by Travis Partington | Nov 17, 2017 | Podcast
Jack (L) and Brian (R) talking about Veterans
November 8th, I was invited to come on the radio show South Shore News and Views on WVBF AM 1530 in Taunton, MA. SSN&V is hosted by Jack White, Bob Wisgirda, and Murray Vetstein. They had me on last year to do Oscar Mike Radio “Live” and it was an honor to be invited to come back on the show.
Joining me this was U.S. Navy Veteran Brian Hoffman. Brian served during the Vietnam war and had lived the post Vietnam experience. Currently is the Director for Corporate Relations for the The Children’s Museum in Easton (The Childrens Museum in Easton). It is always a pleasure to get to talk with another Veteran. Murray served in the U.S. Navy as well so this Marine felt right at home.
I learn a lot listening to older Veterans. Especially Vietnam Veterans who had a much different homecoming experience than Veterans do now. I feel it is important to get that perspective. Brian and Murray shared their views on the draft which were like mine.
Teamsters Local 653
Brian Hoffman had Brian McElhinney, Principal Office for Teamsters Local 653, (Teamsters Local 653 Website) call into to the show. We talked about how the Teamsters support Veterans hiring and other community outreach projects. So many times Unions seem to get nothing but negative press, so it was good to hear that a Veteran in Massachusetts could go to the Union after the military to look for work.
Brian Hoffman also thanked Brian McElhinney for the Teamsters support of Toys for Troops and the Children’s Museum in Easton. In both cases Teamsters Local 653 went above and beyond to help out with both efforts. It was good getting to learn about this.
Tim and Legend, Client Eastwood
In the second hour, Tim Montjoy from Operation Teammate called in to talk to us. Operation Teammate provides outings for children of military and first responders who are deployed. This allows Operation Teammate to craft events that provide mentorship opportunities to the children that attend these outings. Tim also talked about how the athletes are moved by the opportunity to show these children what hard work and dedication to education and sport can do for their future. To find out more, got to http://www.operationteammate.org/
This was my second year doing this with WVBF AM 1530 – South Shore New and Views. I love radio, and getting to be on with Jack, Bob, and Murray is a treat. South Shore News is one of many programs on WVBF AM 1530. You can get the complete list of shows and more information on http://www.hometowntalkradio.com/
See you all next year!
The oldest & second oldest interns in the world!
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by Travis Partington | Oct 27, 2017 | Podcast
I talk this week about getting to MCRD San Diego and my first 48 hours there. It was my first real taste of sleep deprivation and that feeling of what – in – the – world was I thinkin about when I decided to do this.
When I think about it, boot camp was a small part of my life, but there are some parts that still stick out in my mind.
Whether it was trying to do a column left, or eat it now and taste it later, it was game changer for my life and now the fun truly begins.
The fun is starting in other ways with this podcast so look out! Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone, Travis
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by Travis Partington | Oct 13, 2017 | Podcast
More than man’s best friend
Toasty and I were in my truck talking when we did this podcast. We are Marines, so being mobile is all part of our game. Whether it is fighting, podcasting, or having a good time, we can do it all anywhere 24x7x365.
I would like give a little background story before diving into this week’s episode.
Toasty and I are close and have known each other for over 20 years. I spent a lot of time worrying about him while he was overseas. He is one of the original members of the Rollin HOTT crew, and that is how he got his nickname.
Toasty had problems when he came back, and it was at a time when help for Veterans was not what is now. There were daily struggles, and it was hard watching my friend, my brother, and muse seem like someone else.
This all changed when the process began for him to get a support dog. Toasty’s wife, “The Queen” saw this program and decided that it couldn’t hurt to see what this was all about. America’s Vet Dogs (Info below) handles the training and onboarding of dogs for Veterans with PTSD.
I met Boomer a year ago, and was dumbstruck at the change in my friend. Toasty was engaging, and happy to go out and enjoy life again. No longer was he apprehensive around people because Boomer allowed Toasty to interact with others around him easily. It is like a gift that never stops giving. Much like the Justice for Huey crew that I talked with earlier this year, these dogs work wonders for our Veterans.
Toasty wants any Veteran or family member of a Veteran to know that if you need help it is out there with organizations like America’s Vet Dogs. He doesn’t want you to suffer in silence. I appreciated his willingness to come on Oscar Mike Radio. He talked candidly about his journey and how this changed his family. A big shout out and thanks to “The Queen” for taking care of Toasty and all of us. If you want to find out more information about America’s Vet Dogs see below. OMR sends…..
America’s VetDogs Website
America’s VetDogs
371 East Jericho Turnpike,
Smithtown, NY 11787-2976
1-631-930-9000
(Toll-free in the U.S.) 1-800-548-4337
Who knows what adventures are next for these two? 😉
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by Travis Partington | Oct 1, 2017 | Podcast
Reiki is something I wouldn’t normally associate with Veterans. However, every now and then I meet someone who can change your mind about the power of healing. I met Janet Woods a couple of years ago and started getting curious about Reiki Healing.
According to Reiki.org, Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. (Reiki.org – What is Reiki?)
Janet has been doing Reiki for a long time. Holistic healing like Reiki is something Janet believes can help Veterans because she has seen it work. Talking with Janet she discussed how the human body conducts energy, and by being able to manipulate that energy there is healing that one can’t get from a medicine bottle.
Janet finds that looking at healing from a mind + body + spirit perspective makes for a complete healing process. Also being able to truly listen to someone’s voice and body in time where there are so many distractions pulling at one’s attention.
I have always found that I am calm when I talk to Janet. I don’t know what it is. I have started reading about auras and how some people can “see” them better than others. I know to some that it sounds too good to be true, but what if it isn’t? What if you have pain and you want some relief? Would you give it a try? After listening to Janet talk, I would say yes, you should.
You can contact Janet on her Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/janet.woods.96) for more information. What could it hurt?
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by Travis Partington | Aug 11, 2017 | Podcast
Lashelle and Alisha
This episode isn’t a story about a fellow Marine Sister who I served with in Yuma, Az. This isn’t a story about Marine who decided she would take something she loved doing and try to make it work for her. This isn’t a podcast episode about what “Semper Gumby” means. It isn’t even part two to – Episode 27 – Smitty’s Kitchen.
The Taco Shelle is a story about love….. Love for food, love for bringing something to people that they enjoy, and love between two people that you just don’t see often in this day and age. So happy and honored to have LaShelle and Alisha on to talk about The Taco Shelle.
As you will remember in Episode 27, LaShelle was going to open a food truck in Richmond, VA. That all changed when she met Alisha out in Yuma, AZ. Six months later, The Taco Shelle has launched, and while we are talking about tacos vs comfort food, the same passion for bringing people together around food is the cornerstone of everything this wife and wife team are doing.
I say team because as I started talking with Alisha and LaShelle it was obvious that they are committed to each other’s dreams and goals. There is an infectious can-do attitude that makes me want to head to Yuma to see how all this works. There is a commitment from Lashelle and Alisha to be a part of Yuma, and grow along with the community.
There are times in my life where I think the phrase, “The Power of Love” is nothing more than wishful thinking. Alisha and LaShelle showed a glimpse of what happens when two people who are in love are believe in each other. That is why I can say I have no doubt The Taco Shelle will be successful.
Semper Fidelis Sisters
Speaking of successful, do yourself a favor and check out The Taco Shelle’s Facebook Page and Go Fund Me Page.
Facebook Page – The Taco Shelle Facebook Page
Go Fund Me – Check out The Taco Shelle’s GFM Page
You can’t get this at Chipotle. These tacos are handmade with care and love for customers.
P.S. I can’t for that batch of oatmeal raisin cookies!
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