by Anthony Arnold | Sep 29, 2016 | Podcast
Question of the Week
Why do we ride?
My youngest asked why we were at the 3rd Annual Daniel Vasseslian Ride. I attempted to explain why.
The Word
F-35 Lightning
Summary of F35
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least ten other countries.
My thoughts were ok, we certainly need to update our airborne fight capabilities. However, this program is way over budget and each plane will cost almost 140 million a piece. Do we really need a plane that costs this much? Or the better question is, why can’t the government manage a project like the private sector?
There has got to be a better way
Unit Shout Out
http://ktla.com/2016/09/26/101-year-old-veteran-harley-enthusiast-leads-arizona-ride/
Ray Wesel is 101 years old, soon to be 102. If living for more than a century isn’t cool enough, he’s also a veteran and a life-long Harley-Davidson lover. (He even worked for the company for 24 years.)
Ray Weser, 101, is a veteran who loved Harleys since he was a teen. (Credit: KPHO/KTVK via CNN)
The open road isn’t always easy on someone so up in years, but on Sunday, Weser got to show his ride-or-die spirit one more time.
Members of a local VFW in Prescott Valley, Arizona, and the Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson dealership teamed up to send Wesel on an epic last ride.
Set up on the back of a specially-outfitted trike, Wesel was joined by about 50 other riders as they tooled around Prescott Valley, engines humming and smiles shining.
Wesel told CNN affiliate KPHO he started working on motorcycles as a teen, and the rest is easy history.
“Harley dripping oil, smoke coming out of everywhere and I fell in love with motorcycles right there!” he said.
Wesel’s granddaughter Jennifer Miller told KPHO that, with this weekend’s ride, his life has come full circle.
“This is an amazing thing. I’m pretty sure he thinks he’s died and gone to heaven already,” Miller said.
Upcoming Events
http://www.wheelsforwarriorsne.org/
4th Annual Wheels for Warriors Car and Truck Show
A fun day of cars, motorcycles & trucks of all sizes. Music, food and prizes to celebrate Veterans & raise money for local veteran groups & services.
Annir Brobst and her band will be back this year to celebrate with us!
$20 donation to register a car. truck or motorcycle to show
$5 per car admission
Veteran admission is always free
For more info please contact Susan Reed at 508/844-1658 or Susan.Reed@Pepsico.com
or Maura Lynch at 781/348-1576 – Maura.Lynch@pepsico.com
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by Anthony Arnold | Sep 22, 2016 | Podcast
Question of the Week
I didn’t have anyone ask me a question. I think for me there are many things going on in our world that people can’t take the time to think about what is going on.
The Word
I am going to do an ongoing series about terrorism. I want to look at data and try to understand what is going on. I have questions and opinions and if you think I am wrong I would love to hear from you. If you agree with me, I would like to know why.
Unit Shout Out
12 B-52s display America’s ability to project power anywhere.
From Business Insider
The 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota recently carried out Prairie Vigilance 16-1 by flying 12 B-52 bombers at once in an effort to demonstrate that the squadron could project conventional, or even nuclear, force “anywhere, anytime.”
The B-52, first flown in the 1950s, is the Air Force’s biggest and oldest bomber, but it is still a force to be reckoned with.
“Approximately 3,500 Airmen from across the wing demonstrated safe, secure, reliable nuclear-capable weapons standards and procedures,” a US Air Force statement said.
By now, the Air Force is expertly practiced at deploying the B-52 anywhere in the world in even a moment’s notice. In fact, the branch tricked the participating airmen and had them fly a week early without a hitch.
“Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing were tasked to demonstrate our nuclear [capable] tasking without prior notification or coordination,” Col. Douglas Warnock, 5th Operations Group commander, said. “The exercise was originally scheduled for next week, but by starting a week early, it gave our Airmen the opportunity to clearly exhibit their abilities and nuclear prowess.”
he 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota recently carried out Prairie Vigilance 16-1 by flying 12 B-52 bombers at once in an effort to demonstrate that the squadron could project conventional, or even nuclear, force “anywhere, anytime.”
The B-52, first flown in the 1950s, is the Air Force’s biggest and oldest bomber, but it is still a force to be reckoned with.
“Approximately 3,500 Airmen from across the wing demonstrated safe, secure, reliable nuclear-capable weapons standards and procedures,” a US Air Force statement said.
By now, the Air Force is expertly practiced at deploying the B-52 anywhere in the world in even a moment’s notice. In fact, the branch tricked the participating airmen and had them fly a week early without a hitch.
“Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing were tasked to demonstrate our nuclear [capable] tasking without prior notification or coordination,” Col. Douglas Warnock, 5th Operations Group commander, said. “The exercise was originally scheduled for next week, but by starting a week early, it gave our Airmen the opportunity to clearly exhibit their abilities and nuclear prowess.”
Upcoming Events
Massachusetts Gold Star Families Memorial Dedication
When:Sunday, September 25, 1 PM–3 PM Where: Veterans Bicentennial Park, Davol Street, Fall River, MA 02720
A memorial tribute will officially be recognized and dedicated to the Gold Star Families of Massachusetts (from all wars). This event will be open to the public. To learn more, visit the official website for the memorial here.
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by Anthony Arnold | Sep 8, 2016 | Podcast
8 episodes!! Time flies when you are having fun.
Question of the Week
I was asked about the Patriot Guard Riders, and briefly went over what that organization does and my participation in this group.
The Word
I had the pleasure of talking to Jill St Jacques about her work for veterans. Jill and her friends make knit blankets, scarves, and hats for veterans.
A blanket that Jill has made.
They do not get paid for doing this. It is their way of giving something back to veterans who don’t have a lot of color in their lives many times. These items are donated to a VA Hospital in Ohio and Massachusetts. Jill has received many thank you notes
Jill needs yarn scraps to make more items for veterans. If you would like to donate, drop me a message on the Oscar Mike Facebook Page.
You can’t get comfort like this from a store.
POG and Grunt Compliant of the week
What is up with all the uniform changes? Every time I turn around I see different cammie and BDU patterns coming out. Why can’t they pick one and stick with it.
Unit Shout Out
I would like to give this week’s shout out to the Young Marines Detachment out of Yarmouth, MA. They provided security for the Patriot Guard for Sunday’s Bridge Dedication for the family of Michael Vecchione.
Cpl Nicholas Xiarhos Young Marines
Upcoming Events
Plymouth Proud Veterans Welcome Home Concert (Fundraiser) – Sept 16th; Host: “V is for Veteran” and Nathan Hale Foundation; 7:30pm: classic rock fest to support local Veterans organizations. GIMMELIVE.COM; 978-525-9093; Plymouth Memorial Hall, 83 Court Street, Plymouth, MA; the same groups will be playing at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on Sunday, Sept 17th.
VA Boston Mental Health Summit & Open House, Sept 16, 9am-3pm, Jamaica Plain Campus – The VA Boston Healthcare System is excited to hosted the 2016 Community Mental Health Summit with guest speakers from The National Center for PTSD, the Home Base Program, Samaritans, Inc., and the Massachusetts Department of Veteran Services, SAVE Team. The summit will focus on Suicide Prevention, Serving Veteran and Military Service Members, and Accessing VA Mental Health Services. This is a great opportunity for community agencies and the VA to join forces to better serve our Veterans. Light breakfast and lunch provided. POC: Abigail.Beagen@va.gov; 617-879-8636
Hamilton Veterans Services Fair 2016! – Sept 17th; Light lunch to be served; Employment, Housing, Disability Benefits, VA Home Loan.VA Healthcare, Team RWB, N. Shore YMCA Veteran Initiative, State Benefits; POC: Greg McKenna at: skinnerclaw@yahoo.com
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