by Travis Partington | May 26, 2017 | Podcast
For Episode 45 I had the honor of interviewing Tim Gray who the President and CEO of Tim Gray Media. Tim has many years experience in television and film.
Credit – WWII Foundation
Tim is a two-time New England Emmy Award winning producer and writer. He started WWII Foundation as a way to tell the personal stories of the Veterans who served during this time.
We talked about this latest project, D-Day: Over Normandy, and how it came together. It was his first project that he filmed entirely with a drone. The trailer looks cool, and I want the Blu-Ray to see it in High Def. Tim told me about his experiences doing other films and why this means so much to him. He was candid talking about working the Bill Belichick. I didn’t know how passionate Bill was about our military and veterans. I am a Saints fan and have to give him a solid Who Dat for how he supports us.
Tim Gray at the World War II Memorial in Providence, RI
D-Day over Normandy will premiere May 27th at 1:00 PM at TheVets in Providence, Rhode Island. Check the links below for more information.
Links
Bill Belichick Narrates D-Day Over Normandy Website
Ticket Information for the Premiere of D-Day over Normandy – May 27th at 1:00 PM
Tim Gray Media Website
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by Travis Partington | May 19, 2017 | Podcast
Question of the Week
Camo Pattern I wore in the Marine Corps. Yep, I am old;)
The question of the week came from one of my kid’s friends. “Did you like your Camo Uniform.” As a matter of fact, I did. We were tough on our cammies, and I never had a complaint. All I had to do was wash in cold water, spray my starch solution, then iron to make them look good. They weren’t worth anything for concealment in the desert, but in the woods I was almost invisible.
I know there are many different kinds of patterns available now as technology and fabric improve, but these still got the job done. I guess what I am saying is I have no complaints…… Is that a good thing?
The Word – Stolen Valor
Credit – https://tribwtic.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/stolen-valor.png
I am tired of seeing photos like this one on my left. This sorry excuse for a man dressed up as something he is not. This is an example of Stolen Valor. I wanted to give my view of this since I see no way to defend this. Good Americans have gotten maimed, wounded or killed in service to our country so I take this personally when I see people of all kinds doing this.
You have every right to want to make sure that someone in uniform is who they say they are. A great website to do this is Stolen Valor.com – Stolen Valor Website They clearly state that they are not law enforcement but can guide you through the process of searching for someone’s records.
Long story short, is if I think you are a fraud and confirm as much, I will call you out. A liar can’t hide on the internet anymore and I will be motivated to see you get what is coming to you. People earned the right and privilege to wear the uniform. Don’t feel bad questioning a story if it sounds too good to be true.
The Complaint Department
P
OG and GRUNT could not complain about anything Mason Crosslin from Justice for Huey said last week in Episode 43. While what happened to Huey was terrible, Justice for Huey has been able to take action and educate others about service animals. Mason and Heidi from Justice for Huey have taken something that they battle everyday and turned it into a rallying cry for those without hope. More to follow on this story.
Shout Out
My Shout Out goes to the New England Center for Home and Center for Veterans. They had the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the renovation of their building and it was something to see. The project was completed on time and under budget and they did not shut down for one day. No Veteran missed out on services while the construction as underway. I know that the New England Center and Home for Veterans will continue to provide the best services to all Veterans who come through the front door.
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by Travis Partington | May 12, 2017 | Podcast
Mason and Griffin
This week’s episode is an interview with Mason Crosslin from Justice for Huey. Justice for Huey was created to respond the shooting death of Huey, a two year old pitbull. Huey was killed by Mariana Rollins, an Army Veteran with PTSD and other illnesses, who committed suicide last week.
We didn’t talk much about the shooting or Mariana’s death. We talked about his battle with PTSD and how he used what happened to him to advocate for Huey. Mason told me about how he is loving life because of his dog Griffin. She was there with him while I was talking with him. We talked about Heidi, the other half of Justice for Huey and what she was doing.
The point I want to make is Mason took something that was bad for him and has turned it into something good for himself and his fellow veterans. Listen to what he is says. We are hearing a man who wants to bring hope to people who do not have it.
I asked him how we can help. You can help by liking the Facebook Page, Justice for Huey, and following what is going on. Heidi and Mason are keeping it up to date and will respond as soon as they are able to questions. You can also help by ordering T-Shirts and decals from the Facebook Page. The proceeds will to go to Susie’s Hope. Susie’s Hope advocates for unwanted animals. Mason told me they will have order page up early next week. You also have to check out Shelter to Soldier. Shelter to Soldier helped Mason get Griffin, and I hope to have them on Oscar Mike Radio soon. Links to everything will be below.
I have committed to following this and raising awareness about PTSD and how animals can help. Think about what Mason is saying and see if you can get involved. OMR is behind Justice for Huey all the way.
I also want to give shout to Whoobazoo for helping me make this episode work. If you are into podcasting or creating content, you need to check them out.
Website Links
Justice for Huey Facebook Page
Shelter to Soldier Website
Susie’s Hope – NonProfit Website
Whoobazoo
Whoobazoo – Radio for the Masses, Community for You
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by Travis Partington | May 5, 2017 | Podcast
Episode 42 – Justice for Huey – Part 1
Question of the Week
How do I feel about Memorial Day?
I know some military and veterans get frustrated that more emphasis isn’t placed on the why of Memorial Day. I do Memorial Day by having a cigar and thinking about those who paid the ultimate price for what I have in my life. All I ask anyone is while you are enjoying your beer, brats and scenery, just take a moment to think about why you can enjoy all this. A high price has been paid for us to enjoy these times.
The Word
I have been following the story of Huey. Huey was a two year old PitBull that was killed by Army Veteran Marinna Rollins on or around April 17th. I had originally called this episode In Memory of Camboui, but someone on Facebook sent me the following link
Facebook Post from Justice for Huey
I think this tells the story better than I could, and certainly better than any newspaper. I started talking to Mason from Justice for Huey. Click here for the group’s Facebook Page —> Justice for Huey
Huey moments his death
Mason filled in some of the blanks I had, and started talking about Shelter to Soldier, a nonprofit that helped him through his PTSD. I would like to have him come on the show next week to talk about his experience and what Justice for Huey is doing. I wanted this episode to be a way to say that many people recognize the good that animals can do for Veterans with PTSD. I also wanted to state that there are Veterans who would be alive if they could have had access to a dog like Huey.
I asked people on Facebook about PitBulls and service to people. I just want to say thanks for everyone who reached out to tell me about their experiences with PitBulls, service animals, and PTSD. I also wanted to say thanks to Autumn Blake from the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society for taking the time to talk about Huey. There is a need for animals like Huey in people’s lives. I can’t speak to his killer’s actions. I have not watched the video of Huey being killed. I don’t think I ever will. Mason tells this story in a heartfelt, authentic way. He is looking at coming on for Episode 43 and I have committed to raising awareness for the work he and Justice for Huey is doing. More to follow on this.
The Complaint Department
They have a problem with all the people military or otherwise who expect something for nothing. POG & GRUNT are tired of hearing about people who want to be handed everything. I see their point. I also know there are amazing people out there.
Upcoming Events
Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes – Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program
I met Julie Lovely on South Shore News and Views a couple weeks ago (Oscar Mike Radio – Wild Hearts for Heroes Blog Post). She talked about her equestrian outreach program for Veterans with PTSD. She has a Benefit Dinner May 20th, 2017 at the Easton Country Club. I hope you will check it out.
Wild Horses for Heros 2017 Benefit Dinner
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