Three years ago to the day, I posted this on my old wordpress. I had no idea what was going to happen or even if Oscar Mike Radio would last this long. 156 podcasts later, I am still having fun producing them. Getting to learn about Veterans and Military issues, the people who support us and history never gets old. It is a privilege to use this platform to serve and assist my brothers and sisters in arms.
Below is the link to my first podcast post, enjoy. Also, you can listen to my very first podcast. Let me know what you think versus what you hear today.
Good things are on the way, and once again thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years.
Megan Bruce is a Marine Veteran and talented artist, actress, and comedienne. The Movement is her current film project, but much more than a documentary. It is a way to change how Military Sexual Trauma is treated in the Marine Corps. I had talked with Megan Bruce for Episode 88 and 98, and learned a lot from collaborating with her. (Links to podcasts below).
We have talked off and on since then but never met in person. A couple weeks ago we tried to meet up when she came to my area, but things didn’t work out. Then, on a Sunday night, we had the oppurtunity to meet in Boston. I asked her if I could bring my recording gear and Megan said, “Sure, and I would like to talk with you about The Movement.”
I met Megan in a park in downtown Boston. It was a perfect night to be outside and I setup my rig in the part and we started talking.
Even before I hit the record button, it was plain to see that behind the smile, and the exhaustion from being on the road, there is an undercurrent of anger. It seemed that this anger, which has been building up for a while, has now found an outlet in the Military Sexual Trauma Movement. Megan began to talk about her experience with Military Sexual Trauma and why The Movement is going to work.
Military Sexual Trauma Movement as Megan described it is a group of people primarily made up of female Marines. These women have shared their stories with Megan and want to use their experience to make change to how rape is handled in the Marine Corps. Her film project is to capture these stories in a way that makes it impossible for change not to happen.
Listening to what Megan is doing and why in person made an impact on me as she talked about what we can do to end this problem. One can’t ignore the inaction from military leadership once you listen to Megan’s story.
I thanked Megan for her time and told her I am with my fellow Marines all the way. Semper Fidelis
At Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery – Agawam, MA.
I have lived in Massachusetts for a while. Well, a long while at this point. I am still surprised when fellow Veterans tell me they don’t know their Veterans Service Officer. Massachusetts has taken many steps to ensure Veterans have access to services and benefits. One of the ways this is accomplished is via the Veterans Service Officer. The person in charge of VSOs as they are called is the Secretary of Veterans Services. It was an honor to speak with the current Secretary of Veterans Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Francisco Urena.
This was a great oppurtunity to get information that Veterans can use from the person who is in charge of taking care of us. Secretary Urena went through what VSOs and his office do to address Veteran’s needs in Massachusetts.
We also talked about a recent event where the Town of Weymouth worked with their VSO and Department of Veterans Services. The event was Scott Lobaido’s sculpture to raise awareness about PTS and Veteran’s Suicide. This was an example of a lot of people coming together to present this impactful sculpture to across the entire state of Massachusetts.
I wanted to get Secretary Urena’s perspective on Veteran’s Non-Profits. There is always a concern of how effective an organization can be when there are so many who are working in the same space. Secretary Urena said that resources are not the problem in Massachusetts. The issue is connecting Veterans to those organizations and resources that can provide assistance.
Whether it is an organization or individual looking to help Veterans, the Department of Veterans Services exists to ensure all Veterans in Massachusetts have a “hand up” when needed. Every Veteran in Massachusetts has an advocate where they reside to assist. We are not alone.
I want to say thank you to Secretary Urena and his staff for working to make this interview happen. I learned a lot and gained a better appreciation for how Veterans are served in Massachusetts. Semper Fidelis
What is this craft called? Listen to find out!
Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!
This podcast will sound raw. That is what I wanted though. I recorded right after the candlelight vigil at the Whitman, MA VFW. I purposefully didn’t apply a lot of editing because I wanted it to reflect I how felt, mistakes, sound, and all as we remember the Jarheads Fallen Seven. These were members of a Marine Corps Motorcycle Club who were killed in a tragic accident.
At the Whitman, MA VFW Candlelight Vigil
Number 154 is dedicated to the memory and service of the following people who were members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club. My condolences to the families who are experiencing this tragic loss. Please know that you are not alone.
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The Jarheads Fallen Seven
Michael Ferazzi, 62, of Contoocook, N.H.
Albert Mazza, 59, of Lee, N.H.
Daniel Pereira, 58, of Riverside R.I.
Desma Oakes, 42, of Concord, N.H.
Aaron Perry, 45, of Farmington, N.H.
Joanne and Edward Corr, both 58 of Lakeville, MA
I wouldn’t call this podcast my typical kind of podcast. I sat on a park bench in Whitman, MA and recorded this as a way to try to get how I felt out there about the situation. The fact is, the tragic accident could have been avoided.
It is my desire that the memory of the Jarheads Fallen Seven will never be forgotten. Semper Fidelis.
Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!
I got an email from Moni Jefferson (https://www.monijeffersonpr.com/) about Ashley Bugge. Moni does PR work and has a whole part of her business focused on the military. As I read the email, I realized I had heard the name before. Last year her husband, Brian Bugge, died in a scuba diving accident. Moni asked me to reach out and see if Ashley would come on Oscar Mike Radio.
Ashley and I connected, and set a time to record. I asked her about her husband and what his Navy career meant to her. It was clear they were in love and having a family was important to them.
She went to describe the accident, and how in just a little over a year life completely changed. However, I didn’t hear any complaining or regrets when Ashley was talking about what happened. Instead she talked about the idea of “No Bucket Lists”.
No Bucket Lists, means living life to the fullest every day. Ashley and Brian believed the life is a gift to be treasured. They wanted their children to be a part of what they were doing so no one was left out or behind. Living life this way didn’t allow for regrets. I believe that came across clearly when talking with Ashley. Yes, a terrible accident struck the Bugge family, but Ashley believes that finding a way to move forward would be what Brian would want. As terrible as this was, her message of resilience and perseverance can speak to all of us.
Find out More
Go to https://www.ashleybugge.com/ to find out more about the Bugge’s story. Ashley is writing a book about her family’s story. I want to say thanks again to Moni Jefferson for making the connection. I am looking forward to talking with Ashley again.
This podcast is dedicated to the memory and service of Navy Ensign Brian Bugge
Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!
