by Travis Partington | Oct 5, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 114 – WW1 Series Part 1
I wanted to spend a month talking about World War 1. I started setting up the series, and realized just how little I know about this war. Also I would need a year doing one podcast a month just to scratch the surface. WW1 really was the “Great War”.
No matter what I did with this podcast, there was no way I could get all the history and detail at a high level distilled into 30 minutes. The goal is to talk about aspects of World War 1 that people don’t know about.
Trench warfare was hell. A literal hell for the men who fought and died in those trenches. Technology was changing and warfare changed more in this war than WW2 some would argue.
So stay tuned and I am working to tell these stories in a meaningful way.
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by Travis Partington | Sep 26, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 112 – Reality is not a Winner
Question of the Week
Have you heard about the Sailor who performs in drag on the USS Ronald Regan? Read the Navy Times Article about Joshua Kelley (Navy Times Article about Harpy Daniels). This administrative supervisor pushes paperwork by day and performs in drag at night.
Not sure what I think about this. Certainly things have changed since I was in the Marine Corps. I really didn’t know what to say. I am not sure what is going on. On one hand it seems kind of odd, but on the other hand he isn’t hurting anyone so more power to him.
The Word
I talked in Episode 48 (Reality Loser) about how Reality Winner(Her real name) gave classified information out to c to the online news outlet Intercept. She got sentenced to prison for 5 years and 3 years supervision.
Some people think that Reality was punished too harshly. I don’t think so. There was a time in this country that if someone gave up classified information they would look at death by firing squad.
I don’t feel sorry for her situation and you shouldn’t either. It is all fun and games until she gives away someone’s cover or a unit’s movements. The reality is, she is not a winner.
Upcoming Event
Looking forward to the 22Kill Boston Casino Night. Click here for the Facebook Page Event – (22Kill Boston Casino Night Facebook Page). Yours truly will be there.
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by Travis Partington | Aug 23, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 108 – No Ghosts Here
All these items were in use at one time, even the signs.
I got invited to check out a private military collection. This was to support a project I am working on for the New England Center and Home for Veterans. The team needed some research done on World War One. Gary, who is a Marine Veteran, was gracious enough to allow me to come see what he had been doing.
I walked into the area and had to pause for a minute. I had been to plenty of military museums before, but this was the first time I had seen items like this up close and personal. This was the first time where someone other than a tour guide was telling me stories about each item. Many of these items had a personal story behind them.
Gary told me about a uniform that actually belonged to his father. His father’s story as an 18 year old kid working on a landing craft for D-Day. He told me about items his father wore and I could see a look of pride in his eye has he talked about that time.
However, it was during the podcast that this experience came in focus for me. He talked about another group that came and looked at the collection. One of the viewers 
said that there must be a lot of ghosts in these rooms. Gary looked at me and told me that there were, “No Ghosts Here”. This is not a place for ghosts he said, it is place of dignity. Where the deeds of those who went before us are kept alive.
I spent a lot of time reflecting on that thought as I prepared this podcast. I want to thank Gary and his son for taking the time to talk with me and show me something truly remarkable. Memories can be kept alive as long as we choose remember with dignity those who have gone before us.
Two pictures showing how Camp Edwards (Now Otis Air Base) changed in a year during WWII
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by Travis Partington | Aug 3, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 105 – Richard Fitts Jr’s Family at The Wall that Heals
Richard Fitts Jr. and the Abington Color Guard
I had first met Richard Fitts Jr. when we were talking about his documentary 21 Years a Folded Flag. ( Episode 92 – 21 Years a Folded Flag ) This is a labor of love for a father he could not remember because SSgt Richard Fitts was killed in Laos during the Vietnam War. He reached out recently because he wanted me to meet the crew from the Abington VFW when the Fitts Family joined them to do the Colors Ceremony for The Wall that Heals.
One of the take aways from the film is how Abington, Massachusetts wrapped their arms around the Fitts family. I got a chance to see this in action for the ceremony. Richard, his mother Valerie and his son Austin joined the guys from the VFW for this special ceremony. I got to spend time with Richard talking about everything from Joe Satriani to bass guitar styles to aspects of parenthood. I enjoyed how Mrs. Fitts was the “den mother” for all the Abington VFW crew. It was more like a family event than anything else.
After the ceremony, Richard and his son Austin talked with me about the film. He is almost done with it. He was able to interview a General who in Richard’s view adds a lot to the project. There is a lot of movement going on with another entry into a film contest, and he is finalizing the sound.
Seeing a Gold Star family like the Fitts participate in the color guard brought a different kind feeling out in me. It shows that family in the military can mean those who haven’t served as well as those from different branches of service.
Abington VFW & Mrs Fitts – Richard Fitts Jr is on the far left
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by Travis Partington | Jul 20, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 102 – Jody Part 5 – Military One Source
I started by talking about a Veteran who committed suicide recently because of a spouse messing around with Jody. I want to be clear. No human being on this planet worth suicide. There is a better way. This promo video that kind of summed up how I felt this week about it. (Episode 102 Promo and Rant) .
No one wins in divorce. You can double that for a military divorce. There are situations you will face in a military that the majority of civilians will never encounter. Preparation and understanding of what your need to do is key to working toward the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Notice, I said best possible outcome. Again, there are no winners in divorce, so what you are working for is to complete the process and move on with your life without making the problem worse.
During this series on Jody and Jodie, I have worked to avoid hearsay, anecdotal evidence, or sea stories as a basis for discussion. Every episode has either a real story or solution offered so you can be informed and make that five paragraph order before going into battle. I found this great website called Military One Source.
Military One Source (https://www.militaryonesource.mil is hosted and managed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Look for the section Categories and there you will find Financial and Legal. Drill down in this section to find Legal and Family Legal Issues. Then you can review the section I used for this podcast, “Managing the Divorce Process”. Content was laid out in an easy to read, and follow format. The process had sections with tools and resources needed to be effective during this time of emotional trauma in one’s life. There even a number to call to get help finding an attorney for your case.
There will days that you stare into the abyss as my friend Jim Tough says during his daily pushup videos. Please do not step off the cliff. OMR Sends
Jody and Jodie Podcast Links
I will add the episode links so you can get caught up. This is a year long series, so buckle up
Links to Jody/Jodie Past Podcasts
- Episode 81 – Jody Part 1
- Episode 85 – Jodie Part 2
- Episode 89 – Jody Part 3
- Episode 94 – Jody Part 4
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