Jim Tough has been doing pushups for 600 Days to raise awareness about Veterans Suicide and the harm PTSD does to people. It is more than just pushups though, Jim relays an inspirational message to people who need to hear it. Sometimes these messages are a NCOs proverbial boot in the south end but they are from the heart. I have learned a lot from listening to the messages of the day.
Jim doesn’t do these for the attention. The goal is to get to a point where he doesn’t have to do them at all. The need is real. Please do not use a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Sponsor Information
Thanks to my sponsors Joyce Asack and Mark Holmes for supporting Veterans!
I went to the 2019 Greater Boston Stand Down put on by the New England Center and Home for Veterans. I met some nurses from the Greater VA Medical Center and they started getting me right. Good stuff.
The Nurses Got Me!
Sponsor Information
Thanks to my sponsors Joyce Asack and Mark Holmes for supporting Veterans!
Talking to Veterans who re-invent themselves never gets old. I met Mark a couple years ago, and he told me about his plan to launch Reaper Detailing and Powerwashing.
Fast forward to the present and Mark has literally become a Reaper against dirt in any form. Mark has a detailing and powerwashing business that is completely mobile. He hit me up about getting my motorcycle REAPERFIED. I said yes, and met him to go through the experience.
Now, I thought I could clean a motorcycle. I really did, but what I can do is nothing compared to what Mark did in 84 minutes. He showed me I was a rookie at best. I could use the chrome to shave with no problem. I asked Mark how he got started with detailing. He told me that he liked cleaning, and got a couple of supplies to start. Now, he is looking to grow his business and hopes to make it where Veterans can join him to be successful.
People ask me all the time if there are Veterans who have used what they learned in the service to make something different with their life. Mark, The Reaper, is a perfect example of someone starting small and working to fulfill his goals no matter the challenge or the weather. Don’t get clean, get the Reaper!
Sponsor Announcement
Mark wanted to support Oscar Mike Radio. I, in turn, wanted to support the Reaper and what he is going to for Veterans in 2020. Mark is Oscar Mike Radio’s next official sponsor. I want to thank Mark for this show of support. I can’t wait to see what we do together. Mark is the REAPER, GET REAPERFIED!
Check out the video interview on YouTube!!!
Sponsor Information
Thanks to my sponsors Joyce Asack and Mark Holmes for supporting Veterans!
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!
