AT EASE! Veterans Magazine Spring 2024 : simplebooklet.com

PUBLISHERDevil Doc PublishingEDITOR IN CHIEFChristine WalkerASSISTANT EDITORVL StevensonPUBLISHING/EDITING INTERNMegan SuttorSTAFF WRITERSGuy BensingSonja BerryEric McNailStuart SaxVL StevensonAdam WalkerChristine WalkerFEATURE WRITERSLarry BroughtonDaniel DancerGy.Sgt. Jesse EsterlyMatt FeehanDr. Robert GarciaTim GrutiziusDonna HoffmeyerCristie RemmelPaul SullivanRob YounceFEATURE ILLUSTRATORStephen RussellSALES STAFFStacey BartellChristine WalkerLAYOUT & DESIGNChristine WalkerCONTRIBUTING WRITERS:Richard BigelowChuck BradleyJohn F. DaviesRonald DicksonJim HintonChad LennonAmanda McHenryMichael P. NascheCourtenay NoldOperation Deep DiveTMDanny Romeo. MHS. CADCShannon RobinsonJudy SchillingScot StrifflerHarold VachalFIND US AT:ATEASEVETERANSMAGAZINE.COMCopyright 2021-2024 © AT EASE! Veterans Magazine and Devil Doc Publishing All Rights Reserved.AT EASE! Veterans Magazine, a subsidiary of Devil Doc Publishing, reserves all rights connected to all copyright and proprietary property contained in our official publication, website(s), social media accounts, videography, email marketing, branding and printed materials. This includes, but is not limited to, authoritative and/or written content, photographs, graphics and infographics, ad design, artwork including official company logos in design, color, and format and video(s). Any use of the above aforementioned in whole or in part may not be used for any reason without the express written consent of Devil Doc Publishing. The subject matter and opinions of Contributing, Feature and Staff writers are their own and are covered under their First Amendment Rights.A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORA MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORChristine WalkerSpring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 3 We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with you! You may have already noticed that the magazine is a little heavier this issue. Thanks to the incredible contributions from our veteran writers, we’ve expanded our page count to 96. Can you believe it? The past few months have been quite eventful for us. Our Assistant Editor, Les Stevenson, encountered some signicant heart issues just before Christmas and spent about a month in and out of the hospital. However, we’re delighted to announce that he is now on the road to recovery and has seamlessly jumped back into the frey, putting together this issue. We’re incredibly grateful that he’s on the mend and back where he belongs.It’s not often that I have the opportunity to sit back and reect or process because the business of building a business and an up-and-coming magazine often requires my undivided attention. Every day there are emails to answer, zoom meetings, phone calls, research. and to my chagrin, social media to attend to. Make no mistake, I absolutely love what I do and over the past four years, this magazine has gathered the absolute best team for which I could hope. I am incredibly grateful every single day for the supportive relationships I have in my personal life and those I am building through AT EASE.Conversely, I’m angry and heartbroken witnessing in what appears to be a deliberate and systematic dismantling of our nation. I’m disgusted by the disregard shown by our elected representatives from both political parties towards our Constitution, the welfare of the American people, and the security of our borders. However, amidst this shit show, I refuse to lose hope.I strongly believe that to ensure the preservation of our rights, we must actively exercise them. And I am more steadfast than ever in our commitment to ensure that this magazine remains a bastion of free speech, with uncensored freedom to share our experiences and stories that have forged us in the re. AT EASE! Veterans Magazine is dedicated to offering hope, inspiration, edication, and touching the hearts of every single veteran reader.

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Table of ContentsTable of ContentsMessage from the Editor 3Warrior Wisdom 6Take It On the Left Foot 9The Veteran Lobbyist: Veterans at the Crossroads 10More than a Grunt 12Declaration of Military Accountability 20How to Buy a Home Using Your VA Eligibility in 2024 23DD-214 & Beyond: 6 Things That Should Make Veterans Go Hmm. 24Veterans in Business: Anchor Therapy Clinic 27The Addict 35Lyrical Liberation 38Why Sysiphus Matters: Part I 39The Chicken Coop 41The Golden Gate Guardians 42V2VG: Service Saves 44On Air with Stuart Sax 46I Remember When: Lies & Loyalty 47Battlefield to the Playing Field: Hockey Heals 55Bunker Prayers 57Luck of the Draw in 'Bear' Country 58From My Point of View: Embracing Natures Wisdom 60TAPS 63The Mystery of Space Force 64Book Review: The Four Deuces 68Ten Thousand Words: Day II 70Operation Deep DiveTM 72Revealing Shelby Lake 74The Death of Comedy in America 75Sex in the Military 77Veteran Fitness: Taking the First Step 78Mind, Body, & Soul: The Body Remembers 80Salty Skipper: C-130 8228 Veteran Podcasts 86Crossword: 'Spring' Scavenger Hunt 88Completely Inappropriate Exerpts from 'Born in a Bar II' 89Amber Waves 90Coming Up in Our Next Issue 921515EVERY VETERAN HAS A STORY TO TELL29294848MARSHALL TERRIN:MARSHALL TERRIN:4 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024SO WHY THE QR CODES? It is simply a way for us to utilize technology and help make your reading experience more interactive. IT’S EASY!1. Open your phone’s QR Reader or Camera.2. Hold it over the QR Code3. A drop down link will appear, just tap it and it will take you to the extra content/website.6666NOT ON OUR WATCH!If you are a Vet struggling with thoughts of suicide, know that you are NOT ALONE! You are loved and there is no shame in reaching out for help! VETERANS CRISIS HOTLINE988Press 1 For Immediate Help6464LEADERSHIP IN COMBAT, LEADERSHIP IN COMBAT, BUSINESS & THE VETERAN BUSINESS & THE VETERAN COMMUNITYCOMMUNITYREMEMBERING THEREMEMBERING THEUSS STARKUSS STARK5050THE MILITARY RESPONSE THE MILITARY RESPONSE TO THE ASSASSINATION TO THE ASSASSINATION OF JFKOF JFKTUYEN'S TUYEN'S JOURNEYJOURNEY

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In the crucible of military service where intense training, a profound sense of mission, and a deep communal bond are the norm, Veterans emerge with insights that are both profound and life-afrming. The insights, born from the necessity to survive, adapt, and overcome, have much to teach us about life, leadership, and personal development; while the following lessons, garnered from the front lines to the home front, hold signicant implications for personal growth and societal advancement.1. The Profound Sense of PurposePurpose isn’t merely a buzzword; it’s the heartbeat of a fullled life. Purpose is the compass that guides Veterans through the tumult of service. It is a deep-seated conviction that propels one to act beyond personal interest. Veterans understand this viscerally. The military’s communal purpose—a shared commitment to something greater than oneself—sets a benchmark for civilian life. It’s not the symbols of military service that dene this purpose but the underlying ethos of contribution and interconnectedness. Transitioning from this web of interdependence to the individualism prevalent in civilian life can be challenging. Veterans remind us that purpose ourishes not in isolation but in connection with others and the world at large.2. The Art of LeadershipThe heart of military leadership beats with adaptability and accountability. Far from blind obedience, it’s about understanding the gravity of each decision and its ripple effects. The concept of the ‘Strategic Corporal’ illustrates that leadership is not conned to rank; it’s an ethos that empowers every soldier, sailor, and airman to be a custodian of their unit’s integrity and purpose. Veterans understand that leadership is not about rank or title but about taking responsibility and being accountable for the well-being of others. It’s a holistic approach that civilian organizations can learn from, where leadership is responsive, resilient, and deeply human. It’s about serving those you lead.3. Mission: The North StarA mission in the military is a clarion call to action, a directive that infuses each task with signicance. Stale corporate mission statements pale in comparison to the living, breathing missions with which Veterans are tasked. The mission is a lifeline, a directive that demands action and offers a tangible sense of contribution and camaraderie. Veterans teach us that a mission worth stating is one that stirs the soul to action and binds a team together in pursuit of a common goal. It’s this sense of collective endeavor that transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive force.4. Strategic Adaptability: The Lifeline in ChaosVeterans’ experiences in uid combat and training situations—where adaptability can mean the difference between life and death—equip them with an unparalleled strategic exibility. Veterans learn to thrive in environments where change is the only constant, and this skill is invaluable in a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. This adaptability is a trait sorely needed in the fast-paced, ever-evolving civilian market. It’s a lesson in staying agile and proactive, regardless of the terrain. 5. Service: The Ultimate CommitmentMilitary service instills a profound sense of service that goes beyond the self—it’s a commitment to others that often entails great personal sacrice. This is where the concept of self-sacrice becomes a reality—where one is willing to lay down their life for their comrades and belief systems. Veterans bring this sense of service to their communities and workplaces, providing a model of commitment that can inspire greater collaboration and dedication.By Larry BroughtonBy Larry Broughton8 Powerful Lessons Vets Can Teach the World About LifeLarry Broughton is an award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and former US Army Green Beret. CBS News has called Larry “the nation’s foremost expert on leadership and entrepreneurship.” He has been featured in national publications and has been a guest expert on every major television and cable network. www.larrybroughton.com6 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Spring 2024

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6. The Civilian Life ConundrumVeterans often view civilian life as a different kind of ‘iron cage,’ one characterized by consumerism and disconnectedness. They offer a critical perspective on how the chase for material success can overshadow meaningful social bonds and a sense of community. They challenge us to examine our own lives: Are we living in ways that foster genuine connections and a sense of community? Or are we trapped in a cycle of consumption that leaves us feeling empty and disconnected? This insight calls us to question our values and the structure of our society, advocating for a life that transcends mere acquisition.7. Self-Actualization through ServiceThe concept of self-actualization, as seen through the eyes of Veterans, is about reaching one’s full potential through service and commitment to a cause greater than oneself. It’s not a solitary pursuit but a collective journey. The military’s dynamic environment pushes individuals to their limits, allowing them to discover their capabilities and strengths in a way that can be elusive in civilian life. Veterans understand that real growth comes from testing one’s limits and serving a purpose beyond oneself. In contrast to the individualistic pursuit of self-help, the military model teaches us that self-actualization is not a solitary endeavor, but one deeply rooted in community and action.8. The Reality of AdversityAdversity is a relentless tutor. Military service teaches with an unforgiving hand, forging a resilience that trivializes the mundane hassles of everyday civilian life. The notion of not ‘sweating the small stuff’ is ingrained in those who have faced life’s gravest dangers. Veterans’ experiences with adversity provide them with a unique resilience and an ability to discern what truly matters. This perspective is a profound reminder to maintain focus on the signicant, not the trivial, and to approach life’s challenges with courage and tenacity. The Warrior’s Ethos in Civilian LifeThe end of military service is not the cessation of the warrior’s journey; it is an evolution. The principles that dene the warrior—honor, courage, selessness, and delity—are not left behind but are carried forward into new arenas. They provide a steadfast framework for engaging with the world, for leading with heart, and for making a lasting impact. Veterans carry these virtues into civilian life, not as relics of a bygone era, but as guiding principles for continued service and success.As we draw inspiration from these lessons, let’s strive to create a society that not only welcomes Veterans back into its fold but also embraces the profound lessons they bring with them. In the stories of those who have served, we nd the blueprint for a life lived with courage, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good.Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 7“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles… they don’t flock, you find them one at a time.”– Unknown

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 9I’ve been a storyteller for as long as I can remember. I love reading and have always been interested in people and places. These attributes continuously intersect and so I began to write. I joined the Marine Corps at age seventeen and served as a grunt for twenty-ve years, including three combat tours in Iraq. The experiences in uniform impacted my perspective on life and the stories I tell.I’ve been scribbling in notebooks all across the globe. On ship and in the barracks. In the desert and in the jungle. At home on leave and during breaks in combat. For years I just tucked them away or shared them with a few close brothers-in-arms.When I gained seniority as an enlisted leader the discussions and lessons I taught grew from my own formation to special events and large audiences. A mentor told me I should write and submit articles to our professional journal, the Marine Corps Gazette. The rst submission was a brief essay; a metaphor and leadership lesson addressing post-traumatic stress titled Post Combat Residue. The article was accepted and published. I was quite surprised to receive an award for that piece at the end of the year. This boosted my condence as a writer and encouraged me to continue the practice. A Sergeant Major friend of mine summed it up best “Congratulations brother! I didn’t know you could read, much less write. Keep it up!”I then wrote several more articles for the Gazette before retiring in 2019. I knew it was time to go, but like many veterans my affections were still very much with the military. In 2021 I started a blog called takeitontheleftfoot. The idea for the name was taken from the most recognized ditty when singing cadence. “Take it on the left foot…the mighty, mighty, left foot...take it…I got it!”The blog started as a place where I could consolidate and categorize my writing, the scattered pages and notebooks littering old footlockers. I’ve never been either interested or savvy with technology, so it was quite a feat to get it off the ground. I began with four broad categories: Laugh, Lyrics, Reect, and Ramble. Some of them were written in the season of life I call “the angry and thirsty time”, those years immediately following time in combat. Writing was therapeutic for me but also served to examine feelings and thoughts I found too difcult to talk about at the time. A few must be disturbing for others to read. They were certainly difcult to live through. A piece titled Hard Heart opens with the lines “I’d get drunk and read the Bible, look at myself, then look away. Put the Good Book down, pick the bottle up, and continue on that way.” This kind of verse caused my family to worry when paired with my lifestyle at the time. It was rough but I am condent that my ability to capture with words what many veterans were going through gave some a measure of comfort and sense of shared understanding. A multi-part series relating my medevac journey shows a side of the military few have experienced.Though not a musician, I have a fondness for music and recognize it as a powerful medium. I’ve written several songs whose tunes remain largely in my head. One titled Why My Daddy Cries is from the perspective of a child and ends on a hopeful note. Another called Unhinged is dark and gritty, with a somberness that leaves you hanging.Working through the hard stuff is balanced with some humorous tales. In Black Coffee stereotypes are examined with some relatable vignettes. Another piece titled The Lieutenant and Falling Asleep recounts a humorous war story from “The March Up” in Iraq.The Boys of Kilo and A Reection on Corpsman are sentimental prose and reect the camaraderie, the enduring impact, and the love of brothers-in-arms. It has been touching and encouraging to receive feedback from those who were impacted by these words.In the past year the blog posts have trickled as I began to write for various publications while working some long-term projects quietly in the background. There are links to the articles I’ve written in places such as We are The Mighty, The War Horse, Leatherneck Magazine, The Marine Corps Gazette, and AT EASE! Veterans Magazine.A note of gratitude must be extended to two people who facilitated multiple opportunities to be published, granting me the latitude to go in any direction I wanted. Tessa Robinson, the Editor in Chief at We Are The Mighty enthusiastically granted me a platform to write humorous articles such as 10 Indicators the U.S Marine Corps is a Cult and 5 Signs You are Allergic to Libo. Additionally, I was able to offer short treatises on leadership including 5 Common Leadership Pitfalls and 5 Effective Practices for Small Unit Leaders.Christine Walker (no relation other than that of Marine and Navy Corpsman) is not only the Owner and Editor in Chief of AT EASE! Veterans Magazine, but she is a fellow writer. She boldly encouraged “author’s choice” and created a platform where veterans can unapologetically voice opinions that might be unpopular. An example is my essay Sorry, It Doesn’t Bother Me from the Spring 2023 issue addressing the asco of the Afghanistan withdrawal. This opinion piece had been rejected by several publications in the military community, but Christine unhesitatingly took it to print.These two ladies encouraged and supported one old, semi-literate Leatherneck and I am extremely grateful.Lastly, there are links on the blog to a few podcasts I’ve had the opportunity to appear on. Plans for 2024 include continuing as a Staff Writer for AT EASE! Veterans Magazine and completing a collection of short stories. I appreciate those who take the time to read what I scribble and hope it either encourages, entertains, or represents the veteran community in a valuable way.Semper Fidelis.

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10 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024In the second session of the 118th U.S. Congress, two powerful lobbies clash swords over the ostensive control of the multibillion-dollar veterans’ claim industry. On the left, the big-government lobby, ghting for additional federal jobs and increased layers of bureaucracy, has introduced the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benets, or GUARD Act. On the right, the big-business lobby, ghting for prot and friendly regulations, has introduced the Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services, or PLUS Act.Both lobbies vie for control over an industry that distributed a total of $120.75 billion USD to nearly six million recipients in the 2022 scal year,1 and generated hundreds of millions in donations and government grants across the nonprot sector. The veterans’ claims industry accounts for easily over 5% of the U.S. federal budget, dwarng the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of countries like the Dominican Republic.With so much at stake, it is easy to lose sight of the individual disabled veteran, surviving spouse, dependent child, and dependent parent in recognition of the economic loss caused by the death of individuals during their military service or because of a service-connected disability after military discharge.Individually, the estimated average amount paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) annually is $20,484,2 a mere twenty thousand USD in the face of crushing national and state ination.However, some veterans are doing quite well for themselves. Take, for example, the 2021 Executive Director of a federal lobbying organization, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vincent ‘B.J.’ Lawrence, who earned over $250,0003 leading the nonprot organization that is now aggressively lobbying against the PLUS Act. Lawrence left the Washington political scene in 2021 to assume the presidency of an exceptional, apolitical 501(c)(3) nonprot organization, Combat Impact Outdoors.However, under its current leadership, the VFW has poured resources into a scathing public relations and lobbying campaign, ‘Don’t Feed the Sharks,’4 targeting fellow veterans, many of whom run modest consulting and law rms dedicated to assisting veterans with their disability claims. To truly grasp the disheartening depth of the VFW’s vitriolic attacks against these veterans and their enterprises, one need only search ‘#claimsharks.’The VFW is not alone in its fervent opposition to the PLUS Act in favor of the GUARD Act. The American Legion5 has also entered the fray, lending its considerable weight to the campaign against what a select group of unelected lobbyists have branded as ‘predatory’ businesses. Despite the fervor of their allegations, these lobbying powerhouses have yet to clearly dene what constitutes ‘predatory’ under their terms. Nonetheless, the GUARD Act explicitly states that ‘any fee or compensation related to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for benets’6 may lead to nes, imprisonment for up to a year, or both.In essence, the GUARD Act would grant exclusive rights to handle veterans’ claims for VA benets to select lobbying organizations, like the VFW and the American Legion, along with government ofcials. This legislation could criminalize the efforts of anyone outside this privileged circle, potentially incarcerating individuals for merely receiving compensation for their legitimate services—such as preparing les, documenting disabilities, or researching laws and regulations—in support of veterans eligible for VA benets.Considering the individual disabled veteran, the surviving spouse, dependent child, and dependent parent, the enactment of the GUARD VETERANSVETERANS AT THE CROSSROADS: AT THE CROSSROADS: THE GUARD ACT vs. PLUS ACT SHOWDOWN

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 11Act could severely limit their options for assistance with VA claims. They would be relegated to waiting alongside countless others for support from government employees, who may lack signicant motivation to excel due to union protections like those from the American Federation of Government Employees (AGFE),7 or from nonprot veterans’ service organizations such as the VFW or the American Legion—both of which have actively lobbied for the bill.This envisioned scenario is a veriable nightmare, especially given that, by January 2024, the VA’s claims inventory has swelled to over 1 million, with nearly 40% of these languishing in a backlog for more than 125 days.8 Should the GUARD Act become law, it’s nearly certain the backlog will surpass 50%, inevitably leading to calls for more legislation aimed at expanding the bureaucracy. This would likely involve creating additional federal positions, staunchly defended and advocated for by the AFGE, an almost exclusive Democratic Party donor and lobbyist.9Footnotes1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Veterans Benets Administration Reports,” last modied January 27, 2024, https://www.benets.va.gov/reports/detailed_claims_data.asp2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Annual Benets Report Fiscal Year 2022,” last modied March 22, 2023, https://www.benets.va.gov/REPORTS/abr/docs/2022-abr.pdf3. U.S. Internal Revenue Service, “VFW IRS Form 990,” last modied November 22, 2023, https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/440474290_202208_990O_2023052321300739.pdf4. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), “VFW Says Don’t Pay for Your Benets,” last modied January 23, 2024, https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2024/1/vfw-says-dont-pay-for-your-benets5. Veteran Donation Project, “American Legion Opposes Veterans: Rejecting Commonsense VA Claims Reform,” last modied November 28, 2023, https://www.veterandonationproject.com/post/american-legion-opposes-veterans-rejecting-commonsense-va-claims-reform6. 118th Congress, “S.740 - GUARD VA Benets Act of 2023,” last modied April 26, 2023, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/740/text7. AFGE National VA Council, “Fighting for jobs and the future of federal employees,” last modied September 13, 2023, https://afgenvac.org/8. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Veterans Benets Administration Reports,” last modied January 27, 2024, https://www.benets.va.gov/reports/detailed_claims_data.asp9. Open Secrets – Following the Money in Politics, “American Federation of Government Employees,” last modied January 21, 2024, https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/american-federation-of-government-employees/summary?id=D000000304Matthew Feehan is a military veteran who honorably served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, Massachusetts & California Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve. He was commissioned as an infantry officer in 2013 through Boston University's Reserve Officers' Training Corps and later earned his Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law in 2019.H.R.1822 - PLUS for Veterans Act of 2023 H.R.1139 - GUARD VA Benets ActDemocratic Republican Democratic Republican2 22 119 51No Senate Version Introduced S. 740 – GUARD VA Benets Act of 2023Democratic Republican27 7sponsorship data as of DATE OF PUBLICATION

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12 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024As a young boy, my world expanded beyond the ordinary backyard adventures of playing GI Joe with friends when my uncle Paul, an Infantryman in the United States Army, was deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Yellow ribbons adorned nearly every tree in our community in support of the troops, but I felt like the only kid who knew one of those troops, a “real live GI Joe.” With a sense of awe, I watched evening news reports, not fully comprehending, just hoping to catch a glimpse of Uncle Paul on the television. Little did I know that this chapter would lay the foundation for a lifelong journey – a journey that transcended the stereotypes associated with the term “grunt.”Fast forward to my eighth-grade American History class, I’m a 6-foot-tall 14-year-old who plays football, basketball, wrestles, runs track and thinks he’s tough as nails; when Mr. Roberts, an 80-something-year-old World War II paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division who stood maybe 5-foot-six while in his 50 year old combat boots and pressed uniform, shared vivid tales of the Normandy invasion on D-Day. His stories sparked an unyielding determination in me – not only to follow in my uncle’s footsteps as an infantryman but also to become a paratrooper in the famous 82nd Airborne Division. I vividly recall asking Mr. Roberts if I could be both an Infantryman and a Paratrooper; he looked up at me, his old arthritic nger pointing at my face as he dropped the biggest challenge my teenage ego could imagine, when he said in almost a whisper, “if you’re MAN enough!”. That phrase, “if you’re MAN enough!” became the catalyst for my journey to become something more than a mere stereotype. This humorous interaction has become a favorite anecdote of mine, a powerful reminder of the impact seniors can have on young people. By the age of 19, I achieved my goal of becoming an Airborne Infantryman, proving to myself I was “man enough” and that the path to success is not limited by the preconceived notions associated with one’s chosen role. This early triumph, however, set in motion a realization – achieving a goal is but the beginning of a journey, and new, loftier goals must be set.My early exposure to military life and patriotism fostered a seed that would eventually grow into a passion for service. The term “grunt” may have been casually embraced by many in the infantry, but even in those formative years, I rejected the notion that my role was limited to mere cannon fodder. My good ideas on how to do things better or more efciently were often met with the phrase “Uncle Sam doesn’t pay you to think, Private!” or occasionally my least favorite insult, “shut up Private, you’re just a grunt,”; as if somehow this role I chose somehow meant I couldn’t also be intelligent, creative, or think outside the box. I aspired to be more than just a foot soldier; it was the Greek philosopher Thucydides who said, “A society that separates its warriors from its scholars will have its thinking done by cowards and its ghting done by fools.” I aspired to embody the concept of a warrior scholar.I no longer wanted to be a grunt; I wanted to become a warrior scholar. My plan was to nish my initial 3-year enlistment and then go to Texas A&M University, where I would join the Corps of Cadets, earn my commission, and go back to Active Duty in the Army, but this time as a helicopter pilot. My grandfather, John A. Nasche, started his military career enlisted, went to OCS, and then became a UH-60 Huey Pilot, ying missions in Vietnam before retiring as a Major; and I wanted to do the same. However, 9/11 changed everything.In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, I, a young Private First Class in the 82nd Airborne Division, felt the call of duty compelling me to extend my military service, setting aside dreams of joining the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M to become a helicopter pilot. The winds of change carried me through eight years of active duty, a 15-month deployment to Iraq, and the complex transition to civilian life. The struggles of this transition were profound. A broken marriage, unemployment, and the challenges of adapting to a civilian environment confronted me. It was during these tumultuous times that I discovered the power of seeking support. Connections with fellow veterans, participation in many therapy sessions, and engagement with non-prot organizations became integral to my healing process. Yet, the turning point came when I stumbled upon the concept of post-traumatic growth (PTG).PTG represented a paradigm shift – a shift from viewing trauma as a mere source of distress to A VETERAN’S JOURNEY OF POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTHMichael P. Nasche, MBA, brings over a decade of experience as a trusted Strategic Advisor to Owners, CEOs, and Senior Leaders in his role as Owner and Principal Consultant at Tactically Strategic Solutions. Previously serving as Executive Director at Impact A Hero, Michael found immense pleasure in this role. With a background as an Airborne Infantryman and Team Leader, he achieved the notable distinction of winning New Recruiter of the Year for FY 2003, surpassing seasoned recruiters in his first year. His tenure at Impact A Hero was a deeply rewarding experience.

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recognizing it as a potential catalyst for personal and psychological growth. Embracing this concept, I chose growth over victimhood, and the transformation in my life was nothing short of extraordinary. The term “post-traumatic growth” may sound like a buzzword, but its principles are accessible and applicable to all walks of life. It’s not limited to veterans or combat trauma; it’s a universal concept that empowers individuals to rise above adversity. My journey, from an Airborne Infantryman to the Executive Director of a national non-prot, and now the Owner and Principal Consultant of my own Business Consulting rm, showcases the transformative power of PTG. I had the privilege of coaching and mentoring fellow veterans, and now veteran entrepreneurs, helping them reframe their traumatic experiences, nd the potential lessons, and emerge as even better versions of themselves.The amazing power of post-traumatic growth and shifting my mindset gave me the ability to eventually achieve my dream of graduating from Texas A&M University. But instead of getting my bachelor’s degree and returning to the Army, I earned my Masters in Business Administration and became my own boss.In the upcoming articles of this series, we will delve deeper into the nuances of PTG, exploring personal stories of growth, sharing tactical examples for application, and hopefully inspiring my fellow veterans and patriots to dream beyond the constraints of stereotypes. As we embark on this journey together, let’s redene what it means to be “more than a grunt” and unlock the limitless potential that resides within each of us."Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be."Douglas MacArthur

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16 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024Everyone has an origin story. Your background doesn’t have to dene who you become, but it does have an impact. Its echo resonates today. Some people grow up in circumstances that demand a maturity which exceeds their years. They wade through the dichotomy of having to grow up fast while still having so much to learn. Such was the case with a young man by the name of Marshall Terrin.Marshall grew up in Las Vegas, the son of working-class folks from the entertainment and service industries that dominate this city dened by tourism. There were two divorces in his childhood and several moves that accompanied such disruptive life events. He got into just enough trouble to realize that he needed to change his trajectory. The military seemed like just the thing to provide the structure, discipline, and ticket out of town. He initially spoke with the Navy and decided to follow that path but on his way out of the ofce a muscle-bound Marine in Dress Blues was walking by. The Marine Corps’ approach was aggressive and the complete opposite than that of the Navy. The recruiter asked him “Why should I let you into my Corps?” Like generations of Marines before him Marshall Terrin accepted the challenge.Marshall didn’t really attend his last year of high school, which was an alternative school for those who’d faced some adversity. He took mid-term and nal exams, then received a diploma before reporting to boot camp at the age of seventeen.Boot camp for the Marines is referred to as Marine Corps Recruit Training and is held aboard one of the two enlisted depots. Marshall, being from the west coast went to MCRD San Diego. The rst few days are called receiving and include a rudimentary introduction to military customs and courtesies, drill, and a whole slew of administrative matters from uniform issue to inoculations. The receiving Drill Instructors are authority gures, but they don’t showcase the same ferocity that the platoon’s Drill Instructors will once training commences. None-the-less during receiving, young Marshall was certain he’d made the wrong decision about joining the Marines. He knew the Marine Corps was elite and gured if he didn’t want to be there, they would just send him home. When he spoke to the Drill Instructor, he received some fatherly advice. “It won’t always be like this; you only have to make it through this one time. If you quit now, it will follow you the rest of your life.” It’s hard to be a man at seventeen, but Marshall got a little leadership to push him in the right direction.Marshall turned eighteen in boot camp. He’s always harbored a little resistance to authority and once involuntarily rolled his eyes in front of the Drill Instructor. The DI took him into an empty squad bay, removed his campaign cover and duty belt, then got in his face. “You want to take a swing at me Recruit Terrin?! You want to ght? No one is here. I’m not a Drill Instructor right now, it’s just two guys. Take your best shot, I will destroy you!” This event was a turning point in the life of Marshall Terrin. When he speaks of it, he relates his thoughts at the time. “If I took a swing, not only would I get my ass kicked and I would get kicked out of the Marines. My whole life would be adversely affected and I’m just getting started.” Marshall submitted and became a stellar recruit. Several weeks later he graduated, earning the title of United States Marine.After a brief leave home, he reported to Camp Pendleton, California for Marine Combat Training. All Marines attend this month-long training package to learn basic infantry skills before reporting to their MOS school. His instructors would have included many NCO’s who’d participated in 2003’s combat operations in Iraq. Training was realist and highly relevant. A sobering memory was that of a live re range where Marines to the left, right, and behind him were ring as he rushed forward toward the objective. This was getting real.Upon conclusion of MCT, Marshall headed to the high desert of Twentynine Palms, California for training in communication. Marshall looks back on his time as a student there fondly for two reasons. He had an instructor who loved his job, and the enthusiasm was infectious. The bigger reason was because he could sneak off to Las Vegas every weekend. If you are familiar with Twentynine Palms, you know the nightlife leaves much to be desired. Marshall wasn’t authorized to go as far as Vegas, which exceeded liberty bounds restrictions; but even at this age he showed signs of being a risk taker. This attribute would serve him well in the business world years later.After completing MOS training Marshall reported to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was assigned to an artillery unit. He served at the battery level, and then eventually down with a Forward Observer Team. He preferred the small unit level where the camaraderie was richer, and each members’ skills contributed to the competency of the team. His rst deployment overseas was to Okinawa, Japan as part of the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program (UDP). Directly across the street from Camp Hansen (named for Medal of Honor recipient Private Dale Hansen who lost his life during the battle of

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Spring 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 17Spring 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 17Okinawa in 1945), is the village of Kin. Over the decades Kin leveraged the proximately of raucous young men and tailored their businesses to cater to this demographic. As such, many a young Marine has stumbled back through the gates intoxicated and subsequently been charged with underage drinking. In Marshall’s case it resulted in being restricted to base for the remainder of the deployment. He made the most of the situation and spent his free time working out and reading. Continuing the pursuit of self-improvement became a hallmark in Marshall’s character, contributing to his success in life. His unit conducted training on the Japanese mainland aboard Camp Fuji. After training concluded the Marines were given three options for liberty. They could either go to Tokyo Disney, to Rappongi (where all the bars were), or go climb Mount Fuji. Given his liberty restrictions, Marshall’s only option was climbing Mount Fuji. In classic Marine fashion they climbed straight up and back down in approximately eighteen hours. The only regret was not taking more pictures.Marshall and his fellow Marines were forward deployed in support of operational requirements as North Korea intermittently test red rockets generating unrest in the region. They would rather have been in the desert as part of the ght in Iraq. Their wish would soon come true.Once back on Camp Lejeune the unit was slated to deploy for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The ght there transitioned from conventional warfare to counterinsurgency, a complex environment where use of force must be delicately balanced while operating amidst a civilian populace. As part of this method of employment Marshall’s artillery unit would serve in the capacity as Civil Affairs.The work-up for deployment included language training and a host of operational skills that seemed incongruent with combat operations. Developing a wide array of abilities would serve Marshall well later in life as an entrepreneur. Single dimensional businessmen rarely go far.Before the Iraq deployment was over Marshall Terrin would be promoted to the rank of Sergeant, a notable feat on one’s rst enlistment. He often served as a vehicle commander while out on patrol in the city of Ramadi. His competency and maturity were such that he even took out a few patrols as the senior ranking man and convoy commander.Iraq in 2007 was a strange place. One minute Marshall would be playing soccer with school kids, and the next reacting to sniper re. An Army unit nearby was struck with a catastrophic IED (Improvised Explosive Device) killing several personnel. It was a sobering event and reoriented Marshall’s vigilance reminding him not to be complacent.He began to think about his future and started taking college classes online while deployed. It was ironic to be sitting on the hood of an armored vehicle reading a textbook about world history while making history in an ancient land of conict. Though the Marine Corps actively pursued Marshall for reenlistment, he decided it was time to transition to civilian life. He returned to Las Vegas. He initially joined a Marine Reserve unit lled with highly skilled and motivated professionals. He found the environment invigorating. One day in formation, volunteers were solicited for a deployment to Afghanistan to augment an active-duty unit. As the clipboard made its round, Marshall paused, reected, then passed it down the line without writing down his name. Later, on the drive home while thinking about his combat deployment and his four-month-old daughter, he decided that if he was no longer willing to go forward and put his life on the line again; then it was time to take off the uniform. He resigned from the Marine Corps Reserve and focused his attention on a new direction.Marshall enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. By age 21 he’d served four years on active duty as a Marine, including a combat tour in Iraq. Listening to the trials and tribulations of his 18-year-old fellow students was surreal. He didn’t hold them in contempt, but his experience provided maturity and perspective on what really mattered. He understood things like the brevity of life, the value of relationships, and what truly constituted the denition of a bad day.Marshall worked a few jobs during this season in life including in the service industry. The work wasn’t bad, but it was frustrating to see coworkers competing for better tips at the expense of the other. Compared to the camaraderie from his time in the Marines, this was quite an adjustment. He sold cars for a while but left it after a situation where he was pressed by his employer to push the bounds of his integrity in the pursuit of a sale. Events were colliding that would lead Marshall to soon be his own boss.The series of events that transpired stand as their own tale in the years between leaving the Marine Corps and Marshall’s entrepreneurship today. It all started with an oxygen bar in a mall kiosk and today he is a thriving multifaceted business leader. There were some nancial losses and hard lessons learned along the way. Marshall describes this as the cost of tuition for entrepreneurs. Some people go into debt obtaining a traditional education, others dive headrst into the marketplace and swim as hard as they can.There are several attributes Marshall possesses, some of which the Marine Corps honed, that contributed to his success. The risk taking once manifested as a Marine sneaking off for a long weekend out of bounds, is now analysis of a market followed by a calculated investment. Working in small teams characterized by people of different backgrounds who are united with one purpose is familiar terrain for Marshall. However, now as the leader he gets to create the workplace culture. He will often take a risk in hiring someone with a jaded past, recognizing their potential and is condent in his ability to lead them to their next level. He’s learned that workplace culture is far more important than wages.When many businesses were hurt by the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Marshall leveraged several opportunities to expand, eventually relocating to Orlando, Florida where his business ventures continue to thrive.

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18 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024At one point in his journey in the business world, Marshall met a Viet Nam Veteran at a tradeshow. The elder Marine asked Marshall if he’d been to the Veterans Administration and worked on his mental health since moving on from his experiences in combat. The old Marine boldly pressed in, though meeting him for the rst time. Marines can be that way. Marshall told him how he’d gone once and after seeing several elderly Veterans (presumably Korean War and Viet Nam vets) he decided they needed help more than him, so he left. The Viet Nam vet, a towering man, placed a rm but gentle hand on Marshall Terrin’s shoulder and replied, “How do you think I felt with those WWII vets in the waiting room?” The prompt, the encouragement, and the leadership displayed by this elder Marine Veteran were just what Marshall needed.When he nally was screened for Post Traumatic Stress and displayed several symptoms, Marshall asked directly “How do I get better?” After being cautioned that he might not like the response, the counselor laid out a forthright approach. He rst asked Marshall if he still showed tell tale signs of his military service. Was there still a uniform on a hanger in his closet, or combat boots staged? How about green skivvy shirts in the drawer or military stickers on his car? The idea is that many Veterans struggle to move forward because they’ve held onto their military experience so strongly, that it has dened their identity. Marshall accepted this perspective and then began a purge of all visible remnants of his time in the Marines. He likewise unsubscribed from all military related social media feeds he’d been following. Much of this breakaway was a reset not a permanent disownment, akin to a fast and cleanse.This method isn’t popular with all Veterans, but has worked well for Marshall Terrin. He realized there were parts of him and his experience in war that he needed to shed. Other attributes were assets. By nding the proper balance between the two, Marshall has been able to deal with some of the residue that lingers after combat. He’s observed that many Veterans whose identities are dominated by their military experience unknowingly alienate others, which can hinder both business and personal relationships.Marshall has the depth to be engaged in multiple projects simultaneously. The Marines, known for doing more with less, may have helped develop this capacity further. His activities are not only business ventures. As a leader Marshall wanted to contribute something to the Veteran community utilizing the skills and experience he’s acquired as an entrepreneur.In 2021 he acquired the Vetpreneur Tribe, a community that was started by another Veteran in 2017. Initially it was a small group of Veteran entrepreneurs in a Facebook group. They recognized the value of community with entrepreneurs who have a military background in common. The Vetpreneur Tribe continues to grow, touching lives across the county, and the world. The mission of the Vetpreneur Tribe as stated on their website ( https://www.vetpreneurtribe.com/ ) is “… to support, elevate, collaborate with, and develop military Veteran entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs regardless of their circumstances or progress on their journey. This includes a commitment to professional and personal development.” The Vetreprenuer Tribe provides practical business advice on an array things such as franchising, intellectual property, and real estate.Within the Vetreprenuer Tribe is a core group of VVeterans who comprise the Warrior Council. They hold each other accountable in professional and personal development. This is done by mentoring and coaching addressing three main pillars essential to a Veteran’s mental health. These include money, health, and relationships. Success cannot be achieved without a balance in each of these arenas. Through Marshall’s leadership he helps others to nd this balance in life, while plugging in to a network of folks who help him do the same. It fosters much of the same camaraderie and social support Veterans experienced in uniform.Looking back over the years he’s come far. The youth who grew up quick and was headed in the wrong direction took the reins in his own life to chart a new course. He subjected himself to challenge, authority, and war. He emerged with scars but remains unbroken. He is an example of what former Secretary of Defense General Mattis refers to as post traumatic growth. He continues to lead and inuence Veterans while encouraging them not to glamorize their status as Veterans.Marshall Terrin is a combat Veteran but is not dened solely by that brief season in his life. Being a Marine was formative but not denitive. BREATHE OXYGEN BAR“Opportunity is missed by most because is it dressed in overalls and looks like work.”– Thomas Edison

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20 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024In the course of human events it sometimes becomes necessary to admonish the lawless, encourage the fainthearted, and strengthen the weak. We have reached just such a time in our history. The affairs of our nation are now steeped in avaricious corruption and our once stalwart institutions, including the Dept of Defense, are failing to fulll the moral obligations upon which they were founded. Standing upon our natural and constitutional rights, we hereby apprise the American people that we have exhausted all internal efforts to rectify recent criminal activity within the Armed Forces.In the Declaration of Independence our founding fathers sought separation. We seek no separation, but through this letter and the efforts we pledge herein, we pursue restoration through accountability. We intend to rebuild trust and restore the rule of law, particularly within the Armed Forces. Ultimately, we strive to once again become a moral people, restoring our nation, and making it again worthy of the great gift of liberty won by the colonial-era American people.While implementing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, military leaders broke the law, trampled constitutional rights, denied informed consent, permitted unwilling medical experimentation, and suppressed the free exercise of religion.Service members and families were signicantly harmed by these actions. Their suffering continues to be felt nancially, emotionally, and physically. Some service members became part of our ever-growing veteran homeless population, some developed debilitating vaccine injuries, and some even lost their lives. In an apparent attempt to avoid accountability, military leaders are continuing to ignore our communications regarding these injuries and the laws that were broken.For GEN Milley, ADM Grady, GEN McConville, ADM Gilday, ADM Lescher, Gen Brown, Gen Berger, Gen Smith, VADM Kilby, VADM Nowell, VADM Fuller, LTG Martin, Lt Gen Davis, MG executive branch ofces, while those of us still serving on active duty will continue to put fullling our oaths ahead of striving for rank or position. For those who achieve the lawful authority to do so, we pledge to recall from retirement the military leaders who broke the law and will convene courts-martial for the crimes they committed. For those of us who attain legislative ofces, we pledge to introduce legislation to remove all retirement income for the military leaders who were criminally complicit, and we will ensure none serve in or retire from the Senior Executive Service.This endeavor will be a continuous process with a long-term time horizon, but fullling our oaths to defend the Constitution requires just such persistent vigilance. Likewise, we are obligated, and so commit, to train those who come after us to fulll their duty in achieving this accountability and safeguarding against such leadership failures hereafter.Our nation was once great because it was good. It was built on moral principles founded in natural law and yet, the recent acceleration of moral relativism has us headed towards a precipitous implosion. While all good things come to an end, we refuse to allow our nation to go quietly into the depths of decadence and decay. We promise to exhaust all moral, ethical, and legal means to restore the rule of law and will begin by attempting to hold senior military leaders accountable. The Constitution is the supreme law of our land. We will ght to enforce that law and put an end to the two- tiered justice system. May future generations see our efforts and, God willing, may they also be recipients of the great gift of liberty that we have had the honor of safeguarding.Edmonson, GEN Williams, ADM Fagan, VADM Buck, Lt Gen Clark, MG Francis, LTG Dingle, Lt Gen Miller, RADM Gillingham, and numerous others;These individuals enabled lawlessness and the unwilling experimentation on service members. The moral and physical injuries they helped inict are signicant. They betrayed the trust of service members and the American people. Their actions caused irreparable harm to the Armed Forces and the institutions for which we have fought and bled.These leaders refused to resign or take any other action to hold themselves accountable, nor have they attempted to repair the harm their policies and actions have caused. Since there has yet to be any accountability, the undersigned give our word to do everything morally permissible and legally possible to hold our own leadership accountable. We intend to rebuild trust by demonstrating that leaders cannot cast aside constitutional rights or the law for political expediency.The ag and general ofcers are far from the only ones complicit in recent illegal activities, as a signicant number of SES leaders and political appointees contributed. Evidence indicates that other executive agencies are engaging in illegal activity. However, as service members and veterans, we feel particularly responsible for the DoD and, in accordance with our oaths, we will make every effort to demonstrate by example, how an institution can put its own house in order.We the undersigned, on behalf of hundreds of thousands of service members and the American people, while appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for guidance and purity of intention, mutually pledge to each other that we will do everything in our power, through lawful word and action, to hold accountable military leaders who failed to follow the law when their leadership and moral courage was most desperately needed.In the coming years, thousands within our network will run for Congress and seek appointments to 1 January 20241 January 2024An Open Letter to the American People from Signatories of this Declaration of Military AccountabilityDeclaration of Military Accountability“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” –John Adams™

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 23Buying a home is a signicant milestone, and for Veterans, the VA home loan program offers an exceptional opportunity to achieve homeownership with favorable terms. This program, established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), provides Veterans, active-duty service members, and some surviving spouses a pathway to purchase a home with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and competitive interest rates. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to navigate this process using your VA eligibility.UNDERSTANDING VA ELIGIBILITYThe rst step in buying a home with a VA loan is to determine your eligibility. Generally, you qualify if you are an active-duty service member, a Veteran, a reservist or National Guard member, or a surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-connected disability. Eligibility is based on service length, duty status, and character of service. The VA’s ofcial website provides detailed eligibility requirements.CHOOSING A VA-APPROVED LENDER & PREAPPROVALNot all lenders are authorized to issue VA loans, so it’s important to choose one that is VA-approved and familiar with the VA loan process. These lenders understand the unique requirements of VA loans and can guide you through the application process, helping to streamline and simplify it. Your competent VA approved lender can pull your Certicate of Eligibility (COE). The COE is proof to lenders that you meet the VA’s eligibility criteria.Before house hunting, it’s wise to get pre-approved for a loan. Pre-approval involves a preliminary review of your nancial situation to determine how much you can borrow. This step is crucial as it gives you a clear budget for your home search and shows sellers that you are a serious and qualied buyer.FINDING A HOME AND MAKING AN OFFERWith pre-approval in hand, you can start searching for your new home. It’s benecial to work with a real estate agent experienced in VA loans, as they can help you navigate the market and understand any VA-specic considerations, such as property eligibility and Minimum Property Requirements (MPR) that the VA enforces to ensure the home is safe, sanitary, and structurally sound.Once you nd a home that meets your needs and VA requirements, you’ll make an offer. If the seller accepts, the home will undergo a VA appraisal and inspection. The VA appraisal is not only to determine the value of the home but also to ensure it meets the VA’s MPR.LOAN PROCESSING AND UNDERWRITINGAfter the seller accepts your offer, the loan process formally begins. Your lender will review your loan documentation to ensure you meet all the lender and VA loan requirements.CLOSING ON YOUR VA LOANOnce the loan is approved, you’ll move to closing, where you’ll sign all the necessary paperwork, nalize the loan, and take ownership of the home. The VA limits certain closing costs and fees that Veterans can pay, making the VA loan an even more affordable option. It’s important to review all closing documents carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.Enjoying Your New HomeAfter closing, you become the ofcial owner of your new home. With a VA loan, you’ve likely secured favorable terms that will benet your nancial situation for years to come.KEY CONSIDERATIONS•Funding Fee: While VA loans don’t require PMI or a down payment, there is a funding fee that helps cover the cost of the loans for future Veterans. This fee varies based on several factors, including the type of loan, the amount of the down payment, and whether it’s your rst VA loan. Some individuals, such as those with service-connected disabilities, may be exempt from this fee.•Loan Limits: As of 2020, the VA no longer imposes loan limits for Veterans with full loan entitlement. However, lenders may set their own limits based on your income, credit history, and ability to repay the loan.•Maintenance and Responsibility: Remember, homeownership involves more than just mortgage payments. Be prepared for the ongoing responsibilities and costs of maintaining a home, including repairs, improvements, insurance, and property taxes.CONCLUSIONThe VA home loan program is a valuable benet for Veterans and service members, offering a pathway to homeownership with favorable terms. By understanding the process, from determining eligibility to closing on your home, you can navigate the journey with condence. Remember to leverage the resources available to you, including VA-approved lenders and real estate agents familiar with the VA process, to ensure a smooth and successful home-buying experience. Some states even offer closing cost assistance to VA buyers. Ask a local lender who is competent in the VA loan for guidance.As always, if you have any VA Home Loan Benet questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.HOW TO BUY A HOME HOW TO BUY A HOME USING YOUR VA USING YOUR VA ELIGIBILITY ELIGIBILITY IN 2024IN 2024by Rob YounceROB YOUNCEUSNA ‘93 | Military Mortgage AdvisorOVM Financial powered by Annie MacNMLS# 1521082Phone: 757-605-0513Email: ryounce@annie-mac.comWebsite: robyounce.com

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24 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024Written by: Donna Hoffmeyerme or I did something wrong to them. If I didn’t get the information I needed in the specic time I requested, I’d assume they were screwing off somewhere.Instead of checking in on their well-being, I’d go on the defensive and either snap back or shut down. Yeah, super productive.Be curious. Not in a nosey-give-me-all-the-dirt kind of way. In a kind and respectful way. If they seem out of sorts, a Hey are you doing okay, you seem a little off/tired/distracted, can defuse many situations and you may learn valuable information. When I take this approach, 90% of the time I’ll nd out they are struggling or dealing with a challenge. It resets my perception of our interaction…and I’m not an ass.BIASAnd since we are speaking of assumptions, we must remember its partner-in-crime, bias. As shocking as this is going to sound, other people, including civilians, have good ideas too. Careful about walking out the door and dragging assumptions and biases with you and living under a generalized, blanket of thoughts.Challenge yourself to see things in another set of shoes. Sometimes, we may not agree with a perspective, but we may understand why they have that perspective. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCEI’ll be honest, when I rst learned the term Emotional Intelligence, I thought it was just another in a long line of terms the military made up to give us more computer-based training. It took me a while to fully understand the concept.There are a lot of wording variations of the denition, but the one I like the best is from an article by Kendra Cherry from Very Well Mind.“Emotional intelligence (EI or EQ for “emotional quotient”) is the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, evaluate, and use emotions to communicate with and relate to others effectively and constructively. This ability to express and control emotions is essential, but so is the ability to understand, interpret, and respond to the emotions of others.”Oooo…yeah, once I wrapped my wee little brain around it, I saw this was an area, by design, where the military is a bit malnourished. I say by design because It is springtime, a time of new growth! Here in Texas, the bluebonnets are blooming, hummingbirds are migrating back, and the squirrels are gleefully picking all the unripe peaches off our tree. It’s the time of year we can get outside without being incinerated.It is also a great time of year to check in with ourselves and our growth. I hear the eye-rolls and sarcastic comments. Marines are throwing their crayons, Army folks are grunting, and the Navy and Air Force are taking their notepads out. Oh, and the Space Force…well…they are out of town chasing aliens. (Navy and AF, take notes for them.)On some level of seriousness, we have all changed. None of us are the same people that walked into the recruiter’s ofce. Training, education, deployments, successes, challenges, the high highs and low lows, and what we have gained — sometimes from our wins, sometimes from our losses. Each experience adds a new set of lenses to shape our perspectives.However, with our type of experiences, comes trauma. None of us have skirted out of the military without some level of it. It is trauma that honed the survival skills we learned through training. Hell, our training was traumatic at points. How many of us still butt-pucker when we see a wide-brimmed hat and meticulously dressed drill instructor walk by us? It is important to honor these changes, as some are reasons why we are still alive. Even still, we need to take a hard look in the mirror and gure out if our experiences helped or hindered our growth. Sometimes, what helped us in one situation, hindered us in another. Awareness is key.I’ll share a few things I learned. Take what resonates with you and the rest just toss it over your shoulder to your friend. Maybe they’ll get a nugget or two. ACCOUNTABILITYLet’s talk about the big A rst. No, not asshat, asshole, or asswipe. We’re talking accountability. Listen up here, it sucks to be accountable. It’s a huge old slap to our overinated egos. Get over it. Give that ego the smackdown, and learn to own your shit. None of us are that awesome (no matter what all you ghter pilots and special forces think). We’re human, we screw up. Say sorry, remember it, forgive yourself, and do better.ASSUMPTIONSI was a master of assuming and took everything personally. If someone was curt or rude to me, I immediately assumed, without any evidence, that they didn’t like THOUGHTS ON REFLECTION & GROWTH6 THINGS THAT SHOULD MAKE VETERANS GO 'HMM...6 THINGS THAT SHOULD MAKE VETERANS GO 'HMM...

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our rank structure lends itself to direct orders, volunteer opportunities, and get the mission done mentality. This, in turn, breeds bad behavior, abuse of power, manipulation, lack of value, and in extreme situations toxic work environment and sexual assault.When we leave the service, a lack of emotional intelligence can make it difcult to integrate into civilian life. This is when we hear the stories of the veterans who were let go from or left their rst civilian job because they were “too much” or they struggled to adapt. This is why companies have Veteran programs to help them assimilate into the new environment. BREAKING GENERATIONAL TRAUMATransgenerational trauma, (aka generational trauma), is trauma passed down from generation to generation. Maladaptive coping strategies, such as addiction, anger, and abuse are essentially taught to the next generation. Many of us came into the military to get away from the passed-down drama and trauma. However, we were not taught healthy skills to cope with stress, which in turn lowered resiliency, and resulted in compound trauma later in, or after, our careers. Many times Veterans do not realize the root of their mental health struggles stem from their childhood.You gotta look hard in the mirror and make a decision. Do you want to give your children, spouse, partner, family, and friends the best version of you? When you heal, you break the generational trauma.And this rolls right into the last thought.GRACE AND HEALINGLet me shout this from the mountaintop.You are not responsible for the trauma you incurred. You are responsible for healing from the trauma.This, hands down, will be the most difcult challenge we encounter. We were not built to give grace, we were built to push the limit. We did not have time for a drum circle, woo-woo, love ourselves rst mumbo-jumbo; we were responsible for the lives of others. We always put ourselves last. And when it is over, we are left with only our thoughts and the person in the mirror we do not recognize. We try to do things to ll the empty void with more work, family, or hobbies. And sometimes, when those things do not ll the void, we nd ourselves in one of life’s troughs, dealing with depression/anxiety/PTSD.This is a time to be gentle with ourselves. Ask for help. Connect with and trust our core. Reect, let go of what no longer serves us, give ourselves grace for our perceived shortcomings, value ourselves for what we offer, and trust that we are the master of our journey.I hope you found one or two things that made you go ‘hmmm’, (Admit it, you went back and sung that line, didn’t you?). This is your time to challenge your thoughts/beliefs and gure out which ones are assumptions/biases. It is your time to be gentle, forgive yourself, and heal your wounds. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO BLOOM.Donna Hoffmeyer is a 21 year retired Air Force nurse, with a career that spanned nursing, ight nursing, education, training, readiness, and policy. During her last job, she saw the stress service members transitioning to the civilian were under. This lead her to co-author her rst book, Warrior to Patriot Citizen; focused on ensuring service members are prepared for transition well before transition occurs. She retired and transitioned out of the military, 30 Sept 2020, during COVID.

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Dr. Kevin Cameron is not your run of the mill therapist. Today, he is the CEO of Anchor Therapy Clinic in Sacramento, specializing in helping veterans and service members to overcome PTSD and trauma based issues. Dr. Cameron started his career in the US Army. Joining out of a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country, he enlisted as a combat engineer. He eventually was reclassed as an MP. This career eld would have him on a Special Reaction Team. This SWAT equivalent unit is highly trained to deal with on base threats and high stress situations. The SRT Course Description is as follows: Course Description: “The Special Reaction Team (SRT) Course is designed to provide DoD Law Enforcement Service Members and Civilians a tactical response capability to resolve critical situations that otherwise exceed the capabilities of traditional Military Police Law Enforcement.The SRT Course focuses on close combat marksmanship, breaching methods, vehicle interdictions, room entry, and building clearing tactics techniques and procedures (TTP).Instructed in both classroom and decisive action training environment the SRT Course uses extensive live re and force on force practical exercises to reinforce training and instill critical thinking in the employment SRT TTP’s.Upon successful completion of the SRT Course the student will be trained to evaluate and employ the ideal tactical response to resolve high-risk incidents (such as active threats, barricaded subjects, high-risk warrants, hostage situations, and law enforcement searches and raids) requiring increased capabilities and specialized tactics.” (Army.mil website, 2024) Kevin was also trained as a K-9 hander, trainer and kennel master. His military service would take him all over the world and in numerous military campaigns such as Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation New Dawn (OND), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Kosovo Campaign, Bosnia Conict, NATO, and USAREUR. In his career, he would receive 64 individual commendations including recognition from the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. Once leaving the military, Kevin nished his PsyD, and started a practice based on what he perceived as a HUGE oversight by standard health professionals – the exclusion of veterans as a unique culture. This is reected by an absence of recognition in the American Psychological Association. Treating veterans and service members as an independent culture would systematically help in mental health solutions. Kevin’s clinic helps service members and veterans with trauma to overcome their obstacles with an innovative approach. In his career, he has treated over 10,000 veterans and never lost one to suicide. He has also helped train and provide over 5000 service dogs to recipients across North America. “My entire career has been based on understanding veterans as a unique and specialized culture worthy of distinction in treatment and abatement of trauma. I continue to devote my life to this wonderful population of people that we owe a huge debt to.” – Dr. Kevin Cameron, US Army Anchor Therapy Clinic Website: https://www.anchortherapyclinic.org/ https://www.anchortherapyclinic.org/ Dr. Rob Garcia is an award winning business strategist in San Diego. He is the founder of SHIFT Magazine.Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 27

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30 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024"THE CORPS IS FAMILY" was rst published in the Winter 2021 Issue of AT EASE! Veterans Magazine.24 years ago, Juan met his wife. Her parents were out of the picture; his parents divorced when he was 11. They were both attending a Youth Academy run by the Army National Guard. Similar to bootcamp, Juan attended the six-month program in order to get his GED after dropping out of high school as a sophomore. He met her walking down the street, and when he met her, “life was over. I knew ‘uh oh, I’m in trouble.’” She was the one. They soon got married.Juan graduated in late June 2000. He’d just turned 17, and Juan had to gure out what to do next. He picked up a job at Albertsons, and in the meantime, a Marine Corps recruiter kept knocking on his door. Juan was clear: “I just went to bootcamp for six months; I ain’t doin this shit for real!” He was from a military family and knew he didn’t want that future. However, he thought about his new wife, and he wanted to get out of the area they were living in. He gured he’d join the reserves, but the recruiter (as they often do), convinced him to go active duty. Juan shipped out on January 8, 2001.Juan didn’t join the Marine Corps because he wanted to be a Marine, and after he joined, he realized “this is the dumbest shit I’ve ever done. Why did I do this.” He tried to get a job as a bulk fueler, but he got a call to be in refrigeration mechanic school in Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. However, about a month and a half later, right before school started, the commander pulled him into the ofce and said “Juan, your ASVABs are too low, you’re too stupid for this school. You’re going down to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. You can go purify water now.” He spent 3 months learning how to purify water, and then he was sent to a maintenance battalion. “My MOS was water purication. I’ve never puried water. The nine years I was in the Marine Corps, I never puried water.” Juan was stationed in Okinawa. Working in a maintenance battalion, his main duty was rebuilding diesel engines out of everything: HUMVs, forklifts, and generators especially. That’s where he was when 9/11 happened. They were in the middle of a typhoon, and he asked his brothers what movie they were watching on TV, and the guys told him “no, this is happening in New York City right now!” For the last six months of his yearlong assignment, he worked 15 to 18 hours a day, Sunday through Saturday, rebuilding generators.After Japan, he was stationed in North Carolina to “swing with the wing.” He agreed because, apparently, he wouldn’t deploy as much. “Man, they sent me to Iraq twice!” he laughed. A Lance Corporal, he rst deployed as in 2003 for the invasion. At the FOB, he held a billet for quality control and fresh off a maintenance battalion. His Chief came up to him and said “you’re going to run maintenance in my shop, and everybody’s going to report to you. You’re the only maintenance guy I have.” Everyone else was operations. He was on the Kuwait/Iraq border. It was a “supplies in, bodies out” type mission. C-130s came in and out on a regular basis. Juan was the youngest Marine out there and was working with all the engineers. He was running generators, relling generators, and xing anything that broke. He was on an Air Force deployment, so he was there for four months.Juan re-enlisted in 2005, and they asked him where he wanted to move. He wanted to move to Dallas and settle in Texas, but soon, they responded “nope! You’re going back to Iraq.” The second deployment, Juan spent 9 months in Al Assad. His mission was to support the ight line, keep the base powered, and ensure the generators were up and running.Back from Iraq, he asked again about going to Texas, and there was nothing available. His wife asked, “how about Hawaii?” Juan was skeptical and said “you hear about people going to Hawaii, but nobody ever actually gets to go to Hawaii.” So, Juan asked again, and to his surprise, a spot opened up in Hawaii. The catch: he had to reenlist for one more year. For the last three years he was in the Marines, the Garcia family lived in Hawaii.After Hawaii, Juan was discharged. After about six months, he got a job at the Air Force Base to do Electroplating, and he’s been working there for eleven years.Looking at his time in the Marine Corps, Juan says “We all become family. They instill that into us. We got each other. We’re gonna take care of each other because that’s all we have. Nobody else is gonna help us. Don’t depend on anyone else to help you; you gotta depend on your brother to your left and to your right to take care of you.” Now it is through his podcast The Stoned Vet where Juan says “hey, you’re not alone” to the other Vets who hate asking for help. Juan tries to give it a Friday night, after work, “where’s the barbecue at?” kind of ambiance. His biggest goal is to break the stigma about cannabis and educate people about natural remedies for pain. He’s passionate about cannabis’s ability to heal a variety of physical and mental wounds, and the benets it can have for the veteran community instead of the pharmaceuticals the VA prescribes.Juan also wants to promote veterans and their businesses, and he is a part of the Vetrepreneur tribe. He wants to connect veterans and support and expand the community. “THE CORPS IS FAMILY”The Story of Juan Garcia - USMC – OIF"The Corps is Family" continued on Page 37

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 31With these marches, Phil brings attention to those that have fallen during service, whether they are military, police, or reghters. He’s passionate about bringing awareness to veteran suicides, reghters that have lost their lives and police that have died in the line of duty. He participates in several organizations such as Irreverent Warriors, Ruck for the Fallen, Memories of Honor, and The National Fallen Fireghters Foundation. When asked why he works with these organizations, he shares that it’s his personal mission, based on his experience in Iraq where he lost 12 of his fellow soldiers rst-hand, to bring awareness to those that have sacriced their lives. He brings the memories, honor, and remembrance of the lives lost so that they are never forgotten. He lives by the life philosophy of “You can” and not “You can’t”. He shares that you shouldn’t use setbacks as an excuse to go after what you enjoy and love. He inspires veterans everyday with his story to hopefully motivate them to keep going, to never give up in life. Phil is an amazing man with an inspirational story. If you ever think that you can’t achieve anything, look at Phil and know that anything is possible for you too. “RUCK'N IT”The Story Phil Cook - USA – OIF"RUCK'N IT" was rst published in the Winter 2021 Issue of AT EASE! Veterans Magazine.We often hear of warrior stories of veterans doing inspirational things in their lives. One such warrior is Phil Cook. From his service of 16 years in the Army, serving 5 combat tour deployments, undergoing back surgery, participating in several nonprots, and running a photography business, one would think, “How is all that possible for someone to do?!”. Well, Phil is unlike anyone you’ve ever met. When he initially joined the Army as an infantry in 2000, he had no idea where his service would take him. Being an older recruit (around the age of 29-30), he was already 10 years older than most of his peers. Usually, recruits join right out of high school or soon afterwards. After basic, he was shipped off to Stuttgart, Germany where he was then deployed for the rst time in Iraq. He spent about 18 months in Irag. It was during that time where he encountered an IED blast and suffered traumatic injuries. He was sent back to Germany to recover and heal. After his healing, he returned to battle on another deployment. His endless cycle of deployments continued until his last one where he needed to be discharged from the Army. He underwent lower back surgery, and it was during his recovery process that his surgeon shared that he would have trouble walking for the remainder of his life. You see, Phil is one of those warriors that when you tell him he can’t do anything, he goes out to prove you wrong. After 4 years from his back surgery, with the aid of intense physical therapies and treatments, Phil was able to complete a ruck march consisting of 10 miles with a 30 lb ruck sack. He even took a picture of himself doing his ruck march and sent it back to his surgeon saying, “Here’s your success story.” Needless to say, his surgeon was astonished he was able to complete a ruck march. To this day, Phil does ruck marches with several nonprots and organizations.

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32 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Spring 2024Beth Phillips grew up in Burton, Texas. Though both of her parents were Veterans, she had no intention of joining the military. Each of them served in the Air Force, with her dad’s service including a tour in Vietnam. Beth was the valedictorian of her graduating class in 1995, which she downplays by saying “It was a class of twenty-one.” Receiving a scholarship, she entered Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. Beth found college to be altogether unsatisfying. Seemingly on a whim she decided to join the Air Force and told the recruiter she wanted to leave right away. If you asked Beth back then why she joined the military, she would have replied “To get out of my hometown.” What the twenty-one-year-old was unable to articulate was that she wanted discipline, structure, adventure, and camaraderie. This rst step foreshadowed who she would become. Military service matured her stubbornness into determination, and her unexpected boldness to resolute courage was showcased when she volunteered for combat years later.Beth enlisted open general, which some services refer to as open contract or undesignated. Veterans either wince or laugh at the thought of that, but she had good scores and was selected to serve as a Signals Intelligence Analyst. After basic training, she reported to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where she learned basic and advanced Morse Code. While at school an NCO approached her recognizing her last name. After a series of questions, the NCO informed her that her sister was inbound to the same MOS school. The sister was unable to tell Beth while in Basic Training. In an interesting twist of fate, their time at MOS school overlapped, and they went to the same rst duty station in Hawaii.In Hawaii Beth worked with the NSA and as she learned more about her job, her skills, and her interests, she soon trained to be a Fusion Analyst. Her next move was to Lackland AFB in Texas. The war in Iraq was in full swing by then. Beth wanted to actively participate in the Global War on Terrorism and volunteered for a year-long deployment to Iraq. She took the reins in her career and volunteered while still pregnant, reasoning that her child would be too young to remember her absence as an infant. This was a difcult decision to make but a display of sacrice and moral courage. A few months after her son arrived, she departed for the Al Anbar province.Beth was part of a joint team conducting weapons intelligence analysis. Her team traveled in and around Al Taqaddum and Habbaniyah, conducting forensics and post-blast analysis of IEDs. Beth was the only woman on the team and shared mutual respect with her brothers. The combat tour was surreal. She describes it as the best, the hardest, and the most fullling time experienced in uniform. At times it was terrifying, but the camaraderie was unmatched. She enjoyed working with Marines who were competent professionals, albeit with their own eccentric sub-culture. She didn’t know it at the time, but she and the Marines would serve together again in the future.Upon conclusion of the Iraq deployment, Beth returned to Texas for a year before moving overseas to Germany. She served there in uniform for over ve years before retiring. Enjoying her time in Germany so much, and having established tremendous credibility as an intelligence analyst, she remained there for over six more years in civil service.Eventually, it was time to return to the United States. After so many years in the military and abroad, Beth moved to be closer to family. Conducting an international move in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic presented tremendous challenges, but Beth had survived much greater difculties in combat, so she took it all in stride. She settled close to her sister and parents, nding herself in eastern North Carolina in a community dominated by the presence of a Marine Corps base.In addition to the years of experience working in intelligence in the Air Force and as a civil servant, Beth gained degrees in Communications, Applications Technology, and Occupational Education along the way. She was quickly snatched up by a leading defense industry contractor directly supporting the Marines. Though Beth is one of very few Air Force Veterans in the area, she feels quite at home amongst the likes of whom she went to war. She is one of the few civilians in her workspace but makes signicant contributions to the Marine unit she serves. She is fully integrated into the team and is sought out for her expertise and analysis. She likes the fact that Marines are “no-nonsense” when it comes to the mission but simultaneously engage in relentless humor, making coming to work a pleasure.Since retiring Beth continues to enjoy travelling. On many of these trips, she is joined by several colleagues from her Air Force days. When asked her favorite destination Beth emphatically replied “Morrocco!”, where she’s traveled to a whopping eight times. The warm people, delicious food, and authenticity of culture in a region reecting such varied inuences keep her coming back.Looking back on her journey in the military Beth has very few regrets. The sense of mission and “A COURAGEOUS WHIM”The Story of Beth Phillips - USAF – OIF"A Courageous Whim" continued on Page 37

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 33"INCOMING!" was rst published in the Summer 2022 Issue of AT EASE! Veterans Magazine.Operation Buffalo, July 3, 1967, DMZ South VietnamAs the Vietnam War escalated in 1965, so did the demand for Marines and Corpsmen. It was something every young man faced when he turned 18, registering for the Selective Service and eventually waiting for your draft notice. Phillip Olmstead was faced with the choice as all rest, wait to be drafted, enlist in a military branch of service, or try to obtain a draft deferment of some manner like full-time college enrollment. He chose to enlist in the Navy. In April of 1966, he ended up in Great Lakes, Michigan for Navy boot camp. After graduating from boot camp, he and 18 others in his boot camp platoon were selected to be trained as Navy Corpsmen. He had never imagined going into the medical branch of the military but the Navy decided that for him. The demand for Marines was great but the need for Corpsmen was also extremely high. Someone had to keep these guys patched up so they could continue to ght! So that’s what Olmstead ended up doing during his tour of Vietnam.After nishing C School for Corpsman training at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia, he transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for Field Service School. Once graduated from Lejeune, he was given a Hospital Corpsman MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) of 8404. In May of 1967, he was sent to Vietnam where he was assigned to 3rd Battalion 9th Marines (3/9), India Company as their Corpsman.Olmstead stayed with 3/9 for seven months. During that time, he participated in many operations, ambushes, and night patrols. But one particular operation called Operation Buffalo stands out in particular. The operation spanned a period of 14 days from July 1 to July 14, 1967. The event Olmstead recalls happened when his India Company was assigned to provide security for 1st Battalion 9th Marines (1/9) companies Alpha and Charlie who were searching the area that was a battleeld near the Trace1 the day before. Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie companies 1The Trace, also referred to as the McNamara Line, was a 200-meter-wide strip of barren land cleared by the US military running between Con Thien and Gio Linh, South Vietnam. It was designed to slow infiltration of the NVA into the South. It did not help.were involved in heavy ghting with the NVA the day before with Bravo taking some of the heaviest casualties; they were practically decimated. Alpha and Charlie were sent to recover Marine bodies from the battleeld and there were many.As the day progressed, India company started taking lots of sniper re and they were out in the middle of a rice paddy. Artillery was called in on the suspected NVA positions and Olmstead was making his way to a foxhole where a Marine buddy was taking cover. Before he reached it, he saw a large brilliant ash out to his side. The kind of bright light reported by many when they have a near-death experience. Olmstead went down and didn’t move. After a few minutes, he regained consciousness, got up, and scrambled to the foxhole. He jumped into the hole where his buddy was and surprised him. His buddy said, “Hey Doc if I had known you were alive, I would have gone out and dragged you back to the foxhole.” Olmstead examined himself top-to-bottom and miraculously, he was not wounded. The only shrapnel he discovered was a gaping hole in his canteen! The bright light he saw was an exploding shell just a short distance from him, but well within the shell’s “killing zone.” He recalled he never heard a sound. The blast knocked him unconscious almost immediately.What had taken place was a 105 MM Howitzer artillery round, red from the Marine base at Con Thien, which fell short of its destination. Rare, but those so-called “short rounds” were every Marine and Corpsman’s nightmare—being killed by friendly re. The explosion sent shrapnel in all directions but somehow it all missed Olmstead.He commented that he still doesn’t understand how he survived with only a hole in his canteen. “I was being watched over that day and I guess He had different plans for me,” Olmstead said. Yes indeed, different plans because Olmstead went on to complete an eighteen-month tour in Vietnam and was discharged from the Navy in October of 1969 as an E5 Petty Ofcer Second Class. He married his sweetheart in between Vietnam tours, went on to have 3 children, 14 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and worked for the same jewelry company for 43 years. “INCOMING!”The Story of Phillip Olmstead - USN/HM – Vietnam

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 35“Resistance” is futile, the words stood before me as guardians against peace.My drug was powerful, cheap, and easy to get. It sought me out, freeing me from the pursuit. It’s not illegal and no authority sought to deny me the deadly game I played. But freedom was what I wanted. Freedom to walk the path of my choice, not living in fear, not avoiding the things that would paralyze me.My addiction was not common. No alcohol or tobacco on my breath. No drugs mixed with my blood. My addiction was unique to the few who honored the call to duty. To those who would serve their country in times of war. To those who have taken the life of a fellow human being, ghting every instinct not to do so. To have the innocence ripped from my soul so deftly that I didn’t realize it was gone until I pulled the trigger, knowing that nothing would be the same again. It’s at that moment when my mind began the process of assembling this “machine” of addiction. All the parts being there, waiting for the catalyst that formed the blueprint for the rest of my life.Years passed and memories faded until my senses met that one sound, that smell or thought that just came from nowhere. That one thing that reminded me of the moment that changed my life. I realized that I was addicted to punishing myself when I began looking for those things, seeing them in everything I did, seeking them out as I would a friend. To feel the pain and welcome it because it’s what I deserved. I was lucky, and if you’re lucky enough to know that this will take your life, you seek help. Sometimes you’re fortunate to nd that one person who understands what’s happening to you and cares enough to help. They offer you a better solution and you get to live another day.Another day, somewhat better than the last and hopefully not as good as the next. Another day to ght the good ght, to accept the past and learn from those memories, to be the person you know you are, to really be alive, and help that brother that silently seeks your help, letting you become that special angel in their life. I am an addict, but I’ve learned to recognize those moments of vulnerability and use them as tools for those brothers who don’t ask for help with their voices, but with their eyes. When they look at me, I see myself, I see their pain because I know that feeling. My redemption comes by reaching out, to be the help that they need. The help that they don’t know how to ask for, but I do.The Addict By Ronald Dickson

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 37The Stoned Vet has become the No. 1 Marine podcast in the world. Juan has earned a giant, gold Warhammer award to commemorate that status. The next step? “I’m going to be bigger than Joe Rogan.” Juan’s show airs every Wednesday and Friday. Juan is a family man (with seven kids!), a fearless defender of freedom and American values, a Veteran advocate, and above all, a Marine."The Corps is Family" continued from Page 30 "A Courageous Whim" continued from Page 32purpose, the deep bonds of camaraderie, and the discipline obtained have lasting impacts. One of the things she appreciates the most is having had the opportunity to lead, to inuence the lives of others, guiding them to grow and serve. In all her travel and adventures Beth Phillips recognizes that taking care of people is an honor and privilege. Not only did she do that in uniform, but she also continues to do that today. The current generation preparing for the next ght benets from her faithful service. The impact she leaves on others carries her service beyond those eeting years as an Airman.“Who you are speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.”– Ralph Waldo EmersonAfter nearly a decade I managed to check this box off my list. I was sitting on outside on the first sunny day in a while. I saw this Cardinal in a bush across the yard. I patiently waited for him to take flight, the image I captured left me in awe. - David Olmstead | Canon EOS 90D | f/6.3 • 1/1000 • 600.00mm • ISO1000 |32.3MP • 6960 x 4640

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38 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024Courtenay Nold, LTJG (Mustang), USN/R, Retired: “My experiences with writing started pretty early in my life, partially borne from all the reading I did very early on, and also because of the ‘escape’ I discovered by immersing myself into all sorts of books, including poetry. I used to hold in my thoughts and emotions, allowing only stronger behavioral traits to surface. It wasn’t until I freed myself from my ‘bonds’ and took the time to express myself through the written word that I found a useful action to aid in my own recovery.Communication through the written word became especially useful and freeing after spending time deployed in Afghanistan. Several years later brought the eventual and inevitable end of my almost 15-year career by way of a Medical Board because of PTS/D.”As stated by poet/author Turner, B. – in an article by TracyDale (2021), “I believe the imagination is a real space, or series of interconnected and adjacent landscapes. It is inhabited by the past – a past that is haunted by the present. We are the spirits that visit the past, through the conduit of memory and dream. The opposite is true, too. Language is one of the transports that carries us between worlds.”As mentioned in an article by Kuntz, L. (2021), Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal stated, “Over my years as a Psychiatrist and long-time poetry lover it has become increasingly clear to me that poems can heal, inspire, and bring joy to our lives. Finally, I felt I had a way of organizing these poems so that they could deliver on the therapeutic promise of poetry.”Courtenay continues with, “The connection I was able to make with the President of Poetry Society of Indiana, John Hinton, and other members, got me out of my shell emotionally, but also helped to reduce the isolation worn as a shield to protect myself from my own anxieties and perceived shortcomings.”John Hinton: “I have a co-worker, Troy, who served in the Army, completing seven Iraq combat tours. He often tells me stories of his experiences. I wanted to talk to him to get his viewpoints on how poetry could be a tool for service personnel to use both on the battleeld and when returning to civilian life to deal with the unique issues they experience. When I approached him with my questions, he said he didn’t think he’d be much help because he didn’t write poetry. But when we spoke he told me about another Soldier who had a guitar. Troy didn’t know how to play but said “when you have so much down time you look for anything to keep occupied.” He borrowed the guitar and taught himself how to play. After learning a few chords, he wrote a few songs. I stopped him and asked “What are songs?” He looked at me confused. I said, “Songs are simply poems put to music.” He laughed and said, “Never thought of it that way.”“Troy, I believe everyone is a poet, they just haven’t realized it yet.”. Then, he sang two of his songs for me. No guitar, just the words. The songs spoke to his experiences in Iraq and how he felt about war and they were rather poignant. After nishing, we sat silently for several moments. Then I asked, “Why did you write those songs?” His response, “To kill time.” I then asked, “Was that all?” His response, “Everyone needs an outlet. You can’t keep everything inside and have to nd ways to process all the junk.”I understand talking about these experiences doesn’t come easy. I knew a WWII Veteran who would not speak of his experiences at all. He lived dark days because he felt he’d committed such atrocities that he was destined for hell. I could see his suffering and tried to get him to talk but he wouldn’t. I asked what his advice would be for Active-Duty personnel and Veterans. He said, “You have to talk to someone.” Easy to say, difcult to do.Like Troy and his songs, we need to think about poetry as a tool for anyone. The question then becomes how we can use it. My rst suggestion is not to begin by trying to write a poem. Too often that can be a daunting task. Begin with a way to record, write, or type. You’ll nd that a single line can open something that once was formerly locked. We aren’t attempting to write a long poem, rather we are simply beginning a conversation between yourself and your thoughts, and saving them. This serves the role as ‘someone to talk to’. Poetry can be the bridge to releasing pent-up emotions, feelings and experiences.Imagine yourself waking up one morning thinking of a fellow Soldier. Just write that down, “This morning I thought of Billy.” You don’t need to write anything more than that. You’re at the grocery store and are reminded of a time, place, or event. Write it down. “It was a Tuesday in Oujda, the open air market.” Or, you are watching TV and you feel a certain darkness coming over you. Write that down too. “Shadows creep over me.”Get a small notebook and your favorite pen and just keep them handy. Just start capturing words, phrases and sentences. You will nd that our brains make interesting connections when we record our words by hand. We are able to activate more areas of our brains. These areas get activated and it leads to an increase in creativity.If you make writing down words and sentences a habit, one day you’re going to nd you’ve written a lot more than you thought you could. You’ll have created a poem by stringing those random lines together. And, one day, you might even be able to share that poem with others. Eventually, you’ll even consider attending an open mic night, nding yourself on the stage, and sharing your words. I guarantee that someone in that audience needs to hear exactly what you have to say. The meaningful connection you make might just become a lasting memory that started with a single line, but will last a lifetime.”Kuntz, L. (2021.Poetry for PTSD and preventing suicide. Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/poetry-for-ptsd-and-preventing-suicideTracyDale. (2021).Veterans’ self-expression in poetry. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. https//doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh-2020-0005Lyrical LiberationBy Courtenay Nold & John HintonBy Courtenay Nold & John Hinton

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 39Sisyphus teaches us that one may stumble, or even lose footing in life. This may cause you to take one or even a couple of steps back in whatever journey you may be on. However, with that goal in mind, one sets their feet back in place to push the boulder a little farther. The struggle of each step is felt by the person who is working towards the goal he or she has set. As one gets closer to the goal, it is important to not lose focus on the task at hand. We have to continue to push forward with each new day.One may view Sisyphus as a folk hero for his actions on the mountain. One can easily imagine the mundane and monotonous pain of struggling to push a mighty boulder up a mountain; one step after another, feeling as if the ground itself was pulling you down. The mighty boulder pushing against his every muscle and ber of being, the struggle to move the boulder one step at a time. The pending joy of seeing the top of the mountain, the feeling of joy to reach the top and fulll a mighty task, an accomplishment most men, if any could ever match. However, the moment Sisyphus reached the top of that mountain, the boulder came tumbling down, the boulder rolling over and smashing each footprint he had made as he sought to conquer the mountain. Now he was damned to start his journey again. However, he was learning to grow, and the struggle was making him stronger.Sisyphus was a narcissist whose conduct was for self-enrichment, not the betterment of himself or his people. Sisyphus was born into royalty as the son of King Aeolus of Thessaly and Enarete. He would eventually become the king of the Ancient Greek City of Ephyra (Corinth) in Greek mythology. Sisyphus was notoriously known as the most cunning man on Earth who was both shrewd and devious. He led his Kingdom of Ephyra to become nancially prosperous as a hub for commercial activity. However, he also committed many acts interpreted by Zeus as a slight against him and the Gods. The spirit of hospitality, known as Xenia, was highly valued by Zeus. Sisyphus would demonstrate his ruthlessness by regularly killing visitors to his Kingdom. This act greatly angered Zeus. Eventually, Zeus would view Sisyphus as a measly man committing atrocious acts that violated Xenia. However, Sisyphus continued his acts of deance and spat in the face of Zeus and the Gods.A second act of deance by Sisyphus was when he in an effort to gain further power and inuence, informed Asopus where his daughter was. Zeus had kidnapped Asopus’ daughter, Aegina, from Sisyphus’s kingdom; informing Asopus was not an act of honor by Sisyphus, but rather to gain favor with Asopus. As a reward to Sisyphus, Asopus formed a freshwater spring to ow on the Acropolis of Corinth, which brought greater wealth to Sisyphus and his kingdom. Sisyphus specically crossed Zeus in an effort to self-gain.A third act of deance against Zeus, which likely led to the fame of Sisyphus, is when he tricked the Gods out of his own death. Hades, the God of the Dead and King of the Underworld, personally came for Sisyphus. Hades brought a special pair of handcuffs, which Sisyphus spoke highly of. Sisyphus appeared so captivated by them that he asked Hades to demonstrate their use by asking Hades to place the handcuffs on himself. Sisyphus was now able to hold Hades in one of his closets for days. One can imagine how the mortality of men changed from this single act. There was no one to bring mortal men to the underworld, therefore, nobody could die, even those killed in battle. However, once Hades was free, the rst person he sought was Sisyphus who was ordered to the Underworld.Sisyphus was summoned to the Underworld but had a plan once he arrived. Sisyphus told his wife, Queen Merope, not to follow any of the traditional burial rites. Thus, when Sisyphus arrived in the underworld, he simply stated that his wife did not follow the traditional burial rites. Sisyphus complained to the Queen of the Dead that he had not been provided the proper rites. Likewise, he was not buried and thus had no business on the other side of the river Styx. After all, Sisyphus had no coin under his tongue for passage by Charon the ferryman. The Queen of the Dead allowed Sisyphus to return to Earth to reprimand his wife and receive a traditional burial. Once back on Earth, Sisyphus again refused to follow the orders of the Gods and continued to live the life of a King, one who now bested the Gods on numerous occasions. Eventually, Sisyphus was dragged back down to the Underworld to be punished for eternity.Sisyphus was taken to Tararus (the infernal regions of the underworld saved for the enemies of the Gods) where he was condemned to an eternity of exertion by pushing a boulder up a mountain only to watch it roll back down just before he reached the peak. This is how Sisyphus came to be known today. This punishment was saved for the one whose ego was so inated he believed he was more intelligent and righteous than Zeus himself; an eternity of futile labor and a hideous punishment t for Sisyphus who tricked the Gods. Excruciating acts such as pushing a mighty boulder up a mountain became known as Sisyphean acts. The punishment of Sisyphus can teach us that humility is needed no matter what we may accomplish or how highly we may think of ourselves.Painters and writers throughout history have depicted the image of Sisyphus pushing his boulder up the mountain. Many people have interpreted Sisyphus in different ways. Arguably the most well-known interpretation is Albert Camus and his 1942 essay “The Myth of Sisyphus.” Camus described Sisyphus as representing the absurdity of human life, yet Camus concludes “one must imagine Sisyphus happy” as “the struggle itself towards the heights is enough to ll a man’s heart.” However, Sisyphus teaches us that one may stumble, or even lose footing in life, but we must continue to push forward while learning to grow and become stronger.Chad H. Lennon is a Major in the Marine Corps Reserve, Suffolk County Legislator for the Sixth District, and Attorney. Chad is a member of the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame and set the World Record for pulling a 400-pound chain for one mile in 63 minutes and 18 seconds while raising over $6,000 for the Semper Fi Fund.WHY SISYPHUSSISYPHUS MATTERSWritten by Chad H. Lennon, USMCPART I

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Spring 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 41I never really pictured myself as a person who would raise chickens, but a stray chicken wandered into my yard one day and changed my life. My husband wanted us to have chickens, so he took to the little Bantam chick. She worked her magic on him. First, he bought a little rabbit hutch to use as a coop and snuck it into the yard. After I got over it, we bought a friend for her and so I became a crazy chicken mama. My husband named the little chick Buster, and I named her friend Chavah, but her nickname was the big chick. Having the chickens opened up a new world for us. I started learning so much about raising chickens. It was great to expand my mind and learn so many new things. I found they had great little personalities. I started writing little snippets about my adventures on Facebook and found that my friends were entertained by my stories, so that was fun. I ended up starting a blog and blogged for a couple of magazines about chickens and a homestead lifestyle. The chickens were a great help in our garden as well. The chickens were certainly good at entertaining. Buster was such a fearless girl. She took on our Pitbull and won. She also loved taking on a rabbit that wondered into our yard and even some Bluejays. She ruled the roost and I always thought she had little chicken syndrome. Some of the craziest times were when the chickens would go broody. They just wanted to sit on those eggs all day, but without a rooster in the mix, those eggs were never going to hatch. I would do everything I could to break the broodiness, but those girls were so stubborn. A broody chick is a moody chick! My chicken Barbie was a particularly hard one to break and she ended up on our roof and I didn’t even realize it. I was looking all around the yard for her and nally looked up and saw her all puffed up and angry. I can’t even remember how we got her down. Another time I ended up with a chicken on top of my head. I really started learning that chickens make great therapy animals. I found out about Coops for Troops and their mission to help military Veterans who were emotionally or physically impacted by their military service get set up with therapy chickens and all the supplies they would need to get started. As an Air Force Veteran, the program just gave me a greater appreciation for my therapy chickens. They gave me a reason to get up in the morning. Also, they helped me get much-needed fresh air and they made me breakfast. Chickens can make great pets and can also be quite spoiled. Mine sure were. Nothing like coming home and having chickens waiting at the backdoor for their treats and actually knocking! I’m always excited to hear about other people getting chickens and sure love to help with any advice. We had to re-home our last chicken after her mate died and now I am dealing with empty nesting box syndrome, but I can see them again in my future. THE CHICKEN COOPTHE CHICKEN COOPM   sby Amanda Mchenrycoops for troops

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42 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024This story was told to me and my fellow Coast Guard classmates attending the National Search and Rescue (SAR) School to prepare us to be SAR Coordinators at our various units around the country. There were many stories told by the instructors and guest speakers, as well as my fellow attendees who had already been assigned to SAR-related Coast Guard units in the eld. They were driving the ships, boats, helicopters, and xed-wing aircraft doing the searching, knowing each time they lifted off a tarmac or tossed off mooring lines to get underway, that they “Had to go, but didn’t have to come back.” And now they were training to be the ones planning the rescue or recovery operations and directing Coast Guard units during SAR missions. The stories were often told with some dark humor, despite the tragic and sometimes gruesome nature involved, though to our credit, we were also appropriately horried when the critical points of the stories were revealed. And in the end, our responses to the retelling of the stories we told and the things we had seen and heard is probably also the point of this story.I’ve always wondered if this story, among others told by our instructors during the training, could have been exaggerated or even fabricated to emphasize a particular point in our training, with some of them seeming too outrageous or strange to believe. The instructors themselves playfully maintained ambiguity about our suspicions and strictly avoided divulging sensitive or personal information about certain cases. But I recall them insisting this story was true, and that this particular case was part of Coast Guard leaders looking at PTSD more seriously.Today, sitting just south of the idyllic town of Sausalito on the northern side of the entrance to San Francisco Bay, tucked just inside the rocky cliffs at the mouth of the bay and inside the small protected harbor of Horseshoe Bay, sits Coast Guard Station Golden Gate. Station Golden Gate, like all similar Coast Guard Stations strung along every shoreline of the country, employs the smaller boats typically used for local law enforcement, boating safety, SAR response, and at this particular unit, special surf rescue boats needed for the treacherous San Francisco bar. But the responsibility for bridge fatalities (recovering victims) has been held by Marin County authorities since 1990 when the Coast Guard moved to Horseshoe Bay from across the bay on the San Francisco side at Fort Point. Before 1990 and the establishment of Station Golden Gate in Horseshoe Bay, rescue responses to all reported bridge jumpers, including recovery of victims, came from Coast Guard Station Fort Point.I attended SAR school in 1994, and the names and dates of the primary parties involved weren’t told to us, so this story presumably occurred before 1990, if it really occurred at all, as I mentioned.So, in that spirit, along with the limitations of my memory of 30 years ago, there also may be some embellishments of my own in re-telling it here...Another call of a bridge jumper came into Station Fort Point and the crew on duty. It was the fth or sixth for the week, and the third for this particular boat crew, but they responded to the call like every call, rushing to the LKP (Last Known Position) provided to them below the bridge. They searched for the reported jumper, a male this time, at the assigned position, but they did not nd him. They were then directed to search seaward into the Pacic Ocean with the tide ebbing at its peak, creating the strongest currents that it would during that cycle of the tide and out to sea.Hopes and probability for survival were now signicantly lower, but the boat crew, some of them having been at Station Fort Point for almost the full four-year tour at this point. Veterans of hundreds of missions like this one, they turned seaward along the heading provided by the SAR Coordinators managing the mission. They knew they were likely searching for a deceased body because very few survive the jump, water temperature, or the currents. They had recovered countless bodies in all forms of wreckage or decay, but they searched and scanned using all their training for the slightest chance of saving someone in distress. Those stories happened sometimes too, after all.On this mission, they found the male relatively quickly, approximately half a mile into the Pacic from the Golden Gate. With no apparent signs of life, they hauled the man aboard. They performed The'GOLDEN GATE'The'GOLDEN GATE'GuardiansGuardiansby Scot Striffler, USCG

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Spring 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 43all the life-saving techniques their training provided and required, but once again, another soul had tragically passed, despite their efforts. They turned their boat eastward again and steamed their way back to Station Fort Point.With all the urgency gone and another mission ending with a corpse on their deck, one of the crewmembers had an idea. This jumper wasn’t badly mangled or broken and even looked like he could be just taking a nap on the heaving boat deck. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if they propped him up and tied him to the taffrail with one arm casually resting on the rail, sunglasses on, a ballcap on his head, can of coke in his other hand, cigarette in his mouth, legs crossed, and smiling like a tourist cruising San Francisco Bay? The movie, “Weekend at Bernie’s” came out in the summer of 1989 and may have served as an inspiration. Or it was their own morbid creation and pre-dated that lm in which the title character is dressed up, posed, and dragged around to look like he is alive and well while being very dead.The rest of the crew who had often pulled bodies from the water that had been picked at or were half-eaten by sea creatures were twisted in gruesome and unnatural ways or had oated in and out of the harbor with the ever-changing tide for days or weeks without notice. And no longer resembled anything like a human being, they agreed that it would indeed be hilarious. So they put their plan into action propping up the corpse, now no longer seen as a person with a family that was walking and talking just like them merely hours ago. Arranging him in a casual sitting position along the aftermost rail, just like they imagined him, lighting the cigarette in his mouth, Coast Guard ball cap on his head, and nally standing back admiring their work and laughing hysterically. Even the boat coxswain, usually the senior boat crew member in charge and responsible for keeping things like these from happening, laughed and congratulated his crew for a job well done as the Station piers came into view. The boat crew was still laughing, taking pictures of each other with their special passenger, as the boat now slowly approached its home mooring.Finally, the yells and other raised voices from the pier caught the attention of the boat crew. They looked forward to seeing the pier lled with people, including all of their Station crewmates on duty, and some other high-ranking looking Coasties with gold on their shoulder boards. They’d never seen dozens of civilians gesturing towards them excitedly. It also turned out that among the waiting crowd on the pier were relatives of the deceased male jumper they had just recovered from the Pacic Ocean.The family and media had all been briefed that the male jumper was found unresponsive and all attempts to revive him had failed. But now they could all clearly see that the brieng had been wrong, that a miraculous recovery had instead occurred, and the male jumper was alive and even upright and receiving VIP treatment from the boat crew.The excitement on the pier rose even more as the boat bumped against the pier and one high female voice rose above the rest. Before any mooring lines could be thrown to the pier to tie up the boat, the shrieking woman, presumably the wife of the male jumper, of course, leaped aboard and excitedly ran to her miraculously “saved” husband, still unmoving and attached to the taffrail. She threw her arms around him, knocking off the sunglasses and Coast Guard ballcap that the crew had donated.The poor woman pulled back, realized the true condition of her loved one, and after a horried moment of dead silence on the boat and pier, shrieked hysterically, fainted, and general chaos broke out everywhere.The deceased male jumper turned out to have had a history of mental health issues and happened to be from a prominent and well-connected local family. Of course, condemnation and punishment quickly followed for all directly and indirectly involved.The lesson at SAR school that included this story was obviously about maintaining our humanity, respect, and professionalism at all times. A reminder that we represented the entire Coast Guard in everything we did, and always with the chance that any routine mission can turn out to be anything but routine.And even beyond that, God forbid, there could be some kind of political connection to anything you do!But the other lesson reputedly reaching Coast Guard leaders was that the Station Fort Point boat crews were also deeply affected by the near-constant duty of searching for and recovering deceased bridge jumpers, and began to give greater consideration to the effects of PTSD and the mental health impacts of all their operations and missions on servicemembers.Whether the story is true or not, as I’ve alluded, I can’t say, but the lessons of maintaining humanity, respect, and professionalism at all times were reinforced through its telling and supposedly helped bring about greater awareness by Coast Guard leadership regarding the impacts of “routine” Coast Guard operations on the mental health of its own members. And to develop more programs for servicemembers to care for their mental health and make it okay to ask for help.Hopefully, some of these notions were considerations by the bridge owners in their deliberations to nally allow the modications to the historic bridge to try and save more poor souls from being claimed by the water below, or sparing more pain for the surviving families left behind, and even for the Guardians on duty that answer the call.WRITERS NOTE:The managers of the Golden Gate Bridge recently agreed to long-time requests to fully install nets along the outside of the bridge to discourage or catch people attempting to end their lives by jumping from the bridge into the chilly swift-running water over 200 feet below. The bridge has been the nal destination of choice for many unfortunate souls since its construction, with each jumper leaving behind a tragic story. But this story is not about the thousands that have tragically succeeded in ending their lives or heart-wrenching testimonials of loved ones left behind. This story is about the impact on the men and women who have served and been called upon to try and save, or at least recover, those who have sought their mortal end at the world-famous bridge at the entrance to San Francisco Bay.The concessions of the bridge owners and new enhanced netting brought this story back to mind and thought I’d pass it along....Scot Striffler is retired and served over 37 years consecutively with U.S. Coast Guard, including 9 1/2 years active duty, 5 years active reservist, and 23 years as a civilian. He left active reserves as a Chief Petty Ofcer Quartermaster.

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44 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024SERVICE SAVES!During the course of our Client Intake Appointments, we meet people of all sorts. The veterans or rst responders we meet up with have, as one would imagine, a myriad of things going on in their lives and the lives of those close to them. With the variety of needs Veterans2Veterans Group attempts to assist with, Our V2VG caseworkers do their best to encapsulate and present them to the Board of Directors for consideration. However, it is not easy for our case workers to remain objective whilst dealing with real people who are having real problems, especially when we meet them face-to-face. The Veterans2Veterans Group caseworkers do their best to remain objective about these situations while still treating those in need as people and not as numbers or statistics to be cleared from a spreadsheet. There are times, though, that a particular case stands out and not for reasons one may believe.Lead Caseworker Chuck Bradley and Eric McNail received a distressing message at one point about a United States Marine Corps Veteran who was on a vicious and steep downward spiral; and by his own indications, potentially engaging in self-harm or worse. Immediately we scheduled an intake appointment, in-person and drove out to meet with this veteran and his wife.Ian Millar was in a dark place. His mental situation was tenuous, and he was seemingly holding on by a thread. His only concern, at the time of our arrival, was that we could help and then take care of his wife after he was gone. This was simply not acceptable. Yes, we would help, but we knew Ian needed more. He needed to see his value and recognize his worth. His worth to his wife, himself, and potentially to the greater community.During our visit we spoke about a great number of things and slowly, very slowly, his attitude began to change as he saw a glimmer of hope that we could offer him through V2VG. Not just the assistance we were likely going to be able to provide (and ultimately did provide), but a glimpse at a chance for him to do for others as we were doing for him and his wife. To have a mission greater than himself, a mission to help those who, like him, needed it and perhaps needed more besides.Ian asked if we ever gave thought to opening a second chapter. To which we replied that although we had indeed thought of it, it remained a dream far away as we were at capacity with our current structure as it stood. Ian chewed it over a bit and said if we ever wanted to open a second chapter in his area, he would love to be involved in running it. A few months passed and we monitored his situation and were happy to know Ian’s life had improved dramatically. Ian Millar, an avid biker, had joined a local chapter of United Bikers of New Hampshire and was again enjoying life. However, unbeknownst to us at Veterans2Veterans Group, Ian and his wife Paula were having many discussions about doing more. Towards the end of 2023 Ian contacted Veterans2Veterans Group and pitched his idea. Ian had been discussing his close friend 'Chip,' the idea of creating a Veterans2Veterans Riding Club which would be a Riding Club loosely associated with V2VG and would y a modied version of our logo on their cut. This Riding Club’s purpose is to be a group of bikers with the common interest of Patriotism and Service. The funds they would raise would go to support the group with the overage to be disbursed to Veterans2Veterans Group, when they saw t to do so.Written by: Eric McNailIan, Paula, and Chip came to one of the meetings of the Board to pitch the idea and make his presentation. It was well-received during the meeting, but no decision was made at that time; the Board of Directors needed to discuss it of course. It wasn’t long before the Board unanimously voted to approve the Riding Club to use our logo on their colors and Veterans2Veterans Riding Club was off the ground. While still a edgling group, they are hard at work getting sanctioned by established Motorcycle Clubs and are making sure they do everything in accordance with the traditions and customs of the same. Ian has found his mission, and we are proud to have played a role in that and highly encourage any of our brother and sister veterans or rst responders who may be considering ending it all to STOP... take a breath... and understand that you do have worth, you are valuable, you can make a difference in many lives. Find your mission even if you start small. One life helped is better than no life helped at all. We need to look out for each other, and we can’t do it alone. You don’t have too either.

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46 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024Stories shared from my broadcast interviews often allow a deeper perspective into a guest’s life, background, and feelings. Some of those conversations open doors into memories forgotten and more often it allows for a greater appreciation of those memories for both the guest and the listeners. These stories are not manufactured, but rather taken from real people who have lived real events and then share them with me and with others. This story highlights just one aspect of a young man’s incredible life. It reveals who Chet Tucker is and quickly establishes the core values that he possesses. It is a story that could be developed into a Hollywood script and I, for one, hope that one day it will. We begin with the background that led up to an incredible journey in his life.Though born in southern California, Chet was destined to be a free ramblin’ kid on the plains of Oklahoma and Texas. At a young age he began seeing the world through different eyes. He absorbed everything he witnessed and often wrote poems and penned lyrics about what he observed. He later added a camera to his arsenal of creative weapons and then merged his creative words and pictures into an art form he calls “Flowtography”. The words corresponding to his photographs quickly gave new meaning to both.But the real story of Chet’s character begins in his childhood. His best friend Kelly was also his blood brother. Those were the days when pricking your nger with that of your best friend and blending your blood together formed an unbreakable bond. Chet did this with Kelly when they were eleven years old and that began a bond that soon would be disrupted a year later when Kelly moved away with his family. Without cellular phones and social media connections in those days, the two blood brothers drifted apart.Many years later technology caught up to reality and Chet decided to scour the internet to nd his long-lost blood brother. Kelly served in the military which might explain while several requests went unanswered. He most likely was deployed. So, he waited. Several weeks later a message popped up on Chet’s computer screen. Kelly had received his friend request! Or so he thought. In fact, the response came from Kelly’s widow, Christina. The tone of our discussion became more somber as Chet relived that moment and he continued through moist eyes. Christina immediately turned that devastating moment into enlightenment as she revealed the many stories Kelly had shared over the years about his childhood. While Christina was now remarried and living in Colorado, she wanted to continue the connection with Chet. They “friended” each other on Facebook and when Chet mentioned in a post that he was preparing to live a life-long dream of climbing Mount Everest, there came a deafening silence. Christina revealed that one of Kelly’s major bucket list items was to do the same thing! Could this be fate? Christina then asked if Chet would consider taking a portion of Kelly’s remains on the climb and scattering them on Everest. The thought of carrying his blood brother and fallen soldier to this lofty nal resting place gave Chet a new perspective for his endeavor. I must admit that goosebumps are not even close to the feeling this interviewer felt at that moment.The climb to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) would cover one hundred miles over a twelve-day period and ascend to a height of 17,500 feet or more than three miles into the sky. When the climb began, Chet carried with him, among his other things, the remains of his friend along with a memorial yer, a photo of Kelly doing a backip, and his favorite hiking shirt stating, “Don’t trust anyone under 14,000 feet”.A few days into the trek Chet decided to scatter some of the ashes from a suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River and save the rest for when the group reached the EBC. There were times when the physical aspects of the hike were nearly overwhelming, but visions of Kelly made the challenges evaporate. Several days later we reached our 17,500-foot goal.Following the celebration and jubilation, Chet separated from the group for a private moment to spread the remaining ashes of his childhood friend and his blood brother as well as honoring the wishes of his widow. Once again, there was an emotional pause in our conversation.The group then explored the trails around Khumbu Falls, taking in breathtaking views before heading back to the EBC. Chet took a separate path back to once more revisit the spot where he had said his nal farewell to Kelly. He knelt for a few moments and then looked up to see a Himalayan Rose Finch hopping from rock to rock a few feet away. Was this a colorful acknowledgement from his life-long friend saying thank you for making this an event much bigger than life itself.Chet captured that moment on lm, and I am proud to have a copy to share with you.Ron JonesRon Jones

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 47I REMEMBER WHEN...I REMEMBER WHEN...I REMEMBER WHEN...I REMEMBER WHEN...When I was a sophomore in high school, I already knew everything I’d ever need to know to get through life. You know how it is. We all go through that stage when we know what’s best for us and for everyone else. It was during a moment of adolescent clarity (I use the term loosely) that I joined the Army National Guard and became a member of the high school cadet team. A lot of my friends like Blinky Dyer, Joe Murphy, and Freddie Jarvis joined. Why not me? So, at the age of 15, I began my military career. I knew that I was too young, but heck I looked older than I was and was already being served at the local bar. I knew could pass for older. At age 17, one would need to have parental permission to join but, at age 18, one did not need permission. So, I lied to the military. My parents found out but I guess the seriousness of that fact didn’t really hit them at the time.I loved going to the meetings. I couldn’t wait to get into uniform and especially going to the meetings when the Boston Braves were playing their night games. I could sneak up on the roof of the Commonwealth Avenue Armory and join other guardsmen to watch the Braves play. We viewed their games from directly across the street behind the right-eld bleachers. At this writing, Braves Field is now Nickerson Field, Boston University’s ball eld. I think the Boston Braves went on to become the Milwaukee Brewers and then the Atlanta Braves. During the summer, I found myself at the Army National Guard’s two-week summer camp. I learned what KP (how to peel potatoes) was all about, the nomenclature of a rie, military drill, rie and pistol range shooting. I also learned how to control a .50 caliber machine gun’s trigger mechanism which I totally screwed up because I could not squeeze the buttery triggers together. I scared the Hell out of everyone on that range, including myself. A short-arm inspection was another thing I learned at summer camp. This is when a doctor comes through the barracks and we, dressed in boots and ponchos only, would expose our genitals for the purpose of his inspection. There was a great deal of coughing going on while he examined all of us.Then, there was drinking 3.2 beers every night at the ripe old age of 15. That was another thing I learned to accomplish. Wearing a uniform meant not being asked for an ID in a local pub off the base. That was one of the great feelings about growing up, too. Shame on me, right? It didn’t hurt that I had a new persona with the guys at school. My status went up overnight.One Thursday night following a Guard meeting, I got the news that we might be shipping out to Korea, so I went home and began to pack my uniform and all my gear to bring to the next meeting. Mom came by my room and saw me packing. She asked me what I was doing. I told her I was packing all my gear in preparation for a possible call-up of my outt, the 26th Infantry of the great Yankee Division of First World War fame. This time it might be the Korean War. She almost had a conniption t. Have you ever seen your mother turn into that proverbial “mother bear?” She immediately got on the phone and made one call to my National Guard unit and told them how old I was and I was forced to give up my life in the Army National Guard. The next week I was mustered out but with a round of applause from the men. I got pats on the back and a few “See you in two years, Sully!”LIES & LOYALTYby Paul Sullivan, Ret. Captain, USMCPaul Sullivan, Ret. Captain, USMC resides in Massachusetts with his wife Beverly. The 26th Infantry of the Great Yankee Division and the Tale of the 15-Year-Old Recruit"The 26th Infantry of the Great Yankee Division and the Tale of the 15-Year-Old Recruit"

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48 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024There comes a time in almost everyone’s lives when they are thrust into a situation with people that they would otherwise never have a connection, that will dene them for the rest of their lives. Being involved in an accident, or a natural disaster, is just a few of those life-dening moments. They connect us at our very ber. Arguably, the greatest of these events are connected to military service. The four major armed forces put people of every demographic together and then ordered them to work as a seamless team. World War One, World War Two, Korea, and Vietnam created those bonds for the three generations before Gen X. This new generation, born from 1965 to 1980, was just entering the military when the United States stopped an insurrection on the tiny island of Grenada in 1983. On May 17th, 1987, that all changed in the Arabian Gulf on board the Guided Missile Frigate Stark (FFG-31). Many of the approximately 220 men on board were on their rst or second deployment and enlistments. That night, the MTV generation had their lives changed forever by the words, “Smoke in the air.”The Middle East has been at the center of much turmoil for over fty years. In 1980, neighbors Iran and Iraq went to war with each other. Hostilities started along the borders but soon spilled over into the Gulf. The Arabian Gulf, also known as the Persian Gulf, became a battleeld when the two countries started attacking oil tankers. America has kept a presence in the Gulf for over a hundred years and the Iran-Iraq war caused an increase in the ships patrolling the area. The USS Stark was a part of that mission in May 1987 and was in the middle of their six-month deployment. She had pulled into NSA Bahrain to pick up supplies and a quick rest break for the crew. During deployments in the ‘80s, many ships went through inspection cycles and the USS Stark was no different. Scheduled to pick up some engineering inspectors, however, the ship had not completed a full power run. She departed Bahrain at 0800 on a Sunday and headed out to an operation zone in the gulf designated for drills and inspections. According to the Plan of the Day (POD) the full power run was scheduled for 1300. It was the only major event scheduled, along with religious services. Mark Wasnock, a Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) (GSM3) said he remembers doing the full power run but was not sure what time it had nished. Mark was an engine-room watch stander on a 6/6 rotation. “We were shorthanded as far as watch standers were concerned,” he said. “One of the senior guys had just left the ship while we were in port.” Mark’s watch ended around 1800, his next watch would commence at 0001. He was going to get some sleep when a friend asked him to watch a movie in the general workshop, which is in the aft part of the ship. Berthings on a frigate are in the forward part of the vessel. The ship was in a relaxed posture as Sundays at sea are treated slightly differently. Monday through Saturday were normal workdays and along with the standard duties of watch standing, maintenance, other drills and training are scheduled. Sundays were normally for catching up on sleep and just taking a mental break when not on watch. During this period of the Tanker War, Both Iran and Iraq had aircraft in the air. The Operation Specialists (OSs) were tasked with monitoring these actions. OSSN William McLoed had seen the Iraqi aircraft y in a similar patterns almost every night.They would y out of Iraq along the border, and then y near Kuwait, entering the Gulf along the Saudi Arabian coast. The planes would turn towards Bahrain and y east heading in the direction of Iran. They would enter Iran and then head back to Iraq. At Approximately 2000 the USS Stark began tracking an unidentied aircraft. The Ship’s CO issued an order to the Radioman at 2109 to send a warning to the aircraft. “Unknown aircraft, this is a U.S. Navy warship on your 078 (degrees) for twelve miles. Request you identify yourself.”Minutes later the CO, Glenn R. Brindel, was informed the Iraqi aircraft had targeted the ship, locking its Cyrano-IV re-control radar onto Stark. The jet, a modied Dassault Falcon 50 business plane, red the rst of two Exocet anti-ship missiles from 22 miles away and the second from 15 miles away from the ship. The pilot then banked left and withdrew. REMEMBERING THE USS STARKREMEMBERING THE USS STARKWritten by: Guy Bensing

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 49The forward lookout reported, “Smoke in the air.” At the same time, the Bridge team reported a are in the air, adding to the confusion of the night. The rst missile struck the port (left) side about eight feet above the waterline. It entered one of the berthings and severed the reman (term used for the system of piping that runs along the ship). The missile did not detonate and split in two, spilling about one hundred and twenty gallons of rocket fuel. The warhead continued without the guidance system and embedded itself in a bulkhead. General Quarters (GQ) or Battle Stations was sounded, then 30 seconds later the second Exocet entered the ship eight feet forward of the rst and exploded, igniting the air and the rocket fuel. Mark headed for the engine room about a hundred feet aft of the strike. “The engine room started to ll up with smoke and I could not see and was having trouble breathing.” He evacuated to Engineering Central where he was told to don a MK-5 gas mask and return to the main space. The MK-5 did not lter smoke but allowed Mark to see. Later, he set negative ventilation in the space which helped to de-smoke the ship. Boatswain Mate Second Class (BM2) Pete Weber had come off watch and was asleep when the carnage began. “I saw re and some of my shipmates and thought I needed to help them.” A member of the aircrew who shared the berthing grabbed Pete and told him they needed to leave.Pete resisted but the “Airdale,” as they are commonly referred to, insisted and pulled Pete up the ladder to the main deck. That is when the second missile impacted and exploded. Both Pete and the Airman were thrown into the lifelines (the wires that go along the ship to keep people from falling overboard). They noticed Pete was bleeding from his forehead, having been hit by shrapnel. A makeshift triage was set up in the starboard (right) helo hanger where his wounds were treated and he was told to rest. Pete was given a shirt and a pair of rubber overalls. He put these on and assisted in the reghting efforts until the XO ordered him to return to medical. None of these men knew what had happened. In the Operations Berthing, William McLoed was awakened by the sound of GQ and was getting dressed when the missile exploded. “I thought a fuel tank went up.” William saw his friend OSSN Terrance “Terry” Weldon covered in soot that blackened on his arms and face. “What the fuck happened?” he asked. The last thing he heard Dan say was “I don’t know,” and he disappeared. With his dungaree bottoms just pulled on and a ripped t-shirt, William tried to escape the living space, but his egress was blocked. At one point, he crawled out of his pants. Not knowing if he was going to survive, William went into the ooding compartment and went under the warm water. He felt a rush of cold water and followed it, thinking it might be safe, he came up out of the water to take a breath of air.The stench of burned esh, boiling paint, and rocket fuel lled his nostrils. It was the foulest smell he had ever come across and caused him to keep crawling. Seconds later he was falling and he grabbed whatever he could. Thinking he had grabbed the knife edge of the deck; he sliced his hand to the bone. When William let go, he realized he was outside of the skin of the ship. Following his training, he swam as far away from the ship as fast as he could. Three other sailors would eventually join him, and they would spend the next eleven and a half hours with all kinds of sea life, including a baby shark “under the most beautiful night sky I have ever seen.” Those four were lucky. A fth sailor spent the same amount of time alone in the gulf before being rescued. With the help of two other ships and sailors, like Boiler Technician (BT3) Rusty Dolan from the USS Coontz (DDG-40), the Stark was saved after nearly twelve intense hours of reghting. Thirty-seven men, including OSSN Weldon and SMSN Earl Ryals, were lost that night. Earl was one of the last men identied, with one body not being recovered. Earl’s sister, Janna Ryals, was a Machinery Repairman (MR2) at the time of the attack. She remembers the memorial service that was attended by President Ronald Reagan who recited a quote by Abraham Lincoln, “When brave men die, it is their deeds, not our words that are remembered. It is their sacrice not our brief recollection that offers everlasting testimony of their love of others and their love for us.” First Lady Nancy Reagan, dedicated a memorial plaque during the ceremony. She hoped that" these men and their sacrice would never be forgotten" Starting in 1988, the Mayport Naval base held a memorial each year on the anniversary of the attack. For the twenty-fth anniversary, the Chief’s Club at Mayport Naval Station got involved and invited the remaining survivors to a dinner in their honor. Janna attended that dinner and watched as these men, who had lost their brothers so long ago, on that Sunday night, laughed, cried, remembered, and healed. She knew that these men needed each other, and they needed to meet more often. “I had lost my one brother that night, but these sailors, they lost thirty-seven of them and you could still see the hurt.” It took Janna some time and with the help of Facebook, she connected many of these near-forgotten men. Almost all of them left the ship within a year of the incident. Many of them were struggling with PSTD and addiction. They felt alone and lost and they needed each other, even if it was only once every few years. These sailors needed to heal.Not only them but the rst responders as well. Men like Rusty, who assisted in the recovery of the fallen. Rusty, after connecting through the Facebook group, attended the 30th reunion. Wearing his USS Coontz ball cap, one of the rst guys to welcome him was Mark Wasnock. Now a retired Senior Chief, Mark thanked Rusty for coming and thanked him for assisting his ship all those years before. These reunions, held each year with the 37th coming up, are a chance for those who lived it to tell their stories and those who cannot forget to look into the eyes of their brothers and say the same thing they said that night. “I Got You,” This article pays tribute to the men who were lost on May 17, 1987, and those who have been lost since. “Strength for Freedom”

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50 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024A chilly November wind blew from the Yellow Sea and across the runway at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. Nearby, parked on an alert pad, was a detachment of US Air Force B-57 Canberra bombers, each with a live nuclear weapon in their bomb bay and ready to y at a moment’s notice. On deployment from their home base at Yokota Japan, crews from the 8th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Medium Bomb Wing were sleeping soundly in their alert facility when at 0400 klaxon horns aroused them from their slumber. As the crews rushed to their waiting aircraft, they likely thought this was just one more drill, where they would strap themselves in, start engines, stand down, secure, and return to bed for some much-needed shut-eye. But this morning was different.As the pilots strapped themselves into their cockpits, they awaited the arrival of their navigators with the latest weather and target reports. When the navigators arrived, to their shock the pilots were told not to start engines but instead to stand by for further orders. Then to the amazement of all, a gate next to the runway rolled back. A blue Air Force pickup then drove in and parked itself just inside. The pilots were told that if the truck pulled out, they were to immediately y their war mission. An air of foreboding then settled on both the air and ground crews there on the ramp. With targets in North Korea, China, and the Soviet Far East, the aircrews instinctively knew they would be ying one-way missions. But they had no idea as to why they were facing potential oblivion. As dawn broke, many sitting in their cockpits and standing around the ramp felt that this would be the last sunrise they would ever see. It was not until 1000 that the stand-down order was nally issued. Exhausted and sore, the crews secured and returned to the alert shack. It was then and there that they were told the reason for their ordeal. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces had been shot and killed in Dallas, Texas.1The afternoon of 22 November 1963 found America’s National Security leadership literally scattered about. In the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara was in his ofce with National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy working on a draft of the new defense budget.2 At the same time, the Joint Chiefs of Staff were in the Pentagon Gold Room, meeting with the staff of the West German Bundeswehr.3 Air Force Chief of Staff General Curtis Lemay was absent from the meeting, himself away on a hunting trip in northern Michigan.4Secretary of State Dean Rusk and the rest of the cabinet had departed Hawaii and were in ight over the Pacic en route to a conference in Japan.5 With the Presidential party in Dallas were military aides Army Brigadier General Chester Clifton and Air Force Brigadier General Godfrey McHugh. In the White House Situation Room, and at the National Military Command Center, staff were performing their normal watch duties.At 1330 Central time, shots rang out at the Presidential motorcade as it THE MILITARY RESPONSE TO THE ASSASSINATION OF JOHN F. KENNEdYA Day the World Mourned and Nearly Went To WarBy John F. Davies “Open Gate at Kunsan, 23 November, 1963” Artwork by the Author

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 51passed through Dallas’s Daley Plaza. Both the President and Texas Governor John Connolly were hit, and the motorcade rushed to nearby Parkland Hospital. Shortly afterward, at 1334, the White House situation room received a ash bulletin from United Press International that the President had been shot. Word was immediately sent out to the Pentagon and White House staff.6 Upon hearing the shocking news, Secretary of Defense McNamara immediately adjourned his meeting, with Bundy departing for the White House. McNamara then conferred with the Joint Chiefs, and a ash message was quickly sent out to all US military commands.1.” Press reports President Kennedy and Governor Connolly of Texas shot and critically injured. Both in hospital in Dallas Texas. No information yet, will keep you informed.”2. “This is the time to be especially on the alert.”7 General McHugh kept both the Pentagon and the NMCC appraised of the situation via commercial phone and not through ofcial channels.8At 1400, it was ofcially conrmed that the President was dead. Upon receiving conrmation of Kennedy’s death, McNamara and the Joint Chiefs once again conferred, and at 1450 the alert level of all US Military commands was immediately increased one step to DEFCON 4.This was the lowest level of readiness, with increased security measures implemented, and the level of intelligence monitoring increased.9General Taylor then issued a special order to the Military District of Washington. However, no troops were mobilized, nor were security levels increased.10 A C-140 Jetstar transport was immediately dispatched from Andrews Air Force Base to pick up General Lemay and return him to Washington. The Chiefs then returned to their meeting with the Bundeswehr ofcers. JCS Chief Taylor felt that this action was essential for continuity and stability. When the conference concluded at 1630, Taylor informed his guests of the sad news. By his account, the horried Germans literally “collapsed in their seats.”11At this moment in time, it should be noted that the command and control network appeared to experience a sudden slowdown. The response appeared disjointed and uneven. Procedures such as communication checks were not followed, nor was effort made to alert overseas commands, nor was contact made with Air Force One at Love Field in Dallas. Within the Pentagon itself, an air of tension reigned. Indeed, contingency plans had considered a Presidential assassination as the prelude to a decapitation strike. Some even thought of this as the start of a possible coup. However, the Pentagon appeared to follow the Joint Chief’s example by keeping a low-keyed response.12 At Love Field in Dallas, the Presidential Party returned to Air Force One. The late President’s body was placed aboard, and after being sworn in aboard the aircraft, President Johnson gave the order to depart for Washington, with AF1 leaving the ground at 1447.13 Above the Pacic, Secretary of State Dean Rusk informed the rest of the cabinet of the sad news, he then contacted Commander in Chief Pacic (CINCPAC), Admiral Harry D. Felt. Their plane immediately turned around and headed back to Hickam, AFB, Hawaii.14The strongest reaction occurred in the Pacic and the Far East. On hearing the news of the assassination, CINCPAC commander Admiral Felt immediately sent a ash message to all units under his command.“This is the time to be especially on the alert. Do not desire any actions which would indicate heightened tensions such as recall of personnel on leave. But take actions that would denitely be consistent with DEFCON 3.”15Throughout the Pacic warships immediately went to general quarters.Special weapons were loaded and courses changed, with task forces deploying towards positions off the Soviet Pacic Coast.16 In Yokosuka Japan, crews of warships were suddenly awakened, called to general quarters, special sea details set, and all haste made to leave the harbor.17 At nearby Yokota Air Base, alerts were sounded, the base locked down, and crews ordered to report to the ight line and stand by their aircraft.18 American forces in Korea were in what could be described as a hair-trigger state of readiness.19US NATO forces in Europe also quickly responded. In Germany, soldiers who were expecting a relaxing weekend received a rude awakening when American ground units were immediately mobilized and sent to positions on the East German border.20 At Zaragoza Air Base Spain, as well as other DEFCON 3 Flash Message CINCPAC, 22 November, 1963Admiral Harry D. Felt USN, Commander in Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) 1963NSA NSA intercept on Cuban Military Alert 23 November, 1963.

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52 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024US air bases, personnel were recalled, security tightened, and aircraft placed on runway alert.21 In the words of one soldier, “Everyone thought the Commies were coming.” However, the response of America’s nuclear strike force was more subdued. Unlike the Cuban crisis the year before, SAC commander General Thomas S. Power didn’t elevate the alert level above DEFCON 4. And in spite of the tense atmosphere, bombers on their alert pads stood ready,22 and missiles remained on standby in their launch silos.23 Indeed, the record shows that almost all domestic US commands d i d n ’ t m u c h a l t e r t h e i r d a i l y r o u t i n e t h a t a f t e r n o o n . In the US 2nd Fleet for example, at bases such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Norfolk Virginia, ensigns were lowered to half staff and gun salutes red, the atmosphere being more of mourning than fear.24The one exception was at Fort Bliss, Texas. There the alert battalion from the Second Armored Division received orders to mount out and deploy to Dallas in anticipation of potential domestic disorder. Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton Junior (Son of the famous WW II General.), immediately oversaw the involved and complicated process of mounting armored vehicles on railroad at cars. However, at approximately 2200 hours Lt. Col. Patton received the order to secure and stand down.25 However, this again was the exception. The mood at all other domestic military installations appeared to mirror the shock and disbelief that the rest of America was experiencing.At this point in time, Air Force Chief of Staff General Curtis Lemay was airborne and en route back to Washington. On multiple occasions, Lemay’s military aide Colonel Dorman attempted to get in contact with the General. However, at times this proved nearly impossible due to the massive amount of trafc from various individuals and agencies asking for updates on the situation. At certain times, the entire command net appeared to have broken down due to the overload of message trafc. As Lemay’s Jetstar approached DC airspace, Colonel Dorman announced on the net that the General’s ight was being diverted to land at the National Airport rather than at Andrews.26 The best explanation for this sudden change would be that with the uncertain atmosphere around Washington, as well as the elevated military posture, General Lemay would likely have needed to return to the Pentagon as expeditiously as possible. The close proximity of the National Airport to the Pentagon does indeed support the logic of this decision.On the other side of the Iron Curtain, the reaction of the Communist world mirrored the shock that spread across the West. In the Soviet Union, the news of Kennedy’s death hit the Communist leadership in Moscow very hard. The tense atmosphere in the Kremlin in many ways mirrored that of the Pentagon. At the time many in the leadership had a great fear that “extremist elements in the US Military would use this as a justication to start an attack against the USSR.”27 Yet in spite of this, with one exception, the Warsaw Pact and other Communist nations did not elevate their military forces to a higher alert level. That one exception was Cuba.28Upon receiving word of President Kennedy’s death, Cuban Premier Fidel Castro immediately ordered a complete mobilization of the Cuban Armed Forces. His message stated: “A state of alert is ordered for all military personnel. Be prepared to repel aggression.”29 Ground, air, and naval units were deployed around the island, with special emphasis being put on the region known as the “Eastern Naval District,” which included the US Naval Station at Guantanamo.30 Further messages called for “continued vigilance,” and to “watch for suspicious aircraft.”31For the rest of the day and into the evening, all of Cuba appeared to be in a state of tension that mirrored the Missile Crisis of a year before.At 1805 Eastern time Air Force One nally touched down at Andrews AFB. With the Presidential Staff and the media in attendance, the late President’s body was taken off and transferred to a Navy ambulance. The Presidential party then headed on their way to Bethesda Naval Hospital. A visibly bereaved President Johnson made a brief speech, then departed for the White House aboard the Presidential helicopter, Marine One. At the announcement of Kennedy’s death, the Military District of Washington immediately put itself at the disposal of the White House. By order of the District’s commander, Major General Phillip C. Wehle, a funeral operations center was set up in the District’s headquarters at Fort McNair.32 At 1930, a detailed brieng began for active and reserve military, Secret Service, DC Metro, and US Park Police.33 District personnel then began preparations for conducting the funeral and related activities. For example, a battery of Major General Phillip C. Wehle Commander, Military District of Washington 1963Lockheed C-140 Jetstar | USAF Photo

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 53saluting howitzers was emplaced in a park next to Union Station, with the ring of salutes coordinated by radio operators.34 The cabinet’s plane touched down at Andrews at 1231 Eastern time after a nonstop ight from Hawaii.35The morning of 23 November 1963 broke upon a tense and grieving world. As the day wore on, the crisis atmosphere began to subside. By mid-day both Cuba36 and US overseas commands had relaxed their alert level.37 In spite of this, both sides nonetheless kept up a degree of vigilance. On 24 November, at 1230 Eastern time, the Pentagon ordered the alert level lowered back to DEFCON 5.38 By the next day, Cuba’s military alert was stood down as well.39The sudden death of America’s 35th President plunged America’s National Security apparatus into an immediate crisis. Information on the situation in Dallas was incomplete and sketchy with many in the Pentagon suspecting the worst of possibilities. Indeed, the potential for an accidental war starting was apparently on the minds of many that day. What is most noticeable about this time is the near breakdown of command and control procedures, especially regarding communications. The most glaring example being that much of the situation updates came from commercial sources and not ofcial ones. There was indeed such a rush for information from so many agencies in Washington that the entire command and control network at times ground to a halt. That there was not a total breakdown is a tribute to the perseverance of those at the NMCC, The White House Situation Room, and the Pentagon.General Maxwell Taylor’s effort to keep the atmosphere at the Joint Chiefs calm and stable was apparently mirrored by most US domestic military commands. The strong reaction seems to have only occurred with overseas commands. The unilateral elevation of the alert level to DEFCON 3 was completely consistent with their command responsibility and was meant as more of a precaution than a confrontation. And even while on alert, CINCPAC and US NATO forces made an effort not to draw much attention to their Footnotes:1. “The Open Gate” Oral History of Colonel James Mugavero, USAF Ret. Edwards Park - Article- Air and Space Magazine, January 19942. “Death of a President” William Manchester, Harper and Row, 1967 P. 1423. Ibid, P.1444. “Lemay” Warren Kozak, Regnery, 2009 P. 3565. “With Kennedy” Pierre Salinger, Doubleday, 1965 P. 36. “Surprise Attack” Larry Hancock, Counterpoint Press 2015 P. 2257. Manchester, PP. 192-1938. Hancock,P. 2259. Ibid.P. 22610. Ibid.P. 22811. Manchester,P. 25312. Hancock,PP. 227-231 13. Manchester,PP. 324-32614. Salinger, PP. 6-815. Navy Flash Message - CINCPAC, 22 Nov 1963, Z222013Z - Online source- Michael Beschloss16. Conversation with author and George J., Retired Boatswains’ Mate 3rd Class USN - Crewman on FRAM-type Destroyer, 200317. Conversation with author and former crewman of aircraft carrier USS Hornet, ( CVS-12), 2017 18. Oral History of SSgt Bob Baxter, USAF “Together We Served” Online Forum, 28 February, 201719. “The Open Gate” Article-Air and Space Magazine, January, 199420. U.S. Militaria Online Forum, 24 November, 201221. Oral History of A1C Stephen S. Marston, USAF - Website of 3973rd Combat Defense Squadron22. Online conversation with author and Colonel Earl McGill, USAF Ret. - Former B-52 Aircraft Commander, 202123. Online conversation with author and Colonel Jim Warner, USAF Ret. - Historian, Air Force Missileers Association, 202224. Navy Deck Logs of USS Albany (GG-10), USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA -42), and USS Forrestal (CVA-59). National Archives Online Library25. Larry Hancock, - Online Education Forum, 27 January, 201726. Excerpt from audio tape formerly in possession of JFK Military Aide Brigadier General Chester Clifton. Mary Farrell Foundation27. FBI Memo of 1 December, 1966 - Article- USA Today, 28 October, 201728. NSA Message - SC # 12420/63 25 November, 1963. Mary Farrell Foundation29. NSA Message # 3/0/QOY/R26-63 Page # 1 2103Z 23 November, 1963. Ibid.30. Ibid.31. NSA Message # 3/0/QOY/R-26-63 Page # 2 ref # 2X/0/Blank/R01-63 - Ibid.32. ”The Last Salute” - CMH Online, 200533. Manchester, P. 48734. Ibid. P. 51435. Salinger, P. 1036. NSA Message SC # 12149/63 24 November 1963. Mary Farrell Foundation37. “The Open Gate” - Article- Air and Space Magazine January, 199438. Hancock, P. 22639. NSA Message # 144-10001-10061 25 November, 1963. Mary Farrell Foundation40. U.S. Navy Deck Logs. National Archives Online.Article Orginally published by Author © John F. Davies. Used with Permission.Generals Curtis Lemay and Maxwell Taylor lead the Joint Chiefs of Staffactivities. Yet there were moments such as at Kunsan Airbase in Korea, as well as with Cuba, when it seemed like Armageddon was indeed near. That said, in the end, a great effort was made by those on both sides to keep tensions down and events from spinning out of control. Thus ended a Cold War crisis that almost was.On 25 November 1963, the Military District of Washington commenced carrying out one of the largest and most dignied memorials ever given for a President of the United States. The funeral parties worked with near-clockwork precision and carried out their duties with great respect and dignity. At the same time, at military installations around the world, memorial services were held and gunre salutes were rendered.40 And above all else, it was John Fitzgerald Kennedy who had the distinction of being the rst American President to be buried with full military honors. A tting tribute to a fallen Commander in Chief. ...

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Throughout human history, there has been conict. Conict with nature, conict with beast, and the most grievous of all conict with our fellow man. Dating back to the beginning of time, man has fought man. It has become a part of our essence. The reward and the consequences of that conict have always been nearly unmeasurable. The toll this internal strife has taken on our bodies and our minds has been recorded as far back as ancient Greece. Men have dealt with the pain of war physically for millennia, but the psychological scars and wounds were left untreated and misunderstood. In American history, some of the rst reported cases of men suffering from the mental shrapnel of battle date to our Civil War. During the First World War, the term “Shell Shock” was used to describe this mental fatigue. During World War Two, it was called Combat Stress Reaction. During Vietnam, the understanding and study of the condition led to it being renamed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 1980. Doctors have looked for ways in which to help people affected by PTSD and allow them to come to an understanding of what they were experiencing. They found that by engaging the person in different activities it allowed the mind to escape the prison that PTSD forced it into. These activities have included group counseling, camping retreats, shing trips, photography, and music immersion. For about 2,000 veterans, the majority coming from the Gulf War, the Global War on Terrorism, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they turned to the unlikely sport of hockey. For thousands of years, ice has been used to treat many of our physical ailments such as sprains, bruises, and black eyes. The Warrior Hockey program uses it to heal the emotional and psychological ones as well. How could, arguably one of the most violent sports in the world, help to combat the unseen scars? The St. Louis Blues Warrior Hockey Program motto holds the key: Hockey Heals. The members of one of the top organizations in the program gured out extremely quickly that this was not about hockey at all. Nathan Laupp, the President of the Blues Warriors, told me, “When we started this, we knew it had to be about the Veteran rst and hockey second.” Every member of the program has repeated that sentiment. Veterans need more, and most don’t know where to nd it or even what they are looking for. The day you leave the service, either by ending your enlistment, being medically retired, or completing a 20–30-year career, reinserting back into civilian life can be a challenge. Finding the same type of camaraderie can be next to impossible.In October 2006, Andy Qualy took Drew Hill to an NHL game in Washington DC. Drew was hooked. Both were going through rehabilitation as a result of injuries during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they recognized that through their love of the sport they could use it to heal. They also noticed many similarities between the game and their service. Hockey players “chirp” on one another both in the locker room and on the ice. Much like military members bust each other’s chops. Teammates must support each other on and off the ice and there must be constant communication. These traits and many others are the catalysts behind the Warrior program. USA Hockey through their disabled program had formed sled hockey. The USA Warriors, started by Drew, began as a dual sled hockey and standing amputee hockey program. However, when Andy attempted to emulate this model in his home state of Minnesota in 2010, the program became an offshoot. While sled hockey focuses on members who could not skate normally, the Warrior team in Minnesota as well as all the subsequent new teams, would primarily consist of disabled Veterans who were ambulatory and had a VA disability rating of 10% or greater. Their skating ability also was not a factor. According to Brandon Beaver, an Army Veteran and the liaison for the USA Hockey Warrior Program, “The Disabled Hockey initiative was to make the game accessible for everyone and disabled veterans needed a safe and welcoming place to play.” Andy said that the principal goal was becoming “A recreational peer support group that uses the sport of ice hockey to assist veterans with reintegration.” The program started slowly, with teams popping up here and there, until 2018. That all changed when the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers got involved. The Flyers started backing a group of Vets called the Flyer Warriors. Around the same time, the Hendrickson and Yontz Valor Foundations, working through the Minnesota Warriors, were funding startup programs in several locations around the country. This led to an explosion of interest, with the number of organizations going from about 20 in 2018 to just about 70 and growing. Many of the groups have multiple teams and play in tournaments and showcases all over the US. Currently, seven NHL teams sponsor warrior programs. The state of Minnesota grew to a point where it had to create regional programs. The Blues Warriors are capped at one hundred players, but they have created a waiting list and a social roster to keep more Vets involved. While some programs have too many players, others like the UP Michigan Warriors struggle to nd players and funding. The Upper Peninsula covers over thirty-six thousand square miles but has a population density of about eight persons per square mile. The president of the UP Warriors Jon French stated, “We have an incredibly rich hockey history and community that is phenomenal in supporting us Veterans.”USA Hockey holds the Warrior Classic each year and the disabled hockey festival at different locations. All the teams are self-supported. USA Hockey supports the organizations through the tournaments. The Classic is held in October with the last one being in Denver. This program is not just about playing a sport, it is about connecting Veterans to one another and giving them that family that they lost once they separated. The members of these teams are very proud and want to get the word out about the program and the help it affords all disabled Vets. For more information on the program or how to start one, contact Brandon Beaver at USA Hockey. | usahockey.com/warriorhockeywith Guy Bensing HOCKEY HEALS!Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 55

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 57I have always believed in the power of prayer in my life. At times that faith in prayer was tested, questioned, and even doubted. However, events in my life have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt in the power of prayers.One such experience occurred during my years in the military. I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Fleet Marine Force in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Subsequently, my orders to join Marine Amphibious Unit 22 came through and we were tasked to relieve Marine Amphibious Unit 24 in Beirut, Lebanon serving as part of a multinational peacekeeping force. While en route to Beirut, we learned that MAU 24 had been the victim of a terrorist attack by a truck bomb that killed over three hundred Marines and Sailors. The reality of our situation began to creep in, we were not going to nd a benign role like keeping the peace but be active combatants in a civil war. We landed in Beirut in late 1983 and it didn’t take long for the daily routine of military life to take over. We settled into our medical tasks like sick calls and receiving casualties, and then our routine would be interrupted by a radio call, “All hands to assigned bunkers at this time.” Each bunker had a Corpsman assigned and each held about six to eight people. Once the call came in, I would grab my helmet, ack jacket, and medical bag and head for my bunker. These bunker calls happened almost every day and led me to describe life in combat as 99% boredom and 1% terror.It was in that 1% that I found the power of prayer somewhere never expected, in those bunkers! We all knew the sandbags and earth surrounding us could not protect us from the direct impact of a mortar shell. Everyone in that bunker could feel death tugging at their sleeve and it got very quiet. I put my head down and hands together and prayed in silence, as mortar shells exploded around us. It was easy to imagine others were praying as well. We all prayed for the same thing, another day, or another; a chance to redeem ourselves, or maybe a promise of a lifetime of faith to get us through this trial. Once the shelling stopped, our relief from having survived was mixed with the sad reality that in return for our bunker not getting hit, another bunker usually did. We would return to our duties, Marines to their posts, and Corpsmen would be needed in the Battalion Aid Station to care for incoming casualties. It really should not be a big surprise to nd Marines praying. After all, the motto of the Marine Corps is, “Semper Fidelis,” which translates to “Always Faithful.” Faithful to what you might ask. Perhaps they were faithful to the Marine Corps, to their brothers and sisters in arms, to family, and yes, to their God. It is said that a Marine who is wounded in combat calls out for his God, his Mother, and his Corpsman. As a Corpsman, I always thought that was some pretty good company to keep! Due to the constant stress of mortar attacks, rocket-propelled grenades, and sniper re, we quickly adopted a mindset of no worries. Simply put, you had no control over the situation surrounding you, worrying about made no sense and only added to the stress! We left our fate to a “higher power.” For me, it was a sense of great ease and calmness once I gave up worrying about my mortality, and found hope in my prayers to God that He would always be at my side every moment.Even now as I reect on those days in the bunkers, I also remember another incident that showed me the power of prayer. While on the deployment in Lebanon, a group of us got two weeks of liberty (leave) in Israel. We went to the port city of Haifa and got on a tour bus, which took us to Tel Aviv, Bethlehem, Capernaum, and nally to Jerusalem. We made a stop at the “Wailing Wall.” It is so named because it was the only remaining wall of the original Jewish Temple destroyed centuries ago. Each day devout Jews go to the wall to decry its destruction and pray for the restoration of their temple, despite overwhelming odds that tell them it will never happen! This is the power of persistent prayer. No one knows if the Temple will ever be rebuilt but do know if they stop praying, they admit it will never be restored. This wall has a prayer connection too, it is believed if you write a prayer on a piece of paper and stick the paper in the cracks of the wall, the prayer goes straight to God! Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”Certainly, this scripture has comforted many people for many years. Most take the “shadow of death,” as a metaphor for some ailment or challenge in their life. For anyone who walks that ne line between life and death, it takes a more literal meaning. The passage comforted me by assuring my God was at my side in those bunkers responding to my prayers. The same way God responds to all our prayers no matter where we say them! God will never tire of hearing our prayers, so you should never get tired of saying them, even if you are not in a bunker!BunkerPRAYERSBy: Richard Bigelow – HM1/FMF USN (Ret.)

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58 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Spring 2024Moving a battalion any distance is an enormous task. After spending about three months in Phu Bai, between March 7-10, 1967, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines (2/9) packed up and moved north toward the DMZ. It took 85 trucks pulling 75 trailers to relocate 900 Marines and 165,000 pounds of supplies and equipment. We set up in a small base camp about 15 miles NW of Hue in what was called Camp Evans, aka the Chinook II area. It was about one-half mile due west of Highway 1. Only one and a half miles further north on Highway 1 was a little village called Phong Diên sitting near the river of Sông Ô Lâu, which became the source of our water supply for Camp Evans.Camp Evans, named after Lance Corporal Paul Evans (KIA December 22, 1966), was undeveloped when we arrived. We installed eight heads, several showers, more concertina wire around the perimeter, eight watch towers, and of course lled sandbags to reinforce our bunkers. One of our major tasks was building a reinforced bunker for our Combat Operations Center (COC), currently housed in a General Purpose (GP) tent. We spent weeks lling sandbags to build the walls and nally the roof, which was reinforced with steel beams. Big enough to accommodate about 15 Marines, the COC housed the battalion brass and all our radio communications. My radio duties were performed there at four-hour intervals in a 24-hour rotation with the rest of my radio buddies.Next to a hot meal and letters from home, one of the best pleasures was getting a shower. We erected crude but effective showers using two-by-four corners, pallets for the top and bottom, and a fty-ve-gallon drum atop with a spigot. Ponchos were nailed up on all the sides as a wind break with one side left open for entry. Five-gallon jerry cans passed up a ladder were required to ll the drum, an arduous task. When the drum was nearing full, a line of eager Marines quickly formed and they waited their turn to get under the cold but refreshing spray.I was third in line but I had to pee, so I asked my buddy Ben Carriker to step in and hold my place. While I was gone another Marine got in line right behind Ben. When I returned to take my place the Marine thought I was cutting in line even though Ben had just stepped out. The Marine argued with me and told me to go to the end of the line. That’s when Ben’s ire was raised, and he turned around and told this guy that if he had any problems he would have to go through him. Ben had adopted me early on as his little brother, so this guy was messing with family. Even though I could have solved the problem by myself, it’s always nice to know someone has your back. Ben was a big Marine standing about six feet and weighing over 200 pounds…we all called him “Bear.” There were no further problems. Ben and I became good buddies back in Phu Bai when I rst arrived in Vietnam. Ben was from South Carolina, and I was from Texas. Between our Southern heritage and both being radio operators, we quickly bonded. One evening we were discussing our families when I said, “I always wished I had a brother.” He turned and said, “Well, you have one now,” and he wasn’t talking about the Marine brotherhood. Keeping a battalion supplied with drinking, cooking, and showering water was a full-time job. Every day a 6-by (6x6 military transport truck) made the short two-mile trip down to the Sông Ô Lâu River where it would ll up a giant rubber, open-top water tank. The truck (L-R) BT Carriker, JL Zignego, R Galarnea, RE Gault, and VL Stevenson (L-R) BT Carriker, JL Zignego, R Galarnea, RE Gault, and VL Stevenson soaking up some sun at Cam Evans. © VL STEVENSONsoaking up some sun at Cam Evans. © VL STEVENSONOur new Combat Operations Center (COC) was constructed using lots of Our new Combat Operations Center (COC) was constructed using lots of sandbags and steel beams. © VL STEVENSONsandbags and steel beams. © VL STEVENSONLuck of the Draw in 'Bear' CountryLuck of the Draw in 'Bear' CountryBY VL Stevenson, USMC

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 59was backed up to the river, where we threw in a rubber hose attached to a gasoline water pump and started the process that would take several hours to complete. Although the village of Phong Diên near the river was fairly secure and guarded by the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam), two or three Marines were required to ride along on the water run to provide security. It is a well-known fact that you never volunteer for anything, but on this day Carriker, Zignego, and I decided to volunteer for security. It looked like a good way to get away from camp and miss any work details. When we arrived at the river, many of the local children came out to greet us. Mainly they were looking for “chop-chop” (food), candy, or cigarettes. It was near the end of March and the temps were already climbing into the low 90s. The cool river waters were begging us to come in for a swim, so we did. Some of the little village boys joined us, and it wasn’t long before water ghts ensued. After swimming, we dried off and visited one of the local shops a short distance from the river. They had cookies and many different types of bread. They had soda pop, but they also had “cool” beer…we couldn’t resist. Zignego and I got a beer for the road and made our way back to Camp Evans with thousands of gallons of water and lots of great memories. Sometimes you luck out when volunteering!(L-R) JL Zignego (L-R) JL Zignego and VL Stevenson and VL Stevenson enjoy a cold brew enjoy a cold brew on a hot day. We on a hot day. We purchased the beer purchased the beer from the villagers…from the villagers…just helping the just helping the local economy.local economy.Local village boys Local village boys joined us in the joined us in the river for a swim.river for a swim.Zignego doing Zignego doing a back flip off a back flip off of Carriker's of Carriker's shoulders. shoulders. BOTTOM: Carriker BOTTOM: Carriker in a water fight in a water fight with the boys.with the boys.© VL STEVENSON© VL STEVENSON(L-R) VL Stevenson, WS Parker, and BT “Bear” Carriker, my (L-R) VL Stevenson, WS Parker, and BT “Bear” Carriker, my big brother, relaxing after a shower. © VL STEVENSONbig brother, relaxing after a shower. © VL STEVENSON

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60 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Spring 2024FROM MY POINT OF VIEW:FROM MY POINT OF VIEW:By Cristie RemmelI remember as a young child taking walks with my grandfather to his favorite spot that overlooked the valley where he had an apple orchard, a river owed nearby, and a small meadow where the cows grazed daily. We would sit under his favorite tree and enjoy the birds singing, the breeze in our faces, and the warm sun. He would always tell me a story about how we are all connected in the world. As the New Year has begun, I wanted to reect on this painting I painted in memory of my grandfather and to give a little bit of my own insights on the wisdom of nature and how it can help us navigate our lives when things look uncertain. Throughout history, humans have found solace and inspiration in nature. Its vast and serene beauty has acted as a teacher, guiding us through the trials and tribulations of life. From the mesmerizing dance of leaves in the wind to the harmonious symphony of birdsong, every element of nature carries invaluable lessons that can help us better understand our own existence.One of the most extraordinary teachings nature imparts is the concept of change and impermanence. Just as the cycle of seasons transforms the landscape, our lives are constantly evolving. The buds that blossom into vibrant owers, only to wither away after a eeting existence, remind us that our existence is transient. We should hold onto the present moment, savor its beauty, and appreciate the ever-changing tapestry of life.Nature also teaches us the importance of resilience and adaptability. It is fascinating to observe how even the mightiest trees bend and contort during storms, yet once the winds cease, they still stand tall and rooted. Similarly, in our own lives, we encounter setbacks and challenges that test our strength. But by embracing the resilience of nature, we can learn to adapt, bend, and overcome the storms that try to uproot us.Moreover, nature demonstrates the power of interconnectedness. A single ower relies on bees to pollinate and spread life. The ecosystems thrive Embracing Nature’s Wisdom: LESSONS FOR A FULFILLING LIFE

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on a delicate balance, showcasing the signicance of relationships and interdependence. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to forget how all lives are connected. Yet, when we embrace the interconnectedness like nature does, we foster a sense of unity, compassion, and cooperation that can transform our own lives and the world around us.Nature’s patience and acceptance are also invaluable qualities that we can learn from. We often rush through our lives, impatiently chasing success or happiness. However, nature teaches us that true growth and transformation require time and patience. Just as a seed takes time to germinate, we should embrace the process of becoming the best version of ourselves, constantly learning, adapting, and evolving.In addition to these invaluable lessons, nature also offers respite from the chaos and stress of our modern lives. Immersing ourselves in the tranquility of a forest, listening to the gentle lapping of waves on a shoreline, or marveling at the brilliance of a starry night sky, allows us to nd inner peace and clarity. Nature’s ability to calm and rejuvenate our spirits is a reminder to slow down, breathe, and nd solace in the simplicity of existence.Now more than ever, we nd ourselves facing uncertainty, confusion, and hardship. In these challenging times, we can turn to nature as a model for reection and self-discovery. By observing and internalizing the wisdom of nature, we can nd meaning, purpose, and guidance in our own lives.As Henry David Thoreau once said, “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” Let us embrace nature as our teacher, allowing its lessons to shape our perspectives, transform our mindsets, and guide us toward a more fullling and enlightened existence.For more information about Cristie For more information about Cristie please email: cristie@bludragony.netplease email: cristie@bludragony.net“I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”Anne FrankHAVE A STORY TO TELL?We're always looking for Veteran stories! Whether it's your story, a family members or a Soldier you've read about... let us know! We are also looking for 'Boots on the Ground' Veteran organizations, making a tangible difference in the lives of Veterans. ... Every Veteran has a story to be told...Email us at: les@ateaseveteransmagazine.com

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IN AN EFFORT TO NEVER FORGET, THIS PAGE WILL SERVE AS A MEMORIAL TO OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS WHO GAVE EVERYTHING!IN AN EFFORT TO NEVER FORGET, THIS PAGE WILL SERVE AS A MEMORIAL TO OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS WHO GAVE EVERYTHING!THIS ISSUE WE REMEMBER THIS ISSUE WE REMEMBER THE USS STARK CASULTIES THE USS STARK CASULTIES WE WILL NEVER FORGET!WE WILL NEVER FORGET!WE WILL NEVER FORGET!WE WILL NEVER FORGET!T A P ST A P SSpring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 63SN Bolduc, Doran BM1 Brown, Braddy FC3 Calkins, Jeffrey SN Caouette, Mark BM3 Ciletta Jr, John SR Clinefelter, Brian OS3 Daniels, Antonio ET2 DeAngelis, Christopher IC3 Dunlap, James STGSN Erwin, Steven RM2 Farr, Jerry QMCS Foster, Vernon RMSA Grissette, Dexter FC3 Hansen, William GMG2 Homicki, Daniel OSSN Janusik Jr, Kenneth OS1 Kendall, Steven EMCS Kiser, Stephen SM1 Lockett, Ronnie GMM1 MacMullen, Thomas GMM1 Moller, Charles SA Phelps, Jeffrey DS1 Pierce, Randy GMG3 Plonsky, James ET3 Quick, Kelly SMSN Ryals, Earl FCCS Shippee, Robert SMSA Sibley, Jeffrey OS3 Stephens, Lee TM2 Stevens, James ET3 Supple, Martin FC1 Tweady, Gregory SN Ulmer, Vincent EW3 Watson, Joseph ET3 Weaver II, Wayne OSSN Weldon, Terence IC2 Wilson, Lloyd GSM1 Engram, Randy OSSN Porter, Timothy HTFN Naranjo, Salome EN2 Johnson, Phillip FA Cummings, Kevin BM3 Sellers, Cliff HT3 Longest, Eric STG3 Limbert, Matthew ET1 Rakestraw, Clarance (Jerry) OS1 Reliford, Patrick STG Miller, Brian FCC Holt, Charles FC3 Bareford, Mark BMCS Ellis, Curt GMGSA Kareski, JohnThe above list are sailors who have since passed due to injury/illnesses related to the stark attack.

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64 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Spring 2024US Space Force – Semper Supra “Always Above”The former President of the United States signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act which established the US Space Force (USSF) as the sixth branch of the military on Dec 20, 2019, the rst new service branch in 73 years.The idea of solely dedicating a branch of military service to space operations has been an astronomical source of meme inspiration. I apologize in advance to our non-nerd readers for all the nerdy references throughout this article. Most jokes contained within have been “lifted” from the internet and, therefore, are not my own. Many envision the conception of the USSF going down something like this: DeAr PrEsIdEnT TrUmP, If YoU WaNt To CrEaTe A SpAcE FoRcE, I’M YoUr GuY. I WaS OnCe SuPrEmE CoMmAnDeR Of ThE GaLaCtIc EmPiRe. GiVe Me A CaLl WhEn YoU CaN. SiNcErElY, LoRd VaDeRAlthough Kilo Ren gets my vote. And yes, I know, he killed Han Solo. Get over it already.Joking aside, space is critical to the American way of life. All that technology we love? You can thank space. For instance, satellites connect people all over the world, carry television broadcasts, provide Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, and synchronize all phone networks. Moreover, superiority in the space domain is essential to national security. Advancements in the last 60 years have modernized military operations and have increased effectiveness across every domain. Consequentially, adversaries are consistently looking for ways to interrupt our space capabilities. Therefore, the USSF has been called upon to defend our critical space systems, and to keep your precious phones safe and operational.According to the ofcial US Space Force website, the USSF mission is:Secure our Nation’s interests in, from, and to space.What does this entail exactly? Let’s break it all down. But rst….“Beam me up Scotty!” Fun fact. This phrase has become one of the most popular phrases associated with Star Trek, although Kirk never actually used this exact phrase. He did use similar variations such as “Scotty, beam us up.” So, let’s try again. “Mr. Scott, beam us up!” BRIEF HISTORYThe Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the rst-ever satellite, in 1957. The US did not anticipate the satellite’s success, which triggered the Space Race as part of theCold War.Not long after, the Soviets then launched the rst man into orbit, Yuri A. Gagarin, on April 12, 1961. In response, The Kennedy Administration propelled the Apollo Project, mission to the moon. On July 20, 1969, President Kennedy’s vision was actualized when Apollo 11 landed and American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the rst to walk on the moon. The conclusion of Apollo 11 is regarded by many as ending the Space Race with a “decisive American victory”.Interesting fact, the United States and the Soviet Union sent animals to space to determine the safety of the environment before sending the rst humans. Ham the Astro-chimp was the rst mammal to orbit the Earth and return home safely. In 1973, the US Department of Defense led the Global Positioning System (GPS) project. The rst prototype spacecraft was launched in 1978 and the full constellation of twenty-four satellites became operational in 1993. Originally limited to use by the United States military, civilian use was allowed starting in the 1980s.The US Air Force activated Space Command on September 1, 1982, headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, and adopted the slogan “Guardians of the High Frontier.” During the Cold War, space operations focused on missile warning to defend the United States from attack from Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). They accomplished this by intercepting the missiles at various phases of their ight, launch operations, satellite control, and space surveillance & control for national leadership.ThE MyStErY Of SpAcE FoRcEby Sonja Berry

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In 1991, Operation Desert Storm demonstrated the importance of space capabilities in combat operations and was often referred to as the rst space war. GPS, which uses satellites to pinpoint location, was credited with assisting US and coalition forces win the ground war after just four days. It was the rst major campaign involved with the widespread use of GPS for land navigation and targeting. For example, commanders were able to track Iraqi Army movement during a sandstorm by using GPS. It also enabled the use of precision munitions which devastated the Iraqi Army. In addition, satellites signicantly improved communications during Desert Storm which were critical to effective command and control. Following Desert Storm, adversaries realized that they couldn’t take on the US Military in direct combat and began to see the advantage of space operations. “It’s over, Anakin. I have the high ground.” – Obi-WanFast forward to 2007, the Chinese military performed the rst anti-satellite test by using a ground-based missile to hit and destroy one of its aging satellites, raising concerns about the vulnerability of US satellites and a possible weapons race in space. These concerns were furthered when Russia too began testing different systems capable of destroying US satellites. The USSF was created in part to deal with these types of threats. Presently, China is continuing to ramp up its space operations, challenging the US Military dominance in Space. According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, China has doubled its number of satellites between 2019 and 2023 and doubled its payloads. There’s also a threat of China waging cyberattacks on satellites that could steal our data, and perhaps the most worrisome, China’s advancement in the development of Hypersonic Maneuver Missiles, which can evade ground-based air defenses. In light of this, I think it’s an appropriate moment to plug: “May the Force be with you.” ORGANIZATION AND LOCATION“To boldly go where no man has gone before.” – Captain James T. KirkThe USSF is headquartered at the Pentagon, the same as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. It is a separate branch of the armed services but is organized under the Department of the Air Force like the Marine Corps is organized under the Department of the Navy. The Chief of Space Operations (CSO) serves as the senior uniformed Space Force ofcer responsible for the organization, training, and equipping of all organic and assigned space forces serving in the United States and overseas. In addition to its headquarters, the USSF bases are in Los Angeles, California Air Force Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base in Colorado, Buckley Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and in Florida at Patrick Space Force Base. There’s no moon base yet, sorry to disappoint. All USSF personnel, whether civilian or military, are called “Guardians.” According to the USSF ofcial website, as of FY23, the USSF has more than 14,000 military and civilian Guardians. Capabilities A key capability of the USSF is protecting satellites through space technology and ground tactics securing them from intrusion from space debris and other threats. According to the Ofcial USSF webpage, over forty-seven thousand objects are tracked and there are a total of thirty-one active GPS Satellites. Another essential capability is to perform Military and Humanitarian Operations by coordinating across all domains and hostile environments to ensure communication is seamless between all branches. This includes the use of GPS and radar-enhanced systems to track and guide aircraft, ground vehicles, and missiles. The USSF also facilitates launches across the DoD from initial development to nal execution. This is but a sample of USSF capabilities. I know some readers may be disappointed that “ghting aliens” is not currently listed, but there’s no need, extraterrestrials double-check their air locks when they pass by Earth. OTHER RANDOM FACTS- America’s planned return to the moon, called the Artemis program, and any trips to Mars will involve the Space Force.- The USSF has an ofcial song titled “Semper Supra,” rst revealed in September 2022.- The Air Force Academy is the undergraduate commissioning source for the USSF.- TheUSSF Deltais the ofciallogoof the USSF.Social media communities compare it to the seal of the Stareet, however, the Space Force says that the delta insignia was adopted by the Air Force’s early space program in 1961, before Star Trek debuted in 1966.- Guardians operate and maintain over one hundred satellites.CLOSING THOUGHTSUS global reach is dependent on space. According to Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Christopher W. Grady who recently spoke at a space conference in Colorado Springs, “Recent conicts have starkly illustrated the indispensable role of space in our nation’s defense capabilities. And, in my view, space has emerged as our most essential warghting domain—integral to our national security, our coalition interoperability, and our global stability.” Bottom line, all joking aside, space superiority is critical to our safety and way of life, and having a service solely dedicated to it just makes good sense!Thank you for reading AT EASE family. May you each, “Live long and prosper.”- SpockSonja Berry, a 26-year Air Force veteran, served deployments to Balad Air Base, Iraq, and Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. After her military service, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Colorado State University, driven by her passion for social issues affecting veterans. Upon retiring, she found a passion for storytelling.Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 65

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66 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Spring 2024Tuyen just turned sixteen and was looking forward to the party her parents were preparing for her. It was her birthday, and it would be a special celebration because her older brother who had been away ghting in the war was coming home. He had promised her that he would be here to help her celebrate. Birthdays were never missed, and always a big deal because Tuyen’s family followed traditional Buddhist ideology, and even though they weren’t considered devout, this was a core value for them. It was important for her parents to teach Tuyen the signicance of a birthday. It wasn’t just a date on a calendar, each birthday symbolized the birth and rebirth aspects of their beliefs and the connection she would have with her ancestors.When she entered the room, she purposefully bumped into the table to announce her presence. A habit of her’s, because she was usually so quiet that her presence in the room seemed to vanish into the surrounding noise. When she was not engaged, she would stand and stare at the simplest things, amazed at the beauty of the world about her. This was in stark contrast to her brother, who was never missed when entering a room. His ruckus would announce him before he even crossed the threshold. Stepping out of her shoes, Tuyen, dressed in her school clothes entered the house, pretending not to see her cake which was poorly hidden on the wooden dinner table. There were some delicious treats, and one gift, waiting for her as she entered the room. Her mother had fashioned a tiny angel which stood for her name and placed it on the cake. It was quite tting for her personality. Her Mother, Father, and brother all waited for her to compose herself after seeing her cake. Her gift, hidden under a newly made coolie hat was placed at Tuyen’s seat at the table. The gift was not the hat, even though it was new and would be appreciated, it was a bright red silk scarf that had been worn by her grandmother, and only on special occasions. A gift to be treasured, a gift that would bring luck to Tuyen as it had for her mother when she rst received the gift. The presentation of this scarf was carefully choreographed to instill in her its importance. It was a symbolic connection to her ancestors and something her mother wanted her to never forget.Tuyen’s family lived in a simple one-room dwelling near a branch of the Ho Chi Minh trail, and for that reason, her brother was perfectly suited for the job he did. He worked as a scout responsible for leading small groups of people into South Vietnam carrying supplies for the war effort. They all knew the route well, but because it was a dangerous place to walk, Tuyen never ventured far from home along the trail.She thought that her birthday might be a good time to bring up a subject that she was always afraid to ask. Being another year older, and feeling quite grown up, she risked bringing up this touchy subject. She wanted to work outside the home and looked out the window for courage. There was a building in the distance that was visible through the window just a short walk from the lake where she and her family lived. It was a rather large building for this part of Vietnam, as most of the structures were primitive in comparison to this foreboding building. Ammunition was produced there, and this rural location was no accident. Her country was at war and the ghting had been going on longer than she had been alive. Her father, who never raised his voice at her, would on this occasion make an exception. When she brought up the subject of working at the factory he looked into her dark eyes and sternly whispered, “Not for you, not for you”. That’s all it took to vanquish that thought, but she still wanted to help by working like her brother did. Tuyen’s Journey PART IBy Ronald J. Dickson

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 67Her father used to talk about ghting the French when he was young, but as Tuyen started to mature, he wanted her to think about the more pleasant things in life. He wanted her to dream of her own family, the children she would bear and hopefully have a better life than the one he was able to provide. There was always food to eat and a roof over their heads but the things he dreamed about while growing up were lost to the horrors of his own service in the military.Most dreams Tuyen had, had been simple and had nothing to do with life as an adult. Even the factory job was merely seen as something fun. Her demeanor may be more mature, but her dreams were of playing with her friends or catching frogs along the lakeshore where she lived when going to school.There was a picture of Ho Chi Minh hanging in a prominent place in the room near where she slept. Occasionally her dad would pause and straighten the picture even if not necessary. He was very patriotic and felt it was his duty to honor the photo and the man. Everyone in the family slept in that same room and her dad often spoke about the dreams of the man in that picture, the dream of reuniting Vietnam. The French were gone but now the Americans were here. They had come to support South Vietnam. When Tuyen told her father that she still wanted a job, working at “Uncle Ho’s” ammunition factory making bullets to ght the Americans, he hugged her tightly to hide his tears, and once again looked into her eyes. He wanted to protect her in the only way he knew. He couldn’t talk about the horrors of war and even though making bullets was not the same as ring them, he knew and feared what her next request would be. Tuyen looked up to her older brother, and her dad knew that soon enough she would ask to help him and be a guide along the trail. Time seemed to crawl for Tuyen as each new day changed very little. As the days passed, she became more anxious to expand her little world. The games she played became boring and the friends she played with began to be fewer and fewer. When she would ask about one or the other, she was always met with sad eyes from her parents but never an explanation. The truth was that there was a conscription into the army as each child became of age, and Tuyen was being shielded from these facts. There was an unsaid truth in her village that no news was good news, but everyone knew the truth, and that hope was a rare commodity.Tuyen stopped talking about going to work because, young as she was, she recognized the pain in her father’s eyes when she brought it up. Her dialogue was reduced to news from school, and the good marks she was receiving. They were teaching English to some of the brighter students and Tuyen was a natural, learning quickly. This accomplishment was not something she shared with her family because of the war. She was afraid that she would be scolded for taking those lessons but was secretly proud of her ability to learn a second language, no matter what it was. One bit of news she shared was met with a sudden and vivid reception, and the fear reected in her mother’s eyes was unmistakable. She reported seeing a man in a green uniform with a red patch and yellow star over the breast pocket. She couldn’t remember much else about him, but the red patch was not something she would miss. He was talking to the teacher while looking at each student and writing things in his notepad. When she said the man paused when he saw her, and after a nod from the teacher wrote something down in the book. Tuyen’s mother knew exactly who he was and why he was there, and at once ran from the house to nd her husband. It seemed that Tuyen’s time had arrived, and the time left was short.Dropping their tools, her father and brother, who were working the elds ran back to the house shouting instructions to each other as they ran. During this frantic exchange, the message was clear. “You must take Tuyen, protect her, hide her,” the words erupting from her father’s mouth as if the devil himself was at the door. The family collected themselves a short distance from their home. Her mother was waiting and had already packed food and clothes in a canvas bag, almost as if she knew this day was coming and had the supplies waiting for the word to go. During this gathering time, Tuyen’s head was lled with instructions, warnings, and every bit of information about who the man at school was and why he was there. They knew without her having said a word that she was learning English, and the army ofcer was looking for her because of this. She was more valuable than she realized and was being conscripted. Too many of the village youth were taken by the military and never seen again. This was not a fate they wanted for Tuyen so over the next few days she was schooled for a life of invisibility. Her brother was experienced in the art of living a life on the move and reassured the family that he would take care of Tuyen and knew of many friendly waypoints along the trail. He was used to never being more than a guide and was condent that they could hide in plain sight, an art that he had mastered. When the time was right there were a great many hugs, kisses, and tears. With a wave of her hand Tuyen and her brother silently disappeared down the trail...Make sure to catch Part II in the Summer issue of AT EASE! Veterans Magazine.In 1966, Ronald Dickson served four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force, during which he was stationed in Okinawa to maintain C-130 aircraft. Initially assigned as a mechanic, he was later selected for combat missions due to his critical skills. The experience of war had a profound impact on him, and he was eventually deployed to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, where he concluded his tour of duty.Tuyen's Journey consists of three parts, providing the backstory for the article Be Free, published in AT EASE! Veterans Magazine in the Spring 2023 issue.

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68 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Wnter 2023THE FOUR DEUCESTHE FOUR DEUCESBOOK REVIEWBOOK REVIEWThe Four Deuces: A Korean War StoryAuthor: C.S. CrawfordPublisher: A Presidio Press BookThe Random House Ballantine Publishing GroupNew York, New York Copyright © 1989 C.S. CrawfordReview by: Adam Walker, Staff Writer | USMC“This story was written to let you know how one very young, very scared Marine saw his very rst war and how he reacted to the killing and mayhem of it. I am well aware that my view of the Korean War has no historical importance. Still, it is my view, and I want to share it with you."These powerful lines from the Prologue of The Four Deuces – A Korean War Story by C.S Crawford provide a glimpse into what has been referred to as The Forgotten War. Crawford was a young Marine in 1951, when he served in Korea and his book was written in 1989. The thirty-eight years in between provided maturity and perspective, without which he could not have told his story as effectively.Crawford grew up during WWII and like many boys looked upon those veterans with admiration. He enlisted in the Marines “after a lifetime of waiting to be old enough to join.” The adventurous young man wanted to see action and faced discouragement when his numerous requests for transfer were rejected. Crawford was serving as a switchboard operator and a telephone central repair man. He had a bad attitude but received some surprising and inuential mentorship from an old salt after a blunder on watch one night. Crawford “got with the program” and soon received orders to Korea. He stated “I viewed war as an adventure, it never occurred that I might get killed” when reecting on the optimism of youth. Later the sage penned this book and said, “Wars are fought by young men who had very little experience in the business.” Sober passages like this appear throughout the book and on many occasions caused me to stop, reect, and absorb the lesson.Arriving in Korea an old Staff Non-Commissioned Ofcer he refers to as “the Funny Gunny” took him under his wing. Late one night before heading up the mountain to the front lines they talked. Crawford said “For the second time a senior Staff NCO had taken the time to notice me, to talk to me one-on-one, to teach me. Tired as I was, I didn’t want the moment to end.”Scan the QR Code to Find Out More...Crawford was soon promoted to Sergeant and took on the role of a Forward Observer for the Four Deuces (slang for the 4.2-inch chemical mortar company). He had “all the condence in the world and most of the ignorance too” serving in the trenches and bunkers with the infantry. “Living in 25 to 35 degrees below zero was hardship enough, never mind having to die in it because the enemy is shooting at you.”Crawford lost many friends and leaders in combat. The death of fellow Marines, even ones he didn’t know deeply affected him. Tears came to my eyes when I read “I thought this is wrong, to die and not have someone know your name” when a young replacement was killed. Likewise, a staff ofcer came to the front lines with his shiny rank visible and was killed in a mortar attack. In anger, grief, and frustration Crawford responded “All the while I kept looking at him and thinking, you fool wearing rank. What do you want someone to salute you or something? Then all of a sudden, I was saluting him and saying goodbye the best way I knew how, even if I didn’t know his name, just a Major.” The book is peppered with these heart-wringing vignettes. At times it is a hard read, yet at the same time, Crawford honors the memories of these brave men in the telling of their stories.When coming off the line he tells the reader “It was going to drop below zero that night on the ride back in the truck, that was ok with me, I needed the cold. I needed it to get so cold that all I would be able to think about was the cold.”"Powerful! AT EASE! Veterans Magazine highly recommends The Four Deuces: A Korean War Story. C.S. Crawford’s humility, authenticity, and powerful storytelling bring laughter and tears while honoring those with whom he served.

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DID YOU KNOW?VETERANS...VETERANS WHO RECEIVE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS THROUGHTHE US DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS (VA) CAN ALSOENROLL IN MEDICARE UPON TURNING 65.Our organization can helpyou understand and navigatethose benefits and show youhow they work together. CALL TODAY! tracy@tracybrileyandassoc.com“I would always remember my friends and their memory would ever haunt me.”As all veterans know, life in the military brings both laughter and tears. We are fortunate that Crawford is balanced in this regard. He tells of a Marine cook impersonating an ofcer to swindle supplies from the Army so he can prepare a Thanksgiving meal for the guys. In another episode the Marines trade C-ration cocoa to the Aussies for some rum, only to nd out they each tried to outfox the other.We hear detailed descriptions of the men he served with, colorful characters, some of whom never came home. There’s a tough and compassionate nurse tending to him on the hospital ship when he was wounded. Crawford reminded her of a brother killed in Iwo Jima in the preceding war. When Crawford returned to the front lines before fully recovered, she recognized the same ghting spirit in this gyrene.At one point Crawford is pulled off the mountain for a few weeks to attend NCO School. This course was taught by hardened veterans and consisted of combat skills required of an NCO in that war. The course was held a mere two miles from the DMZ. My jaw dropped when I learned their culminating exercise was a reconnaissance patrol on an enemy position. The following passage captures much of Crawford’s thoughts and emotions:“Walking off the hill pausing where Red, Tom, Gunny, and the cook had each been killed, remembering what Red said ‘Man was civilized when he remembered his yesterdays and dreamed of his tomorrows, who could make friends and hold onto them’ Right then as far as I was concerned, I was through remembering my yesterdays and I sure didn’t want to dream anything about what my tomorrows might hold. I thought about Red again and knew that dreams of tomorrow do not always come true. I guessed it was ok though to hold onto a friend, if only in memory.”C.S. Crawford’s humility, authenticity, and powerful storytelling bring laughter and tears while honoring those with whom he served."IN THE END, WE WILL REMEMBER NOT THE WORDS OF OUR ENEMIES, BUT THE SILENCE OF OUR FRIENDS."– MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

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70 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024Day TwoDay TwoToday may be my most challenging. I’ve been here before, written about fteen hundred words, and then gone no further. Being at this point should feel like a win, but it does not. It feels like I am in the Le Brea Tar Pits. I have gotten stuck and will just fade away and become lost and forgotten. I need to remember what this is for and why I am writing these ten thousand words. I need to take the mental stigma away from this task. It is the only way I can accomplish the other things I want and need to do. I would like to write a book about the USS Mobile Bay (CG-53). That was the Guided Missile Cruiser the Navy stationed me on during the Gulf War in 1990-91. I have already written an outline and an introduction. I plan on calling the book “Damn the Torpedoes.” Including a list of the captains, it came out to just under eighteen hundred words. That is where it has stayed This is my M.O. I get so gung-ho for a project and go all in, only to not even get ten percent in before I give up. Not this time, though. I must be better. The only way I will ever learn if writing is what I am supposed to do is to write. Everyday life is happening around me and I am letting it pass by. I have always had delusions of grandeur. I always think things will be signicantly better than they ever will be. While I was in the Navy, I replaced a guy I knew was going to have a brilliant career. I told him there were two types of painters. The rst of which you could give them every tool they needed to succeed. Give them great high-quality paints, fantastic subject matter, and the best canvas upon which to ply the craft. It will never matter what you give him, he will fail. He just does not have the talent. There are so many people out there who love music, but they will never be able to sing or play an instrument no matter how hard they try.The second type of painter can have bad paints, boring subject matter, and a rotten canvas, but will create a masterpiece. They have the talent and the will to succeed. I have always felt I lacked them both, no matter what people said.When I wrote the introduction to “Damn the Torpedoes”, I sent it out to a bunch of people to read and evaluate. All but one of them liked it and thought it was a great start. One person, however, yes, just one person, thought it was a mess, and he was not sure what the story was about. I should have just taken that as constructive criticism. But I did not.I focused on that one critical review and let it stop me. I allowed other’s opinions of me to dictate my next move. Not sure why I do this, but it has hampered me all my life. This exercise is an attempt at writing for me. Yesterday, after I had started this test of writing ten thousand words, I had an appointment with an occupational therapist. I broke my left wrist in August 2021 while I was in my hometown of St. Louis. When I returned to Hawaii, I called the VA to have my wrist checked out locally. The rst doctor I saw was terrible. I spent more time nding a parking spot than I did seeing him. They even tried to send me back to the VA to get copies of my X-rays. Their job, not mine.This doctor wanted to perform surgery on my wrist to correct what is known as a dinner fork fracture. I was completely uncomfortable and called the VA back and asked to get a second opinion. They assigned me a doctor closer to my house, and he generally seemed to care. One of the rst things he wanted to do was to start me on physical or occupational therapy. That is where I met this wonderful lady, who I call my mistress of torture. She worked with me for about six months and helped me recover a lot of the motion in my wrist. It fascinated her that I had a deep love of hockey and would ask about it in each session. She also liked my writing, and I would read her stuff I had written while she was trying to re-break my wrist. Even after the six to eight months of torture, I mean therapy, I still required surgery. In January of 2023, the doctor performed an experimental operation that should return full use of my wrist. It took just over six months to get my wrist back to a point where I could start rehabilitation. So, I get to enter the torture chamber I mean clinic once a week now. I read her the rst six hundred words of this challenge. She liked what I was doing and encouraged me to continue. I am just a bit excited to read all of this to her during our session next week. I started off this second day worried I could not continue what I started, but eight hundred words later, it is starting to feel like a win; but I can’t get complacent. I need to keep pushing these thoughts and feelings out of my brain and into the keyboard. Every Tuesday morning, I see a therapist. One of two I see each week. Both have encouraged me to write more and explore this talent or gift that I have. My Tuesday therapist listened and read along to the day one part of this. They enjoyed it, and we talked about what certain parts meant. Ten Thousand Wordsby Guy Bensing

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 71They asked me what I thought this was for and what format and genre I wanted to place it in. I told them that the theme is writing ten thousand words. It is also me dealing with, and possibly beating, the pain both physical and psychological, I experience from writing. It does not deal with the emotional pain. That is where I think my best writing is going to ow. My Tuesday Therapist enjoyed the thoughts I had gathered and put into the written form. They felt that there were two places that I needed to rework. One of them was the line “While I know not a lot of people are going to read this. I hope I write it in a way that makes people want to read it.” They felt the line was confusing, and that I was being pretentious in saying not a lot of people were going to read this. That was the type of critique that I needed to hear. I went back and changed the line. I think it reads better now. Do you know which line it is? If not, go back and see if you can nd it. Were they right? Did I make it better? The second thing they thought needed changing was I need to think about. It dealt with “The Cay” and how I approached the delicate subject matter. I understand their concern, but I am just not sure how to incorporate the necessary xes to address them. I am taking the things that I do this week and expressing how they affect my daily life. While it has the tone of a diary, I don’t want it to be a diarium, an account of my day’s dealings. My therapist asked me how I was going to do that. I explained that I already had. On day one, I mentioned some of the things that happened during the day but used them to segue into other topics. My goal is to make my writing interesting and readable while taking the mundane and using it to reach a broader audience. Now that is a good question asked of me by my Tuesday therapist. Who is my audience?In actuality, I am my audience. That is correct, these ten thousand words are for me and no one else. I mentioned earlier how the one negative review affected me more than all the good ones. The preverbal “One awe shit, ruins a thousand At-Ta boys.” I need to make this the thing that changes that. It has become time to focus on me and me alone. While that is easy for some people, it is not for me. I do a Vlog; Video type blog called the BlueNote Fan Report. It is an almost daily show about the St. Louis Blues and the NHL. I have done this show for ve years, entering my sixth season. I always thought my show would get popular, but it has not grown at all. In fact, it has even regressed a bit. This has bothered me greatly. Today the Blues announced their twenty-fourth captain in franchise history, Brayden Schenn. The last time I looked, somewhere around three thousand people were viewing the press conference. I am lucky if ten people view my show. I guess the thing I need to remember is why I started doing the show. In early 2018, I had a mental breakdown. It was the rst time in a long time I had addressed my mental Guy Bensing is originally from Maryland Heights, MO, a suburb of St. Louis.he currently resides in Honolulu, HI. He attended the only public full time NJROTC unit and the second largest Naval Academy in the country. After high school he Joined the U.S. Navy in 1987. He served on four ships, the USS Yorktown (CG-48), USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), USS John S McCain (DDG-56) and the USS Gary (FFG-51). He served as an instructor at Great Lakes Naval Training Center and the LPO of the mechanical codes at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyards.health. I remember that Sunday in February like it was yesterday. While watching the Blues play the Pittsburgh Penguins on TV, I got up to get something out of the refrigerator and I collapsed. The only thought running through my mind at the time was, “I am one hundred and seventy feet from ending it all.” We lived on the fourth oor of a twenty-two-story building. My wife took me to the emergency room, and the doctors determined I was having a mental health crisis. I started going to individual and group therapy. The group stuff scared the crap out of me. I had joined a few Veteran groups on Facebook and in one of them, a member was giving updates on his group meetings. I liked the idea and did the same thing but used live videos instead of typing everything out. That is how the show about Blues’ hockey started. Not for views, but as an outlet for me. A way to connect to other Blues fans around the world. At some point, I started thinking I could do this professionally, and the views became more important. Just as with the writing of these ten thousand words, I need to get back to the basics. Remember who this is for and why it is important to me. This was not a bad day two. I surpassed three thousand two hundred words in two days. I can now think of this as a win. Tomorrow I will see Monday therapist even though it will be Wednesday. On Monday I had pressure in my ear and needed to reschedule. I am excited to hear what they think. On to day three. “There is nothing to writing. “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”at a typewriter and bleed.” Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway

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72 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024DoD data focused on male and female FSMs between the ages of 18-64. This population provides the greatest detail of the military service experience and is validated by DoD.3OpDD™ used the denition of SIM cited by the CDC and NIH as accidents or undetermined deaths aligned with self-harm/suicidal behavior, which have been attributed predominantly to overdose deaths.MAJOR FINDINGSStates undercount FSMs deaths at a combined error rate of 25%• States undercounted FSMs status 18% of the time and counted non-FSMs as FSMs 7% of the time.OpDD™ identied a 37% greater suicide rate than reported by VA for years 2014-2018. The difference in the data is likely due to under-counting of FSMs deaths and the greater specicity of the decedent’s demographics, military experience, and death details available to OpDD™.OpDDTM identied that the number of suicides represented in the eight states (18% of US veterans), are 1.37 times greater than reported by the VA from 2014-2018. If these eight states and age adjustment represented a national rate:OPERATION DEEP DIVE™ SUMMARY OF INTERIM REPORTEXECUTIVE SUMMARYOperation Deep Dive™ (OpDDTM), a former service member (FSM)1 suicide and self-injury mortality (SIM)2 study encompassing eight states and ve years of death data corroborated by the Department of Defense (DoD), indicates that FSMs take their own lives each year at a rate approximately 2.4 times greater than previously reported by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). OpDD™ data analytics was able to identify FSMs with the greatest probability of taking their own life. This interim report highlights the need to expand data sets to include additional states and the VA, and jointly identify suicide and SIM prevention efforts for FSMs. The implications of the data for prevention analysis and prevention application raise awareness to help prevent FSMs from taking their lives because “Together, We Can Do Better.”ABOUT OPERATION DEEP DIVETMAmerica’s Warrior Partnership (AWP) has contracted with the University of Alabama to obtain state data. In phase two, AWP has contracted with Duke University to analyze state-provided death data, coordinate with DoD to corroborate military afliation, and identify commonalities of the person, military service, and their death. This rst phase of OpDD™ was funded by Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.OpDD™ has examined ve years of FSM and civilian death data from eight states: Alabama, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, and Oregon.In our Spring 2022 PTSD feature, we wrote an article on the Veteran suicide rates based on the VA's 2021 annual report. In reading the fine print of that report, we found that they were utilizing their 2019 data, essentially making the 2021 report void. In October, I saw a news article, explaining that the Suicide rates among Veterans was much higher than previously reported. This data came from Operation Deep DiveTM, of America's Warrior Partnership. I reached out to the lead investigator and through that conversation, we created a partnership to follow their ongoing study and share that information with our readership, as it continues to become available.Christine Walker | Editor in ChiefAll data and graphics are used with the express permission of America's Warrior Partnership and Operation Deep DiveTM. NEW STUDY FINDS VETERAN SUICIDE FAR EXCEEDS VA REPORTS

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 73• Approximately 24 FSMs die per day by suicide (determined by coroner or medical examiner) compared to the VA’s 2014-2018 average of 17.7 veteran suicides per day.• Approximately 20 FSMs die per day by Self-Injury Mortality (SIM)– previously listed as accidents/undetermined – over 80% are coded as overdose deaths.• If these eight states collectively represented the national rate, the combined death rate would be at least 44 FSMs per day which is 2.4 times higher than the VA suicide rate.OpDDTM analysis identied military service experience characteristics to rene the identication of FSMs with the highest probability of taking their lives.• The longer someone has served in the military, the lower their probability of taking their own life is 2% for every year served.• Those who served in the military for less than three years were at greatest risk for suicide/SIM.• Receiving a demotion during military service increased the FSM’s odds of dying by suicide/SIM by 56%.• FSMs from the Coast Guard were most likely to die from suicide/SIM, followed by Marine Corps, Army, Navy, and Air Force.OpDDTM analysis exposed lifestyle experiences to rene the identication of FSMs with the highest probability of taking their own lives.• In general, gender and race diversity were not associated with increased odds of suicide/SIM. Most FSM suicides and SIM were male and white.• Local and state communities differed for at-risk demographics and specic areas of concern depending on the characterization of FSMs in the community.• Living with a partner decreased the odds of suicide/SIM by nearly 40%.• Data indicate that FSMs are at a higher risk of dying from suicide/SIM or natural causes such as heart disease or cancer before age 64 than those who never served in the military.RECOMMENDATIONS• SIM must be included in any analysis of FSM and veteran death.• Improvements are needed at the local, state, and national levels regarding death reporting:o Data standardization and the use of ICD codes regarding suicide and SIM would improve insights.o Coroners and Medical Examiners need better funding with standardized tools and approaches for accounting for FSM deaths.o DoD and the VA should make available a tool for coroners/medical examiners to validate military service as a part of the death record.• VA must share data to ll in important gaps in OpDDTM datao Incorporating other sources of data, such as VA health care and benets, will improve the success of prevention approaches.o Integrating identied state death data with military service data enables the nation, states, and counties to develop impactful/measurable suicide/SIM prevention approaches.• States must make death data available, with proper controls, for research purposeso More state data are needed for OpDDTM. By participating in OpDDTM it will help the states and counties reduce FSM death.• This can be used to effectively identify those at higher risk. Increased participation by states will provide further details and data accuracy to assist in greater specicity of those most at-risk.One-size-ts-one approach is needed to prevent premature non-natural death. Former service member suicide and SIM methods of death differ signicantly from state to state and from community to community.• Prevention strategies must begin at the community level by holistically focusing on housing, meaningful employment, nancial security, relationships, purpose, physical health, and mental well-being. Solely focusing on the mechanism of death does not address the root cause of suicide/SIM.NEXT STEPS FOR OPERATION DEEP DIVETM• AWP moved OpDD™ to Duke University in order to expand the data set over the next four years and develop strategies that can be used at the national, state, and county levels to prevent FSM deaths.• Increase the number of states sharing data and participating in OpDD™• Incorporate US Department of Veterans Affairs data into OpDD™• With a larger data set, further analyze the cause of death in relationship to:o Years of military serviceo Time since discharge from military serviceo Characterization of dischargeo Military Service, Specialty, and Unit of Assignmento Military deployment historyo Incidents occurring during military service (e.g., MST, trauma, or exposure)o Protective factors of those who transition in the National Guard or Reserve prior to deatho Services received from the Department of Veterans Affairso Community services available• Work with government and non-government stakeholders to use OpDD™ ndings to help prevent FSM suicide/SIM.For more information regarding study design, methodology, data, and limitations, please refer to the Methodology Report.TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OPERATION DEEP DIVETM, SCAN THE QR CODE >> OR VISITAMERICASWARRIORPARTNERSHIP.ORG/DEEP-DIVE

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74 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024REVEANG Shel by LakeIn my capacity as a publisher and editor, I occasionally encounter exceptionally promising new writers who possess a remarkable talent and demonstrate the potential to excel as professional storytellers.Gearing up for our Spring 2023 issue, I had the privilege of meeting Sonja Berry, an individual who’s writing immediately caught my attention.Sonja, having learned about our publication, reached out to discuss the possibility of contributing to our magazine. Our conversations revealed her to be an active-duty member of the military at the time. Concerned that her professional obligations might constrain her artistic expression, I suggested the use of a pseudonym until her retirement. After taking the evening to think about it, Sonja agreed, and thus, Shelby Lake was born.Sonja Berry’s natural talent was evident from the outset. Her contributions to AT EASE! Veterans Magazine were well received and as the editor, I helped push her out of her comfort zone by assigning her to tell another Veterans story. Now, with Sonja ofcially retired from active duty, we are pleased to unveil Shelby Lake’s true identity.Sonja has grown into a remarkable and prolic writer. Our team at AT EASE are immensely proud call her one of our own as an esteemed staff writer and we celebrate her recent acceptance into the Master of Arts Professional Creative Writing program at the University of Denver.As Sonja returns to her roots in Colorado, we anticipate a new chapter in her literary journey. While she embarks on this transition, rest assured that her invaluable contributions to AT EASE! Veterans Magazine will continue. We encourage readers to follow her on social media, as her literary career promises to ourish.SHELBY LAKESONJA BERRYby Christine Walker

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 75Comedy of one sort or another can be traced back to the beginning of recorded history. Like all things American, the evolution of comedy was widespread and drastic. Stand-up comedy in the US started with the ignorant basis of racism, such as Black Face and mockery of other ethnic groups. The next stage was presented in silent lms by Charlie Chaplin and eventually went to standard lms with sound such as “I Love Lucy.” Stand-up comedy blasted off in the 1980s with artists like George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, George Lopez, and Ellen DeGeneres. All these comics brought different types of material to entertain the crowd. Many of the comics during the 80s and 90s made jokes based on the stereotypes of their own race, ethnicity, sex, and even sexual promiscuity. George Carlin however went a different route and paved the way for the most modern and successful comedians of today. George attacked the most taboo subjects. Profanity is probably what he is known best for with the skit “The Seven Dirty Words”, but he really crossed the line attacking politics and political topics such as abortion, crime, and Democrat vs Republican. Comedy is based on real-life events, stereotypes, tragedy, and the comic’s personal experience and mixed all together to make people laugh along with giving the comedian and others an outlet. The First Amendment is rst for a reason and allowing cancelation of artists because someone “feels” the content may possibly offend someone of another group is completely absurd. If the individual is not committing a crime, then there is no true reason to rip away their entire livelihood. We in America have a choice in just about everything we do. If I do not like Tupac, then I don’t have to buy any albums or merchandise. If I enjoy hand-to-hand combat then I can save money and go to a UFC event. The point is that if someone feels insulted or offended by a certain comic, well then, they don’t have to go, or if they are at an event that person is completely free to leave.I have not had much of an opinion on politics or racial stereotypes, especially the use of the “N” word yet I laugh my ass off when listening to George Carlin and Dave Chappelle. I really don’t care to hear about Lisa Lampanelli’s vagina being loose and her desire for “black guys” so clearly, I will not watch any of her specials or shows.Comedians use their voices in ways that allow those who can not voice their opinions for whatever reason. As a member of the military or police or Secret Service, it is frowned upon to criticize our chain of command, government, and the politicians who make terrible laws on our behalf. The comedians bold enough to go overseas and tour with the troops; giving them a reason to laugh despite the unfortunate things they have to witness or even do while there.During my tour to Iraq in 2004 Robin Williams did a show for all the service members deployed. There were some other celebrities, but I honestly don’t remember who. That is because not only did Robin do his typical impressions and skits, but he also ripped the politicians apart. Robin expressed so many of our opinions and asked questions we could never ask. He called out the people who have been in government for 20 or 30 years and yet none of their children were in the shit.Veterans of the armed forces and First Responders often have a very dark sense of humor. This is because when you are surrounded by death and destroyed lives all day every day, we can become numb and any reason to laugh may be the only human part of us during combat tours.The DEATHof Comedy in Americaby Chuck Bradley

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Spring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 77Right off the bat, I could pretty much talk about anything now that I have your attention from the headline. It is amazing, the power of that three-letter word. Some of you may think that the title is an oxymoron, as the words sex and military could never really exist together at the same time. Where have you been hiding?Now, if you were happily married while serving in the military and were deployed anywhere in the world for any reasonable length of time, you may not be interested in the rest of this story. You had the ideal relationship based on love and trust and that undying commitment would carry you through those long months apart. You had photos of your love back stateside and he/she had photos of you. When lonely feelings crept in, you simply pulled out those photos and everything was alright.My guess, however, is that you will read on to either see what you missed or maybe to see what skeletons may jump out of your closet.While serving overseas most GIs spent a great deal of time writing letters to their honeys back home. You know, those words of love and yearning mixed with suggestions of what would occur the minute you walked in the door. The pictures you painted were pretty steamy unless, of course, there were kids running around the room at the same time. If you were lucky, the kiddos remained with grandma and grandpa while you spent some quality time in a fancy hotel in a major city or a remote resort location.But more likely, there were several months until that romantic rendezvous occurred and you set your sights on a forty-eight-hour pass to leave the base for a bit of R&R. For some that was rest and recuperation. For others it was recreation and relaxation. After dropping your love letters off at the base APO, you would join your buddies and jeep off to town. Some headed for a ve-star hotel with a fancy restaurant and a swimming pool. Most beelined it to a op house with a bar and grill and benets upstairs or nearby. Have we jogged any memories yet?Now I have been told, while researching this article of course, that some of those towns that the soldiers headed to had massage parlors. There was usually a menu of services offered posted on the wall with the appropriate fees listed. Those fees depended on the country you were in and the professional training of the staff. You could often select your “masseuse” on the sidewalk outside of the establishment by viewing their physical conditioning. I would imagine this was a more difcult process in the Middle East where you could not tell the book by its cover since the book was usually covered from head to toe.In Vietnam, for instance, some of the “spas” were legitimate operations in formerly French-operated hotels. A good 60-minute Swedish-style massage would run the equivalent of about 25 US dollars. They were often conducted in lushly furnished surroundings with padded massage tables, soft music, and the aroma of fresh vanilla oil in the air. When nished you would retire to your stateroom for a long shower and some much-needed rest before heading to the dining room for an incredible ve-course dinner.Down the street at the parlor next to the Do Drop Inn, the types of short-term or long-term massages were usually posted on a chalkboard as the prices were always subject to change. The surroundings were usually modest with a bed, toilet, and shower all together in an open room. If there was music, it was usually from the boombox you brought along with you and maybe there was sandalwood incense burning on the nightstand. The staff there was unfamiliar with the Swedish style but very procient in deep tissue methods. And you could often get a full body massage with the use of more than just the hands. These massages often had great religious overtones also because you could often hear the GIs shouting “Oh, God” during their massage sessions. These massages generally were completed in short order as the service provider would leave your room to satisfy the client next door.Whatever your avenue for relaxation, it was always a good idea to know the location of the local inrmaries as those were the days when the word “clap” meant something other than applause and “drip” referred to more than a leaky faucet or type of coffee preparation. And penicillin was prescribed for more than inammation and bacterial infections.If you could not get an out-of-country location or to a nearby city and were more conned to your base, you might rely on self-gratication or occasionally inviting Momma-San into your hooch for some additional deep cleaning which she would gladly do for about two US dollars. There were even some female soldiers on base that ran their own side hustles. I was always in awe of these young ladies since they could easily balance a full-time day job with a lucrative after-hours schedule for the benet of their military brothers and sisters. Today it is referred to as multi-tasking. One of them earned the nickname “Slow Hand” for reasons I will let your imagination dene. I understand that when she left the military, she started a chain of therapy ofces that specialized in severe hand arthritis. Please note that much of my research for this article came from listening to stories in foxholes and bunkers while on guard duty. Some of it is from conversations at Veterans’ meetings and perhaps from a personal observation or two. It is also the result of good, solid journalistic investigation. SEXin the militaryby stuart sax

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78 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024Suicide is still something many Veterans and active duty service members struggle with. We experience the loss of friends and struggle with our own demons. Unfortunately, we have not seen a signicant decline in suicide rates over the years, which is unsettling, to say the least. In 2021, we saw an increase in suicide among females by 24.1%. This was based on a study by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). So how do we change this culture?I personally believe that it starts with our mindset and self-accountability. Taking the rst step to get help. But what is help? This is just my opinion, but I believe that help is anything that works for you. For some of us, we don’t like doctors. We don’t like talking about what is bothering us in an ofce building with someone who can’t understand our experience. Many of us absolutely hate medication. If you fall into this category then you are like me. I am a huge believer in nding out what works for you. For me, it will always be the gym. When I joined the Marine Corps, I believed that if I wasn’t super smart I could at least be super strong. As long as I could carry my teammates, I could lead them. I made sure that being strong and having endurance was one of my attributes to any team. One of the things I never shared was that I had a negative mindset. I would seriously tell myself I was a horrible Marine because I was not fast or strong enough. Even though I was fast and strong, it was never enough. So, I would constantly berate myself mentally. It was to the point of training twice a day, and hiring a running coach. I would make myself sick. After separating from the Marine Corps, I was depressed. I was now a father going through a divorce with two kids and had no idea how I would manage life. The only thing that saved me was going to the gym. This habit that was formed over 12 years of service was something I never gave up. Depressed, I went to the gym. Happy, I went to the gym. Sad, I still went to the gym. When I think back, there was never a time I regretted working out. The dopamine released during that session was just enough to keep me going. So, if you are sad today, if you are lost, I challenge you to take the rst step. If that means going to the gym, go to the gym. If that means calling for help, call for help. Enrolling in mental health services and getting help could seriously change your life for the better. Physical tness is proven to help with mental health and overall well-being. It is also proven to lower rates of mental illness. There are so many of us struggling these days with no solutions. If you decide not to get help I only ask that you “Outlast Your Pain.” Which means surviving until you decide to take that rst step. I leave you with this; a rst step if you decide to take it. Check out this at-home workout, no weights are needed. Performed by one of our very own Camp Freedom Fitness Models. This workout is entitled “I am Stronger”. As always please consult a medical professional before working out. This will be a circuit workout. The exercises performed will be Pushups, Squats, and Burpees. All exercises will be performed 10 times. After performing all three exercises take a two-minute break before starting again. The goal is to complete this circuit 5 times. Please see the examples below. Huge thank you to Kassidy aka the Au-Pair. Veteran Fitness:TAKING THE FIRST STEPBy Daniel Dancer | USMC

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80 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Spring 2024“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations and the way that their bodies interact with the world around them.” - Bessel A. van der Kolk.In the summer of 2023, a Mind Body & Soul article discussed the ght or ight response. This column will focus on the psoas muscle (the keeper of our emotions), how it responds to stress, and self-care strategies to release this tightened muscle.ANATOMYThe psoas is the primary hip exor muscle that connects the upper and lower body and maintains an upright posture (Warriors at Ease, 2023). Concerning origin, this muscle attaches from T-12 through L-4 at the front and both sides of the spine. It continues down the front of the iliac crests and inserts (ends) at the medial aspect of the lesser trochanter (see picture). Additionally, the psoas connect to the breathing muscle -the diaphragm.ActionsAs a deep hip exor, the psoas allow us to sit, stand, run, walk, climb, and perform squats and crunches. This group of muscles is essential to core stabilization.ISSUES WITH THE TISSUESWarriors at Ease states the psoas muscle can become short and tight from the many hours we spend sitting, driving, or exercising. Without release, the pelvis tilts forward, resulting in lower back pain. Conversely, if the psoas becomes overstretched and weak, the pelvis tilts backward, causing tight hamstrings (2023, pp. 38-40). Let’s look at what happens when the psoas gets stuck from emotional or unresolved traumas.According to Emily Francis, the body responds to stress in one of two ways. During a perceived threat, we will either get up, ght, run, or curl into the fetal position and freeze. Either way, the hip exors, including the psoas, become tight and activated. If, for example, you were a victim of a crime, and this trauma stays unresolved, the psoas is unable to release and becomes chronically locked in exion (2022, p. 130). Living with a chronically shortened psoas can manifest in tissue issues - back, knee, and groin pain; digestive issues; shortness of breath (remember the connection to the diaphragm); and disrupted sleep patterns (2023, p. 40).SELF-CARE FOR THE PSOASThere are several strategies, both cognitive and physical, that you can use to shift the nervous system from the stress to the relaxation response.• Cognitive - If you have unresolved traumas or emotional scarring, talk therapy under the guidance of a licensed clinical counselor may assist you on your healing journey.THE BODY REMEMBERSTim GrutiziusTim Grutzius, is a US Army Veteran and a graduate of the YAM Yoga School (Laurel Park, NC) and is a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. He is a recognized Level I teacher through Warriors at Ease (trauma-informed training), and is the Owner of Mind Body Badge Yoga and Wellness (timothyggrutzius.com). • Bodywork - I have had psoas release work performed during a massage for several years. I had a painful rst experience that brought me to tears- something my therapist told me is a common occurrence. The intensity reduced with subsequent visits, and I now receive psoas work as needed.• Acupuncture- I have seen acupuncturists for more than a decade. My current practitioner treated my stuck psoas, and the results were incredible. Contact me by email, and I will share more about this experience. Concerning either bodywork or acupuncture, please inquire from these practitioners whether they have received training in this area of work.To conclude this article, I will offer some stretches specic to psoas release. You should complete a well-rounded exibility program targeting the hamstrings, quads, and low back. Working with a tness professional or physical therapist who can offer hands-on assistance is a great place to begin your healing work.RELEASING THE PSOASFloor stretch1. Lie on your back on a carpet or yoga mat. Bend your knees, lift your hips, and place a yoga block or folded blanket under your sacrum (in the area of your belt line/waistband) and lower the hips.2. Hug both knees to your chest - extend your right leg, long on the mat or carpet.3. On an inhale, raise the right leg straight and lower to the mat on the exhale. Complete 5-7 repetitions.

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Spring 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 81......VETERANS CREEDI AM A VETERAN, I HAVE SEEN AND DONE THINGS MANY MAY NOT UNDERSTANDI AM A WARRIORI WILL NEVER ACCEPT DEFEATI WILL NEVER QUIT AND I WILL NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN BROTHER OR SISTERIF THEY ARE HURT, I WILL CARRY THEMIF I CANT CARRY THEM, I WILL DRAG THEM.I WILL HELP THEM FACE THEIR ENEMIES.TO INCLUDE THE DEMONS FROM WITHIN.THEY ARE MY BROTHER & MY SISTERS.I AM A VETERAN! 4. After the last repetition, extend the right leg, along with your toes pointed away from you. Rest in this position from 30 to 90 seconds. Inhale and exhale through your nose.5. Release both legs to the mat, shake them, and then hug your knees to your chest.6. Switch legs and repeat.Bed Stretch1. Lie on the edge of your bed and draw both knees to your chest.2. Allow the right leg to hang off the edge of the bed while keeping the left knee hugged to your chest.3. Rest in this position from 30 to 90 seconds. Inhale and exhale through your nose.4. Switch legs and repeat.Please consult your licensed healthcare provider before changing your self-care routine to ensure no contraindications to the currently prescribed treatment protocols.Until next time - Be well and take care,TimReferencesWarriors at Ease (2023). Level Two Training Manual. Learn How to Deliver Transformative Mind-Body Practices to the Military Community. Silver Spring, MD: World at Ease, Inc.Francis, E. (2017). The Body Heals Itself. How Deeper Awareness of Your Muscles and Their Emotional Connection Can Help You Heal. Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications.Just Breathe...

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DOWN1. USMC RECRUIT TRAINING IS REFERRED TO AS…2. HM BIGELOW WAS EN ROUTE TO ...4. DICKSON RECOGNIZES MOMENTS OF ...5. THE LEFT HAS INTRODUCED…ACT6. THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF WERE IN THE PENTAGON…ROOM.7. THE SMALL BASE CAMP 15 MILES NW OF HUEWAS CALLED CAMP ...9. HE LEARNED TO PEEL…IN KP11. DURING THIS PERIOD OF THE…WAR12. WHAT AIR BASE IS NEAR THE YELLOW SEA?13. THE RIGHT HAS INTRODUCED...ACT15. "...A REFLECTION ON ... ARE SENTIMENTAL PROSE16. WALKER SERVED THREE COMBAT TOURS IN…17. "... WAS WHAT I WANTED"18. WHAT NHL TEAM STARTED BACKING THEVET’S HOCKEY TEAM?19. ADOPTED THE SLOGAN ”… OF THE HIGH FRONTIER”24. LINCOLN PHOTOGRAPHER25. WHERE DID MARSHALL SERVE AS VEHICLE COMMANDER?28. WHAT DID HE LEARN IN THE GUARD MEETING?31. NEVER ... FOR ANYTHING33. THE KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION PROPELLEDTHE … PROJECT35. AMANDA'S FIRST CHICK WAS NAMED ...ACROSS3 . THE ... DEUCES8 . ... WAS PRODUCED THERE10. V2VG JUST STARTED A ... CLUB14. THE QUEEN OF THE DEAD ALLOWED … TORETURN TO EARTH16. HOFFMEYER SPEAKS OF EMOTIONAL ...19. MORE THAN A ...20. ANOTHER TITLE FOR COMBAT ENGINEER21. THE USS STARK IS A ...22. WHATEVER YOUR AVENUE FOR…23. HOW MANY NHL TEAMS SPONSOR WARRIORPROGRAMS?26. POWERFUL 3-LETTER WORD27. UNCLE PAUL WAS A ...29. RECTOR WON A CONTRACT FOR A ...SCHOOL30. WHAT HAVE HUMANS FOUND SOLACE ANDINSPIRATION IN?32. ”I TOOK A WALK IN THE…AND CAME OUTTALLER THAN THE TREES.”34. POST-TRAUMATIC ...36. " ... IS FUTILE"'SPRING''SPRING'SCAVENGER SCAVENGER HUNTHUNT88 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Spring 2024

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS:COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE EXERPTS FROM 'BORN IN A BAR II'...COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE EXERPTS FROM 'BORN IN A BAR II'...With the recent passing of Country Star and American Patriot, Toby Keith, it only seemed tting to share a story which includes Toby Keith, (sort of).Pete was a fellow Gunny that I met through the Staff Academy and had been a regular on the Gunny’s bikes and beers tour from Camp Lejeune through North Carolina and the surrounding states.One night we stopped at a shit-hole strip club/gas station/motel/truck stop somewhere in bum-fuck, Kentucky. There was a country song (Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue) playing in the background with a stripper on stage wearing a ag bikini, which immediately caused Pete to yell out, calling me ‘Travis Tritt’ (the only country singer he knew). Pete proceeded to tell everyone that I was Travis Jr. and demanded the VIP booth.The VIP booth was the same shitty table as every other strip club, except this one had a black, dollar-store tablecloth and was closer to the stage than usual. This was one of the worst fucking strip clubs I had ever been to. There was not one fucking redeeming thing about this bar, but we’d already paid the cover, so as always, we made the best out of a shitty situation by injecting our own version of ‘fun.’ I made up a game called, “Be Somebody,” which is, ironically, the name of a Travis Tritt song.The game went like this: One person got to pick a name/personality for the other person, and we’d have to stay in character for an hour or until someone called us out for being full of shit. The loser had to buy beer for the rest of the night. We had already established that Pete spoke English when we walked into the club, so I gured I had a slam dunk as I introduced him to our new friends as ‘Enrico Pallazzo,’ who knew no English – only Spanish. Pete could have passed as Latino, but he was a white dude who only knew a handful of Spanish words: “Cerveza,” “Si,” “No,” and, “No hablo ingles.” Everything else he said throughout the night was completely made-up words and phrases, or he just added anOto the end of every English word.One of the other girls took a liking to Pete, and after a few lap dances she tried to talk him into purchasing a champagne room dance for $350 (through me as his translator). I negotiated with this drunk stripper for my friend who (as far as she knew) didn’t speak English. My argument to her was that if a lap dance was $30 for about 4 or 5 minutes, or roughly $6 per minute, then a 30-minute ‘champagne room’ dance at that rate should only cost $180, plus the $20 bottle of cheap champagne (that she would also be drinking). I asked what made it worth the extra $150, when for $200, Pete could just get a lap dance from the other ve girls who were hovering around, waiting for their chance to take our money.After thinking about the money that she might lose to the other girls, she said, “Well…he can touch me.” She then leaned in while looking around to see if anyone else was close. “And…I’ll touch him.”Pete chimed in, “Mi pino es mucho cucumberino!”Drunk Pete translation: “My penis is a large cucumber.”He repeated this phrase several more times over the next month. We found it hilarious every time.Pete recounted the details of what happened in the champagne room afterward: After about 10 minutes of her grinding on him, she let him have free rein to touch her anywhere and then she gave him a hand job. At some point after he nished, he said, “Damn, that felt good.”After a long pause in thought, the stripper said, “Hey, that’s not Spanish!”This caused him to laugh uncontrollably and spit his champagne all over her chest, prematurely ending the champagne room experience about 10 minutes early.Not only did henot getarefundforthetimelost, but he also had to buy beer for the rest of the night.FOR MORE INAPPROPRIATE SHENANIGANS, FOR MORE INAPPROPRIATE SHENANIGANS, SCAN THE QR COdE bELOW: SCAN THE QR COdE bELOW: CUCUMBERINO by Gunny Jesse EsterlySpring 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 89