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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by Anthony Arnold | Aug 18, 2016 | Guest, Podcast
This week marked a bunch of first for Oscar Mike Radio. This Episode is the first interview I have ever done. It was a privilege to talk to Guardian Overwatch Founder and CEO Brandon Koutalidis. The work that this organization is doing is remarkable. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to do Oscar Mike Radio.
A big thanks to Brandon for taking the time to talk with me. I hope to meet you someday soon.
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by Anthony Arnold | Aug 11, 2016 | Podcast
Ok this episode has marks some firsts. Episode 4 is the first episode to be streamed first on Whoobazoo.com/radio.
It is also the first episode that I used Snapchat, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram to promo. I am getting better at using all these things. I’m still not hip according to my kids, but I am getting close.
Question of the Week
I got asked what a POG was. I explained that it is anyone who is not a grunt.
Main Story
I talked about the Whitman, MA police officer who stole money from disabled veterans. I asked that if you have a loved one who is a disabled vet and you think they may be getting taken advantage of to sound the alarm. Better safe than sorry.
MA Attorney General Statement
Whitman Wicked Local News
POG & GRUNT Complaint Company
GRUNT was upset about how “easy” boot camp is now days. Does he have a point?
Unit Shout Out
I gave a huge shout out to Guardian Overwatch HQ. Guardian Overwatch HQ Website.
I am interviewing Founder and CEO Brandon Koutalidis for Episode 5. You won’t want to miss hearing about the good work this organization does.
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by Anthony Arnold | Aug 4, 2016 | Podcast
Below is the recap for Week 3 – Thanks for listening, your feedback and support.
Question of the Week
The question of the week was from Anthony J. in Shreveport Louisiana.
Why is the podcast 30 minutes long? I explained why in the show and I will be using this format for a while.
Main Story – VA Artwork Story from Openthebooks.com
Source: OpenTheBooks.com
While up to 1,000 veterans died waiting for VA healthcare; while many calls to the suicide prevention hotline were answered by voicemail; while the healthcare claims appeals process was described as “the hamster wheel”; and while the VA created 40,000 new positions, but hired only 3,600 doctors (2012-2015) – the agency managed to spent $20 million on artwork.
Included in the expenditures is a 27’ artificial Christmas tree for $21,500 delivered to Chillicothe, OH and two sculptures costing $670,000 for a VA facility in California that serves blind veterans. Blind veterans can’t see fancy sculptures, and all veterans deserve to see a doctor.
By: Adam Andrzejewski, CEO at OpenTheBooks.com and author of the Forbes editorial, The VA’s Luxury Art Obsession
Openthebooks.com Story – VA Luxury Art Obsession
Forbes Story – The VA’s Luxury Art Obsession
Congressional Research Service – Veterans Affairs: Historical Budget Authority, FY1940-FY2012 by Christine Scott
POG & GRUNT Complaint Department’s Rant of the Week
Does Motrin cure everything? Military doctors in all branches seem to think so. It doesn’t matter what your ailment is, or how much pain you are experiencing, Motrin is the first line of defense.
Unit Shout Out
Oscar Mike Radio wanted to honor 8 year old Wyatt Gillette who passed away one day after being made an honorary Marine by Commandant Neller.
Wyatt was born with Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome Type 1 (Trex 1 Mutation), a rare genetic disorder (Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome)
I just thought it was appropriate to honor this family
Thanks for listening to Episode 3. There is more coming on the way.
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