Our first guest this week is Dr. Christine LaMarre

Dr. LaMarre is the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She discusses with host Jim Fausone the qualifications for dental services from VA, the availability of services, VA dental insurance program, and the 5.5 million procedures performed annually.

Jim also talks with Mark Kelm, US Army Veteran

Rev. Mark Kelm is a US Army Veteran living with Parkinson’s Disease. He shares his own story and talks about his work as a policy advocate and supporting fellow Veterans who have been diagnosed with PD.

GET ANSWERS FROM OUR EXPERT PANEL!

• Jim Fausone – Host of Veterans Radio
• Brig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone (ret) – Legal Help for Veterans
• David Saims – Director, Washtenaw County Veterans Affairs
• Brian Hayes – Director of Communications, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

Join Jim and the rest of the panel for our live broadcast

Michigan Military & Veterans Hall of Honor board members V Garcia, R Near and J Dempsey talk about the military and veterans being inducted into the Hall of Honor in October 2024. They tell the stories of the dozen men and women to host Jim Fausone.

Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), talks about veterans, the 2023 IAVA member survey, issues for women veterans, and the need for more emphasis on military recruiting. Learn more about the IAVA here.

President of the Michigan Air & Space Forces Association, Brig. Gen. Doug “Odie” Slocum (ret.), discusses his career and mission of the Michigan AFA. Learn more about the Michigan AFA here.

Carrie Filipetti is the Executive Director of the Vandenberg Coalition. She and Hans Zeiger, Jack Miller Center, wrote about the need to teach civics to our youth so they can appreciate "why their country is worth defending". She explains teaching civics can help younger generations understand the value of freedom in the country and possibly be more inclined to serve the military. Carrie talks to host Jim Fausone about the Vandenberg Coalition and the Jack Miller Center.

Documentary photographer, photojournalist, and writer Jenn Tuero "J.T." Blatty, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000 and served six years as an active-duty U.S. Army officer, deploying with the first troops into Afghanistan following 9/11 and again into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Since early 2018, she has been documenting the conflict in eastern Ukraine while simultaneously creating a photographic/audio archive of the 2014 volunteer soldiers of the Donbas (exhibited in Chicago and NYC in 2019-2020, March 2022 in Kyiv postponed due to the full-scale invasion), the revolutionaries who self-deployed during the original Russian invasion and saved Ukraine’s independence.

A 2021-2022 Ukraine Fulbright alum, Blatty continues her photojournalistic work in Ukraine and recently completed writing Snapshots Sent Home: From Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine (publication Feb 20 2024), a military memoir that speaks of her journey in Ukraine, the volunteers, and a universal bond between combat veterans around the world. jtblatty.com

Host Dale Throneberry speaks with author William Yeske about his book, “Damn the Valley,” a first-hand account from an airborne unit engaged in some of the toughest fighting in Afghanistan. Look for his book on Amazon. “DAMN THE VALLEY” was a phrase regularly uttered by the men that spent any amount of time in the Arghandab River Valley during the deployment of 2 Fury to Afghanistan in 2009–2010. The valley has claimed bodies from the troops of Alexander the Great, the British Empire, and more recently, the Russian Army. Operating in the valley was like nothing the men could have envisaged, they called it the “meat grinder.” It was a deployment that the media didn’t talk about, and the government doesn’t acknowledge. Three of the company were KIA, more than a dozen suffered life-changing injuries, and half the company had Purple Hearts—not many modern-day deployments have a 52% casualty rate. Since their return, many of the survivors have struggled to move on with their lives, and the unit has been declared at “extraordinary risk” by the Department of Veteran Affairs. No one who entered that region was left unscathed.

Dale then speaks with Scott Lopez, NVBDC member, veteran, and business owner. Scott Lopez is the CEO and Founder of Zepol Productions Inc., (ZPI) which he founded in 2009. Scott brings over 25 years of channel experience, both creating distribution-specific brands and selling multiple service and hardware lines through the channel, and is proud of his Veteran and Latino American heritage, as a NVBDC-certified, service-disabled and veteran-owned small business (from nvbdc.org). Learn more about NVBDC.

NATIONAL ASSOC. OF BLACK MILITARY WOMEN WITH TWEILA ROCHELL-CAUTHEN

Marine Gy Sgt Tweila Rochell-Cauthen discusses her military experiences and the role of National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW), which is advocating for the service academies to boost the number of minorities admitted so that the number of black officers increases. NABMW filed with the US Supreme Court supporting military academies using race as a factor in admissions for the purpose of increasing black officers. She talks to host Jim Fausone about the value of military service and the benefits of diversity.

BLACK SURGEONS OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH AUTHOR JILL NEWMARK

Jill Newmark discusses 14 Black surgeons who served with the Union Army during the Civil War. She explores their struggles to get trained in surgery, prejudice in society and the military, struggles as Black officers, and overcoming obstacles. Newmark talks with host Jim Fausone about their desire to practice medicine, the status of commission and contract officers, racial inequities, and post-war struggles. Her book is “Without Concealment, Without Compromise: The Courageous Lives of Black Civil War Surgeons.”

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tweila Rochell-Cauthen discusses her military experiences and the role of the National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW). Which is advocating for the service academies to boost the number of minorities admitted so that the number of black officers increases. NABMW filed with the US Supreme Court supporting military academies to use race as a factor in admissions to increase black officers. She talks to host Jim Fausone about the value of military service and the benefits of diversity.

This episode highlights the individuals who will be honored at the upcoming 2024 Hall of Honor Ceremony on Friday, October 25th in Lansing, Michigan. These inductees represent the very best of our state's commitment to service. Learn more about:

• Lt. Col. Harry Stewart, a trailblazing Tuskegee Airman who broke barriers and fought with distinction in World War II.
• Lt. Col. Carl Richter, the youngest pilot to down a MiG during the Vietnam War.
• SSgt. Andrew Kubik, whose courageous actions turned the tide in battle against Taliban forces in Afghanistan.
• Edgar Culbertson, a Coast Guardsman that sacrificed his life in a heroic rescue attempt on the treacherous waters of Lake Superior.
• Maj. Gen. Oliver Dillard, a pioneering intelligence officer whose storied career paved the way for future generations.
• Sgt. Stephanie Shannon, a women's empowerment advocate.
• Maj. Gen. Bruce McDonald, whose leadership continues to benefit military endeavors in Michigan.
• MSgt. Guy Stern, a Richie Boy who has dedicated his life to preserving Holocaust history and supporting veterans.

Don't miss out on the Michigan Military & Veterans 2024 Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 25th in Lansing, Michigan! For more inspiring narratives and to support our veterans, visit www.veteransradio.org.

PREPPING FOR THE NEXT FIGHT - AUTHOR HOPE HODGE SECK

Host Dale Throneberry speaks with Hope Hodge Seck, author of “Prepping for the Next Fight” appearing in the February 2024 issue of Military Officer, a publication of the Military Officers Association of America. Seck is an award-winning investigative reporter covering the military and national defense, and is the former managing editor of Military.com. What all the branches of the military are doing to prepare for the next fight.

"SPEAK OUT!" - USMC VETERAN BILL GRAHAM

Then, Dale talks with Vietnam-era USMC Veteran Bill Graham, contributor for The VVA Veteran, a publication of Vietnam Veterans of America. Bill recently wrote “Speak Out! The Case for Universal National Service” regarding an alternative to selective service. Read Bill’s full article on The VVA Veteran online The VVA Veteran, a publication of Vietnam Veterans of America.

President of the Michigan Air & Space Forces Association, Doug "Odie" Slocum, discusses his career and mission of the Michigan AFA. The retired pilot & General talks about their pillars of Education, Advocacy, and Support for our Air & Space Forces. The newly established Ann Arbor location joins the Sterling Heights chapter of Michigan. All are welcome at AFA chapters to learn what's happening in the air and space defense of our country. Brigadier General (ret.) Slocum talks to host Jim Fausone about the events and purpose of joining AFA.

Lt. Commander Will Bowden, USCG (ret), talks about his time in the Coast Guard, law enforcement, pharmaceutical industry, and then his pivot to the cannabis industry. He grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and has lived in Naples, FL, and Wilmington, DE. He has seen the world with the Coast Guard and obtained an MBA, but is no farmer by upbringing. Grasshopper Farms has outdoor grow locations in Michigan, Colorado, and New Jersey. He ties all this together when talking to host Jim Fausone.

Lt. Col. Tracy Farrell, US Army (ret.), is the VP of Program Operations and Partnerships at The Wounded Warrior Project. Tracy talks about her service, the Wounded Warrior Project, and recent “Women Warriors Report.” Farrell discusses the data collection from 5,000 women warriors, the key findings and recommendations. She also talks with host JimFausone about whether women warriors would join up again.

This week’s program honors the late Michael J. Martin and his commitment to fellow Vietnam Veterans

In a program originally aired in November 2019, host Dale Throneberry shares music from Michael J. Martin and his partner, Tim “Doc” Holiday, both Vietnam Veterans. They started writing and recording their music back in late 70s and early 80s and led marches from Texas to Washington to make people and the government aware of what was happening to a whole generation of Vietnam Veterans.

Since meeting Michael J. Martin, by way of Gary Lillie, in 2004, I have been mesmerized by his music. He was a frequent guest on Veterans Radio and was always one of our favorites. He was one of those “old fashioned tried and true ol’ troubadours”.

Michael J. Martin lived the music he wrote and sang. His music had some miles on it. He and his partner, Tim “Doc” Holiday, both Vietnam Veterans, started writing and recording their music back in late 70s and early 80s. They led marches from Texas to Washington to make people and the government aware of what was happening to a whole generation of Vietnam Veterans.

They are both gone now, but their music is still inspiring veterans of all ages. It’s as powerful as it is emotional. It’s letting the veterans, and their families know that “They Are Not Alone”.

Some of their music has been remastered and can be acquired by contacting Michael’s daughter Andy Martin. You can contact Andy at andymartin23@rocketmail.com or you can text her at 615-692-4103.

Navy Capt. John Cordle and LCDR Reuben Keith Green, both retired, talk with Veterans Radio host Jim Fausone. They discuss the lack of African-American nominations to the U.S. Naval academy, the importance of officer diversity, and more Black ensigns graduating from the academy so that 30 yrs later there will be more Black Admirals.

This week we talk with author Tom Williams about his new book, “Doorsteps of Hell”

Lt. Col. Tom Williams, USMC Veteran and author, joins us to talk about the first part of his series “Heart of a Marine,” a book titled “Doorsteps of Hell.”

“Doorsteps of Hell focuses on Tom’s service during his first tour of duty in the Vietnam War, 1969 – 1970 as an infantry platoon commander then later, a recon platoon commander. It is an enthralling account of what really took place on the battlefield. The hardships, the misery, the deprivation of amenities, the perils, the bloodshed, but more importantly the lessons learned.”

We also learn about Elder Warriors, a healing experience for Veterans

We’re joined by Michael Patrick Brewer and Peter Sternberg, who serve on the Board of Directors for Elder Warriors. This organization provides a guided journey of reckoning and reconciliation between Veterans and civilians for healing associated with PTSD.