Veterans Radio
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Randee Howard is the operations associate for The War Horse. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she earned her bachelor’s of arts in urban studies from Columbia University in 2021. She was the women's veterans representative for two academic years and volunteered as a nonfiction writing tutor to incarcerated women at Rikers Island. Prior to her enrollment, she served four years on active duty in the United States Navy as an aviation electrician on helicopters in San Diego, California. She deployed on USS Makin Island (LHD-8), an amphibious assault ship to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. She also volunteers as the director of policy for Black Veterans Project. She talks about the Navy and the writing project for Black veterans with host Jim Fausone.
Join us for a discussion with three of our board members on their experiences as women in the military, serving in operational and technical roles, the transition to civilian life, and more. Kate Melcher, US Army, 2005-2020 Dr. Christine Cook, Army National Guard & US Army Reserves, 1986-2016 Lydia Pinkham, US Coast Guard, 2011-2017 ILLUMINATE – ADVOCATE – EDUCATE Our mission since 2003 has been to advocate for the veteran and provide education for veterans and their families along with illuminating the extraordinary actions of ordinary people who have gained and preserved the freedom all Americans enjoy—and the ultimate price that is often paid. Veterans Radio includes our listener’s stories and experiences, not only while in the service, but afterwards as well. Interviews with guest speakers and authors are a weekly feature Veterans Radio is a production of Veterans Radio America, Inc. a 501(3) non-profit corporation. EIN # 84-2746681
Dr. James Patton Rogers, an expert in drone warfare, explains the evolution of drones in war. He talks about the 1st and 2nd Drone Age and how the world is moving into the 3rd Drone Age, the number of state and non state actors using various drones for survelliance and as deliver systems. Rogers discusses drone use from Ukraine to Aftrica with host Jim Fausone. ROgers newest book is "Precision:A History of American Warfare".
Claire Dahl, a retired Ann Arbor history teacher, talks with Dale about Rosie the Riveter and the notable women who entered World War II. Claire was recently featured in an article by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds in the Ann Arbor Observer. Read the full article from the Ann Arbor Observer here. Dale also speaks with Larry St. Antoine, board member for Camp Liberty Michigan, about the camp’s history and all they are doing to help veterans. Camp Liberty is a nonprofit that helps provide inclusive outdoor recreation programs to service members and their families. Learn more about Camp Liberty here.
Army Veteran Scott Lopez made people a lot of money in sales and finally said, "I'm going to work for myself". He took his years of experience in IT Sales for OEMs and entered the alternative OEM Distribution business. He says getting locally certified and using his Hispanic/Veteran status helped open doors. Scott talks about the benefits of a National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC.org) certification with host Jim Fausone.
Allan Lutes, President of Camp Liberty , Inc explains the non profits programs in 2023 and for 2024. He discusses new staffing and opportunities facing Camp Liberty, Brooklyn, Michigan. Allan talks candidly about the challeges coming out of the pandemic shutdown for programing, fundraising and volunteers. Allan gives host Jim Fausone the update on Camp Liberty.
Allison Jaslow, CEO of IAVA, talks about Iraq and Afghanistan 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 of the 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 and 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 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
Leigh St. Julian Billeaud, of Lafayette Louisana, spent 6 years in the Navy and 6 more with the CIA. She talks about her experiences and coming back to St. Landry's Parish in Louisiana to find balance, start her family, and embark on a career in counseling. Leigh talks with host Jim Fausone about the value, benefits, and costs of therapy.
Welcome to Veterans Radio. This week are experts are Carol Ann Fausone, Retired USAF BG, Veterans Service Officer from Legal Help for Veterans and Brian Hayes, Director of Communications Health System Specialist/Public Relations, LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. These are just a few of the topics we talked about in today's episode of Veterans Radio. Help for older Veterans is available through the VA. Elderly Veterans - Veterans (va.gov) What assistance are you entitled to? We talk about Incarcerated Veterans. What benefits are they eligible for through the VA. Incarcerated Veterans - Veterans (va.gov) How can the VA help Homeless Veterans. Homeless Veterans - Veterans (va.gov)
Andrew Pettegree, of Scotland's University of St. Andrews, discusses his recent publication "The Book at War" with host Jim Fausone. They cover the printed word for encouraging a nation to go to and stay at war, the value of books to the troops, the rationale for book burning, and related topics in a thought provoking interview.
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.
Eden Stratton, a War Horse Journalist, wrote about the high representation of Black Women in the U.S. Army's Sergeant Major ranks. The culture these women built to support the promotion of enlisted black women is explored. Stratton talks with host Jim Fausone about the surprising statistics and the value of mentorship and connections.
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. Then 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 Gy Sgt Tweila Rochell-Cauthen discusses her military experiences and the role of National Association of Black Military Women 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 .
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. Dale also 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, disucsses his career and the mission of the Michigan AFA. The retired General and pilot talks about the AFA's pillars of Educationm, Advocacy and Support for our Air & Space Forces. The newly established Ann Arbor location joins the Sterling Heights chapter of AFA in Michigan. All are welcome into AFA to learn about what is happening in air and space defense of the country. BG Slocum talks to host Jim Fausone about the events and purpose of joining AFA.
GET ANSWERS FROM OUR EXPERT PANEL! Dale Throneberry – Founder and Host of Veterans RadioBrig. Gen. Carol Ann Fausone (ret) – Legal Help for VeteransBrian Hayes – Director of Communications, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare SystemDavid Saims – Director, Washtenaw County Veterans Service Dept., MACVC Trustee Missed this month's program? Tune in the last Sunday of the month for our Benefits Program. Send your questions to dale@veteransradio.org
Navy veteran Jenna Carlton, known on social media as The Millennial Veteran, talks about her time in the Navy, transition to a government job, and an opinion piece written for Task & Purpose on the recruiting crisis. Carlton contends younger vets will not help on the recruiting issue until their transition, mental and physical health issues are addressed by DOD and VA. She talks to host Jim Fausone about life and military service.
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, Florida and Wilmington, Delaware. 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. The Wounded Warrior Project’s VP of Program Operations and Partnerships, Lt. Col. Tracy Farrell, US Army (ret) talks about her service, Wounded Warrior Project, and the 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.
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."
Zero Day is a non-profit that helps veterans with counseling, housing, job skills, and outdoor therapy; showcasing the power of partnerships and volunteers. Two volunteers, Nate Cropsey and James Dentler, talk with host Jim Fausone about all the activities that Zero Day is involved with to help veterans.
Dr. Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst and the President of IRIS Independent Research. IRIS is a small, woman-owned business that specializes in defense and aerospace research and consulting. Initially, Rebecca began her professional career with RAND in Santa Monica, California. Likewise, she also worked at Pentagon for three years as the Air Staff on the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Apart from that, Rebecca is a guest speaker on airpower and technology at different venues from active-duty Air Force units to Wall Street investors. She has also lectured at the USAF’s Air University and for the air forces of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, and Australia. On top of that, Rebecca has made television appearances as an expert on national security for FOX News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox Business, and OANN. She has also written over 100 articles for Air Force Magazine. Topics discussed include: China and their place in today's world, the war in Ukraine, North Korea, Israel's war in Gaza, Iran and the Middle East. And Much Much More...
Where have our heroes gone? What it takes to be a hero, why war heroes matter, and why Americans should never forget our heroes. Join host Gary Lillie from this 2007 interiew. Our guest is, self-proclaimed hero expert and author, Gary W. Toyn. He is the author of The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Does the media reject America’s war heroes? Why don’t school children learn about America’s war heroes? Why don’t we hear more about the heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan? What can we do/
John Faunce talks about the creation and mission of Team RWB to connect today's veterans with activities like rucks and runs. He talks to host Jim Fausone about the future and the need for Team Red, White, and Blue.
Our Community Salutes was started in 2009 by Dr. Ken Hartman to acknowledge high school kids that were enlisting in the military and support that family decision. This grassroots effort coordinated by OCS holds events around the country to give the enlistees their own "signing day." It can be as simple as a presentation and pizza or an elaborate affair with speakers. OCS has grown over the years to offer a variety of support materials for these local programs. Visit Our Community Salutes website to learn more. Ken talks to host Jim Fausone about OCS and its future and the need to support recruitment efforts by the military.
What do Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe and Toby Keith have in common? They have all performed on a USO tour. Since World War II the USO has been sending entertainers around the world to entertain our troops. But the USO is much more than that. Listen to this Veterans Radio program from December 22, 2012 with our guest USO Senior Vice President and Air Force Veteran John Hanson. Host Dale Throneberry talked with John about the history of the USO and how it has changed over the years.
Allison Jaslow, CEO of IAVA, talks about Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the 2023 IAVA member survey, issues for women veterans, and the need for more emphasis on military recruiting. Jaslow discusses current issues with host Jim Fausone.
Dale Throneberry interviews the late Dr. Guy Stern (Jan 4, 1922 – Dec 7, 2023) in an episode that originally aired in February, 2021. Dr. Guy Stern was a World War II Ritchie Boy and recently served as director of the Harry and Wanda Zekelman International Institute of the Righteous at the Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus. For more information about the original interview, please visit the interview page. Host Jim Fausone also interviews the CEO and Founder of the NVBDC, Keith King, in another archived episode. The National Veterans Business Development Council is the original Veteran Owned Business Certification organization developed by Veterans, for Veterans. Nick Busse, Military Engagement Manager at Leaf Home™, today announced the recipients of its third consecutive stair lift giveaway for deserving veterans. The stair lift giveaway is just one element of Leaf Home's 360-degree approach to supporting veterans, which is an increasingly large focus for the company as it has grown. Leaf Home currently has over 184 veterans on staff. "Leaf Home has the unique ability to not only volunteer time and money, but also high-performance products like stair lifts that make a positive impact in veterans' lives," said Nick Busse, Head of Military and Veteran Recruiting at Leaf Home and a U.S. Army veteran. "Veterans deserve to be comfortable in their homes, especially in time for the holiday season. We're honored to do our small part in providing peace of mind to veterans in our communities."
