Veterans Radio

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Second Chances for Incarcerated Veterans May 18, 2021

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The author of the heartwarming Craig and Fred tells the deeply emotional and inspiring story of the next phase of their lives together: working closely with prison inmates in Maine who raise and train puppies to become service dogs. Craig discovered that many of the prisoners are veterans—former soldiers serving their country in an entirely different way: by transforming purebred Labrador Retrievers from floppy puppies into indispensable companions for disabled vets. These service dogs literally and figuratively open doors for men and women, offering hope and a renewed sense of freedom. Yet these disabled vets are not the only lives changed by these dogs. The inmates who train them “are given a purpose, they’re given experience, and most importantly they’re given a sense of self-worth,” Craig explains. “The men at Maine State are given a second chance—something that I believe everyone deserves.” For Craig, the visit had a profound impact. “There was something special going on inside its walls and it was calling out to me. I quickly realized that the program and its men had something to show the world.” In this emotionally powerful book, he introduces these men and challenges us to look deeper, to see them as human beings deserving of a new shot at life. “We’re quick to give second chances to celebrities, politicians and famous athletes when they screw up,” Craig reminds us, “but when it comes to those who’ve been convicted for their mistakes, we too often dismiss them as forever lost.” Second Chances poignantly shows that no life is irredeemable and that each of us can make a difference if given the opportunity. Craig talks to host Jim Fausone about second chances, the evolution of his thinking about those incarcerated and Fred.

Silver Star upgrade to Medal of Honor for Capt Steve Phillis? May 11, 2021

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Brig. General Jim “Boots” Demarest is on a mission to have the Medal of Honor awarded to fighter pilot Stephen Phillis, an unsung hero of the war in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. The last time an Air Force pilot was decorated with the medal was during the Vietnam War. On February 15, 1991, A-10 pilot Captain Steve Phillis and his brand new wingman Lt. Rob Sweet were tasked with attacking Saddam Hussein’s elite Republican Guards Division. A surface-to-air missile was fired at Sweet’s plane and he had to eject over Republican Guard troops. Phillis took action to draw fire to his plane rather than at Sweet's parachute. Ultimately, that action created a situation where Phillis was shot down and KIA. He received the Silver Star for that action. Now an effort is underway to have that upgraded to the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration that can be awarded. Demarest talks to host Jim Fausone about his academy friend, wing man Lt Sweet's capture and release and the grass roots effort (and how you can help) to have the Medal of Honor awarded to Capt Phillis.

VETERANS DENIED BENEFITS – K2 UZBEKISTAN TOXIC WASTE EXPOSURE May 10, 2021

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K2 in Uzbekistan was a Soviet Air Force base with a long history of environmental contamination. The DOD leased 40 acres of the base from October 2001-2005 and an estimated 15,000 military members were stationed at Karshi-Khanabad (K2) on the way into Afghanistan. The base was immediately recognized as having contamination and DOD was slow to recognize the problems and limit exposure. Now 20 years later, public pressure has Congress looking at the issue and veterans’ health being impacted by the exposure to golden oils in the soils, black goo, chemical weapons, ordinance explosions, yellow cake and depleted uranium from Soviet use and American burn pits. Mike Lechlitner, an Army veteran and DOD contractor, discusses his experiences at K2 and efforts to get Congress to recognize the problems and provide presumptive disease recognition to veterans.

Marines in WWII on Battle of Saipan May 04, 2021

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*Winner of The 2020 Best Book Award for Military History -- American Bookfest.* 40 Thieves on Saipan: The Elite Marine Scout-Snipers in One of World War II’s Bloodiest Battles is true history. An elite platoon of Marine Scout-Snipers, Lieutenant Frank Tachovsky’s “40 Thieves” were chosen for their willingness to defy rules and beat all-comers. These men were trained in an array of hand-to-hand killing techniques and then thrown into the battle for Saipan where they would wreak havoc in and around, but mostly behind, enemy lines. Now Tachovsky’s son Joseph tells their remarkable story—a story he didn’t even know until after his father’s death—reported from an extensive documentary record, including priceless mementos his father kept, and from exhaustive interviews with survivors who served under Lieutenant “Ski.” Joe talks to host Jim Fausone about the Marines, his father, the research for the book and the Four Roses bourbon tribute he pays these men at their graves.

“EMBEDDED ENEMY” IN KUWAIT, BLUE STAR FAMILIES AND CARRY THE LOAD May 03, 2021

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This week’s one hour radio broadcast with host Dale Throneberry has two guests. Bart E. Womack, sharing his first hand account of the heinous actions of an “Embedded Enemy” at Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait, 2003Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, established in 2013 serving active military familiesJustin Schmitt, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at USAAStephen Holly, Founder of CarryTheLoad.org,Col Mark Elliott (ret), Head of Military and veterans affairs at JP Morgan Chase

Buffalo Naval Park & USS The Sullivans Apr 27, 2021

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The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park is the largest inland Naval Park in the country. Located on Buffalo’s Waterfront, this unique family destination features four decommissioned Naval vessels that served in a variety of military conflicts in our nation’s history. We talk to John Branning, Superintendent of Ships, and Navy veteran about the Park, the Ships, and the needs. One unique vessel is the USS The Sullivans which is named for the 5 brothers from Iowa who perished on the same ship in WWII. John tells host Jim Fausone about the challenges of keeping this old naval history alive after so many years.

VETERANS BENEFITS – APRIL 2021 Apr 26, 2021

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This is our monthly program on the VA and your benefits. In addition to questions from our listeners we are going to discuss the Aid and Attendance benefit and possible suspension of this benefit if the veteran is placed in a facility. Join our guests: Dr. Ginny Creasman, Medical Center Director for VA Ann Arbor Healthcare SystemDr. Raghuram Matta, Deputy Chief of Staff, Detroit VA Health Care SystemBrig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone (ret), Legal Help for VeteransMichael G. Smith, Jr., Director of Washtenaw County (MI) Dept. of Veteran AffairsBrian Hayes, Public Affairs Officer, VA Ann ArborBill Browning, Chief Volunteer and Community Relations, Detroit VA Health Care System They along with host Dale Throneberry will bring you up to date on what’s going on at the VA and answer your questions regarding any and all benefits you are entitled to.

Military Slang - Cup of Joe, Mustang and Dog Tags Apr 20, 2021

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Ever wonder what certain military terms really mean or where they came from, well we did. So we asked Air Force Veteran and historian Joe Neussendorfer to dig into terms and give us a quick debrief on Cup of Joe, Mustang and Dog Tags. Listen in you might be surprised.

April 30, 2017: Colin Clark / Breaking Defense Apr 30, 2017

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Our guest this week is Colin Clark, Editor, Breaking Defense. Colin was the founding editor of DoDBuzz.com . Previously, he covered Congress, intelligence and regulatory affairs for Space News; founded and edited the Washington Aerospace Briefing, a newsletter for space industry professionals; covered national security issues for Congressional Quarterly; and was editor of Defense News. Clark is based in Washington, D.C.

Breaking Defense is an online defense magazine designed to be the idea hub of the defense world, where the crucial defense ideas are debated, the biggest defense stories are reported and analyzed and the hottest weapons and news videos are shared.

If you want to know what’s going on in Washington, you have to tune in this week on Veterans Radio. Find out what is really going on regarding America’s military.

April 23, 2017: Amy Hawk / Six Years in the Hanoi Hilton Apr 23, 2017

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Amy Hawk is our guest this week. She discusses her new book, “Six Years in the Hanoi Hilton” and the story of Captain Jim Shively’s captivity after being shot down in Vietnam and his post-POW civilian career.

Amy discusses this story of hope, courage, and perseverance with host Jim Fausone.

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