I got an email from listener about The Moving Wall. This monument is half the size of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. There was an oppurtunity to talk with Veterans in Attleboro, MA about how this exhibit is coming to Attleboro, MA.
The Attleboro Veterans Service Officer, Ken Badertscher, along with two Vietnam Veterans came to Attleboro VFW Post 115 to talk with me about their experiences and what The Moving Wall meant to them.
As we began talking it became clear that the Vietnam War was still fresh on their minds. Both Vietnam War Veterans said that they had been healing even after all these years.. The Moving Wall shows them they are not forgotten.
And that is really the core issue with many Vietnam Veterans. For a long time, America forgot about them. America did not honor their service. These Vietnam Veterans who are alive today and are reminded of that fact. However, they are hopeful because of events like The Moving Wall. Seeing the entire city of Attleboro come together to bring this event to the region means that younger generations want to ensure stories are told. The sacrifices and ones lost will be remembered as those who answered the call, or in the case of the Vietnam War, those who didn’t have a choice to serve.
I will be going to this event, and I am looking forward to talking with these Veterans again. You all are not forgotten.
I was talking with a friend of mine last Sunday and all the sudden he got serious. He looked at me and said, I am really happy now Travis. I asked him why. He said about four months ago he started taking himself out of PTSD social media groups.
What he noticed when he quit seeing , “Constant Negativity”, was he started looking for ways to be positive in life. Whatever the reason was, it became easier for him start rebuilding his life when he wasn’t dealing with constant loss every time he opened Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to name a few.
Later that day, I really began to think about what he said and asked myself this question, “Are we as a Veteran community too focused on the 22 till none?” Is there correlation between negative coverage and Veteran’s Suicides?
I don’t know what the correct answer is. The question needed to be raised for discussion. There are many individuals and organizations who work on Veterans’ behalf. What is the most effective way to serve to prevent more loss of life? For this Veteran is was tuning out things that caused him pain and discomfort. Part of me is like whatever works, but I feel there is more to be done.
Sponsor Information
Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!
What do you think of the Marines who got caught smuggling people over the border?
I would say that idle hands are devils tools. This is a question I am asked often about situations like this. All I can say it is a combination of poor leadership, people who have no morals, and sorry excuses for Marines.
Question 2
When are you going to do another Jody Podcast?
Soon. I discussed why I do podcasts about infidelity in the military. Whether military or civilian, infidelity is not a victimless crime. Questions need to be asked when you see someone going through this.
Question 3
What has been your favorite podcast?
I don’t think I have a favorite podcast. There are aspects of podcasting that I really enjoy. My favorite thing is asking the questions that make people think.
Question 4
What do you think Veterans need?
I think need is constant. So whatever the need is, I believe the questions should be focused around connecting the Veterans to resources that already exist. People need to understand that making the connection between resource and Veteran is a difficult task at times .
Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!
A Russian Ammunition depot blew up last week. The word blaze came to mind immediately because this did not stop for 16 hours! I had to ask myself what would cause this to happen. Especially when I read that this wasn’t the first time this happened. There have been other dumps that have blown up. I wonder what would happen if an ammunition dump had blown up in the U.S.? People get upset when planes take off near their homes. It took 16 hours before the blaze died down. Just thought this was odd to say the least, and I wanted something different to talk about since I am working on doing live video.
This video/podcast is dedicated to Army SSG Arturo Benavides and the other victims of the El Paso, Tx shooting. I also talk about the Russian Ammo Depot that blew up. Still working on the video aspect of Oscar Mike Radio.
Credit – Irreverent Warriors – Nashville – Used by Permission from Andrew Farrer
Andrew Farrer reached out to me on Instagram about coming on Oscar Mike Radio. Come to find out he had met Scott Libby who has been on Oscar Mike Radio and asked if I would talk with him about the Nashville, TN Silkies Hike.
Irreverent Warriors was founded by Captain Donny O’Malley USMC Ret., and Sergeant Ryan Loya in 2015. They believed that humor could heal a person. https://www.irreverentwarriors.com/about/ Read the story about how this organization is using comradeire to prevent Veterans’ suicide.
Andrew went on a couple of hikes and wanted to do one in Nashville. He has been working since January to coordinate the hike in Nashville. Right now he has 150+ hikers signed up. He is working to make the hike a great experience and is already looking for ward to doing on in 2020.
The first part of this podcast, Andrew was candid about his situation and how he got to certain places in his life. In a way, this hike is a way to leave the past behind and turn over a new life.
Listening to Andrew talk, I can tell you that this is the reason to Oscar Mike Radio. Andrew had bad things happen to him and made bad choices, but he is looking stay sober and show other people that you can change your life at anytime if you put in the work. It is a great story, and I can’t wait to meet Andrew one day. He is Oscar Mike.
