Veterans Radio

For ten years now, Ken Moffett has been advancing the package for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor for Capt. Bill Albracht. His heroics in Vietnam at Fire Base Kate in 1969 have been the subject of a book "Abandoned in Hell" and a documentary "Escape from Fire Base Kate."  Ken explains how he got started on this mission and the roadblocks he has encountered. Moffett explains the battle facts he has uncovered, the eyewitness testimony he has gathered, and the challenges of having the Army consider the upgrade. Host Jim Fausone calls the men who advance MOH packages "Sherpas" as they carry a load up a hill trying to guide the package to a successful upgrade. No easy task.  

VA BENEFITS EXPERTS ON DECK This is our monthly program on the VA and your benefits. An important note for all veterans => Keep your VA contact information (phone number, address, email address) and marital status updated in a timely fashion. This assures that you will receive notifications from the VA and enables the VA to administer to your needs. Our guests on this program: Brig. 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 Arbor Michigan The winner of the US Wings Flight Jacket for July is George Vraneza, Navy Veterans from Boalsburg, PA. Congratulations, George. Don't forget to register for next month's drawing on our last program in August

Fred Schaible, Deputy Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, talks about the work of the Michigan Veterans Facility Authority and the new 128 private residence rooms in a state-of-the-art Chesterfield Township facility. This serves veterans in SE Michigan and is part of a state and national effort to upgrade veteran homes. Fred explains the neighborhood layout and the services available in these new assisted living homes. He also explains admission criteria and what future homes may be coming to all states because of the new $500 million in funding that VA has available to invest in such projects. Host Jim Fausone asks about the national landscape for these homes, the regulation, and funding.

Dale Throneberry introduces a guest host, Dr. Eric Fretz, and his entrepreneurial champion guests as follows: Kristin Gapske, Director of Entrepreneurial Center at Washtenaw Community College.   https://www.wccnet.edu/succeed/entrepreneurship-center/Matt Sherwood, VBOC for Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.  www.vetbizcentral.orgJulie Cowie, Michigan Veteran Entrepreneurs, Grand Valley State University www.gvsu.edu/mve Michael Hyacinthe, Michigan Veteran Entrepreneurs, Grand Valley State University Eric Fretz is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a faculty lecturer who creates and delivers classes across campus (Psychology, Innovate Blue Entrepreneurship, School of Education, College of Engineering Center for Entrepreneurship). In addition to classes from the 100 to 600 level, he also delivers academic readiness classes for Student Veterans at U-M and other institutions locally and nationwide.

THE NEW AMERICAN BRAND... In 2017, Dean Wegner created Authentically American® to help bring manufacturing jobs back to America by selling premium, competitively priced, apparel that is ALL Made in the USA, no exceptions. This U.S. Army veteran, graduate of West Point, helicopter pilot and Ranger had the grit and experience to create this unique start-up.  His expertise in the apparel industry, coupled with his passion for America, provided all the incentive he needed to create a brand that aims to set the universally accepted standard for premium American made merchandise, while delivering a significant impact on U.S. job creation. We have found the common thread with our customers to be their support for USA-made merchandise and American manufacturing.  Dean discusses the mission of Authentically American apparel with host Jim Fausone. He also talks about the value of being a certified by NVBDC.org as a Veteran Owned Business.  National Veterans Business Development Council is the nation's leading certif

 3 NEW PRESUMPTIVE CONDITIONS APPROVED FOR AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE  Bladder CancerHypothyroidismParkinsonism  In 2017, Dean Wegner created Authentically American® to help bring manufacturing jobs back to America by selling premium, competitively priced, apparel that is ALL Made in USA, no exceptions RECENT MEDAL OF HONOR – COL. PUCKETT  – KOREA, RANGERS Lt. Col. John Lock (ret) talks about Medal of Honor recipient US Army Ranger Col. Ralph Puckett (ret) for his exploits in Korea and the 18 year process to have his Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Image from army.mil. For the full details of Colonel Puckett’s military service in Korea AND Vietnam, you can read the whole article here. On a lighter note, USAF veteran Joe Neussendorfer talks military slang.  He translates and explains the terms Grunts, POGS, Scrambled Eggs, “sparks, farts and darts”  & SOS.  

USAF veteran Joe Neussendorfer talks military slang.  He translates and explains the terms Grunts, POGS, Scrambled Eggs, "sparks, farts and darts"  & SOS.  Joe once again provides an insightful and amusing discussion with host Jim Fausone on military terms and slang . 

Celebrating the music of America while US citizens celebrate the 4th of July. The music includes: Star Spangled Banner, God Bless The USA, This Land Is Your Land, God Bless America, America The Beautiful and much more. Singers include: Kate Smith, Woody Guthrie, Simon and Garfunkel, Ray Charles, Toby Keith, Lee Greenwood, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, The Mommas and The Poppas, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Lady Gaga, Jimi Hendrix and more..

Roc Wilder discusses his military career involving the Marines, Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.  He spent years as a recruiter and discusses the opportunities and benefits of military service.  Roc explains his approach of being humble and hungry so as to ask for and take advantage of those that want to help and receive the available benefits.  Roc talks with host Jim Fausone about transitioning to civilian life after service.  

VA BENEFITS EXPERTS ON DECK This is our monthly program on the VA and your benefits. Join our guests: Deanne Bonner Simpson, Legal Help for VeteransBrig. 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 Arbor   Disability ClaimsRetroactive CompensationPensionHousing / MortgageEducationInsurance

Darrol Brown, an Air Force veteran and Nevada resident, discusses how National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC.org) helps veteran-owned businesses.  Darrol talks about networking and contract opportunities.  He worked in veteran employment programs for the State of Nevada and the U.S. Department of Labor.  Darrol gives an example of how third-party certification has helped businesses get contracts with host Jim Fausone.  

This week’s guests during our one hour radio broadcast with host Dale Throneberry: US Navy Vice Adm. (ret.) John Bird, USAA Senior Vice President, Military AffairsUS Army Lt. Gen. (ret.) Mike Linnington, CEO of Wounded Warrior Project Veterans Charity - Non Profit Organization for Veterans | WWP (woundedwarriorproject.org)Cindy Ross, Author of “Walking Toward Peace” https://riverhousepa.wordpress.com/

Michigan Heroes Museum is unique in that it is the only museum devoted to the wartime experiences of men and women from the state of Michigan. The museum's mission is to Honor, Respect, and Remember Michigan's citizens' personal contributions to our nation's military and space program.  With over 140 displays and a collection of over 850 individual exhibits, the museum also hosts stories devoted to Michigan's Governors, 16 Astronauts and 31 individual Medal of Honor Recipients, and includes the nation's largest Medal of Honor collection on display.  Michigan Heroes Museum is a member of AMMO.  Veterans Radio spotlights Association of Michigan Military Organizations on a regular basis.  The executive diretor John Ryder talks to host Jim Fausone about the Museum.    

Noted author and USAF Veteran Dale Brown's novel Arctic Storm Rising is about USAF intelligence officer Nicholas Flynn who is exiled to guard a remote radar post along Alaska’s Arctic frontier.  As winter storms pound Alaska and northern Canada, Russian aircraft begin penetrating deep into friendly airspace. Flynn and his security team are ordered to parachute into the area in a desperate bid to reach the crash sites ahead of the Russians. It’s now obvious that the Pentagon and CIA are withholding vital information, but Flynn and his men have no choice but to make the dangerous jump.  Soon they’re caught in a deadly game of hide-and-seek with Spetsnaz commandos operating covertly on American soil.  Dale talks about the writing process, stories ripped from the headlines, and technology advances with host Jim Fausone.

This week’s guests during our one hour radio broadcast with host Dale Throneberry: John D. Long, Director of Education, National D-Day MemorialMyra Miller, Footsteps Researchers and Battlefield ToursDarrol Brown,  VP of Operations, National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC)

Randy Liberty served for 24 years in the Army, Army National Guard and Reserves.  He retired as a Command Sgt Major. His overseas assignments include Korea, Iraq and Italy. Randy experienced some of the all too common transitional issues.  However, he has a civilian career that spans law enforcement, 16 years as a sheriff, four years as a prison warden and now Commissioner of the State of Maine Department of Corrections.  Randy has an interesting background that he brings to his current job.  He has been an innovator about prison programs that provide the men purpose and self esteem.  He talks to host Jim Fausone about life and the need to give those incarcerated a second chance and redemption.  He has a particular interest in helping fellow veterans instituting a program that includes training of service dogs in the prison. 

SPECIAL MEMORIAL DAY ENCORE PRESENTATION Each year more than 4,000,000 people come to visit. More than 300,000 reside here. Over 500 more are added each week. Near-mythological stories of valor, commitment, sacrifice and patriotism surround you as you walk the grounds. It is the location of the Tombs of the Unknown Soldiers. The official name is Arlington National Cemetery, but known simply as Arlington.   Join host Gary Lillie and guest Michael Patterson, Webmaster and founder of the website dedicated to the Arlington National Cemetery www.arlingtoncemetery.net, as we honor those who have died for our country and for our freedom. Together we will learn more about them and the special place reserved for some of America’s finest. OUR ARLINGTON  COLLECTION Over the years of radio broadcasting and podcasting we have collected a good number of programs related to the Arlington National Cemetery. Here’s a quick link to that collection. More Arlington National Cemetery Programs

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, ordnance explosions, yellow cake, and depleted uranium from Soviet use and American burn pits. Mike Lechlitner, Army veteran and DOD contractor, speaks with host Jim Fausone about his experiences at K2 and efforts to get Congress to recognize and provide presumptive disease recognition to veterans.

2021 MEMORIAL DAY POPPY WALL TRIBUTES Despite less than half of Americans (43%) understanding the true meaning of Memorial Day, and many confusing it with Veterans Day, most Americans (83%) do believe it’s important to do something to commemorate Memorial Day. This Memorial Day weekend, USAA is bringing back its virtual Poppy Wall of Honor to give all Americans a unique opportunity to pause and remember the more than 645,000 military servicemembers who’ve given their lives for our country since World War I. https://www.poppyinmemory.com/ THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN IS BACK LIVE. TICKETS ON SALE NOW August 7th and 8th, 2021 More Information: www.YankeeAirMuseum.org REBECCA GRANT, MILITARY ANALYST, IRIS RESEARCH Dr. Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst based in Washington, DC.   Since founding IRIS Independent Research, she has specialized in research for government and aerospace industry clients ranging from analysis of military campaigns to projects on major technology acquisition such as the B-21 b

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 ca