by Travis Partington | Dec 7, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 124 – Afghanistan, Why?
Question of the Week
What can I get people for Christmas that is military and unique and cool at the same time? I am reading a book by US Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills about what happened after he sustained quadruple amputee injuries while in Afghanistan. I am going to do a book review podcast because the story is a must read. I found it uplifting. Calling highly paid athletes tough does not work for me after reading his story. You can get Tough as They Come on Amazon for $12.00.
If you are looking for a custom apparel gift or something cool for your favorite veteran or military supporter
then look no further than Veteran Owned Veteran Operated. Army/Navy Veteran (Yes, that is right) Jonathan Gosselin can either make or has something that will be perfect for your favorite motivator. Veteran Owned Veteran Operated is located at 1540 Bedford Street Abington, MA. Go to https://vovoprints.com/ to see what John can do for you. Your gift giving, Santa, Sweet Baby Jesus worries are over.
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Afghanistan
The question I was asked after two US Army Green Berets and one US Air Force Paratrooper were killed is, “Why is the U.S. still in Afghanistan? The short answer is because fighting an enemy on their turf and imposing our will in their backyard is easier and less costly in the long run than doing it here. The Taliban want to raise generations of fighters who will be able to conduct terrorists attacks here on American soil. This must not be allowed to happen, and I understand and support this mission. I would say that we need to understand how this is being done and if we are making true progress in eliminating the Taliban in Afghanistan. Otherwise, we are going to keep seeing images like the one on the left. Rest in peace brothers.
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A few words about President H.W. Bush
It is hard for me to think about an 18 years old kid learning to fly combat missions. President Bush did just that and at 19 was shot down doing a bombing run. One of my favorite memories was watching the President Skydive at the US Army Yuma Proving Ground. President Bush was the last combat veteran to serve our country. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Bush family during this time of loss.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUKMLx4f10U[/embedyt]
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Upcoming Event(s)
I will be at Veteran Owned Veteran Operated Sunday, December 9th from 4-7. Jonathan Gosselin will be finishing up his clothes drive for homeless Veterans. Come on by and say hello on the Livecast. Veteran Owned Veteran Operated is located at 1540 Bedford Street Abington, MA. https://vovoprints.com/
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by Travis Partington | Nov 30, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 123 – Veteran Owned Veteran Operated with Jonathan Gosselin
I love getting to talk with Veterans who have gotten out and started a business or non – profit. In many cases, the work required to remake oneself is daunting and it is hard on a good day.
Jonathan Gosselin is an Army and Navy Veteran. He owns and operates Veteran Owned Veteran Owned Printing. Check out his website https://vovoprints.com/ and you can get an idea of what he does. Let me put it to you like this, there isn’t much Jonathan Gosselin can’t do for you. I listed item after item that I wanted to have Oscar Mike Radio on and he said he could do it.
So what John and I wanted to do was Livecast from his store. He is doing a clothes drive for Veterans and has a lot of promotions going on for Christmas. I was pumped. John had done work on my logo and we had talked about doing something different for VOVO and Oscar Mike Radio.
What we decided to do is have me come down to his store (VOVO is located at 1540 Bedford St.
Abington, MA) and LiveCast. I have not done many of these, but I want to do more of this kind of work because I learn so much from getting away from my static location.
I had a lot of fun, and learned a lot about how a person like Jonathan can use what he has learned in the military to make it in the business world. He is helping me with some aspects of Oscar Mike Radio, but the real story here again is his clothes drive and willingness to take care of the customer regardless of their need.
Oscar Mike Radio will be doing more of these remote livecasts in 2019. I am looking forward to coming back to VOVO and seeing what else John has working in his store. You won’t want to miss it. We are On the Move!
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45AUioXz5KM[/embedyt]
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by Travis Partington | Nov 16, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 121 – Army Veteran Brian Richards – Media Career
Doug Meehan & Brian Richards
I met Brian Richards three years ago. He was working at Massasoit Community College, and they were having their first annual Dale Dorman Media Day. I was working to break into voice over acting and podcasting.
Brian was a flurry of activity but one thing stuck out the moment I saw him. He was wearing an Army Veteran hat. I introduced myself and we talked for a few minutes, then he was a blur again!
I saw him the next year and he asked how I was doing. I told him I had 60+ podcasts recorded and was looking for more. I joked that he never quits moving on Dale Dorman days and he told me he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The 3rd Dale Dorman Day happened in April this year and we talked about having him come on Oscar Mike Radio. Brian told me about his Gen X Flashback show at Massasoit and finally we got together and talked on November 12th, 2018.
I asked Brian questions about starting a media career. I meet a lot of Veterans who want to get into YouTube, Instagram or podcasting. They get frustrated when things don’t work out they way they envisioned. Brian emphasized that it takes time and practice to perfect the craft. One needs training, coaching and equipment to succeed. If one can’t get training or coaching then be prepared to learn by trial and error.
Speaking of trial and error, I had been working doing more live work in front of a camera. I wanted to live cast this using Open Broadcast Studio and then use the audio for a podcast.
Facebook Live simply would not recognize my web cam. Brian was cool the entire time, I went through all my options and while we started late, I felt the video (Episode 121 LiveCast) turned out well despite the technical snafus.
Brian is a great example of a Veteran who re-invented himself after getting out of the military. Working with others to help them realize their career aspirations in media and content creation means his influence will be felt far and wide for a long time. I enjoyed my time with him, and now it is my turn to be interviewed by him. Thanks for your time brother, I hope to learn a lot from you.
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Jackson Blue and Brian Richards
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by Travis Partington | Nov 9, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 120 – Army Veteran Steve Kimball: Owner of Kimball Painting
I met Steve but not on any construction or painting job. We met when I had some trouble with my motorcycle. I wanted to find out more about Steve and his company Kimball Painting (See contact info below). Watching some of his videos on Facebook, it seems that Steve is old school, no nonsense, but fair.
Steve and I met at Dunkin Donuts for this interview. We started talking about his family and how he got into the Army. I am glad he found what he was looking for in the military. After he got out, he worked through all the trades until he was able to open his own business.
I have been to college courses about business, but learned more talking with Steve than reading a book. He wants people working for him to invest in themselves. People do this by giving 100% to the task at hand. Steve is willing to teach those who work for him if they have the desire and willingness to take tough love he dishes out.
You should really watch some of his videos. Not only are they entertaining, but I actually felt like he was explaining things in a way that made sense to someone who does not work construction. I also got an appreciation for the fact that companies like Kimball Painting are the exception, not the norm in construction.
Steve pass along many good pieces of advice on everything from selecting a good contractor to how to get good tools. I left the interview thinking it would be good to maybe see about doing some work just to learn and get out of my comfort zone. Click on the links below if you want to find out more or contact Steve. He took care of me. He can help you.
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Facebook Videos
Learn, laugh and most important, invest in yourself. Construction on!
Your Company Name Can’t Fool Me
VCT Removal
Friday Rant
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Contact Information for Kimball Painting
Owner: Steve Kimball
Address: 94 Pinehaven Drive Whitman, Massachusetts 02382
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by Travis Partington | Oct 28, 2018 | Podcast
A Family’s Battle – Chayce
I got a Facebook Message from a family who I had worked with doing community outreach in Brockton, MA. I was asked to talk to a family that had an issue at a local skating rink. A nine year old boy, Chayce Imperato, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This means normal physical activity is difficult, if not impossible at times for Chayce.
I wasn’t sure about doing this at first. I have focused on military and veterans. Talking to parents about a disease and situation like this was going to be different. However, the more I read, the more I was convinced that meeting the family and talking with them was the right thing to do. Oscar Mike Radio is mobile so I packed up and headed out to meet them.
Chayce did not have a shy bone in his body and before I knew it I had some help setting up my rig. He is a big fan of GoPro and he loved all the knobs and cables. Once we tested everything, we sat down to talk with Brittany and Donnie.
Looking at both Brittany and Don, I could see a tiredness in their eyes that comes from being in the battle. They may not be using a physical weapon for this fight, but they are giving everything they got every day. When you consider that the outcome was pre-determined when Chayce was diagnosed with DMD in 2016, one has to respect their fighting spirit. They are fighting to give Chayce the best life possible, and they are fighting for their other son Cam. Brittany and Don were planning to build a life together and while wedding plans are on hold, that has not crushed their spirit.
People with disabilities deserve dignity and respect. Brittany and Donnie just want Chayce to be treated like any other kid. It was a privilege and honor to talk with this family.
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