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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by Travis Partington | Oct 26, 2018 | Podcast
Question of the Week
How was the 22Kill Boston Casino night? I had a lot of fun getting to see familiar faces and meet new people. 22 Kill was at the Emerald Club in Abington, MA doing a fundraiser.
I am hoping that 22Kill Boston does more events. The whole tribe concept is very appealing to me. A group of people who are bound together is a powerful force.
Speaking of people, a listener was at the event and it was good talking about their story. They may be coming on the Oscar Mike Radio very soon. It is important to socialize and connect with each other. It is the only way to cover each other’s 6.
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WWI Series Part 4 – Eye Deep in Hell
I got the book Eye Deep in Hell from a friend of mine. Again, I thought I had a pretty good idea about how World War One was fought. To my disappointment I discovered again that my knowledge was elementary at best. John Ellis takes the reader through everything about Trench Warfare.
There is no whitewashing of the situation in this book. John lays out the history and methodology behind trench warfare. He then goes into the soldier’s lives doing this kind of warfare. I thought I had hard times serving in the desert, but nothing I experienced comes close to what these men did.
Lice, rats and standing twelve hours or more in icy waist deep mud was all in a normal day for the Doughboys. More men were injured from gangrene than anything else. It was a war of attrition that ground soldiers on all sides into nothing. This was a difficult book to read. However, it is just the kind of book that we all should read, especially high and college kids. You can get Eye Deep in Hell from Amazon for $25.00. I consider this a must read. Like I have said before, I could a year of podcasts on World War One and not even scratch the surface. I hope you enjoyed these. I learned just how little I know. OMR out.
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Time Question
My podcast is targeted for 30 minutes air time. Some people are asking for 60 minutes. That raises all kinds of questions, and I would like to know what you think.
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by Travis Partington | Oct 19, 2018 | Podcast
Question of the Week
How was the 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala?
I really admire the mission of the New England Center and Home for Veterans. Their mission focus is to serve a segment of the Veteran population that is disadvantaged – homeless Veterans. However, in recent years the Center has transformed into a place that serves all Veterans. It was great seeing all the people come out to support NECHV during their 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala.
Really enjoyed Bill Brett’s writeup about the Gala. I am extremely happy to see all the support for the Center and their mission as well. I am already looking forward to 2019!
Bill Brett Boston Globe Article
The Word
World War One Series Part III – Battle of Orleans
Chatham Coast Guard Rowing out to save 32 Americans
Once again, I found out how little I know about World War One. I had no idea that a German U-Boat attacked an American tug boat and four barges. On July 21st, 1918 off the coast of Orleans a German surfaced and began shelling the tug boat Perth Amboy. I based this podcast off the Mass Moments Website (https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/german-u-boat-attacks-cape-cod.html).
The Chatham Coast Guard rowed wooden boats in the middle of the U-Boat attack to rescue crew, their wives and children. I had never heard about this until recently. This is the kind of subject I wanted to cover for my World War One Series.
Perth Amboy Sunk
Upcoming Events
Big thanks to Davide Henke, Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the VA Boston System for providing these upcoming events to check out.
- The North Shore Veterans Collaborative Bi-Monthly Meeting:
October 18, 2018 @ 6:30pm – Portuguese American War Vets Club; 103 Tremont St., Peabody, MA 01960
Vets In Tech Training – 22-26 October – Boston – there a few slots left in the cybersecurity course. Veterans and spouses can attend and they cover the tuition / course materials. Go to:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vetsintechdraftkings-cybersecurity-training-boston-w-palo-alto-networks-tickets-48713204506
Or contact Christopher Starling, VetsinTech, 415-713-0722
Hire a Veteran Month Kick Off at the Massachusetts State House: October 31st – Members of all Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce, Workforce Development Boards and Businesses in the Massachusetts area are invited to discuss veteran’s programs within the Commonwealth. One of the primary focuses of this event will be the Department of Labor’s Veteran’s Medallion Program to employers, along with other resources available to Businesses in hiring veterans. Event showcases the Commonwealth’s Workforce System re-branding to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). All of their work has culminated into One Vision, One Mission and One Name bringing the Commonwealth’s Workforce System into a new era based on Collaboration, Respect, Reliability and Ingenuity.
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by Travis Partington | Oct 11, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 116 – WWI Series Part 2: Indian Army
About a year ago I started studying different aspects of World War One. Over one million Indians served the British in World War One.
Come to find out, I haven’t even scratched this surface on India’s involvement in World War One and World War Two. I like to think of myself as fair military historian. I am not expert by any means, but I used to consider myself pretty knowledgeable. My knowledge about World War One and India’s involvement was woefully inadequate.
In the mid 1700s Britain began expanding and grabbing territory in India. It took almost 200 years for India to regain its independence as a country. Britain declared war on Germany on behalf of India, and so started road to independence won by blood.
Great Britain desperately needed troops to help with the war effort. Indian units served in Africa on the Western Front and other places. The Indians, comprised of Gurkas, Sikhs, Bengalis, and Punjabs were fearsome fighters. One such example was Khudadad Khan. He was the first Southeast Asian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. (Story of Khudadad Khan) He was a machine gunner who manned a machine gun even while his fellow soldiers were killed and the gun was rendered inoperable by German forces.
I began talking my Indian colleagues at work about World War One. I discovered that they were extremely proud of their grandfather’s and great grandfather’s service. The pride in their eyes as they talked about how their service and sacrifice helped restore India as an independent country was something I don’t see a lot anymore.
There is so much to learn about our history and World War One. I realize I have a lot to learn. However, taking the time to dig into this really put things into perspective. I hope that we never forget what these brave soldiers did for their country.
YouTube Video about India in World War One
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naiAc9xorFk[/embedyt]
2018 Leave No One Behind Gala
I wanted to bring some attention to a great organization in Boston – New England Center and Home for Veterans. Check out their 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala here –> 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala
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by Travis Partington | Oct 9, 2018 | Podcast
Episode 115 – In Memory of John Gollner, Veteran X
Like I said this is a different kind of podcast. On September 29th, I got word that a Marine I served with had passed. I couldn’t believe it. I was riding motorcycle when I got a Facebook Message from one of the Corporals I served under.
In the message was a picture of John Gollner. I served with and under him Charlie Battery, Second Platoon. I sat beside my motorcycle for a while and could not do anything. Disbelief set in and I started making phone calls and reaching to others to get confirmation on a situation I could not fathom.
As I talked with others about his passing I wanted to do something to make sure he was not forgotten. I received permission from his father to do this podcast. John and I tried several times to sync up to have him on Oscar Mike Radio. He had started Veteran X and I wanted to find out more, but we could never make it happen. Schedules and time zones make for their own challenges…… I wish I could say otherwise.
I hope this will provide John’s family, friends and fellow Marines some sort of comfort. The most valuable thing we have in life is each other. Semper Fidelis John, I can hear you singing our anthem now.
HAWK Missile System Video
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa01gESQ6WM[/embedyt]
Veteran X
Please go to the Veteran X Facebook Page and check out what John was doing. (Veteran X Facebook Page) . My view on Veteran X is some of us are Veterans. We have either given all or are prepared to do so. Hence, Some Gave All. X is anyone us at anytime can be a force for those in need. John ran his talk and it is a regret I will carry with me for a long time that we could not sync up to have him talk more about what he was doing.
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