force units to Wall Street investors. She has also lectured at the USAF’s Air University and for the air forces of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, and Australia. On top of that, Rebecca has made television appearances as an expert on national security for FOX News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox Business, and OANN. She has also written over 100 articles for Air Force Magazine. Topics discussed include: China and their place in today's world, the war in Ukraine, North Korea, Israel's war in Gaza, Iran and the Middle East. And Much Much More...

Where have our heroes gone? What it takes to be a hero, why war heroes matter, and why Americans should never forget our heroes. Join host Gary Lillie from this 2007 interiew. Our guest is, self-proclaimed hero expert and author, Gary W. Toyn. He is the author of The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Does the media reject America’s war heroes? Why don’t school children learn about America’s war heroes? Why don’t we hear more about the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan? What can we do/

John Faunce talks about the creation and mission of Team RWB to connect today's veterans with activities like rucks and runs. He talks to host Jim Fausone about the future and the need for Team Red, White, and Blue.

Our Community Salutes was started in 2009 by Dr. Ken Hartman to acknowledge high school kids that were enlisting in the military and support that family decision. This grassroots effort coordinated by OCS holds events around the country to give the enlistees their own "signing day." It can be as simple as a presentation and pizza or an elaborate affair with speakers. OCS has grown over the years to offer a variety of support materials for these local programs. Visit Our Community Salutes website to learn more. Ken talks to host Jim Fausone about OCS and its future and the need to support recruitment efforts by the military.

What do Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe and Toby Keith have in common? They have all performed on a USO tour. Since World War II the USO has been sending entertainers around the world to entertain our troops. But the USO is much more than that. Listen to this Veterans Radio program from December 22, 2012 with our guest USO Senior Vice President and Air Force Veteran John Hanson. Host Dale Throneberry talked with John about the history of the USO and how it has changed over the years.

Allison Jaslow, CEO of IAVA, talks about Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the 2023 IAVA member survey, issues for women veterans, and the need for more emphasis on military recruiting. Jaslow discusses current issues with host Jim Fausone.

Dale Throneberry interviews the late Dr. Guy Stern (Jan 4, 1922 – Dec 7, 2023) in an episode that originally aired in February, 2021. Dr. Guy Stern was a World War II Ritchie Boy and recently served as director of the Harry and Wanda Zekelman International Institute of the Righteous at the Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus. For more information about the original interview, please visit the interview page. Host Jim Fausone also interviews the CEO and Founder of the NVBDC, Keith King, in another archived episode. The National Veterans Business Development Council is the original Veteran Owned Business Certification organization developed by Veterans, for Veterans. Nick Busse, Military Engagement Manager at Leaf Home™, today announced the recipients of its third consecutive stair lift giveaway for deserving veterans. The stair lift giveaway is just one element of Leaf Home's 360-degree approach to supporting veterans, which is an increasingly large focus for the company as it has grown. Leaf Home currently has over 184 veterans on staff. "Leaf Home has the unique ability to not only volunteer time and money, but also high-performance products like stair lifts that make a positive impact in veterans' lives," said Nick Busse, Head of Military and Veteran Recruiting at Leaf Home and a U.S. Army veteran. "Veterans deserve to be comfortable in their homes, especially in time for the holiday season. We're honored to do our small part in providing peace of mind to veterans in our communities."

Keith King, Founder and CEO of the National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC), talks about their 2023 highlights! He explains the benefits that 2000+ certified veteran-owned businesses have received and the value of its 175 NVBDC corporate members. King highlights the $4.3 Billion that is spent by corporations in the Billion Dollar Roundtable with veteran-owned businesses with host Jim Fausone. Veterans Radio encourages you to check out NVBDC.org.

Join host Jim Fausone for this week’s program! Chris Cauley, recently appointed Executive Director of the John Dingell Detroit VA Medical Center, talks about his background, commitment to veterans health care, the challenges at Detroit VAMC and what his team is doing to improve customer service and access to outstanding health care for veterans. He talks to host Jim about the current top three issues he is addressing. Army Veteran Richard (ChubZ) Werabelski was medically discharged after an RPG explosion in Afghanistan resulted in a TBI & PTSD. The transition back to civilian life was hard. He had to deal with the VA, being unable to work in his prior career, a house fire and insurance battle, bankruptcy, COVID, and other hurdles. ChubZ talks to host Jim Fausone about how giving back during COVID by cooking meals for first responders led to being an entrepreneur and having a BBQ food business at fairs, festivals and catering.

Michael DeMos runs two marketing businesses after a sales career and time in the Army. Mike explains how he received his college education via an ROTC scholarship and talks about his 5 years in the Army as a Chemical Officer. Mike gives candid advice about starting his own business and working to help small businesses grow their customer base. He talks to host Jim Fausone about lessons learned over a career in business.

Join host Dale Throneberry and his guests from Operation Song. Veterans Roger Blackwood and songwriter Wil Nance. How did their song "Was It Worth It" come about. Author Andrew Biggio discusses his book "The Rifle". An amazing collection of stories from World War II veterans and the connection with the M1 Garard Rifle. Meet some of the Veterans Author Andrew Biggio has encountered in a his years of working with the Greatest Generation.

Air Force veteran Crystal Wiggins is the program manager for the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture's Veterans Urban Farm. She explains her background, the Veterans Farm which is in its fourth year growing all types of produce that gets donated to a VA hospital, student veterans, and homeless veterans. About 15,000 pounds are produced by volunteers helping out on less than one acre in production. Crystal talks to host Jim Fausone about the value of working the ground and the resulting end product that addresses food insecurity for many groups.

HOMELESS VETERANS IN DETROIT Veterans are two to three times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. But hope is on the horizon in the Motor City. Detroit has reduced veteran homelessness by nearly 50% since 2020 — almost five times the national average reduction of 11% in the same time period — and by 70% since 2017. The city is working to reach “functional zero” — when the community can house the number of veterans routinely entering homelessness within one month — thereby ending veteran homelessness completely. Several factors are helping Detroit make significant progress: Diandra Gourlay, Vice President of Social Services at Volunteers of America Michigan, talks to our host Dale Throneberry about the specifics of the program in Detroit that aims to eliminate homelessness for our veterans. For more information: functional zero HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS USA – “BUILDING HOMES AND REBUILDING LIVES” Mission – TO BUILD AND DONATE SPECIALLY ADAPTED CUSTOM HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR SEVERELY INJURED POST-9/11 VETERANS, TO ENABLE THEM TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES. President and CEO Tom Landwermeyer of Homes for Our Troops is our guest. To donate, volunteer, and learn more about this non-profit organization – hfotusa.org

Lt. Commander Will Bowden , USCG (ret), talks about his time in the Coast Guard, law enforcement, pharmaceutical industry and then his pivot to the cannabis industry. He grew up in Santa Cruz, California and has lived in Naples, Florida and Wilmington, Delaware. He has seen the world with the Coast Guard and obtained an MBA, but is no farmer by upbringing. Grasshopper Farms has outdoor grow locations in Michigan, Colorado and New Jersey. He ties all this together when talking to host Jim Fausone.

DON FROGMANN – FORMER NAVY SEAL Mann’s impressive military biography includes being a decorated combat veteran; Corpsman; SEAL Special Operations Technician; jungle survival, desert survival, and arctic survival instructor; small arms weapons instructor, foreign weapons instructor, armed and unarmed defense tactics, advanced hand-to-hand combat instructor; and Survival, Evade, Resistance and Escape Instructor; in addition to other credentials. Mann is the author of 22 books including the New York Times Best Selling autobiography Inside SEAL Team SIX: My Life and Missions with America’s Elite Warriors. When Osama bin Laden was assassinated, the entire world was fascinated by the men who had completed the seemingly impossible mission that had dogged the U.S. government for over a decade. SEAL Team SIX became synonymous with heroism, duty, and justice. Only a handful of the elite men who make up the SEALs, the U.S. Navy’s best and bravest, survive the legendary and grueling selection process that leads to SEAL Team SIX, a group so classified it technically does not even exist. There are no better warriors on earth. NAVY VETERAN PERRAULT – HONOR GUARD FOR JFK Gary Lillie’s interview with Navy veteran George Perrault. George was part of the honor guard after President Kennedy’s assassination who stood over his casket in the Capital Rotunda. More information on www.usfrogmann.com

The Wounded Warrior Project's VP of Operations, Lt. Col. Tracy Farrell, US Army (ret) talks about her service, Wounded Warrior Project and the recent "Womens Warriors Report." Farrell discusses the data collection from 5000 women warriors, the key findings and recommendations. She also talks about would women warriors join up again with host Jim Fausone.

THE CHUCK MAWHINNEY STORY The Marine Corps’ deadliest sniper is Chuck Mawhinney with 103 confirmed kills during the Vietnam War. His story went untold for decades, with many books claiming Carlos Hathcock had the most kills at 93. Jim Lindsay, an author and Oregon rancher, befriended Mawhinney as both were hard-working, beer-drinking men in Oregon. Lindsay decided to help get Chuck’s story out in a way befitting a man at peace with his role in Nam. Chuck viewed his job as keeping other Marines safe; he was great it. Lindsay tells the story to host Jim Fausone and writes it in “The Sniper” published by St. Martins Press. Available as an audiobook, ebook and in print. CAMP LEJEUNE CLAIMS OVERWHELM DOD The second interview is about a Camp LeJeune water contamination policy guidance put out by the Navy to try to settle the 100,000+ cases. Attorney Catherine Groll, a litigation partner with the Mike Cox Law Firm, talks about the Camp LeJeune Justice Act, the administrative claims process, and the Department of Defense & Navy’s new “Public Guidance on Elective Option for CLJA Claims”. The DoD created a matrix so veterans exposed to the Camp Lejeune contaminated water could evaluate whether settling and avoiding litigation is the better route. Groll talks to host Jim Fausone about the inherent problems in the Elective Option and the traps for the unwary veteran. DoD dangles up to $550,000 in front of Marine veterans to start settling the 100,000+ claims that have already been filed.

The recently appointed CEO of the John Dingell Detroit VA Medical Center talks about his background, commitment to veterans health care, the challenges at Detroit VAMC and what his team is doing to improve customer service and access to outstanding health care for veterans. He talks to host Jim Fausone about the current top three issues he is addressing.

This week’s one hour radio broadcast is hosted by Dale Throneberry. Dale welcomes Dawn and Wendall Pelham to tell their son’s military service story. This will begin with a beautiful song “Larger Than Life” written by Dawn and Wendall and Operation Song artist Steve Williams. ARMY SPC JOHN ALEXANDER PELHAM November 9, 1991 – February 12, 2014 In February 7, 2014 John’s last Facebook post was, “I can’t wait to play racquetball again.” On February 12th, just five days later US Army Specialist John Alexander Pelham was killed from small arms fire in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Kapisa Province of Afghanistan. He was 22 years old. Dr. Rebecca Grant, one of our most popular guests over the years, will enlighten us on the political and military events of today. You may have seen her on national news broadcasts but she shines brightest when speaking to the Veterans Radio audience!

Dwight Stirling, PhD and retired military lawyer and prosecutor has focused on the unfairness of the Feres Doctrine for his professional career. It stops military members from suing on a wide range of injuries such as medical malpractice and sexual assault. Stirling discusses with host Jim Fausone the creation of the doctrine and the need for the US Supreme Court or the Congress to eliminate or create exceptions to this legal doctrine.

RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE GROUP provides home health care, palliative care and hospice care to veterans. Residential would love to hear from you! They have provided these phone numbers for direct access to their Michigan offices for home health care and hospice care. Home Health Main Line: 866-902-4000 Hospice Main Line: 866-902-5854 If you would like to preview their service information and learn more about their organization, Residential recommends these online resources. Residential Healthcare Group | Care Where You Are We Honor Veterans – Residential Healthcare Group More VETERANS BENEFITS Episodes

Today, recruiters are struggling to bring enough Zoomers into the armed services. Mismatched fundamental ideals, divergent beliefs about the workplace, and other sociocultural influences have contributed to the United States military scrambling to get a grasp on how to appeal to Gen Z. A Marine and MBA, Matthew Weiss, discusses his thoughts on the recruiting mismatch. Through the use of personal life stories and macro analysis, this book explains why military recruiting in the United States is at an all-time low in order to suggest ways that American society and its leaders can fix this issue. We must rebuild the value proposition of military service by demonstrating the benefits of the world’s greatest physical social network. Weiss talks with host Jim Fausone about recruiting today.

“IKE IN LOVE AND WAR” BY RICHARD STRINER Ike in Love and War shows the hidden sacrifices that made Eisenhower remarkable. It probes the mission that was driving him: the quest to reconcile his skill as a fighter with his mother’s pacifism, which led him to become the greatest peacekeeper of his age. More than other biographies, this one explores the man’s emotions. It puts the long-standing dispute about his romance with Kay Summersby in a new perspective: tragedy. Here is the story of a unique American, the passion and brilliance he kept concealed, the ambition that propelled him, the sacrifices that wore down his health, and the sheer self-mastery that made it all look easy. It never was. His achievements are timely as Americans face unprecedented dangers. This is the story of the world Ike made, the things he achieved, and the surprises that may still be in store for us as we strive to understand his life in full. For more information – www.richardstriner.com

Joseph Craig, Director of AUSA 's Book Program, explains the mission, orgin and future of graphic novels focusing on Army Medal of Honor recipients. These novels are professionally done and vibrant in digital format or in print. Joe talks about the goals of reaching a wider audience with these stories to host Jim Fausone.

Since meeting Michael J. Martin, by way of Gary Lillie, in 2004, Martin was a frequent guest on Veterans Radio. He was one of those “old fashioned tried and true ol’ troubadours” with ballad-folk songs that came out of the Vietnam War experience. Michael J. Martin lived the music he wrote and sang. His music had some miles on it. He and his partner, Tim “Doc” Holiday, both Vietnam Veterans, started writing and recording their music back in late 70s and early 80s. They led marches from Texas to Washington to make people and the government aware of what was happening to a whole generation of Vietnam Veterans. They are both gone now, but their music is still inspiring veterans of all ages. It’s as powerful as it is emotional. It’s letting the veterans and their families know that “They Are Not Alone”. Here is the playlist from this program: 1. United We Stand 2. Suitcase Full of Secrets 3. Take a Ride on the Moon 4. I Ain’t here alone 5. I Am With My Friends 6. VA Scuffle 7. The Soldier Boy and The Nurse 8. That Could Have been Me 9. When Your Daddy Comes Home 10. Last Firebase 11. The Three of Us 12. Who Are The Names On The Wall Some of their music has been remastered and can be acquired by contacting Michael’s daughter Andy Martin. You can contact Andy at 615-692-4103.

Attorney Catherine Groll, a litigation partner with the Mike Cox Law Firm, talks about the Camp LeJeune Justice Act, the administrative claims process, and the Department of Defense & Navy's new "Public Guidance on Elective Option for CLJA Claims". The DoD created a matrix so veterans exposed to the Camp Lejeune contaminated water could evaluate whether settling and avoiding litigation is the better route. Groll talks to host Jim Fausone about the inherent problems in the Elective Option and the traps for the unwary veteran. DoD dangles up to $550,000 in front of Marine veterans as it hopes to start settling the over 100,000 claims that have already been filed.