Tough. All kinds of things come to mind when people hear that word. Built tough, mentally tough, physically tough are all phrases that make a person listen. This episode is about Jim Tough. In every way, Jim embodies toughness, and why I created Oscar Mike Radio.
I started getting interested in talking with Jim when I came across videos of this guy wearing an Army baseball cap doing pushups. He wasn’t just doing pushups for fun. He would start with this message of hope and empowerment for those who are/were, “Staring into the Abyss”. I never served in combat but there have been times when I could relate to that phrase.
I couldn’t look away from my screen. Here was a guy who didn’t have a fancy camera or microphone just talking with us, with all of us about finding hope in the darkness then doing 22 pushups to raise awareness. I believe that it is people like Jim Tough, who use something as common as a pushup, that can be a source of comfort for those fighting the darkness.
Jim and I talked and as I recorded, I allowed myself to not think of him as a guest on the show, but as a NCO who was taking time to give me some advice. He didn’t sugarcoat things or shift blame for situations in life. He kept making me feel that if I didn’t give up and kept moving everything would be alright.
I got way more out of this podcast than Jim could ever know. You can find Jim on Facebook – Jim Tough on Facebook. He does pushups 5 days a week! In the last your he has done or 8300 pushups!!!!
While that is a great accomplishment, I want everyone to take the time to listen to his daily message. I have been following them for a while now, and it has become part of my daily routine.
A big shout out to Jim’s wife and children who were great during the recording. Jim says that his wife is a source of strength for him and he loves being a dad. I can’t wait to have you back on brother.
I met with Richard Fitts Jr. and Rudy Childs on a cold April Sunday. Believe it or not it can get really cold and nasty during Spring in New England. We were meeting to talk about his documentary, “21 Years a Folded Flag”. Looking at the trailer got me interested in this story because I feel that Vietnam Veterans and Gold Star Family Members still get shut out compared to other wars and conflicts.
This documentary is about Richard Fitts Sr. who was a Green Beret in the Army. He lost his life in Laos on November 30th 1968 during a top secret, classified mission.
Richard was two years old at the time, and never got to know his father. Sitting there listening to him talk, I couldn’t imagine what that must have been like. It wasn’t until over 20 years later that the Fitts family got to find out what had happened to Richard Sr.
Richard wanted tell this story to keep his father’s memory alive. Rudy Childs started working on this film project and it became a labor of love. Richard and Rudy entered this film into a festival in Maryland and it almost won. They are proud of their work and I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. Check out their fundraiser (Fund my story/”green beret father”), and consider donating to help get this story told.
Check out the Sneak Preview to “21 Years a Folded Flag” on YouTube
Richard Fitts Jr. and Rudy Childs will be presenting a sneak peek at the final unfinished version on May 29th, 7:00 PM at the East Bridgewater, MA Library.
The Library is located on 32 Union Street East Bridgewater, MA 02333. I will be there.
I was asked, “How do I get on the show?” The simple answer is you need to email me – travis@oscarmikeradio.com. I will see what you are about and take it from there. If you are active duty, a veteran or someone who supports us, or have something military related to talk about then we can get the conversation going. Then if everything works out, I will schedule a time to come on the podcast. It is just that easy.
The Word
A good friend of mine gave me this book to read. The title is “Make Your Bed”. It was written by U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret) William McRaven. Admiral McRaven served with the SEALs and has a long and distinguished career.
Make your Bed is short. It is 104 pages long, and didn’t take me long to read. I read it again and realized that the best part about the book is it is laid out in easy to digest concepts. Completing a task before you leave your room, your home or driveway can start a pattern where you can tackle larger things in life because you have done something small.
The chapters of the book had stories from Admiral McRaven’s days in SEAL training as well as challenges serving as a SEAL Team Commander. Each chapter was focused on simple ways to meet and conquer life’s difficulties.
I think this is a book you can give anyone at any point of their lives. I think is especially true for those leaving the military and transitioning into civilian life. Thanks to my friend Kola, who loaned this to me. I strongly recommend checking it out.
Complaint Department
POG and GRUNT were not happy about this story – Army Recruits go Home for Holidays . They were not happy. Even the Air Force doesn’t do that for their recruits.
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.
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
The 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.
Tough. All kinds of things come to mind when people hear that word. Built tough, mentally tough, physically tough are all phrases that make a person listen. This episode is about Jim Tough. In every way, Jim embodies toughness, and why I created Oscar Mike Radio.
I met with Richard Fitts Jr. and Rudy Childs on a cold April Sunday. Believe it or not it can get really cold and nasty during Spring in New England. We were meeting to talk about his documentary, “21 Years a Folded Flag”. Looking at the trailer got me interested in this story because I feel that Vietnam Veterans and Gold Star Family Members still get shut out compared to other wars and conflicts.
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….
