158 – Nashville Silkies Hike with Andrew Farrer

158 – Nashville Silkies Hike with Andrew Farrer

Credit – Irreverent Warriors – Nashville – Used by Permission from Andrew Farrer

Andrew Farrer reached out to me on Instagram about coming on Oscar Mike Radio. Come to find out he had met Scott Libby who has been on Oscar Mike Radio and asked if I would talk with him about the Nashville, TN Silkies Hike.

Irreverent Warriors was founded by Captain Donny O’Malley USMC Ret., and Sergeant Ryan Loya in 2015. They believed that humor could heal a person. https://www.irreverentwarriors.com/about/ Read the story about how this organization is using comradeire to prevent Veterans’ suicide.

Andrew went on a couple of hikes and wanted to do one in Nashville. He has been working since January to coordinate the hike in Nashville. Right now he has 150+ hikers signed up. He is working to make the hike a great experience and is already looking for ward to doing on in 2020.

The first part of this podcast, Andrew was candid about his situation and how he got to certain places in his life. In a way, this hike is a way to leave the past behind and turn over a new life.

Listening to Andrew talk, I can tell you that this is the reason to Oscar Mike Radio. Andrew had bad things happen to him and made bad choices, but he is looking stay sober and show other people that you can change your life at anytime if you put in the work. It is a great story, and I can’t wait to meet Andrew one day. He is Oscar Mike.

Nashville Silkies Hike Information

Date and Time

Sat, August 10, 2019 – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CDT

Location

301 6th Avenue North – Nashville, TN 37243

Nashville Silkies Hike Event Website

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/irreverent-warriors-silkies-hike-nashville-tickets-56677151887

Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!

Email: joyce@asackrealestate.com

Phone: 508-942-7146

Website: asackrealestate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsackRealEstate/

156 Megan Bruce – Military Sexual Trauma Movement

156 Megan Bruce – Military Sexual Trauma Movement

Megan Bruce is a Marine Veteran and talented artist, actress, and comedienne. The Movement is her current film project, but much more than a documentary. It is a way to change how Military Sexual Trauma is treated in the Marine Corps. I had talked with Megan Bruce for Episode 88 and 98, and learned a lot from collaborating with her. (Links to podcasts below).

We have talked off and on since then but never met in person. A couple weeks ago we tried to meet up when she came to my area, but things didn’t work out. Then, on a Sunday night, we had the oppurtunity to meet in Boston. I asked her if I could bring my recording gear and Megan said, “Sure, and I would like to talk with you about The Movement.”

I met Megan in a park in downtown Boston. It was a perfect night to be outside and I setup my rig in the part and we started talking.

Even before I hit the record button, it was plain to see that behind the smile, and the exhaustion from being on the road, there is an undercurrent of anger. It seemed that this anger, which has been building up for a while, has now found an outlet in the Military Sexual Trauma Movement. Megan began to talk about her experience with Military Sexual Trauma and why The Movement is going to work.

Military Sexual Trauma Movement as Megan described it is a group of people primarily made up of female Marines. These women have shared their stories with Megan and want to use their experience to make change to how rape is handled in the Marine Corps. Her film project is to capture these stories in a way that makes it impossible for change not to happen.

Listening to what Megan is doing and why in person made an impact on me as she talked about what we can do to end this problem. One can’t ignore the inaction from military leadership once you listen to Megan’s story.

I thanked Megan for her time and told her I am with my fellow Marines all the way. Semper Fidelis

Find out more about the Movement

https://www.endmst.org/

https://www.facebook.com/SgtMegan/videos/794126800984535
Interview with MSTM Founder & CEO, Janelle Marina Mendez

Sgt. Megan Videos

One of Megan’s First Videos

A must watch
Megan can do a lot with comedy. People think Daisy is real!

Sgt. Megan Contact Info


Megan on Oscar Mike Radio


Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!

My sponsor Joyce Asack of Asack Realty.

Email: joyce@asackrealestate.com

Phone: 508-942-7146

Website: asackrealestate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsackRealEstate/

155 – MA Secretary of Veterans Services, Francisco Urena

155 – MA Secretary of Veterans Services, Francisco Urena


At Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery – Agawam, MA.

I have lived in Massachusetts for a while. Well, a long while at this point. I am still surprised when fellow Veterans tell me they don’t know their Veterans Service Officer. Massachusetts has taken many steps to ensure Veterans have access to services and benefits. One of the ways this is accomplished is via the Veterans Service Officer. The person in charge of VSOs as they are called is the Secretary of Veterans Services. It was an honor to speak with the current Secretary of Veterans Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Francisco Urena.

This was a great oppurtunity to get information that Veterans can use from the person who is in charge of taking care of us. Secretary Urena went through what VSOs and his office do to address Veteran’s needs in Massachusetts.

We also talked about a recent event where the Town of Weymouth worked with their VSO and Department of Veterans Services. The event was Scott Lobaido’s sculpture to raise awareness about PTS and Veteran’s Suicide. This was an example of a lot of people coming together to present this impactful sculpture to across the entire state of Massachusetts.

I wanted to get Secretary Urena’s perspective on Veteran’s Non-Profits. There is always a concern of how effective an organization can be when there are so many who are working in the same space. Secretary Urena said that resources are not the problem in Massachusetts. The issue is connecting Veterans to those organizations and resources that can provide assistance.

Whether it is an organization or individual looking to help Veterans, the Department of Veterans Services exists to ensure all Veterans in Massachusetts have a “hand up” when needed. Every Veteran in Massachusetts has an advocate where they reside to assist. We are not alone.

I want to say thank you to Secretary Urena and his staff for working to make this interview happen. I learned a lot and gained a better appreciation for how Veterans are served in Massachusetts. Semper Fidelis


What is this craft called? Listen to find out!

Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!

My sponsor Joyce Asack of Asack Realty.

Email: joyce@asackrealestate.com

Phone: 508-942-7146

Website: asackrealestate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsackRealEstate/

154 – Jarheads Fallen Seven

154 – Jarheads Fallen Seven

This podcast will sound raw. That is what I wanted though. I recorded right after the candlelight vigil at the Whitman, MA VFW. I purposefully didn’t apply a lot of editing because I wanted it to reflect I how felt, mistakes, sound, and all as we remember the Jarheads Fallen Seven. These were members of a Marine Corps Motorcycle Club who were killed in a tragic accident.

Flag
At the Whitman, MA VFW Candlelight Vigil

Number 154 is dedicated to the memory and service of the following people who were members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club. My condolences to the families who are experiencing this tragic loss. Please know that you are not alone.

[divider]

The Jarheads Fallen Seven

Michael Ferazzi, 62, of Contoocook, N.H.

Albert Mazza, 59, of Lee, N.H.

Daniel Pereira, 58, of Riverside R.I.

Desma Oakes, 42, of Concord, N.H.

Aaron Perry, 45, of Farmington, N.H.

Joanne and Edward Corr, both 58 of Lakeville, MA


I wouldn’t call this podcast my typical kind of podcast. I sat on a park bench in Whitman, MA and recorded this as a way to try to get how I felt out there about the situation. The fact is, the tragic accident could have been avoided.

It is my desire that the memory of the Jarheads Fallen Seven will never be forgotten. Semper Fidelis.

Thanks to my sponsor Joyce Asack for supporting Veterans!

My sponsor Joyce Asack of Asack Realty.

Email: joyce@asackrealestate.com

Phone: 508-942-7146

Website: asackrealestate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsackRealEstate/

145 – Scott Lobaido – 22 – 13 Creative Patriot Artist

145 – Scott Lobaido – 22 – 13 Creative Patriot Artist

I saw this article – https://abington.wickedlocal.com/news/20190412/traveling-art-installation-on-veteran-suicide-to-visit-weymouth/

The article was about Scott Lobaido. He is an artist, and his mission to raise awareness and advocacy for PTSD. I liked that an artist wanted to do this. Since it was in Weymouth, MA there was no reason not to go.

I went the first night and talked briefly with Scott and Secretary of Veterans Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Francisco Urena. Scott asked me to come back the following night to talk with him more.

Talk with people and Scott

The next night was windy in a way that made recording any audio a real test. There was a guy on a Harley – Davidson Sportster named Anthony. He told me that the VA could have done more for his brother.

I never realized what it does to mother to have her child serve. Conversations like I had with Jacquelyn make me stop and consider the cost of PTSD. It is not the soldier who bears this alone. Family can be asked to pay a heavy price as well.

Scott was gracious to give me some time, and we talked about his work. His art is about conveying a feeling of pride in being an American and loving our great nation. You need to go to his website (http://scottlobaido.com/gallery/) and check out his work. Which piece is your favorite?

The last person I spoke with was Conor Sullivan. Conor is an Air Force Veteran. 19 months ago he got a heart transplant. Two weeks ago, he ran the Boston Marathon. Aim High indeed, well done Brother. Conor is a member of the Veterans Brotherhood Motorcycle Club. It was good seeing these guys at the exhibit.

Scott proves that anyone can do any thing to make change where they are. I won’t look at artists the same way ever again. Thanks Scott.

Scott brings his vision to light allowing us to understand the scope of loss.