Today's podcast is a special Memorial Day episode. On today's podcast I have Army Veterans Jim Klug, President of American Heroes Network and Steve Deaton, Co-Host for American Heroes Network.
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Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's podcast is a special Memorial Day episode. On today's podcast I have Army Veterans Jim Klug, President of American Heroes Network and Steve Deaton, Co-Host for American Heroes Network.
Gentlemen thank you for joining today for this special episode.
American Heroes Network President, Jim Klug shares the desire of our network and podcast to promote and preserve this very special day and to reflect upon the supreme sacrifice of the millions of patriots that have perished to preserve the very freedoms we enjoy today.
Topics
In our youth, was Memorial Day, any different than any other federal holiday to you?
What do you think when you hear or someone says, “Happy Memorial Day?”
What types of activities did your family observe as a tradition, if any?
What influences in our upbringing guided us towards honoring those that gave the last full measure?
As military service Veterans, what do we desire our Nation to understand and do on Memorial Day?
As military service Veterans, discuss the meaning and importance of memorial Day to us.
Thank you for listening!
Jim Klug - President of American Heroes Network and an Army Veteran
AHN-32 with Erik Villard of U.S. Army Center of Military History
Episode 32
Monday, May 18, 2020 • Duration 01:01:19
Today's guest is an Army Historian of the Vietnam War and the Digital Military Historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History. I would like to welcome Dr. Erik Villard.
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Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is an Army Historian of the Vietnam War and the Digital Military Historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History. I would like to welcome Dr. Erik Villard.
You can follow Erik here
Websites
The U.S. Army Center of Military History: www.history.army.mil (Erik created the WWI, WWII, and Vietnam War commemorative sections. Korea is coming in a few weeks)
AHN-22 Tracey Nazarenus of Crusaders Valor for Veterans
Episode 22
Monday, March 2, 2020 • Duration 41:50
Today's guest is a horse riding, gun-toting, veteran loving cowgirl. She runs a horse ranch that helps veterans and is the mom of a veteran. She is CEO & Founder of Crusaders Valor for Veterans. I would like to welcome Tracey Nazarenus.
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Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is a horse riding, gun-toting, veteran loving cowgirl. She runs a horse ranch that helps veterans and is the mom of a veteran. She is CEO & Founder of Crusaders Valor for Veterans. I would like to welcome Tracey Nazarenus.
Today's guest is an Army combat disabled veteran that served in Iraq. He has received the Bronze Star and been awarded the Veterans Voices Award. He even rejoined the military and is the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division. As a member of the DAV, he has held several positions and is now the current National Commander of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). I would like to welcome Stephen “Butch” Whitehead.
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Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is an Army combat disabled veteran that served in Iraq. He has received the Bronze Star and been awarded the Veterans Voices Award. He even rejoined the military and is the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division. As a member of the DAV, he has held several positions and is now the current National Commander of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). I would like to welcome Stephen “Butch” Whitehead.
Today's guest is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam. While flying a helicopter and attempting to save troops in Vietnam he was shot down but he survived. As a member of the DAV he has spent a lifelong career serving other veterans. He is also a previous National Commander of DAV (Disabled American Veterans). I would like to welcome Ron Hope.
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Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam. While flying a helicopter and attempting to save troops in Vietnam he was shot down but he survived. As a member of the DAV he has spent a lifelong career serving other veterans. He is also a previous National Commander of DAV (Disabled American Veterans). I would like to welcome Ron Hope.
Ron thank you for serving and how are you doing today?
Ron it's an honor to have you on today to talk about your story. I know you didn't serve an entire career on active duty but you have spent a lifetime with the DAV serving and helping other Veterans and that mission is just as important.
Topics
So let's start at the beginning did you always want to be a pilot and how did you end up joining the Army?
What types of aircraft did you fly?
AHN-19 with Vietnam Veteran Jim Sursely
Episode 19
Monday, February 10, 2020 • Duration 42:28
Today's guest is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam. A year into his service, he stepped on a landmine, immediately losing both legs and an arm. He survived and went on to achieve success as a father, a business owner and, as a national commander of the DAV. I would like to welcome Jim Sursely.
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Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam. A year into his service, he stepped on a landmine, immediately losing both legs and an arm. He survived and went on to achieve success as a father, a business owner and, as a national commander of the DAV. I would like to welcome Jim Sursely.
Jim thank you for serving and how are you doing today?
I appreciate you coming on today t tell us about what you have been through and how you survived. I am grateful for that and for how you now take that suffering and that experience and use it to help other Veterans survive as well. You teach others that there is hope no matter how dark the moment might seem.
Topics
What did you do in the Army?
AHN-18 with Vietnam Veteran Bobby Barrera
Episode 18
Monday, February 3, 2020 • Duration 39:29
Today's guest is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam. Six weeks into his service, he was wounded by a 500-pound bomb that exploded under his truck. He was Disabled Veteran of the Year in 1997 . He is a previous National Commander of DAV (Disabled American Veterans). I would like to welcome Bobby Barrera.
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Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam. Six weeks into his service, he was wounded by a 500-pound bomb that exploded under his truck. He was Disabled Veteran of the Year in 1997. He is a previous National Commander of DAV (Disabled American Veterans). I would like to welcome Bobby Barrera.
Bobby thank you for serving and how are you doing today?
One of the reasons I am so grateful for having you on today is that what you have been through is far greater than most of have ever had to deal with, and you survived. I am grateful for that and for how you now take that suffering and that experience and use it to help other Veterans survive as well. You teach others that there is hope no matter how dark the moment might seem.
Topics
Bobby enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 1969.
Marine Vietnam Veteran who was seriously burned when enemy forces exploded a 500-pound bomb rigged as a land mine beneath the armored personnel carrier he was traveling in.
AHN-17 with Daniel Rau of Veterati
Episode 17
Monday, January 27, 2020 • Duration 29:01
Today's guest is a Marine Corps Veteran and security professional turned entrepreneur. He has served at U.S. Embassies in Yemen, Japan, and India. He is CEO & Co-Founder of Veterati. I would like to welcome Daniel Rau. ----more----
Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is a Marine Corps Veteran and security professional turned entrepreneur. He has served at U.S. Embassies in Yemen, Japan, and India. He is CEO & Co-Founder of Veterati. I would like to welcome Daniel Rau.
Daniel thank you for serving and how are you doing today?
Topics
So tell me a little bit about what you did in the military
AHN-16 with Chris Stowe of Operation: Art of Valor
Episode 16
Monday, January 20, 2020 • Duration 37:36
Today's guest is a Marine Corps combat Veteran that has dealt with TBI and PTSD so he understands the physical and mental challenges that other Veterans have been through. He is the Co-Founder of Operation: Art of Valor helping other Veterans heal. I would like to welcome Chris Stowe.
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Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is a Marine Corps combat Veteran that has dealt with TBI and PTSD so he understands the physical and mental challenges that other Veterans have been through. He is the Co-Founder of Operation: Art of Valor helping other Veterans heal. I would like to welcome Chris Stowe.
Chris thank you for serving and how are you doing today?
Topics
What was life like in the military for you?
Tell us more about being an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, what you do, how you do it.
AHN-15 with Debbie Maund of Veterans For Worship
Episode 15
Monday, January 13, 2020 • Duration 34:17
Today's guest is a chaplain with a goal of improving Veterans lives. She is an Army Veteran so she understands the physical and mental challenges that other Veterans have been through. She leads a team that provides the spiritual guidance Veterans still need after the military. She is the Founder of Veterans For Worship. I would like to welcome Debbie Maund. ----more----
Hi this is your host, Pete Blum. Welcome to American Heroes Network! Our core mission is Serving the Brave Men and Women who have Sacrificed to Ensure our Freedom. You will hear true stories from those that have served, learn about Veteran organizations and resources, and gain hope for your future knowing American Heroes Network, your community, and other Veterans are here and at the ready to serve and help you and your family. We will talk about the hard topics like PTSD/TBI. You will also hear military history, inspirational stories, learn about networking with the community, and more. So come join us and be part of our family.
Today's guest is a chaplain with a goal of improving Veterans lives. She is an Army Veteran so she understands the physical and mental challenges that other Veterans have been through. She leads a team that provides the spiritual guidance Veterans still need after the military. She is the Founder of Veterans For Worship. I would like to welcome Debbie Maund.
Erik also has a bunch of videos on YouTube from various events where he spoke at the National Archives and elsewhere. Here are four videos on CSPAN: https://www.c-span.org/person/?erikvillard
Erik good afternoon and how are you doing today?
Erik I wanted to start off today by telling you why I think this episode is so important. Jim the President of American Heroes Network and the rest of his team feel as strongly about preserving history as you do! Jim often says that we are only a generation away from forgetting our history and he wants to make sure that doesn't happen. He was also a previous National Historian for the Military Order of the Purple Heart. So we believe in the preservation of history and we believe in your mission and wanted to be sure we share it with as many people as we can. Jim was also in the Vietnam War. He was wounded twice, received a Purple Heart, and fought in the 1968 TET Offensive.
So Erik tell us about your earlier years, where you grew up, and what first made you interested in military history.
Where does the Doctor come in?
What made you focus so much interest specifically on the Vietnam War era?
You have been involved as a historical consultant in supporting several efforts specifically related to the Vietnam War such as the TV documentary "Raw War: The Lost Film of Dak To", the New York Historical Society's exhibit on the Vietnam War, and the TV documentary "The Vietnam War". Can you tell us about each of these projects?
Are there any others projects you have worked on that you would like to mention like your Google Earth project?
Tell us about the Facebook group VietnamWarHistoryOrg which you created and manage in your spare time.
You have written a couple of books, can you tell us about each of them:
The 1968 Tet Offensive Battles Of Quang Tri City And Hue
Staying the Course: October 1967 to September 1968. U.S. Army Combat Operations in the Vietnam War
Erik tell us about your current job with the Army, what you do, how you enjoy it, and about the websites you are currently producing for the Army about WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War as well as the others you are planning to create to span the entire Army history.
How do you connect with the community and share history?
How can understanding history help veterans and others?
Tell us your theory on Dungeons and Dragons.
What message would you like to give directly to transitioning military personnel and veterans?
Summary
A graduate of Occidental College and the University of Washington, Erik has worked at the U.S. Army Center of Military History since 2000 as a specialist in the Vietnam War. He is the world’s leading expert on the 1968 Tet Offensive and has written two books on the Vietnam War: "The 1968 Tet Offensive Battles Of Quang Tri City And Hue" and "Staying the Course: October 1967 to September 1968. U.S. Army Combat Operations in the Vietnam War".
In his personal time he manages the Facebook group VietnamWarHistoryOrg which has grown to nearly 36,000 members since its inception in 2014.
His passion for history and specifically military history has lead him to develop an online visual database of the Vietnam War using Google Earth-based 4-D GIS (Geographic Information System) technology. The Google Earth project will layer (South) Vietnam with Photoshop-enhanced military maps, custom icons, contemporary photos, and colored shapes to identify all of the units, installations, lines of communication, terrain features, engagements, administrative boundaries, and any other information that a researcher might want to view.
One of his many goals is to develop a free, crowd-sourced database that will integrate all publicly available information about the Vietnam War for the benefit of veterans, active duty military personnel, simulation experts, educators, students, media organizations, travel groups, and the video gaming community. Erik just loves to help people.
Veteran Career Readiness & Entrepreneurial Trainer ✯ Veteran Outreach & Retention ✯ Transition Expert ✯ Podcast Host ✯ Navy and Marine Veteran ✯ Christian
Chaplain Candidate, Tampa Chapter Leader, & Expansion Team at Veterans For Worship
http://veteransforworship.net/
Technology Trainer and Associate Instructor at Project Transition USA
Associate Instructor at FourBlock
Facilitator at Action Zone Tampa
Webmaster and Social Media Manager at Racing4Vets
Mentor at Veterati
Speaker at Onward to Opportunity
Speaker at Operation Startup
Speaker at Startup Week Tampa Bay
Speaker at Veteran Connections Day
American Legion Member, Paradise Post 79
Tracey good evening and how are you doing today?
So you and your team of cowgirls are doing everything you can to help veterans and you are waking America up to the fact that veterans are out there and they need our support.
Tell us what ties your heart to the military, was it your son joining and serving in the military or is it more than that?
My dad is a veteran and my son after coming back from Afghanistan was not the same boy as when he left. Watching him suffer made me realize someone had to be their voice and help them.
What branch did your son serve in, what did he do, what rank was he while in, and what does he do now?
My son served in the Army for four years, in the Navy for four years. He was an E-4 and he served in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009.
You found out after he served in Afghanistan that he was struggling with what he had experienced. I'm sure that broke your heart as a mother. Is this what made you take action to help Veterans?
There are no real words for how I felt after seeing and continuing to see my son suffer daily for serving our country. Our veterans deserve far more than this country gives them in return for their sacrifice.
Tell us the story of how it all started with Chuck and the horses to you starting the Second Chance Ranch.
The story about Chuck.
This led to the creation of the Rodeo Royalty Veterans Horse Program. Tell us all about that and what exactly they do.
We currently have two different teams the Older team Cowgirl4veterans, The VALOR SQUAD and the Rodeo Royalty THE CRUSADERS SQUAD. We promote veterans and the military across Colorado and the United States. If you're in Colorado you can come and ride a horse otherwise we have the triage program where we pay rent utilities and food for veterans in emergency situations the request for help form is on our website.
So now tell me all about the Crusaders Valor For Veterans.
We are a 501 C3 nonprofit veterans organization we are 100% transparent all information is on our website we are at triage program we help veterans in emergency situations with rent utilities and food. We are one of the only organization that helps all veterans you do not have to be post 911 to get assistance, the requirements are Must be on a be discharged honorably signed up and serve the time you agreed to and have a plan moving forward after we help you.
Tracey how does your Christianity play a part in everything you do?
God guides my heart my soul and my gut and everything that I do from Veteran to family and every aspect of my life.
How do you connect with the community?
Crusaders Valor for Veterans is involved in our community-related military or veterans causes or events and Live in Colorado you can come out to that second chance ranch and spend time with the horses and the dogs and the Rodeo Royalty team.
What is your call to action for Americans?
Americans need to wake up and realize our veterans served for our safety and freedom and it is now time that we help them back, stop thinking everyone else is doing it. They served for you Start looking for the veterans in your community and see what you can do for them.
What action items would you give transitioning military or Veterans in order to be successful in life?
If you were in the military and about to be done with your time you need to sign up for every single program the VA offers. Do not wait until you need their help because you will not get it right away. It will take years to get help so sign up for it all and get a rating.
So you and your team of cowgirls are doing everything you can to help veterans and you are waking America up to the fact that veterans are out there and they need our support.
Ride into the sunset!
I hope you have enjoyed this episode! Be sure to keep coming back for more great episodes. If you want to talk to us about something you learned today, if you have questions, or you would like to be a guest on our podcast go to americanheroesnetwork.com and click on contact us.
Butch thank you for serving and how are you doing today?
So Butch my last three interviews were Vietnam Veterans who were all previous National Commanders of the DAV. One of the reasons for that is that this month is the anniversary of the Vietnam Tet Offensive and at American Heroes Network we are remembering what those serving in the U.S. military went through over there. The other reason was to share these stories of survival and to show how faith, hope, and a little determination can result in happiness and success no matter what you have been through. As they all told their stories we can see how the DAV helped them and then how they thrived as part of the DAV family It really seems like the DAV is a great asset for the veteran community so I would like to talk about that today. But first, let's start at the beginning with you.
Topics
When did you join the Army and what job did you do in the Army?
You fought in Iraq and received a head injury. Can you tell us about that?
Was the recovery time hard?
Tell us about your Bronze Star for service in Iraq and about receiving the Veterans Voices Award.
How did you become part of the DAV?
What roles did you server in before becoming a National Commander?
Tell us about rejoining the military and becoming the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division. And why they are called the "Red Bulls".
Tell us about the DAV's programs and initiatives available to help veterans today.
What action items would you give to our transitioning military or to those veterans already out who may be in need?
I hope you have enjoyed this episode! Be sure to keep coming back for more great episodes. If you want to talk to us about something you learned today, if you have questions, or you would like to be a guest on our podcast go to americanheroesnetwork.com and click on contact us.
Veteran Career Readiness & Entrepreneurial Trainer ✯ Veteran Outreach & Retention ✯ Transition Expert ✯ Podcast Host ✯ Navy and Marine Veteran ✯ Christian
Technology Trainer and Associate Instructor at Project Transition USA
Associate Instructor at FourBlock
Facilitator at Action Zone Tampa
Webmaster and Social Media Manager at Racing4 Vets
Mentor at Veterati
Speaker at Onward to Opportunity
Speaker at Operation Startup
Speaker at Startup Week Tampa Bay
Speaker at Veteran Connections Day
American Legion Member, Paradise Post 79
So tell us about that day in Vietnam when you were shot down?
Was the recovery time hard?
So after the military you returned to Texas and got a degree in Business Administration, what did you do after that? Did you go into the DAV right away or did that come a bit later?
What made you decide to join the DAV?
Tell us about the DAV "Alive Day" and where that started, and then tell us about your Alive Day.
Ron as an expert in veterans benefits and Department of Veterans Affairs programs for injured and ill veterans what advice can you give to us or what programs should we be aware of that we may not know about?
Tell us about the World War II Navy veteran you helped. I think it is a great example of the needs that other Veterans have but they don't realize they can get.
So you eventually became a DAV National Commander. Tell us about that.
Ron I read that you got to team up with the HISTORY® Channel and American Pickers® for a once-in-a-lifetime pick-along and you got to spend the day with Mike Wolfe uncovering Army aviation items for the Vietnam era. Tell us about that.
What would you say directly to others who are facing mental and physical challenges right now?
I hope you have enjoyed this episode! Be sure to keep coming back for more great episodes. If you want to talk to us about something you learned today, if you have questions, or you would like to be a guest on our podcast go to americanheroesnetwork.com and click on contact us.
Veteran Career Readiness & Entrepreneurial Trainer ✯ Veteran Outreach & Retention ✯ Transition Expert ✯ Podcast Host ✯ Navy and Marine Veteran ✯ Christian
Technology Trainer and Associate Instructor at Project Transition USA
Associate Instructor at FourBlock
Facilitator at Action Zone Tampa
Webmaster and Social Media Manager at Racing4 Vets
Mentor at Veterati
Speaker at Onward to Opportunity
Speaker at Operation Startup
Speaker at Startup Week Tampa Bay
Speaker at Veteran Connections Day
American Legion Member, Paradise Post 79
So after boot camp and training for your job sent to Germany, but you didn’t like it there a so you volunteered for duty in Vietnam, tell us about Germany and why you wanted to leave.
Jim was injured by a landmine. The force of the blast and the accompanying fireball saved his life, cauterizing his wounds nearly as fast as they removed his limbs.
Jim talks about when he totally and completely realized what he had lost.
First, you went back home and attended college, tell us about that.
Jim talks about moving to Florida and went into real estate. To date, he is the top active seller of homes in the Apopka community, which he calls home.
He talks about being married, though his first marriage ended in divorce. He was confident. He’d grown and evolved. He remarried and he and second wife Jeannie run their business. He has four children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
So you joined the DAV in 1970 and became the national commander in 2004. Tell me what the DAV did for you and what you were able to accomplish for others after becoming the national commander.
I read you had met a president, which one?
Jim talks about how he connects with and mentors younger veterans returning from the current wars who are going through challenges he’s faced over the last five decades.
“Look, I’ve been in the chair now for more than 30 years,” he recalls telling the younger veteran. “Believe me, if you want a whole and interesting life, you can still have that. I’m living proof that it’s possible, and I’m no different than you are.”
So you like hunting?
What would you say directly to others who have gone through the same thing as you and maybe struggling or to those who are facing it right now?
I hope you have enjoyed this episode! Be sure to keep coming back for more great episodes. If you want to talk to us about something you learned today, if you have questions, or you would like to be a guest on our podcast go to americanheroesnetwork.com and click on contact us.
Veteran Career Readiness & Entrepreneurial Trainer ✯ Veteran Outreach & Retention ✯ Transition Expert ✯ Podcast Host ✯ Navy and Marine Veteran ✯ Christian
Technology Trainer and Associate Instructor at Project Transition USA
Associate Instructor at FourBlock
Facilitator at Action Zone Tampa
Webmaster and Social Media Manager at Racing4 Vets
Mentor at Veterati
Speaker at Onward to Opportunity
Speaker at Operation Startup
Speaker at Startup Week Tampa Bay
Speaker at Veteran Connections Day
American Legion Member, Paradise Post 79
Eight Marines were severely burned as the resulting fuel tanks created a tremendous fireball.
Bobby talks about asking his father to shoot him. “I’m glad he didn’t,” he added. “I would never follow through with suicide, because of my relationship with God, but it’s scary to think about it.”
According to Bobby, the physical recovery was easy compared to learning to live as a double amputee. The biggest struggle, though, was finding a reason to live.
The turning point, he said, was on April 27, 1974, the day he married his wife, Maricelia.
“My real ‘Alive Day’ is when I married her,” he recalled. “That’s when I started doing things I never thought I could do.”
Despite a career helping veterans cope with their experiences of war, Bobby was facing his own internal struggle. “Even though I told people I was counseling that it was alright to get help, I didn’t think it was for me,” Bobby said.
As his pain worsened, suicide again began to creep into his thoughts. His wife Maricelia convinced him to get the help he needed.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Education degree in guidance and counseling. He was a high school teacher, and he counseled Veterans for 40 years but still struggled himself. He was finally diagnosed with PTSD.
Bobby said "Because of my disability, just like those many strangers who visited me at the hospital many years ago, I was able to share my belief that there is hope. I feel it was God using me to accomplish His mission".
Bobby was asked to add a quote to a memorial in Washington D.C. that reads, “I have a purpose in life, and that’s been to help other military families through some of what I had to go through. If what I went through will help other military families, then I’m okay with that.”
I hope you have enjoyed this episode! Be sure to keep coming back for more great episodes. If you want to talk to us about something you learned today, if you have questions, or you would like to be a guest on our podcast go to americanheroesnetwork.com and click on contact us.
Veteran Career Readiness & Entrepreneurial Trainer ✯ Veteran Outreach & Retention ✯ Transition Expert ✯ Podcast Host ✯ Navy and Marine Veteran ✯ Christian
Technology Trainer and Associate Instructor at Project Transition USA
Associate Instructor at FourBlock
Facilitator at Action Zone Tampa
Webmaster and Social Media Manager at Racing4 Vets
Mentor at Veterati
Speaker at Onward to Opportunity
Speaker at Operation Startup
Speaker at Startup Week Tampa Bay
Speaker at Veteran Connections Day
American Legion Member, Paradise Post 79
Transition from the military (easy or hard)
What was it that caused you to start your business?
Tell us about your company's mission
What were the steps you took to get your business up and running?
Do you feel like your military experience and training helped prepare you to be a Veteran business owner?
What were some of the challenges you faced getting your business started?
What is the key to the success of your business?
Would you say it was your military experience or other things you learned that have been more helpful in making you successful in your business?
What is the one most important thing you have learned since starting your business that you can share with Veterans?
For transitioning Veterans what action items list would you give them?
Where can people find you if they want to reach out?
I hope you have enjoyed this episode! Be sure to keep coming back for more great episodes. If you want to talk to us about something you learned today, if you have questions, or you would like to be a guest on our podcast go to americanheroesnetwork.com and click on contact us.
Veteran Career Readiness & Entrepreneurial Trainer ✯ Veteran Outreach & Retention ✯ Transition Expert ✯ Podcast Host ✯ Navy and Marine Veteran ✯ Christian
Technology Trainer and Associate Instructor at Project Transition USA
Associate Instructor at FourBlock
Facilitator at Action Zone Tampa
Webmaster and Social Media Manager at Racing4 Vets
Mentor at Veterati
Speaker at Onward to Opportunity
Speaker at Operation Startup
Speaker at Startup Week Tampa Bay
Speaker at Veteran Connections Day
American Legion Member, Paradise Post 79
Being deployed 6 times and spending time in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations what have you had to dispose of and have you had to do that while under fire?
Was transition from the military (or military life) easy or hard for you?
You spent some time as part of the House Committee for Veterans Affairs, tell me about that.
Tell us about the Morean Arts Education Center, the Morean Hot Glass studio, and Operation: Art of Valor
What is the mission of Operation: Art of Valor
Tell us about your recent visit from Second Lady of the United States, Karen Pence
Has your military experience helped you survive in the civilian world?
Do you feel like you fit in?
What were some of the challenges you faced in returning to civilian life?
How do you connect with the community?
What else are you doing to help other Veterans?
Talk about creative writing classes and workshops through Operation: Art of Valor
For transitioning Veterans, what action items list would you give them?
Where can people find you if they want to reach out?
Summary
In this episode with Chris we heard some great advice and even learned about some other helpful resources:
Chris Stowe is a retired USMC Master Gunnery Sergeant. The majority of his career he was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, deploying 6 times in that capacity to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations in support of the War on Terror. Chris also completed a Congressional Fellowship that allowed him to be a voice for military and veterans while working as a professional staff member on the House Committee for Veterans Affairs.
Multiple blast exposures in combat caused several issues, TBI and PTSD being chief among them. While participating in treatment at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in 2013, Chris was exposed to Creative Arts Therapies, and learned oil painting, creative writing, and to play the ukulele. Chris’s response to creative arts therapies blossomed into a creative outlet that included published military non-fiction stories and a lifelong pursuit of glassblowing.
Chris co-founded Operation: Art of Valor in late 2017 in co-operation with the nonprofit Morean Arts Education Center, and was the first community-based network to provide no cost classes in glassblowing to referrals from the James A. Haley VA in Tampa.
Chris has been married to Brandy Stowe for the past 20 years, and they have two children. Chris and his family enjoy the outdoors, zoos, and aquariums, and both children are at the competitive level in lacrosse and horse riding. Chris works full time as the director of safety and security for a school district, and volunteers his time every Sunday to teach veterans glassblowing. Chris recently was accepted into a MFA program for Creative Writing, and his intent will be to offer CW classes and workshops through Operation: Art of Valor once completed.
I hope you have enjoyed this episode! Be sure to keep coming back for more great episodes. If you want to talk to us about something you learned today, if you have questions, or you would like to be a guest on our podcast go to americanheroesnetwork.com and click on contact us.
Veteran Career Readiness & Entrepreneurial Trainer ✯ Veteran Outreach & Retention ✯ Transition Expert ✯ Podcast Host ✯ Navy and Marine Veteran ✯ Christian
Technology Trainer and Associate Instructor at Project Transition USA
Associate Instructor at FourBlock
Facilitator at Action Zone Tampa
Webmaster and Social Media Manager at Racing4 Vets
Mentor at Veterati
Speaker at Onward to Opportunity
Speaker at Operation Startup
Speaker at Startup Week Tampa Bay
Speaker at Veteran Connections Day
American Legion Member, Paradise Post 79
Twitter: @Vets4Worship
Debbie thank you for serving and how are you doing today?
Topics
So tell me a little bit about what you did in the military.
Transition from the military (easy or hard)
What was it that caused you to go in that direction and start your own business?
Tell us about your company's mission
Do you feel like your military experience and training helped prepare you to be a Veteran business owner?
What is the key to the success of your business?
What is the one most important thing you have learned since starting your business that you can share with others?
For transitioning Veterans, what action items list would you give them?
Where can people find you if they want to reach out?
Summary
In this episode with Debbie we heard some great advice you can take advantage of on your own journey!
Networking is critical to success
Get involved with the community
Make prayer part of your plan
Make sure you purpose is helping people
You have to believe in your vision and be sure you put people first
I hope you have enjoyed this episode! Be sure to keep coming back for more great episodes. If you want to talk to us about something you learned today, if you have questions, or you would like to be a guest on our podcast go to americanheroesnetwork.com and click on contact us.
Veteran Career Readiness & Entrepreneurial Trainer ✯ Veteran Outreach & Retention ✯ Transition Expert ✯ Podcast Host ✯ Navy and Marine Veteran ✯ Christian
Technology Trainer and Associate Instructor at Project Transition USA
Associate Instructor at FourBlock
Facilitator at Action Zone Tampa
Webmaster and Social Media Manager at Racing4 Vets
Mentor at Veterati
Speaker at Onward to Opportunity
Speaker at Operation Startup
Speaker at Startup Week Tampa Bay
Speaker at Veteran Connections Day
American Legion Member, Paradise Post 79
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