by Travis Partington | Dec 29, 2017 | Podcast
Question of the Week
Happy New Year! I asked if everyone had a great Christmas. Hopefully everyone was able to safely travel and enjoy themselves. I had a great holiday season and hope yours was happy and will carry into 2018.
The Word
Marine Veteran and Raynham, MA Veteran Service Officer – Micaila Britto
I get the opportunity to guest host on Jack White’s, “South Shore News and Views” on WVBF AM 1530 in Taunton, MA from time to time. I get to come on with Jack, Bob and Murray to talk about events, happenings and issues in the South Shore Region of Massachusetts. South Shore News airs 12 – 2 PM each Wednesday. I had done the show with Bob because Jack and Murray were on assignment that week.
After the show I see Micaila Britto who has a show on WVBF AM 1530 called, “Ask a Veteran’s Agent”. Micaila is a Veteran’s Service Officer for the Town of Raynham. According to the Massachusetts Veteran’s Service Officers Website is, ….”to be the chief advocate for the nearly half-million veterans of the Commonwealth and their families. DVS establishes policy, proposes legislation, ensures that adequate funding for veterans’ programs is included in the Governor’s budget, and represents the interests of veterans in matters coming before the General Court.” She asked me to stay in the studio and talk with her.
All Veterans Service Officers must have served in the military. Micaila started working in Raynham 7 months ago and I was interested in talking with her about her experience and what she doing. Micaila and I also are members of the same Marine Corps League (http://www.mclmetrosouth1115.com/) so it was like talking with a friend than a radio guest. I learned a lot about what VSOs do and was encouraged, I use that term generously, to get my butt in gear and update my VA profile.
I am proud of the work Micaila is doing and hope to talk with her again in the future. Her motivation for her outreach and efforts come from a place of personal experience.
You can find out more about Raynham’s Veteran Services by clicking on the link
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by Travis Partington | Dec 22, 2017 | Podcast
30 N Main St, Brockton, MA 02301
Saturday, December 23rd – 2017
Last year my producer, Keith Hayes of Sinista1 Productions and his lovely wife Dawn, put on the Ist Annual Gift of Giving Luncheon. They are doing it again this Saturday December 23rd at the Universal Missionary Church in Brockton, MA.
This was a great experience watching people in Brockton come out to support the church and the homeless. This year I was going to interview Keith and Dawn again, but he asked me instead to interview Dan Hurley who is the store manager for Shaw’s on Crescent Street in Brockton.
Keith asked me to talk to Dan because Shaw’s helped out with the Ist Annual Gift of Giving Luncheon. I went to the store and met with Dan and learned a lot about the retail grocery business. It is so cool to see the newly renovated Shaw’s. Now it feels new and upscale but with everything I like which is great selection, friendly staff, and low prices.
Yours truly outside of Shaw’s – 715 Crescent St, Brockton, MA 02302
I really enjoyed getting to hear how Dan and his staff give back to the community. When Keith asked for help and explained what they were trying to do, Dan was excited to help out. I told him that seeing Shaw’s participate in this effort proved again that anyone can make a difference where they are. Also, it is great seeing companies help out in the local community.
This is not to say that other retail stores don’t help out. I am sure that they do, but it is good to know that when someone asks for help that a corporate citizen will assist however they can. It is good for the community, and it is a win for the company. Hearing how committed Shaw’s is to Brockton means that the 2nd Annual Gift of Giving Luncheon will be a success.
The podcast ended with me talking briefly about how powerful it is to help locally.
You can do so much for others and see it go to good use right away. There is still time to get involved with the 2nd Annual Gift of Giving Luncheon. You can check out their Facebook Page here -> https://www.facebook.com/events/522009784826607/.
Merry Christmas from Oscar Mike Radio, Sinista1 Productions and Whoobazoo. I hope to see you there this Saturday.
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by Travis Partington | Dec 8, 2017 | Podcast
Question of the Week
I was asked about Netflix’s Punisher. Was it good and accurate to the military? Well I didn’t really like it, I thought it dragged on and was a little too emo.
I also didn’t really like how certain aspects of military service seemed to be slammed. It was like the producers looked up almost every negative stereotype of the military and went with it.
Also they really veered from the source material to make this happen which made it seem like there was a point they were trying to make that wasn’t exactly flattering to the Marine Corps or the United States as a whole. I liked the Ray Stevenson Punisher movie the best.
The Word
I wanted to do something different this year for Pearl Harbor. I have the utmost respect for those who died on December 7th. 76 years later, the effect of Pearl Harbor can still be felt in our nation’s fabric and how we approach warfare. As I started looking at Pearl Harbor I realized that there was a part of the story that is rarely discussed.
There is this theory that Pearl Harbor was setup to force the United States to join the war. After an attack like we suffered on this day 76 years ago, people wanted answers. How was the United States caught so totally unprepared?
I realized I could not give this story all the attention in this episode. I will do a 3 to 4 part series starting in January. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know about Peal Harbor until I started researching it from this angle.
USS Arizona
So I hope you will join me for this story arc. If you have anything to add, email me – travis@oscarmikeradio.com . It is my desire that we never forget what was lost on that day.
Upcoming Events
There is still time to help out for Operation Wreaths for Veterans! Check out their Facebook Page. Just Checking In is getting started this Friday.
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by Travis Partington | Dec 1, 2017 | Podcast
Question of the Week
What did I think of the North Korea Defector? Lots of questions have been asked about the North Korean Defector who made his way to South Korea. After reading about his condition when they examined the soldier, I believe that winning a military conflict would not be a problem. However, the soldier’s condition would lead me believe that any kind of military strike would result in a humanitarian crises that would be historic. It is possible that given time, the North Korean government will collapse on itself
The Word
Johnny Bobbit Jr. working as a flight paramedic before he was homeless.
Just wanted give a big shout out to Marine Veteran Johnny Bobbit Jr. He is not related to John W. Bobbit of more infamous notoriety.
It was cool to see this story take shape around Thanksgiving. Kate McClure ran out of gas, and Johnny Bobbit Jr. used his last $20.00 to fuel up her car.
What happened next was nothing sort of amazing. Kate McClure was so moved by this gesture that she started a Go Fund Me Page for Johnny (https://www.gofundme.com/hvv4r-paying-it-forward). All she wanted to do is give him a hand up to get restarted in life. Kate had a goal of $10,000.00, and as of this writing there is over $370,000.00!
According to an ABC News Story (http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/homeless-veteran-received-360k-now-pay-forward-thing/story?id=51377241) all Johnny wants is a place to live and a used truck. He wants to give back to other Veterans who are less fortunate than him. This Marine gets a big Semper Fi!
The Complaint Department
T
he Complaint Department had a beef with pre-96 safety briefs that took place across military installations. Officers and Staff NCOs drone on about being careful. Well they have had enough of being treated like kids…… I pointed out that sometimes we act like kids….
Upcoming Events
Putting a big shout out for Just Checking In Facebook Page – They are putting on Operation Wreaths for Veterans this year. Just Checking In will put wreaths on Veteran’s Tombstones in Melrose Cemetery in Brockton, MA. This event will take place Friday, December 8, 2017 9 AM.
Just Checking In Twitter Page
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by Travis Partington | Nov 25, 2017 | Podcast
I didn’t have any new insights for Thanksgiving this year. I still like my Thanksgiving story from Fort Bliss. Enjoy
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are enjoying time with family and friends.
Question of the Week
“Who did you vote for president?” I have been asked that by more people than anything else with Oscar Mike Radio. As I explained in the podcast, I don’t want to bring that into this show. Veteran’s advocacy is Oscar Mike. Which is to say it is On the Move and On Mission regardless of who is in the Whitehouse.
The Word
I talk about Thanksgiving as a Private First Class. 21 years ago, I was at Fort Bliss, Texas and it was my first Thanksgiving away from friends and family. A Sergeant and his wife asked a bunch of us Marines over for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a great to get off base and be spoiled for a little while on a day when were all missing home.
The POG and GRUNT Compliant Dept
They weren’t complaining so much this week as bickering what part of the turkey was the best. It doesn’t take them much to find something to argue over.
Unit Shout Out
This episode’s shout out goes to all active duty service members worldwide who can’t be with family and friends for Thanksgiving. I just want you all to know there are people out there who appreciate what you are doing for us everyday.
Upcoming Events
I wanted to get the word for out about Operation Wreaths for Veterans. It will be on Monday, December 5th. I don’t have a time yet for the event, but I will update Oscar Mike Radio once I have a start time. I think this is a good thing to do honor Veterans who are no longer with us. Click on the link below to get involved.
Just Checking In – Brockton, MA
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