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PUBLISHERDevil Doc PublishingEDITOR IN CHIEFChristine WalkerASSISTANT EDITORVL StevensonSTAFF WRITERSGuy BensingSonja BerryEric McNailStuart SaxVL StevensonAdam WalkerChristine WalkerFEATURE WRITERSChuck BradleyLarry BroughtonDaniel DancerGySgt. Jesse EsterlyMatt FeehanDr. Robert GarciaTim GrutiziusDonna HoffmeyerCristie RemmelOperation Deep DiveTMPaul SullivanRob YounceFEATURE ILLUSTRATORStephen RussellSALES STAFFChristine WalkerLAYOUT & DESIGNChristine WalkerSPECIAL PROJECTSMegan SuttorCONTRIBUTING WRITERS:Clinton BowersWilliam CaputRon DicksonDonald DunnAmy ForsytheRichard FrohmeAmanda McHenryCory PeplinskiJack RileyGary SteeleKenny ThomasUndaunted Warhorse IniciativeFIND US AT:ATEASEVETERANSMAGAZINE.COMCopyright 2021-2025 © 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 WalkerWinter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 3Hey everyone,I’ve got to start with an apology straight from the heart. The Winter 24 issue is beyond late, and it’s all on me. Life has been kind of a whirlwind with some serious health issues I’ve been dealing with, which threw a wrench in our schedule. Your understanding and incredible support during this time has meant everything to me.Now, onto some brighter news - we’ve hit our 16th issue! This isn’t just any milestone; it’s a testament to how much we’ve all come together. AT EASE! isn’t just a magazine to me; it’s like our own little family where Veterans from all corners of the world come together. It’s about sharing stories that inspire us, teach us, and celebrate who we are. And knowing we’ve got readers in over 22 countries? That’s not just reaching out; it’s making waves.Looking ahead to 2025 feels like we’re on the brink of something huge. We’re not just turning ve; we’re doing it right as the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps celebrate their 250th. And the lineup for our covers? It’s nothing short of stellar:• SPRING: Jack Carr: A Navy SEAL and a #1 New York Best Selling author with “The Terminal List,” talks one on one with our Head writer, Adam Walker about his latest non-ction Targeted: Beirut.• SUMMER: War Hippies: the country duo consisting of combat veterans USMC’s Scooter Brown and USA’s Donnie Reis, weave a musical tapestry that blends the soul of old-school country storytelling with the edge of classic rock. • FALL: Larry Broughton: From the battleelds to the boardroom, this Army Ranger turned entrepreneur shows us what leadership looks like in civilian life.And here’s a personal highlight for me - our Assistant Editor, Les Stevenson, is getting hitched! Love stories like his and Cecelia’s remind us that life’s full of surprises, and I can’t wait for him to share their journey with us next year.These stories, including Les’s, they’re not just about the people we feature; they’re about us, our resilience, our spirit. We’re not just reminiscing; we’re charging into the future while honoring our past, and I’m so grateful to have you all with me for the ride.Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being part of this. Your support doesn’t just keep us going; it’s what makes all of this worthwhile. Let’s make the year ahead something to remember.Thanks for standing by me. It’s an honor to continue this journey together.
Table of ContentsTable of ContentsMessage from the Editor 3Silent Night in the Ardennes 6Influenced to Influencer 10Birth of the 10th Mountain Division 12Warriors Wanted 22DD-214 & Beyond 24Unlocking Savings: VA Interest Rate Reduction Loan 27Every Veteran Has a Story to Tell ... 29The Tower of Babble-On 36Kenny's Story: Part II 3810 Days & a Wake-Up: Leaving Vietnam Behind 40V2VG: The Tale of the Starfish 42On Air with Stuart Sax: Zach Tidwell 44'I Remember When... Unsung Heroes' 45The Lions of Marjah 46MCON2024: Las Vegas 48The Undaunted Warhorse Iniciative: A Beacon of Hope 52Where Did We Go Wrong 55Remembering Blindbat 01 56From My Point of View: Holiday Resiliance 58What Inspires You? 60National Treasures 62 Operation Deep DiveTM 70Book Review: Scars & Strife 72TAPS 73Veteran Fitness: Losing Pounds & Keeping it Off 80Mind, Body, & Soul: Never Take for Granted 82Salty Skipper: Captain Jack 8428 Veteran Podcasts 86Crossword: 'Winter' Military Lingo 88Completely Inappropriate Exerpts from 'Born in a Bar' 89Declaration of Military Accountability 90Coming Up in Our Next Issue 921515202050504 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 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.67677676NOT 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 Help3434The RELENTLESS The RELENTLESS PURSUIT of PURSUIT of PURPOSE: PURPOSE: Craig 'Sawman' Craig 'Sawman' SawyerSawyerTHE FOREVER CREWTHE FOREVER CREWDIGNITY in DIGNITY in LEADERSHIPLEADERSHIP
6 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 2024By Larry BroughtonBy Larry BroughtonSilent Night in the Ardennes: A Christmas Truce You’ve Probably Never Heard AboutLarry 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.comChristmas Eve, 1944. If you’d been anywhere near the Ardennes Forest that night, all you’d have seen was snow and war. Gunre echoed through the trees. As the Battle of the Bulge raged through Europe, while both the Americans and the Germans were caught in a brutal ght, an extraordinary true tale of humanity unfolded that remained largely untold for decades.In the middle of all the chaos, something happened that no one could have predicted. A brief, fragile truce, not one set by leaders or generals, but by regular soldiers and a brave German woman who, on that one night, decided that Christmas meant something more than the war raging around them. Its simplicity and power stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of Christmas and the capacity for compassion, even in our darkest hours.Lost Soldiers, A Cabin, and a LightThree American soldiers had gotten separated from their unit. They were cold, hungry, and had no idea where they were. It was pitch black, the forest thick with fog and snow. They’d been walking for what felt like forever, trying to nd some shelter, some warmth. Anything.And then, they saw it—a tiny light glowing in the distance. As they got closer, they realized it was coming from a small cabin, tucked away in the trees. What they didn’t know was that a German woman named Elisabeth Vincken and her 12-year-old son, Fritz, were inside, trying to make it through the war themselves. Mother and son had taken refuge in the small cottage nestled in the Huertgen Forest, eeing the devastation of their hometown of Aachen. As Christmas approached, so too did the sounds of war. The drone of aircraft and booms of artillery lled the air, a steady reminder of the battle that engulfed Europe. The knock on the door came, and there stood three American soldiers, one of them badly wounded. Elisabeth didn’t hesitate, though. She opened the door, let them in, and gave them what little warmth and food she had. She didn’t see them as enemies. She saw them as young men, far from home, who were just trying to survive.Then Came More VisitorsIt wasn’t long before there was another knock. This time, it was four German soldiers. And the moment they stepped into that cabin and saw the Americans, tensions skyrocketed. You could feel it in the air. Hands went to weapons, eyes narrowed, and it seemed like the war was about to come crashing into that tiny cabin.But then, Elisabeth spoke. “This is Christmas Eve,” she said. “There will be no shooting here.”One woman, standing between two groups of armed soldiers, pleaded for them to put down their weapons. As it turns out, her kitchen table diplomacy worked, and that’s what happened.
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 7The men—seven in total, from opposing sides—sat down at the same table. Not because they trusted each other. But because they respected what Elisabeth had said. This wasn’t a ceasere called by armies or ofcials. It was one moment, created by one person’s sheer will.A Simple Meal, Shared Between EnemiesThe meal wasn’t much. Just some potatoes, a bit of bread, and whatever else Elisabeth had left. But it wasn’t about the food. It was about the fact that these soldiers, who had been trying to kill each other just hours before, were now sitting together, sharing what little they had.They didn’t speak the same language, but somehow, they communicated. One of the German soldiers spoke a bit of English, and that helped, but truth be told, they didn’t need words. They passed around cigarettes. They offered up small gifts—bits of chocolate, rations from their packs.At one point, they all stepped outside. The stars were shining, and for a few minutes, they just stood there, side by side, looking up at the same sky. The same stars. It’s hard to hate someone when you’re both staring up at something innitely bigger than you.The Morning AfterWhen Christmas morning came, the soldiers knew the truce couldn’t last. They were still at war, after all. But when they left, they didn’t part as enemies. They shook hands, nodded to each other, and then walked back into the forest—Americans heading one way, Germans the other. No shots were red. No blood was spilled. For one night, the war had stopped, if only inside that cabin.Finding Hope in Hard PlacesWhat strikes me most about this story isn’t the soldiers. It’s Elisabeth. A woman who had already lost so much—her home destroyed by the war; her family torn apart—still found it in herself to create peace in the middle of so much pain. She didn’t have to take in those American soldiers. She didn’t have to stand up to the Germans who showed up later. But she did, and in doing so, she showed us what it means to choose humanity over hate.And right now, in a world where conict seems to be the norm—in Ukraine, in Gaza, even right here in our own neighborhoods—we could all use a little reminder of what happened that Christmas Eve in 1944.It wasn’t about grand gestures or sweeping declarations. It was about one woman and seven soldiers deciding that, for one night, they weren’t going to ght. They were just going to be people. And sometimes, that’s all it takes.What Can We Learn from This?The world is a complicated, messy place. Most of us have seen both good and evil. The battle of opposing ideologies cut deep. I know peace isn’t as simple as sitting down at the same table and sharing a meal. But maybe, just maybe, it’s a start. Maybe if we all took a page out of Elisabeth’s book, if we decided to stop seeing each other as imbeciles and enemies, and started seeing each other as human beings and neighbors, we might be able to nd our own moments of peace.Even in the darkest times, there’s still light. Even in the middle of war, we can nd moments of kindness. If that can happen in a small cabin in the middle of the Ardennes, with the Battle of the Bulge raging just outside the door, maybe it can happen in the cities, towns, and villages across the US.So, as we go through our own battles—whatever they may be—let’s remember the Christmas Eve truce of 1944. Let’s remember that, at the end of the day, we’re all just people. And sometimes, that’s enough.
8 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 2024"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena."Theodore Roosevelt, speaking on the courage of soldiers
10 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024INFLUENCED TO INFLUENCED TO INFLUENCERINFLUENCERamarok critton"My turning point of 'fuck it',” in dealing with the stress of death at your door day in and day out was one time a sandstorm came in. Now you can’t see more than about ve feet in front of you and I’m thinking I’m going to get shot at or blown up, one or the other, it never happened of course. But there I was on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Anaconda and I saw a fucking rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) cutting through the storm like a fucking knife. The thing was about seven feet above my head. So, there’s a point after an RPG is red that it ignites and I see this thing ignite and it shoots about twenty more feet right into a trailer next to where I was. We all took off running to that stupid pillar, and I was like, 'You know what? Fuck this!' I just can’t focus on being worried about dying all the time.”It was then that Brian “Amarok” Critton switched off that perpetual fear of death and started using that energy to focus more clearly on his mission(s) over in Iraq. Amarok, an Inuit word for Great Wolf, a nickname given to him while serving overseas due to his love of the moon, joined the United States Army after dropping out of High School in 2002. He then immediately enlisted in response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and graduated as an Infantryman. In 2006, Amarok deployed to Camp Anaconda Forward Operating Base (FOB), Iraq known as “mortar city” by those stationed there. He and a small handful of other infantrymen were attached to various units that rotated into and out of the FOB during his deployment. During his time at Anaconda, he developed a passion for photography and videography as well as music; he even picked up the acoustic guitar while deployed saying, “I needed to change the sound of my environment.”However, video, photos, and music were not always in the cards for him. Some of the missions he took part in were quite harrowing including, and especially, a cycle of Hospital Security. It was during one of those missions he saw a young Iraqi child, a baby to be more precise, take its last breath as the child’s parents looked on in horror begging the American Military to help in a situation where there was nothing we could do at that location. That, however, was not the hardest part of his deployment. “The hardest moment of my deployment to Iraq was the day I went to a phone trailer and reached out to my sister. She told me that my brother, my only big brother, and ancé at the time, were sleeping together. Now my sister is ride-or-die, she would never lie to me and had no reason to lie anyway.” This news hit Amarok just two months into his deployment and right after the RPG incident.He chose not to tell anyone about it because no one was talking about anything similar happening to them and he didn’t want anyone to worry about him. Although, he says it did make him feel that he and his situation were unique. Article by Eric McNail, Staff Writer
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 11Also, he says, “I felt unimportant and worthless.” He went on to say, “I felt even more worthless because I was ghting to get back home to people who didn’t give a shit about me.” So, he says, he pushed it down and concentrated on the mission at hand. “That was the easy part.” The hard part was knowing that when he came home, he had to face his betrayers and confront them and that thought lived in the back of his mind, lurking like a demon. When the time came his brother and ancé denied it, which hurt Amarok even more. He was so hurt, enraged, and felt so doubly betrayed he spent weeks considering killing his brother. “I couldn’t sleep without dreaming about that phone call, I still can’t. I wake up screaming about it.” The idea he left for war and the two people he loved so dearly betrayed him hit him so hard the wound is open to this very day.It was only the disappointment and pain that killing his brother would’ve caused his mother and father, that prevented him from doing so. Instead, he turned that pain toward himself, and this precipitated his rst suicide attempt. A suicide-by-cop where he went and simply walked up and struck a police ofcer in the chest fully expecting to be killed for the assault. Instead, the ofcer, seeing his pain, called an ambulance which took him for psychological treatment and some time to cool off.After getting out he still struggled with the pain of betrayal and thus he attempted suicide a second time. This time by consuming an entire bottle of medication. However, his mother walked in at the exact moment he nished taking the bottle of pills and saw the empty container fall from his hands. He was rushed to the hospital, and it was there he decided that, if he lived, he’d become the brother he had lost. He thought, “I can’t be the only person on this fucking planet that has gone through something like this.” He vowed to be the big brother to his fellow Veterans going through suicidal thoughts and attempts that he no longer had. He’d be the person they could talk to if they couldn’t talk to anyone else. “I’ll be the one to say it. ‘it happened to me.’ Because if I had someone I could talk to maybe I wouldn’t have felt so alone and tried to end it all?”There has been a staggering, overwhelming response to his social media presence Amarok has over two hundred thousand followers and the number keeps growing. His mission does come at a price, however, “I have to relive the betrayal every day, that’s my curse, the price I pay for trying to take my own life. I relive the betrayal every day so I can help our brothers and sisters through their betrayal and pain and let them know they are not alone, they do have worth, and their lives are worth living.”When asked about the future Amarok replies simply, “I live each day moment to moment, I don’t plan for tomorrow. In fact, I’m scared of how I’ll respond if I ever feel I’ve lost my sense of mission. I’m just trying to focus on now and to set an example for my kids and to be the man my wife deserves.”Amarok can be found primarily on his TikTok channel but also has a presence on Facebook
12 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024World War II prompted the United States military to adopt mountain warfare tactics in response to conict in mountainous regions like Italy, Romania, and Germany. Even before entering the war, the United States began preparing against the threat of facing the well-trained mountain forces in Europe, eventually leading to the development of the 10th Mountain Division in 1943.Mountain warfare poses multiple challenges. High altitudes can lead to sickness, weather-related injuries, and fatigue. There is a constant risk of rapid weather changes, as well as dangers from avalanches, rockslides, and mudslides. Movement through rugged terrain is slow, making casualty evacuation difcult. Supplies are limited, and vehicles are not usable in these conditions. Additionally, soldiers must maintain high levels of physical tness and wear specialized clothing designed for the environment.In March 1941, the War Department appointed the National Ski Association as an advisor to the Army to help address these challenges. This organization led recruiting efforts, selecting candidates from college ski clubs and teams and search-and-rescue ski patrols because they reasoned it would be easier to turn skiers into soldiers than turn soldiers into skiers. At that time, skiing was primarily a hobby of the afuent, and many “ski troops” consisted of college graduates, coining the slogan, “college boys to cowboys.” Other desirable recruits included foresters, park rangers, trappers, lumberjacks, and hunting and mountain guides.In addition, in April 1942, construction of a mountain and ski training base Camp Hale commenced in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at 9,200 feet above sea level in the Eagle River Valley. The camp was completed in November 1942. It was designed to house 20,000 troops and 11,000 animals including all necessary facilities, such as pack animal stables, ski shops, ski trails, and the longest ski lift in the country. Here the mountain troops were trained in a variety of mountaineering skills including mountain climbing, Alpine and Nordic skiing, cold-weather survival, and winter combat. The camp had as many as 14,000 volunteer and non-volunteer trainees come through by 1943.The conditions were harsh at Camp Hale. Many of the soldiers experienced health issues from prolonged altitude exposure, morale was low because of the remote location, and there was limited tactical training beyond skiing.In his book “Ski the High Trail” HarrisDusenbergchronicles his experience at Camp Hale during the winter of 1943-1944 participating in the infamous divisional maneuvers (D-Series), trekking across the Gore Range at elevations reaching up to 12,000 feet. Here he describes the severe conditions he and the other men had endured.“The weather was bad for April, snow and more snow fell, and on two mornings the temperature went down to twenty degrees below zero. We lugged our packs, ries, and ‘goddam’ gas masks up mountains and down into ravines night and day, the hours seeming to make no difference to those in command. With fatigue a constant effect and with cold an enveloping tormentor we struggled on skis though snowdrifts and The The BirthBirth of the of the 1010thth Mountain Division Mountain Division “Climb to Glory” “Climb to Glory” Photos by Adam Walker.10th Mountain Division & Ft. Drum Museum, NY. by Sonja Berry, Sta Writer, USAF
HAVE 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.comalpine woods in that timeless affair called maneuver when day is night and night is day….”Needless to say, the training pushed them past their limits and exposed deciencies in personnel, equipment, and organization.The training was tested when the 10th Mountain Division was deployed to Naples, Italy, in the winter of 1944-1945 to join the ght. The mission was to breach the heavily fortied German defenses along Italy’s Apennine Mountains, known as the “Gothic Line” (named after the Germanic people known as the Goths who historically resided in the Apennine Mountains). The line was 108 feet wide and eight miles deep. The Germans held the high ground, entrenched high on the mountain ridges, stopping Allied forces from advancing further into Europe. It was Hitler’s last stronghold.According to an article published in Vail daily, Lt Col Henry J Hampton wrote in an Army report, “The Germans held all the high ground, and one felt like he was in the bottom of a bowl with the enemy sitting two-thirds of the rim looking down on you. There was about as much concealment as a goldsh would have in a bowl.”After numerous efforts by Allied troops to penetrate the line, progress was achieved with the deployment of the specially trained 10th Mountain Division in January 1945. The mountain troops patiently reconned the area for four weeks, looking for routes up the mountain and cleverly installed climbing equipment to assist when it was time to strike.Upon sundown on February 18, 1945, the 10th Mountain Division attacked the cliff face of Riva Ridge unleashing 700 soldierswearing 55-pound packson the steep ascent up the mountaintoward the unsuspecting enemy.The ridge consisted of a total of eight peaks ranging from 3,200 ft to 6000 ft high.On February 19, they successfully captured the ridge, facilitating the entry of Allied forces into deeper regions of Europe. This victory was crucial to securing the Allied triumph in Europe.After the war, 260 soldiers from the Tenth established ski clubs across the country, including America’s largest ski company, Vail Resorts Inc. Fun fact, the Vail Ski Resort, currently owned by 10th Mountain Division Veteran Jack Tweedy, named its longest ski run “Riva Ridge” in honor of the battle.Camp Hale was deactivated in November of 1945 after just three years, at which time the 10th Mountain Division moved to Texas. Today, the Elite Light Infantry Division is located at Ft. Drum, New York.They are the most deployed division in the entire US Army, performing combat operations, peacekeeping enforcement, and humanitarian relief operationsduring the Gulf War and in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, the SinaiPeninsula, Iraq, andAfghanistan.Their motto is, “Climb to Glory.”“For me my country is its ideals, itsconceptsof equality, fair play and supremeworth ofthe individual.It was for these ideals that we went on with our training at Camp Hale andin theheat of summer in Texas. It was in their name that we went on to nd death andglory in the historic mountains of Italy.” - Harris DusenberyDusenbery, Harris. 1991.SKI THE HIGH TRAIL World War II Ski Trooper in the High Colorado Rockies.Portland Oregon. Binford & Mort Publishing.Wyrick, Randy. 2020. “The Battle of Riva Ridge and the triumph of the 10thMountainDivision, 75 years later.”VailDaily.The Battle of Riva Ridge and the triumph of the 10th Mountain Division, 75 years later.Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 13Photos by Adam Walker.10th Mountain Division & Ft. Drum Museum, NY. Photos by Adam Walker.10th Mountain Division & Ft. Drum Museum, NY.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. But also, guard with ferocity the innocence of children, for in them lies the future."Patrick Henry14 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 2024
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 15The RELENTLESS PURSUIT of PURPOSE: Craig 'Sawman' Sawyer’s Journey from Warghter to Warrior for ChildrenWRITTEN BY: CHRISTINE WALKER
16 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 202416 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024Craig Sawyer’s journey has been anything but smooth or ordinary. Looking back on his path, he doesn’t shy away from the raw reality of doing work that matters. “Man, it’s been an interesting journey,” he admits. “So many people, really just so critical. It’s like, if you’re actually doing anything, you have almost as many haters as supporters out there.” For Sawyer, the shift from Navy SEAL to anti-trafcking crusader wasn’t a walk in the park, but it was a calling he couldn’t ignore. His career, forged in the re of special operations, has been grounded in an unbreakable code of honor, brotherhood, and relentless service. “The challenge at that level is extreme,” he says, with the weight of hard-won experience. “I learned a lot and I improved, serving with so many quality men that I’ll love for the rest of my days.”Sawyer’s drive is rooted in a solid upbringing, something he once thought everyone had. “I was born into a strong, loving family, which I now know is not standard,” he recalls. It wasn’t until high school that he noticed many of his friends came from broken homes. “Most of my friends’ families were split up, and I realized that not everyone had what I did.” This foundation, he says, gave him the courage to pursue his dreams without fear. “I didn’t feel like failing was going to be the end of the world—I just went for it.”He credits a Sunday school teacher for inspiring his vision of a warrior. Growing up in southern Texas, Sawyer and his friends preferred boxing, hunting, and playing football over sitting indoors. Recognizing this, his teacher used the story of King David to capture their attention. “King David was this larger-than-life warrior persona,” Sawyer remembers. “What he did was supernatural because his faith was so strong. That was really my model of what a warrior could—and should—be someone with a moral purpose.”From Elite Warrior to Protector of the InnocentCraig Sawyer’s journey is dened by resilience and an uncompromising will to serve. His life as a Navy SEAL with SEAL Team 6—the elite ‘Tier 1’ unit—carved a warrior spirit that he describes as something out of ancient myth. “It really shaped my warriorhood,” Sawyer recalls. “I was just a little boy with a mind to be like King David, to serve the greatest good I knew about.” Yet, even with this intense career, Sawyer’s priorities shifted when his family started growing. “I was gone about 300 days a year… That was no way to raise kids.”Trying to balance family with service, Sawyer joined the Federal Air Marshal Service just before 9/11, only to face backlash after exposing corruption within the FBI. This whistleblowing forced him out, but Sawyer didn’t back down. He turned to high-threat security, protecting U.S. ofcials in Iraq and taking on intelligence roles. But his mission changed and took an unexpected turn when a friend showed him the grim reality of child trafcking. “I was devastated,” he admits. “It was covert, systematic, and the American populace didn’t know about it… It’s a lot of top cover, which means so much corruption.”Learning that child trafficking in the U.S. generates a criminal revenue of over 150 billion dollars a year and the fact that it is more than all pro sports combined was a revelation that stirred something deep within him. This vision of warriorhood shaped his approach to service. “I didn’t make war because I was disgruntled or frustrated with the world,” Sawyer explains. “I made war to protect my friends, my family, my fellow Americans. I loved the peace and freedom we had here, and I was willing to ght for that.”After high school, Sawyer found work in Houston’s oil industry as a pipetter, but when the industry took a downturn in the early ’80s, he saw an opportunity to pursue his true calling. Drawn by the Marines’ strong esprit de corps, he initially set his sights on joining Force Recon, the elite Marine special operations unit. “Marines had the strongest reputation for discipline and being hardcore warriors,” he says. “And their Force Recon Marines were the baddest dudes.”However, once in the Marines, Sawyer discovered that Force Recon was not actively recruiting. “I thought, what am I doing here then?” he recalls. Advisors told him that if he wanted to operate at the highest level, he should consider the Navy SEALs, who had more funding, resources, and active missions.He fought to make the transition, eventually transferring to the Navy. “They said, ‘You can’t get there from here,’ but I got there anyway,” Sawyer says with a smile. After boot camp and months of technical training, he joined SEAL Team 1, later becoming a sniper and making his contributions on the front lines."Sawman' & 'Gunny' R. Lee Emory
Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 17Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 17Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 17Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 17“What horrors are befalling these children that it’s generating that much money?” Driven by outrage and a erce sense of duty, Sawyer founded Vets for Child Rescue, an organization dedicated to combating child trafcking. “This became my ght. International terrorism is bad, but the exploitation of our children, happening right under our noses, is something I cannot stand by and allow.”Now, Sawyer and his team employ their specialized skills to expose trafcking rings across the country and expose child predators through arrest and convictions. For him, this battle is no less intense than his time with SEAL Team 6. “These aren’t just trafckers; they’re predators,” he emphasizes. “And as long as they prey on our children, they’ll have a ght on their hands.” His mission is fueled by a warrior’s resolve and a protector’s heart. And his advice? “Know what’s happening, refuse to turn away, and ght for the innocent.”Unmasking the DarknessFor Sawyer, rescuing children from trafcking is only part of the ght—it’s also about shattering the veil of secrecy that lets such horrors persist. Sawyer speaks with raw frustration about the media’s role in concealing the truth and society’s indifference. “American people can’t vote in our own interest if we don’t know what’s going on,” he says. “The news media are quislings. They’re serving our enemies to help overthrow their own sanctuary of freedom and liberty.”The disillusionment in his voice is unmistakable. “Almost half of the American populace are participating in their own enslavement, tearing down this beautiful constitutional republic,” he asserts. “It’s like a dark psychosis that has taken over so many. When you start researching it, you realize it’s ancient, and it’s spiritual. If you’re genuinely curious, you’ll nd the truth pretty quickly.”Determined to bring that truth to light, Sawyer created Contraland, a documentary designed to expose the reality of trafcking. “If we were spies in a hostile country, they’d be hunting us the moment they knew who we were. That’s the same dynamic I want to create for child trafckers in the United States. I want families to know who is hunting our children, so we can turn against them and hunt those scumbags.”His mission, however, hasn’t been without pushback.Some critics, even within the Veteran community, label him as “controversial”—a term that strikes him as both absurd and infuriating. “People say I’m controversial, but those spreading that are weak, unwilling to vet their sources. Why would they believe rumors when our team accompanied by nine law enforcement agencies within our Joint Task Force have a veriable 100% conviction rate of apprehended predators? Why wouldn’t they care enough to verify before spreading lies?” Sawyer’s voice hardens with disappointment. “There’s a moral cowardice among those who wave the ag but refuse to take action. These people are hurting our efforts, and the children who remain unrescued because of it—those lives are on their hands.”Sawyer’s resolve is unbreakable, his message clear: “Imagine how many more children we could have saved if those who claim to care would just look deeper, would support us rather than spread nonsense. We’d be far more effective. The patriotic community needs to wake up, have moral decency, and get back to ghting for truth.”In his crusade, Sawyer seeks to do more than rescue children—he aims to spark a movement of moral courage that will refuse to turn a blind eye. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not suppressed it.
18 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 202418 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024His message is unltered, uncompromising, and unyielding. To him, it’s about igniting a society that ghts back, that demands justice for the innocent, and never looks away.UnlteredWith the nation on the cusp of what many see as a dening moment, Craig Sawyer holds no punches in discussing the stakes of the recent election. “This election is the crux move for the United States,” he says. “Everything hinges on it. If we choose foolishly and fail to carry out our civic duty, I submit that we’ve already been overthrown.”Sawyer’s frustrations extend to the American public, particularly those he feels are shirking their responsibility. “Almost half of the conservatives, maybe more, won’t even vote,” he says. “It’s very convenient for your enemy that is overthrowing your country when you can’t even be bothered to participate in your constitutional republic.” Sawyer’s message is blunt: failure to engage could mean the nal loss of American autonomy.Sawyer draws on his experience to warn of the “fraud, waste, and abuse” he’s seen from the inside. “I’ve seen how the corrupt defend their corruption. There’s so much manipulation to get what they want,” he says. “If we don’t get Trump in ofce, they’ll continue to install all their bartender and hooker friends into every cabinet position. Our country will be absolutely ooded with criminal invaders... Child trafcking will be at absolutely full destruction scale.”The Battleeld of Spiritual WarfareFor Sawyer, the issues are not just political; they are spiritual and existential. “Satan has only deceit with which to motivate people to serve his kingdom... and that’s why you see these leftist policies end in utter destruction,” he contends. Citing Karl Marx, whom he describes as a “Luciferian,” Sawyer believes that policies stemming from Marx’s ideology bring “sickness and death,” with America’s radical leftward tilt representing a fall into dysfunction and ruin.Sawyer’s belief in the need for divine support, also warns of a much more human threat: When posed with the question; How has our Government lost track of almost 400,000 migrant children?"It’s not incompetence—they’re not losing them; they’re giving them away.”So what can we do to help rescue them? Sawyer responds. "We don't. They're gone."While Sawyer's answer seems to y in the face of his life's mission, the truth is, the cartels and trafckers do not value life. These children are a disposable commodity and their value is based solely on the dollar amount they can bring into the coffers. Once these children have served their 'purpose', they are no longer valuable and will be disposed of by any means neccesary. Sawyer sees America at a moral breaking point, with devastating consequences if as a nation, we continue to bury our heads in the sand and action is not taken. “Brace for impact,” Sawyer says, offering a nal caution. “If this falls into enemy hands again, the devastation is going to come hard and fast, and most Americans have no concept of how this is going to go.”.For Sawyer, his ght a gainst child trafcking is not only a moral imperative but also a mission grounded in his renewed personal relationship with God.His purpose is marked by a divine calling and a erce commitment to protect the innocent—with a deep spiritual transformation that guides his every step.“I think a lot of people don’t have the moral courage to see the truth,” Sawyer explains. “It’s not because people are so stupid; it’s that they’re morally weak. And I think they’re morally weak because they don’t know the Creator.” This conviction has shaped Sawyer’s approach to life and his work, especially over the last few years. He reects, “For me, over the past two and a half, three years, I’ve grown so much spiritually. I’ve
Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 19spent so much more time reading the Word and praying. And in that prayer time… it’s so special, man.”Sawyer acknowledges that, while he’s always been a believer, he now experiences a deeper, more supernatural connection. “Most Americans… we’re so conditioned to think that spirituality is just some distant concept,” he explains. “But once you realize we are spirit beings, and our Creator is a spirit being, it’s empowering.”He compares his journey of faith to the story of David and Goliath, once again drawing a parallel to the courage instilled in those who place their trust in God. “Why would a little boy walk out there without fear and slay a 1,000-pound Rephaim giant, Goliath, when the entire adult army of Israel in armor was shaking in fear?” Sawyer asks, painting a vivid picture. “He couldn’t even wear the armor they wanted him to put on, so he took ve small stones and his trusty sling. It seems like a ridiculous fantasy story, but it happened. It’s history.” To Sawyer, the story represents the power of faith and the courage that comes from a close, personal relationship with God.This perspective fuels his drive to ght child trafcking, a mission that he feels is part of a larger “season of exposure.” Sawyer explains, “Years ago, it fell on my heart to found Veterans for Child Rescue to do this.” Initially, his goal was simply to create a documentary, Contraland, that would expose the horrors of child trafcking. But getting support proved challenging. “None of my friends in the entertainment industry would help me do it,” he recalls. “So, after three years of frustration, I started realizing these people are just shining me on. Nobody in that industry is gonna end up helping me.”Determined, he decided to fundraise on his own, but even that path was blocked by obstacles. “Big tech would not allow us to fundraise for Contraland,” Sawyer says. Despite these setbacks, he remained resolute, motivated by his faith and the growing support of fellow Veterans and friends who, like him, experienced a renewed spiritual calling. “A lot of my warrior friends, some of the most erce warghters, the most accomplished battleeld spec ops legends I know, are calling me saying, ‘Sawman, brother, I had this radical spiritual breakthrough in teaching me Christ is King, and we’re to love each other.’”Sawyer notes that many of these warriors are shifting their priorities, choosing to wear “Kingdom over country” patches, a symbol of their commitment to God above all else. “We’ll always love our nation and ght for her,” he emphasizes, “but it’s kingdom over country now.”For Sawyer, this is more than just a slogan—it’s a call to action. “We’re in a season of exposure,” he says. His mission, and the mission of Veterans for Child Rescue, is to shine a light on the darkest corners of society. And it’s a mission that is as much spiritual as it is tactical. “Know what’s happening, refuse to turn away, and ght for the innocent,” he declares with conviction.Through it all, Sawyer’s faith remains his guiding force. As he puts it, “It really came down to knowing God was going to be behind me. I had to do some action, be part of the solution, but God was going to do the work.” With unwavering belief, Craig Sawyer continues his crusade against child trafcking, empowered by a warrior’s spirit and a heart devoted to serving a higher purpose.Sawyer’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and a relentless pursuit of making a difference. Through his radio show – ‘Defending Our Children’ and his work as a Veteran, he continues to champion those values. “All we can do is what we can do,” he says. And Craig Sawyer is doing exactly that. In a world where, as he puts it, “they call evil good and good evil,” Sawyer is committed to staying the course. TO FIND OUT MORE OR TO GET INVOLVED, VISIT: VETS4CHILDRESCUE.ORGWinter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 19
20 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024CChild trafcking and narcotics exploitation are pervasive threats, demanding a coalition of courage, expertise, and compassion to combat. At the forefront of this battle stands Ben Owen, a Veteran and recovering addict whose military background instilled in him the values of discipline, leadership, and unwavering resolve. With his wife, Jessica Owen, Ben leads We Fight Monsters, an organization committed to eradicating these dark enterprises and restoring hope to survivors.The mission of We Fight Monsters is as bold as it is inspiring:“Welcome to We Fight Monsters, where valor meets compassion in the heart of America’s toughest battles against human and narcotics trafcking. Born from the gritty resolve of former special operators, law enforcement heroes, and courageous survivors, our foundation stands as a fortress against the darkest forces that prey upon the vulnerable. From the shadowed streets of urban despair to the hidden corners where exploitation thrives, we’re not just a team; we’re a movement. A movement fueled by unwavering commitment, hard-won expertise, and an unshakeable belief in second chances. Here, every action, every mission, every life touched, is a testament to our relentless pursuit of hope and healing. Dive into our story, witness our journey, and discover how, together, we’re turning the tide against the monsters among us.”THE SCOPE OF THE CRISISCChild trafcking and narcotics exploitation devastate families and communities. In the United States, an estimated 199,000 minors are trafcked annually, with 60% of child trafcking victims coming from the foster care system. Globally, human trafcking generates over $150 billion annually, ranking as one of the most lucrative illegal industries.Trafckers prey on vulnerable populations, exploiting foster children and those targeted through online grooming. In this ght, We Fight Monsters addresses the immediate need for rescue while providing critical long-term care and recovery for survivors.MEET THE TEAMWWe Fight Monsters is powered by a team of dedicated individuals with a wide array of expertise, united under a shared mission to combat trafcking and exploitation:•Ben and Jessica Owen (Founders): Ben and Jessica are both recovering addicts with a history of drug arrests and homelessness. Their experiences inspired them to create pathways for recovery and hope. After running safehouses during the Afghanistan evacuation, they began transforming abandoned “dope houses” in the mid-south into recovery spaces. Working alongside street gangs and law enforcement, they provide sober-living homes and advocate for second chances.•Brigadier General David W. Hicks: With over 3,800 ight hours and a career that spans strategic military innovation, General Hicks serves as Director of Strategy. His leadership experience in combat and strategy makes him invaluable in shaping the organization’s forward-thinking approach.• Lt. Col. Scott Mann: A retired Green Beret, Scott applies his rapport-building skills through his Rooftop Leadership program to connect leaders in trust-decient environments. He brings his expertise in special operations and advocacy for warriors and their families to the organization, ensuring mission success through collaboration and trust.•MSgt Travis Peterson: A retired Master Sergeant and former Combat Aviation Advisor, Travis was instrumental in developing Afghanistan’s Special Mission
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 21Wing. His leadership in foreign internal defense and evacuation missions continues as he advocates for Afghan allies and leads efforts to support victims of trafcking.•Dan Robitaille: A U.S. Army and law enforcement Veteran, Dan focuses his retirement on philanthropy. He mentors homeless youth, aids neighborhood revitalization, and supports justice initiatives. His extensive experience in crisis response and his dedication to uplifting vulnerable populations align perfectly with We Fight Monsters’ mission.•GySgt Joel Velazquez: A Purple Heart recipient and Marine Corps Veteran with 12 years in military intelligence, Joel leverages his technical expertise as the Vice President of Technology. From humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan to empowering communities with digital solutions, Joel plays a crucial role in ensuring the organization’s operational efciency.FROM CRISIS TO HOPEBBen and Jessica Owen’s transformation from addiction and homelessness to leading a movement against trafcking is a testament to the power of second chances. With the support of their diverse and highly skilled team, they are tackling human and narcotics trafcking head-on, blending military precision, community advocacy, and survivor empowerment.We Fight Monsters doesn’t just focus on the immediate goal of rescue but extends its mission to aftercare and rehabilitation. Survivors of trafcking often face long-term challenges, including trauma, stigma, and reintegration into society. The organization collaborates with mental health professionals, provides safe living spaces, and offers resources to help survivors regain control of their lives.A CALL TO ACTIONAAs the team continues its work in disrupting trafcking networks and supporting survivors, they rely on the support of donors, volunteers, and advocates to sustain their mission.“Every contribution matters,” says Ben Owen. “Whether it’s through nancial support, volunteer efforts, or simply spreading the word about our mission, you can help us ght the monsters among us.”To learn more or join the ght, visit WeFightMonsters.org.Through their collective dedication, the team behind We Fight Monsters demonstrates that even the most daunting battles can be won with courage, collaboration, and compassion. Together, they are proving that hope and healing are possible, even in the face of humanity’s darkest challenges."The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children."Dietrich Bonhoeffer
By Amanda Mchenry Around eight years ago I started to learn about human trafcking and how prevalent it was in our society. My history of childhood trauma helped fuel my passion for the cause. Human trafcking is dehumanizing and that is heartbreaking to me. I wanted to be a part of education, but also serve survivors in some small way. At the time, I wasn’t working so I had time to devote to volunteering. I started working with a couple of non-prots and an anti-human trafcking coalition. This led to many opportunities for learning and having an active role in ghting human trafcking including serving on the board of the coalition. Sex trafcking was what I learned most about labor trafcking. The groups I work with are most focused on the sex trafcking side. As I started to learn about the subtle ways that sex trafckers groomed their victims, I really became disheartened by the false information that surrounded sex trafcking. Most often it concerned children. People picture something like what happens in the movie Taken, but there are other ways that children are more likely to be lured away from home. Posts go viral concerning things like zip ties and car codes. These kinds of posts take away from what is really going on in the world of trafcking. There are bigger things to focus on that are more likely to be of help. Social media and apps are a big problem when it comes to ghting human trafcking because that is a way that many victims meet their would-be trafckers. It is one place where grooming can start. Maybe the promise of taking them away from troubles at home, promises of love and gifts are powerful. If someone believes that there is something better than one’s current situation, that is a strong pull. Unfortunately, the reality is that the situation that a person is drawn into is much worse. Trafckers are skilled at taking advantage of vulnerabilities such as low self-esteem, troubled family life, and a history of abuse. Men, women, boys, and girls can all be trafcked from any race and economic background. For adults, trafcking involves force, fraud, or coercion. For minors any involvement in commercial sex is considered trafcking. Trafcking occurs in a variety of places such as massage parlors, strip clubs, truck stops, and motels. Immigrants can be lured to our country with the promise of a good life only to end up being sex trafcked. Human trafcking is most denitely part of gang life, but trafckers are also mothers, fathers, boyfriends, and friends among others. I think it’s important to be aware of all the insidious ways that trafcking is happening and be aware of the signs. I’ve become more aware of familial trafcking over the years. It certainly seems one of the most heartbreaking things I have been made aware of in my education. Parents may become involved to pay off debt or fuel a drug habit. Sometimes the parent is rst trafcked and then the children become trafcked as well. I believe being educated about human trafcking can enable us to observe and see signs of possible trafcking. Some signs may include burns or scars and various stages of bruising. One may be withdrawn, depressed or fearful. Certain tattoos can be an indicator. They serve as branding and may be something like a barcode, the trafckers name or daddy. Some trafckers require being addressed by certain titles like daddy. I nd the term triggering when I hear men refer to themselves this way outside the context of being a real daddy because of its use by trafckers.In school some signs could be frequent and unexplained absences. Also, sudden expensive gifts like phones, purses, jewelry. If you see someone who is with an older person and the situation looks odd, that can be an indicator. Especially if the older person is controlling and doing all the talking. Alcohol and drug use can be other indicators. One way to control a human trafcking victim is to get them hooked on drugs so that they become dependent on the trafcker. Alcohol and drugs can also be used to dull the pain from the horrible situation. It’s not easy for one to leave a trafcking situation. Trafckers are good at using threats to keep their victims in line. The threats could be against the victim, family members, or others who are part of the stable group of victims under a pimp’s control. Even such language is another indicator of the dehumanization of victims. Trafckers are master manipulators. In many situations, one may not even identify as being trafcked. Shame can be another factor. We need more warriors in this ght. There are many solid organizations that are doing good work not only to educate but also to serve human trafcking survivors. I’m a big believer in sharing missing posters. Often kids on these posters are being trafcked. Finding them can lead to arrests of trafckers. The National Human Trafcking Hotline website is a good resource. https://humantrafckinghotline.org/en. You can call 1-888-373-7888 or text tips to 233733. NCMEC, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is another resource, https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/trafcking. Also, local anti-trafcking coalitions are great resources to know the organizations that are educating on sex trafcking and serving survivors in your area. Recognizing signs of human trafcking in public can help prevent exploitation and save lives. Here are key things to observe in public situations:1. Behavioral Red Flags•A person appears submissive, anxious, or fearful, especially when interacting with others.• They avoid eye contact or seem overly dependent on a companion to answer questions or make decisions.2. Signs of Control•Someone is being closely monitored by another person who seems overly controlling or protective.•They lack freedom to move or speak for themselves, even in casual settings.3. Physical Indicators•Visible signs of physical abuse (bruises, cuts, burns, or scars).• They appear malnourished, tired, or unkempt.4. Unusual Work Conditions• Groups of individuals being transported together to a location, particularly at odd hours.•Workers who are inappropriately dressed for their job or environment (e.g., formal wear in an industrial setting).5. Lack of Personal Belongings•They carry few personal items or luggage, even if traveling.• They have no access to ID or travel documents.6. Unexplained Restrictions•Someone seems unable to leave their current situation, work, or location freely.•A person hesitates to ask for help, even when they appear distressed.7. Children in Unexpected Settings• A child with an older companion who doesn’t appear to be a parent or guardian.•Children working in inappropriate environments (e.g., nightclubs, factories, or street selling).8. Suspicious Conversations• A person mentioning large debts they need to repay, excessive work hours, or threats against themselves or family members.•Rehearsed or inconsistent stories when questioned about their situation.9. Unusual Transportation Situations•Groups of people transported in suspicious conditions (e.g., overcrowded vehicles).•Frequent movement of individuals between locations without clear explanation.10. Signs of Fear of Authorities•A person seems overly afraid of interacting with police, healthcare workers, or other authorities.If you suspect human trafcking:•Do not intervene directly, as it could endanger the victim or yourself.•Document what you observe (location, time, descriptions).• Contact the National Human Trafcking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.•For immediate danger, call 911 and report your concerns clearly.Awareness and cautious action can make a signicant difference.22 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024
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24 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024SHEDDING LAYERSSHEDDING LAYERSWritten by: Donna Hoffmeyerand prepare for our spring. Resist to keep things as they were or let go of what is not serving us? That is the question.Shedding layers…are you ready? Some may say, “Well, of course, let go of the unused weight.” Others are emotional hoarders and know we need to let go but won’t, “Just in case it serves a purpose later.” or fear of losing the memory altogether. After all, much like a traditional hoarder, an emotional hoarder feels safer navigating every nook and cranny of their dark, damp, crampy ‘house’, rather than making space for new opportunities.In either case, neither may be fully prepared for the layers shed. Oh did I mention we don’t necessarily get a say in the layers that come off? Yeah, no…we do not get that luxury of control. You can try but it’ll be one rough ride. I know, I tried.This year has been a conundrum for me. I have experienced more unexplained loss in the last year, than I care to think about. Just writing about it is giving me heartburn and at the same time, my perspective of this loss has brought a certain level of peace. And that is my conundrum. How can something be both painful and peaceful?Over the last year, I have lost four friendships. The details of each situation are irrelevant. There is my perspective and theirs and between these two collective perspectives lies the true picture. What is relevant, is my eventual response to each one.I just let go. This is a very odd response for me. Me…who is slightly type A-ish and like to have control. Me ... who is compelled to understand why. Me…who views friendship as one of the greatest investments in life. Me…who stresses to our children the importance of giving grace to others. Me…who does her damndest to celebrate other’s wins and pick them up when they’re down. The last thing I thought I would do was let go.But here I am…in every situation, there was a precipitating event. Often, it revolved around a lack of communication or miscommunication altogether. Interestingly, Something has been eating at me lately. As a bit of an abstract and analogy type of thinker, and with winter upon us, I’ve strung together a few thoughts over the last year that brought me to write this article.If I was feeling down, my father-in-law’s hugs were a guaranteed pick-me-up. They were like the softest weighted blanket — gentle, yet secure. Besides being one of the best huggers, he was also one of the wisest and kindest people I knew. When he saw someone going through challenging times he would often say: “You are in a winter of your life…a spring will follow.” ~Ted Hoffmeyer.Winter is a period of hibernation, dormancy, and loss, yet it is quiet, serene, and beautiful. Trees lose leaves, the grass is hidden and frozen by snow, and the wind turns from its warm embrace to an icy bite. Animals take this time to rest. Plants wither and die, while the seeds go dormant. Ice blankets bodies of water, allowing other animals to migrate and hunt. Nature knows this temporary state is needed to ourish. It lets go and welcomes the incubation, in anticipation of new growth. In our world, when we feel like it is all falling apart, we can easily become entrapped in the moment and mistakenly embody it as our new norm.Transitions often feel like winter. It is exceptionally hard for Veterans to transition for a multitude of reasons. Leaving a career we were willing to give our life for; moving away from people who had our back or maybe even saved our life; and entering a culture that does not fully understand servant leadership…loss, grieving, confusion, frustration. Add medical and mental health issues and these feelings are compounded, often adding “overwhelmed” to the mix.We work hard to nd an environment that feels faintly familiar. A place others smirk at our dark and warped sense of humor; chuckle and nod in understanding as we forget what was just told to us or need things repeated 10 times (damn tinnitus); and quietly listen as we tell our story (again) because they know it is healing to share. But it is no use. Even with our best efforts, the world we knew has quickly crumbled away. Our winter is upon us. We have a choice to make. We either let the cold consume us and wither away like the half-dead plant caught in an ice storm or we embrace this time to rest, hibernate, go within ourselves to shed the layers we no longer need, A VETERANS IMPUDENT PERSPECTIVE
these were not egregious events. There was no yelling or shouting. There was no smack talk, name-calling, or nger-pointing. None of these events would have merited good material for reality TV. And yet, each situation became a fork in the road for me.It wasn’t a like/hate situation. Not at all. I still care very much for their well-being. I hope they are living amazing, adventurous lives! It was more of a reection and understanding our paths were diverging. It was knowing neither of us had enough energy to keep the paths together.It was nding peace with letting go. It wasn’t just friendships. There were business collaborations that fell through, events that never materialized, plans collapsed, emails without responses, phone calls never answered, and texts without replies. I felt like bald tires trying to get traction on an icy uphill road.However, when I stopped focusing on what didn’t happen, I saw what was happening. I had more emotional space. I was not letting a specic situation become an energy vampire, leaving me more time and energy to focus on other things. Each time something fell off, another opportunity arose. Sometimes, even the next opportunity didn’t materialize as planned but led me to another connection, friendship, or opportunity. The more I let go, the more I received. The more I received, the more it became easier to let go. A major “ah-ha” and counterintuitive moment for this slightly more than semi-control freak.Letting go doesn’t mean not giving a crap. Nope, we’ll still care. Letting go means we accept things are happening for a reason and honor it, as opposed to stopping it. It means we may not understand the ‘why’ at that very moment, but we’re certain we’ll appreciate it at the right time. It means cleaning out some of the emotional hoarding we’ve done and working on our emotional intelligence, allowing us to assess our situation from multiple perspectives.Letting go helps us grow. It doesn’t need to be a dramatic event. It can be as simple as not responding. Not being the one to reach out, make the plans, follow-up on the follow-up, explain ourselves, apologize for not being ‘enough’… sacrice our peace for something or someone else.We will all have a few winters, each feeling like it will be eternal. But, rest assured it is an impermanent state. Spring always follows. Embrace the suck and allow the layers to slough away will open us up to friendships, opportunities, and adventures beyond our biggest visions.Let go…it will be worth it.(Original article in Taking Off The Armor blog)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.
Anthony joined the U.S. Navy for the opportunity to earn money for college while also serving his country. He comes from a large military family who collectively served over 120 years of military service to our country.His military service provided a signicant foundation for his future success outside of the military. Starting as a radioman (RM) he was promoted to become a data processing technician (DP) leading to him earning an information systems technician rating. As a radioman, he was responsible for the processing of all forms of telecommunications. His military career started as a seaman and through hard work and dedication progressed to the rank of petty ofcer.After getting out of the military Anthony earned his college degree and transitioned into the corporate sector working for Amazon. His military leadership experience and college education allowed him to become an Amazon Site Leader managing a large team of people to ensure packages are delivered to your doorstep on time and as promised.Although Anthony and his wife had successful careers, they had even greater aspirations to own a business. However, because they didn’t know what kind of business to pursue, they never moved forward on their dreams until they reached out to a Franchise Consultant. After a comprehensive consultation with Irving, Anthony and his wife Crystal were introduced to several business opportunities to explore based on their interests, skills, and budget. After some in-depth research, they decided to become the owners and operators of The Cleaning Authority franchise – a leading home cleaning and sanitizing business. They selected The Cleaning Authority for the simplicity of the model, the high demand for cleaning, and the recurring revenue model. By achieving their dream of business ownership, they are now taking control of their nancial future and have greater freedom of time to spend as a family.FROM NAVY RADIOMAN TO BUSINESS OWNERWhy are Veterans Why are Veterans Selecting Franchises?Selecting Franchises?• • Proven track recordProven track record• • Less riskLess risk• • Established infrastructure Established infrastructure • • Full operating proceduresFull operating procedures• • Comprehensive training and Comprehensive training and ongoing support ongoing support • • Brand awarenessBrand awareness• • Experienced leadership teamExperienced leadership team• • Marketing resourcesMarketing resources• • Easier fundingEasier fundingWhy are Veterans Why are Veterans Selecting Franchises?Selecting Franchises?• • Proven track recordProven track record• • Less riskLess risk• • Established infrastructure Established infrastructure • • Full operating proceduresFull operating procedures• • Comprehensive training and Comprehensive training and ongoing support ongoing support • • Brand awarenessBrand awareness• • Experienced leadership teamExperienced leadership team• • Marketing resourcesMarketing resources• • Easier fundingEasier fundingIrving Chung is a franchise consultant with FranGuidance. He is also the Director of Entrepreneurship and Board Member at the Dallas/Fort Worth Veterans Chamber of Commerce.To learn more, contact Irving for a free consultation.Irving ChungFranGuidance Franchise Consultantichung@franguidance.com(214) 908-9791bigconsideration.comANTHONY GRAHAMRM3, United States Navy** PAID ADVERTORIAL **
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 27If you’re a military Veteran or currently serving in the armed forces, you’ve probably heard about the benets of the VA home loan benet. One of the standout options available to you is the VA Interest Rate Reduction Renance Loan, or IRRRL. Sounds technical, right? But don’t worry—it’s simpler than it sounds and can save you a ton of money in the long run. Let’s break it down.What Is the VA IRRRL?The VA IRRRL is a renance option designed specically for Veterans and active-duty servicemembers who already have a VA home loan. It allows you to lower your monthly mortgage payment by renancing to a new VA loan with a reduced interest rate. In essence, it’s your chance to capitalize on lower interest rates without the hassle of a traditional renance.So, why would you consider this? Well, let’s dive into some of the key benets:1. Lower Interest Rates: The primary reason many Veterans choose the IRRRL is to snag a lower interest rate. If rates have dropped since you took out your original loan, renancing could lead to signicant savings on your monthly payment.2. Streamlined Process: The IRRRL is designed to be a hassle-free option. You won’t need to provide as much documentation compared to traditional renances, which means less stress and faster processing times.3. No Appraisal Required: In most cases, a property appraisal is not needed. This can save you time and money.4. No Out-of-Pocket Costs: With the IRRRL, you can roll the closing costs into your new loan, meaning you don’t need to come up with cash upfront. This feature is particularly benecial for those on a tight budget.5. Flexibility: The IRRRL isn’t just for lowering your interest rate; it can also be used to switch from an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to a xed-rate mortgage. This gives you the stability of consistent monthly payments.So, how do you get started with the IRRRL? Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:1. Gather Your Information: While the documentation required is minimal, you’ll still need some basic information, like your most recent mortgage statement and homeowners insurance.2. Choose a Lender: Not all lenders offer the IRRRL, so it’s crucial to shop around. Look for lenders experienced with VA loans and ask about their fees and terms. Be wary of mortgage companies that send you unsolicited mail offering outrageously low rates. Many of them have been previously sanctioned for preying on Veterans.3. Submit Your Application: Once you’ve chosen a lender, submit your application and any required documentation. Remember, the goal here is to keep it simple!4. Close the Loan: If everything checks out, you’ll be set to close on your new loan within 21 days or less. Review the nal terms, sign the paperwork, and enjoy those lower payments!While the IRRRL is an excellent option, it’s essential to ensure that renancing makes sense for your nancial situation. Consider how long you plan to stay in your home and the potential savings. If you have questions, consulting with a nancial advisor or a VA Mortgage Advisor can provide clarity.Ready to explore your options with the VA Interest Rate Reduction Renance Loan? Don’t wait for interest rates to rise—take action now! Reach out to a trusted VA Mortgage Advisor to see how much you could save. Whether it’s reducing your monthly payment or switching to a more stable mortgage, the IRRRL could be your ticket to nancial freedom.Take charge of your home nancing today. You’ve served your country; now let the VA help you secure your nancial future! As always, I am available to answer your questions.UNLOCKING SAVINGS: UNLOCKING SAVINGS: THE VA INTEREST RATE THE VA INTEREST RATE REDUCTION LOAN REDUCTION LOAN (IRRRL).(IRRRL).by Rob YounceROB YOUNCEUSNA ‘93 | Military Mortgage AdvisorOVM Financial powered by Annie MacNMLS# 1521082Phone: 757-605-0513Email: ryounce@annie-mac.comWebsite: robyounce.com
AMONGST WARRIORSAMONGST WARRIORSAmongst Warriors is a collection of short stories and poems that chronicles the rawexperiences of Marine Sergeant Major Gregory Leal. Born in Hell, the book delves into the days leading up to the ‘Shock and Awe’ of Operation IraqiFreedom, the chaos and intensity of combat for the 1st Marine Division, the gut-wrenching weekson mission, and the subsequent decades filled with memories, nightmares, and the impact ofPTSD. Amongst Warriors Unapologetically dives into the darkness of a combat veteran's heartand uses the power of writing to guide readers through the long and arduous healing process.AMONGSTWARRIORS.COMAMONGSTWARRIORS.COMScan toLearn More
EVERY Veteran HAS A EVERY Veteran HAS A STORY TO TELLSTORY TO TELLUSA & USAF Written by: Christine WalkerUSMC Written by: Adam WalkerUSN Written by : William CaputWinter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 29
30 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024Matthew Royer grew up in Pleasanton, California. Coming of age, he considered joining the Navy, but the recruiter kept calling him so much it became annoying. He wanted to play baseball in college, but that dream did not seem to be forthcoming. One day a friend came to school wearing the Dress Blues of a United States Marine. The swagger, condence, and image struck Royer so deeply he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps.He was scheduled to ship to boot camp several months after graduating. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he called his recruiter and said, “I’m ready to go now.” A few days later he was at MCRD San Diego.Recruit Training was a culture shock, but he was physically t and didn’t have much trouble. Next was the School of Infantry for training as an 0311 (Rieman). The rigorous environment made him question the path he’d chosen, but he stuck it out. He hoped for orders to either Hawaii or Camp Pendleton and was disappointed with a place he’d never heard of…Twentynine Palms, CA. The rst few months took some adjusting. His squad leader told him simply, “Act like a man and I’ll treat you like a man.” Running the ridgeline in the desert was hard. He fell out of the rst run and was placed on a remedial physical training program. Royer quickly recovered and never struggled physically again. The young Marine was getting hard.He would need that toughness. They’d prepared mentally, physically, and tactically for months then received word they would deploy to Iraq.On the long road march to Bagdad in the back of an Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), the young grunt learned to sleep anywhere, under any condition.Two memories stand out about that rst deployment. The rst was when Royer’s company was tasked with clearing a twelve-story building. He bound past an ofcer whose eyes were wide with fear. Royer said “Oorah Sir! It’s not that bad,” sprinting up the next ight of stairs.Next, Royer was standing watch on a gate surrounding the compound with orders to expect the arrival of Navy Seals. Some serious-looking dudes with beards and high-speed gear appeared. Royer asked, “You guys’ Seals?” The team leader responded, “We’re Naval Surface Warfare (NSW.)” Royer replied, “I don’t know what that is, is that Seals?” The salty operator looked at him in disgust and simply said “Yes.” Royer said, “Roger that, come on in.” He laughs now and says, “Those guys were not impressed, I’d never heard of NSW.”After Bagdad, Royer’s unit was positioned in Karbala. There were long hours with little sleep, rotating between patrolling, standing watch, and reacting. The highlight of that experience was standing post and seeing the Company Gunnery Sergeant get a serious ass-chewing from the Battalion Sergeant Major. Royer and his buddies had been chewed out by this particular Gunny more times than they could count. It seemed like a little balance in the universe. Towards the end of the deployment, most of the company’s NCOs were rotated home. Royer was bumped up to serve as a Fire Team Leader. Leading peers is a challenge, but he had the right measure of assertiveness and a high level of competence. Finally, the battalion came home. Two months after that they were told they would be returning to Iraq. Two months after that they were serving in Al Qa’im. Royer was bumped up again, to Squad Leader. His tactical prociency and condence made him the natural choice. The Battalion Commander accompanied his rst patrol. Royer delivered a solid patrol order and conrmation brief. Then the Battalion Commander, with a scowl on his face said, “There is no way I am going out on a patrol led by a PFC!” (Royer was a PFC due to a misconduct issue earlier in his short career.)Tension lled the air, broken by the Sergeant Major’s voice. “Attention to orders! I do hereby promote this Marine to the rank of Lance Corporal! A single chevron was placed on Royer’s ak jacket. The commander then said, “…but I will go out with a Lance Corporal.” The public afrmation from the seasoned leader made a deep impression on Royer and the entire company.In Al Qa’im, Royer really learned about war. One night he looked at a beautiful, desert sunset before heading out on patrol. Thinking that he may very well die, he made peace with himself. He then felt freer. His only wish was that if it had to come, it would be him and not his buddies. Royer was twenty-one years old. He made it home, but several Marines did not. One of them was a gym partner and mentor, a Gunnery Sergeant.After that second deployment Royer and the other “short timers” were left to their own devices. The lack of purpose was frustrating. The listlessness led to a lot of drinking and a DUI. He takes ownership of the incident but regrets it.After leaving the Marines Royer moved to Ohio and went to school. He obtained his pilot’s license. He struggled with Post Traumatic Stress and alcohol abuse. These factors and a series of life events culminated in a suicide attempt in 2017. He “EMERGING STRONG”The Story of Matthew Royer - USMC – OIF"Emerging Strong" continued on Page 37
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 31heroism, the U.S. Army failed to acknowledge Johnson’s deeds, and he returned home without the recognition he deserved.The Battle After the BattleJohnson’s return to the United States was a bittersweet moment. While he was celebrated in parades and media coverage in New York City, the deeper injustices of racism and neglect followed him. Wounded 21 times during his fateful encounter, Johnson’s injuries left him physically debilitated, yet he received no disability pension or proper medical care from the military. Instead, he struggled to nd steady work, facing systemic barriers that many Black Veterans of the time endured.The nation he had fought to protect offered little in return. Johnson spoke out against the racial discrimination faced by Black soldiers, but his outspokenness made him a controversial gure. He lived out his days in poverty and obscurity, passing away in 1929 at the age of 32. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, though his legacy seemed forgotten for decades.A Legacy RestoredThe story of Henry Johnson and the Harlem Hellghters was rediscovered in the late 20th century as historians and advocates sought to correct the historical neglect of African American contributions to World War I. Johnson’s courage, once overshadowed by prejudice, began to receive the recognition it deserved.In 1996, nearly 70 years after his death, President Bill Clinton posthumously awarded Henry Johnson the Purple Heart. In 2002, he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest military decoration in the U.S. Finally, on June 2, 2015, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Johnson the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award. During the ceremony, President Obama acknowledged Johnson’s valor, stating, “The least we can do is to say, ‘We know who you are. We know what you did for us. We are forever grateful.’”The Harlem Hellghters’ legacy also gained recognition, symbolizing the indomitable spirit of African Americans who served their country despite systemic racism. The regiment’s music, courage, and battleeld successes challenged stereotypes and laid the groundwork for future generations to ght for equality both in and out of the military.“HARLEM HELLFIGHTER”The Story Pvt. Henry Johnson - 369th Regiment - USA – WWIHenry Johnson: A Hero Among the Harlem HellghtersHenry Johnson, a soldier of unmatched bravery and a symbol of African American valor in World War I, remains one of the most iconic members of the Harlem Hellghters. Ofcially known as the 369th Infantry Regiment, this all-Black unit broke barriers, deed prejudices, and wrote a legacy of heroism during a time when the United States military was still racially segregated. Johnson’s extraordinary deeds on the battleeld and his subsequent struggles highlight both the glory and the injustice faced by Black soldiers in early 20th-century America.The Birth of a WarriorBorn on July 15, 1892, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and later moving to Albany, New York, Henry Johnson lived a modest life as a porter before enlisting in the military in 1917. Like many African Americans of his time, Johnson faced limited opportunities, but was determined to serve his country. When the U.S. entered World War I, Johnson joined the 369th Infantry Regiment, a unit originally formed as the 15th New York National Guard Regiment.The regiment was nicknamed the “Harlem Hellghters,” a title they earned for their unmatched ferocity and endurance in battle. Despite their willingness to ght, the U.S. Army relegated the 369th to menial labor tasks, reecting the systemic racism of the era. However, their fate changed when they were assigned to the French Army, which welcomed their contributions on the front lines. The Hellghters would go on to spend 191 days in continuous combat—more than any other American regiment.A Night of HeroismHenry Johnson’s most famous moment occurred in the early hours of May 15, 1918, near the Argonne Forest in France. Johnson and fellow soldier Needham Roberts were on sentry duty when they came under attack by a German raiding party of at least 12 soldiers. Armed only with a rie, a bolo knife, and his indomitable will, Johnson sprang into action to defend his position and his wounded comrade.During the chaotic battle, Johnson red his rie until it jammed, then fought hand-to-hand with his knife, all while sustaining multiple wounds. Despite being outnumbered and injured, Johnson’s relentless defense forced the Germans to retreat. His actions prevented the enemy from capturing Roberts or breaching the line. By the end of the skirmish, Johnson had killed at least four German soldiers and wounded several others.The French Army recognized Johnson’s bravery by awarding him the Croix de Guerre avec Palme, one of France’s highest military honors. Yet, despite his "Harlem Hellfigher" continued on Page 37
Frank Luke Jr.: The “Arizona Balloon Buster” of World War IFrank Luke Jr., a name etched into aviation history, is a symbol of audacity, courage, and raw talent in the annals of World War I. Known as the “Arizona Balloon Buster,” this daring pilot from Phoenix, Arizona, became the second-highest-scoring American ace of the war, with 18 conrmed victories in a mere 17 combat days. Luke’s meteoric rise and tragic end embody the spirit of the nascent air war and the individualism that marked early military aviation.Early Life: A Rebel Takes FlightBorn on May 19, 1897, in Phoenix, Arizona, Frank Luke Jr. grew up in the rugged environment of the American West. The son of German immigrants, he displayed an early love for adventure, excelling in sports and outdoor pursuits. Luke’s rebellious spirit often put him at odds with authority, a trait that would dene his military career.When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Luke enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps. He completed his ight training and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in March 1918. Soon after, Luke was sent to France, where the U.S. Army Air Service was building its presence on the Western Front.A War in the SkiesWorld War I was the rst conict to feature widespread use of aircraft, transforming the skies above Europe into a new battleeld. Pilots engaged in dogghts, reconnaissance missions, and attacks on ground targets, often with rudimentary equipment and in perilous conditions. For Luke, this environment proved ideal for his bold personality.Luke was assigned to the 27th Aero Squadron, part of the 1st Pursuit Group. The squadron primarily ew the French-built SPAD XIII, a fast and agile biplane well-suited for dogghting. Initially, Luke struggled to t in with his unit. His aggressive, independent nature clashed with the team-oriented ethos of his squadron, and he was often perceived as a brash outsider. However, his exceptional ying skills soon earned him respect, albeit grudgingly.and three enemy aircraft in a single sortie. His relentless aggression disrupted German operations, but it also put him at increasing risk.The Final MissionOn September 29, 1918, Luke embarked on what would be his last mission. With orders to attack German observation balloons near the town of Murvaux, he once again ventured out alone. Despite heavy enemy re, Luke managed to destroy three balloons, cementing his reputation as one of the war’s most fearless pilots.After his nal balloon kill, Luke’s aircraft was struck by ground re, forcing him to make an emergency landing behind enemy lines. Witnesses reported that he emerged from the wreckage with his pistol and continued to ght German soldiers before succumbing to his wounds. At just 21 years old, Frank Luke Jr. was dead, but his legacy was already assured.Legacy of the Arizona Balloon BusterFrank Luke was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military decoration, for his extraordinary heroism. His citation praised his “remarkable courage and devotion to duty,” noting that his actions had signicantly hindered German operations during a critical phase of the war.Today, Luke is remembered as one of the greatest aviators of World War I. His story has inspired generations of pilots, symbolizing the daring and innovation that characterized the early days of air combat. The U.S. Air Force honors his legacy through Luke Air Force Base, located near his hometown of Phoenix.A Symbol of Individualism and SacriceFrank Luke Jr.’s short but spectacular career exemplies the qualities of bravery, individuality, and sacrice. The Balloon BusterFrank Luke’s fame arose from his unique focus on a high-risk target: German observation balloons. These balloons were heavily defended and crucial for directing artillery re, making them prime targets for Allied pilots. However, attacking them was extraordinarily dangerous. The balloons were surrounded by anti-aircraft guns, machine gun nests, and enemy ghters on constant patrol.Luke’s rst victories came in mid-September 1918, during the St. Mihiel Offensive. On September 12, he downed two German balloons and one aircraft in a single day, a feat that began his legendary streak. Over the next two weeks, Luke destroyed 14 more balloons and several enemy aircraft, often operating alone. His fearless assaults earned him the nickname “Arizona Balloon Buster” and made him a hero among his fellow pilots and the infantry below.A Lone WolfLuke’s exploits were as much about individual daring as they were about military strategy. He often ew solo missions, disregarding orders and frustrating his commanding ofcers. While this maverick behavior alienated him from some of his peers, it also underscored his determination to push the limits of what was possible in the dangerous world of air combat.One of Luke’s most remarkable feats occurred on September 18, 1918, when he downed two balloons “ARIZONA BALLOON BUSTER”The Story of Frank Luke, Jr. - Aviation Signal Corps (USAF) – WWI"Arizona Balloon Buster" continued on Page 3732 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024
It was 1968, and 22-year-old Philip Caput, the son of Croatian immigrants in the farming community of Watsonville near the Santa Cruz mountains, had no desire to go ght in a war.News from Vietnam dominated the television every day, and men from his hometown—boys he had grown up with—were being killed. In Philip’s mind, this wasn’t like World War II; he wasn’t sure how he felt about the U.S. being involved in Vietnam at all. Plus, the jungle belonged to the Vietnamese, and he couldn’t fathom how he or any other American could navigate it.Phil’s uncle Steve in Vancouver, Canada, had invited him there to work in the restaurant business, but eeing to Canada didn’t sit well with Philip. Phil had spent four years in college to delay the draft. He needed to complete one more semester to graduate and could then join a branch of the military as an ofcer. However, when he appealed to the draft board to ask for a little more time to graduate, they rejected his request. He was getting drafted.Ultimately, Philip opted to enlist in the Navy for four years rather than wait to be drafted. Boot camp in San Diego lasted eight weeks. Many enlisted men dropped out within the rst couple of weeks because of health issues or psychological problems. Some even ran off in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. Towards the end of training, the men took multiple tests to determine their strengths and weaknesses. On his last day of class, Philip received his orders: he was assigned to the USS Higbee DD-806 and was to report to Signalman A School on Ford Island, Hawaii. San Diego had been the farthest he’d ever been from Watsonville, so the idea of going to Hawaii was both exciting and hard to fully grasp. Ever the jokester, when he got to Hawaii, Phil sent the Santa Cruz draft board a beautiful Hawaiian postcard, writing them a note that he was “having a great time.”Many of the men in his class were assigned to riverboat patrol (PBR) in South Vietnam, a very dangerous job. One man offered Philip $300 to swap orders, but he declined. Instead, Philip was ordered to meet his ship at Subic Bay in the Philippines after spending two weeks at home in Watsonville for Christmas. He vividly remembers sitting in his room in the Philippines on New Year’s Day, 1969, listening to the Rose Bowl on the radio, where USC was playing Purdue, and OJ Simpson was on the eld.For the next three and a half years, Philip served aboard the USS Higbee as a Signalman Seaman (E-3). Within these three and a half years, he spent 17 months in the combat zone, including 15 months on the gun line. Those last two months would change everything.On April 19, 1972, the Higbee was just getting into position to replace another destroyer that had been hit. Philip was on the Signal Deck with Mike, another signalman on duty. They were told to go below to get some sleep since they had the late watch. As they settled down, Philip heard the distant thud of artillery shells hitting the water near their ship. Startled, he asked Mike if he heard what was happening, but got no response. Mike, who was always fearless, slept soundly like a baby, even during times of danger. Philip remembered how Mike had been the one to hang lights and banners 75 feet above the deck without hesitation.The Higbee had received warnings of MiGs in the area, but Philip thought there was no way they would come after the Higbee. He was wrong. As he and Mike returned to the Signal Bridge, the MiGs made two passes at them. The Vietnamese ghters began dropping bombs, narrowly missing the ship. On their third attempt, they hit the Higbee just under the aft gun mount, causing an explosion that sent the mount sinking into the Pacic Ocean. The Higbee was the rst American ship to be bombed during the Vietnam War. Four men were severely wounded. An announcement over the ship’s speakers warned of incoming missiles. Philip, convinced this was the end, braced for the worst. But the explosion never came. Shaken and unable to sleep, Philip was relieved when the Higbee sailed back to Subic Bay for extensive repairs. In early August 1972, the Higbee returned to Long Beach. Philip had extended his time in the Navy to become an E-5, but the moment their ship docked, he was honorably discharged. Phil returned to Watsonville, California, enrolled in college, and earned a B.A. in History, English, and Physical Education. Later, he joined a program at Cal State Hayward to earn his teaching credentials. When he couldn’t nd a teaching job, he took on various jobs, including one as a tree cutter, which resulted in a severe poison oak rash. When he went to see a doctor, he recognized a young woman working at the ofce as a former cheerleader from Watsonville’s public high school (Phil had attended the Catholic high school in town). Philip had always admired her beauty but couldn’t muster the courage to say anything that day. A few days before Christmas, while wrapping gifts, he received a call from the same “IN THE LINE OF FIRE”The Story of SM2 Philip Caput - USN – Vietnam"In the Line of Fire" continued on Page 37Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 33
PART III34 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024It took me about seven years to nd a job that I could hold on to for more than 6 months at a time. We moved seven times, had 12 different jobs, lived in a camper, borrowed from family, rented, and nally bought our rst house. At that time I had a lot of bad days but had a lot more good days. It was during this time in 2014 that I met my best friend, an Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Chad A. Garrison. He truly was a brother from another mother. We instantly had a bond, we served. We talked trash, we hugged, we cried, we laughed, he was family. He was “Uncle Chad” to all three of my boys. That’s right we had two more since the Marine Corps. Chad came home with a dirt bike one day, a spur-of-the-moment purchase. “I’ve never ridden one before and they looked cool, so I bought one. I didn’t want to be a pussy and have to take one back so I bought the biggest they had.” it was a 2015 KX450, even for me, someone who had ridden before, I would have bought a 250. Fast forward, and Chad’s girlfriend at the time bought a 250. It was denitely too big for her. She tried riding it. We’d all go to the desert, and take turns riding Chad’s ATV while they rode dirt bikes until Chad told me “Get on her bike and come ride with me,” so I did. I hadn’t been that happy in years. Chad had severe PTS. Riding helped him with his PTS, and while we're in our helmets, the world was quiet. No more problems, no other thoughts, all you could hear was the bike, the wind, and feel alive. I was hooked. We’d spend the nights after rides xing whatever we broke. Laughing, listening to music, telling stories, telling each other how much the other one sucked at riding. It was amazing. One problem though. I wasn’t riding my own bike. I had to always ask Chad’s girlfriend if I could ride her bike. One day they told me they sold her bike. They bought her a smaller one so she could ride more. I needed my own bike. I couldn’t afford one at the time, there was no way - except we went down to the dealer and she co-signed on one for me. The payments I could afford. My very rst brand new big boy bike. I had a brand new 2016 Husqvarna FC350. I was beyond stoked. Now Chad and I could ride whenever and we did too. After work. After school (we even went to college together) we were neighbors, so we saw each other all the time. Chad literally only went to his house to sleep. He was always with us. We had found what made us happy. We were in the garage one night, recovering from a hard day ride in the desert heat of western Colorado when we had a thought. “Hey Clint, you want to start a business?” Chad asked. “What are we going to do?” I replied. “I don’t know, anything. Guns, hunting, dirtbikes, something.” “Yeah, man.”
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 35We brainstormed, and we concluded that we wanted to do something dirt bike-related. We wanted to start a gym, focus on dirt bike tness, go ride, hell maybe even just ride for a living. Racing, riding, Youtube, something. I nally pitched the idea of maybe doing a nonprot. Helping Veterans who wanted to ride, get their rst bike. Helping Veterans who were like me who couldn’t afford one, just to borrow an extra bike we had and come ride with us. Teach them everything we have learned. Ride, race, x, repeat. Then I got the phone call that I had lost another fellow Marine to suicide. I told Chad. He was all in for doing it. We wanted to use dirt bikes to ght Veteran suicide, and we were going to use money raised to help families impacted by Veteran suicide. Then we had a falling out. Chad was battling PTS really bad and had started going downhill. We stopped talking for a while after an altercation. He started using drugs and drinking a lot. I was just trying to give him space. I also didn’t want my family exposed to that stuff either. I feel like I did fail him though. We nally made amends and it was game on again. Chad used to say to me all the time when I would do something dumb, or reckless I was “Ate Up.” I knew what that meant and I took it as a term of endearment. We even had hats that said EI8HTUP. He would even say “Man I’m so Ate Up.” Like we always did, one night while drinking beer, listening to music, and conversing about our business idea, it hit me. “Dude what if we call it Ei8htup Industries?” I had been doing research, collecting donations to le paperwork, we were going to make this happen. I was excited. I had everything lined up, I was going to get everything started on Monday, when banks were open and we could le the paperwork. The next morning I was taking my oldest and his friend out to ride, and I saw Chad as we were loading up the bikes, I asked him if he wanted to go, and he replied, “Nah man, I’m not feeling it, besides I don’t want to babysit and go slow.” “Okay man, you sure?” “Ya man, I’m good.” Okay. Well, my son also had a baseball game that night so we didn’t get home ‘til late. We were at home, and my wife got a phone call we’ll never forget, from Chad’s sister. Chad was in the hospital. There was an accident. Chad was riding his Harley when a driver cut him off, and he went over the bars. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. His sister lived in Idaho, so we were the only “family” that could help. We went to the hospital, that’s when the doctor met us. Chad was gone. I couldn’t believe it. There was no way. He couldn’t be. He was too tough to be gone. This one hurt the most.I’ve lost a lot of people in my life, but this one hurt. Still does. As all Veterans know when you form a bond with someone like that, it cuts deep. I was devastated. I knew that Chad wouldn’t want me to give up. I had to do it for him. I had to do it for all of us. I had more drive and more purpose than I ever had. Through everything I had been through in life, I had learned to get knocked down and get back up. I almost gave up once, but I didn’t. I kept going. No matter how bad it sucked, I kept going. I decided to push harder. Make it work. I wasn’t going to have someone tell me how I was going to do it. In true Marine fashion, I was going to improvise, adapt, and overcome. I was going to make this happen. I did. As of 2021, we are an ofcial 501c3. At the time of this writing, I have four people who represent and are sponsored by Ei8htup Industries to ride for awareness. I have put blood, sweat, and tears into this and I will never quit. I aim to inspire other Veterans to be better, get better, and get help. I aim to help every widow, mother, father, brother, sister, son, and daughter impacted by Veteran suicide. How do we do it? We teach Veterans how to x dirt bikes, cars, trucks, and anything offroad. We have bikes and gear to take Veterans and their families out for rides. We custom paint helmets to raise money for our mission and teach Veterans how to custom paint so they can use it as a skill, or as a therapeutic relief. We build camaraderie. We help Veterans access resources they may need in daily life or crisis. We are present. We are aware, and we care about all who served and their families. We do it all with offroad motorsports. This year we nally acquired a pickup truck we plan to build for mobility-impaired Veterans to be able to get offroad and experience throttle therapy, we also plan to get Veterans involved in the build to learn how to customize and modify an offroad truck. We have a project bike that we plan to tear down and rebuild and get Veterans involved with that build to teach them all the tricks and skills on maintenance and repair. We have big plans for 2024 and aim to achieve them all. This story is just a short look into the journey that got us here, and I look forward to sharing more details about it with anyone who will listen. I am eventually going to write a book about the whole story. My life, and how I ended up here. That’s for another day. Thank you for taking the time to read this. In conclusion, we have a philosophy and a saying here at Ei8htup Ind. Death has a job, and just like every job, he has pay due to him. That pay is our souls. Every ounce of pay I’ve earned in life has been hard-earned. I’ve sweat and bled to get it. Death’s gonna earn his pay. I’m not gonna give him any handouts. I’m not going to make his job easy and do it for him. He’s gonna earn it. I’m going to make death earn it. So go out in life, live, and Make Death Earn It!"Wars do not make men great, but they do bring out the greatness in good men."Majo Richar Winter (Band of Brothers)FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EI8TUP IND. INC.
Living in proximity to a penal institution, I regularly glance at the watchtower close to the road each time I pass by. I often see the guard pacing back and forth no matter the time of year or the type of weather of that day. I am reminded of my service in the military and standing guard in a similar tower, pacing back and forth always with a watchful eye on the activity below and around the tower.As a journalist, I have thought about interviewing those guards in that tower to discuss their feelings and mindset about being up there day after day doing their job which, on the surface, seems tedious and redundant but necessary to the mission at hand. It would make for a great human-interest story, so I decided to pursue the idea.Since the signs everywhere said, “Authorized Personnel Only” I decided to start with the Department of Corrections (DOC) in the area and spoke with an obvious entry level individual who thought my idea was very interesting but suggested that I contact the regional ofce. She was kind enough to give me that phone number and I proceeded to call only to be met with the traditional recording to leave my name and number and someone would get back to me.Several days later and several more messages left, I nally called again and was met with a real live human voice on the other end of the line. I will continue from this point using ctitious rst names only to protect the names of the (and I use the term loosely) authorities that I spoke to. Kevin listened to my idea and said that it would indeed make for a great story, but he could not make the decision to proceed. He suggested that I contact Maribel at the state DOC public information ofce.My level of excitement was growing as I called Maribel to pitch my idea. Of course, Maribel was out of the ofce so please leave my name and number and she will get back to me as soon as possible. Four days later I received a call from Maribel’s ofce, but it was a secretary named Cheryl elding the call. Following my explanation of the human-interest story with Cheryl, she stated that it sounded like a great idea and was denitely something that Maribel would need to review when she was back in the ofce. I tried reaching out to other ofces but was always directed back to Maribel at the public information ofce. I don’t easily give up and continued to call Maribel and leave messages until she nally called me back, I assume out of frustration at listening to all my recorded messages. “How may I help you?”, Maribel began the conversation. I explained the idea again for the umpteenth time and her response was, “Let me run this past my people and I will get back to you”. Another seemingly dead end.Miraculously, a few days later I got a call from Brian who was Maribel’s boss to tell me that “his people” were very enthusiastic about my idea and would like to proceed. However, there were several provisions that had to be met before I could proceed with the story. The state DOC follows the federal Department of Corrections guidelines in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security regulations and I would have to apply for and receive a security clearance before proceeding. Suddenly this sounded like the security process I had to go through ve decades ago to become an ammunitions ofcer during the Vietnam era.Additionally, I was told that after that process was completed, I would hear from Dennis or Frank at the regional ofce to submit my questions in advance for review and approval. This would all but eliminate any possibility of getting spontaneous responses in conducting an interview with a watchtower guard.My original concept was to do a simple human-interest story about the life and duties of a poor soul that had to man a watchtower at a local penal institution. Following my discussions with Kevin, Maribel, Cheryl, Brian, and Dennis or Frank, and all the “red tape” required to accomplish my goal, I now drive by that prison watchtower regularly and no longer care what’s going on up there.ThE ToWeR Of BaBbLe-On: WhEn ReD-TaPe GuArDs ThE GuArDsBy Stuart Sax, Staff Writer36 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024
woke up in a hospital and thought “Everything is not working.” Royer decided to get better. Previously he’d been prescribed a series of pills, and he went from one counselor to the next. He told himself “No more pills” then found a counselor who “Called me out on my BS.” He also got back into the gym. Gunny would be proud.Today Royer is a Lead Aircraft Mechanic and Inspector. Though he had some hard times after the war, he emerged strong. He keeps in contact with fellow Marines from his time at war. Their bond is a source of strength and comfort. When asked what advice he has for Veterans who are struggling, the old squad leader says simply “Reach out, you are not alone.” "Emerging Strong" continued from Page 30"Harlem Hellfighter" continued from Page 31"Arizona Balloon Buster" continued from Page 32Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 37Honoring the Harlem HellghtersThe Harlem Hellghters as a whole deserve recognition for their groundbreaking contributions to American history. They were not just warriors on the battleeld but also cultural pioneers. The regiment’s military band, led by James Reese Europe, introduced jazz to Europe, creating a cultural exchange that reshaped global music.Despite their valor, the Hellghters returned to a segregated America, where their sacrices were often overlooked. Yet their service inspired subsequent movements for civil rights and integration in the U.S. armed forces. Their courage paved the way for the eventual desegregation of the military in 1948, a landmark moment in American history.A Symbol of ResilienceHenry Johnson’s story is one of extraordinary bravery, sacrice, and resilience. His life and legacy remind us of the deep complexities of patriotism and the cost of ghting for a nation that did not always ght for its defenders. Johnson’s heroism and the Harlem Hellghters’ achievements continue to inspire and challenge us to confront historical injustices.As we honor Henry Johnson, we pay tribute not only to a single man but to an entire regiment of trailblazers who stood tall in the face of adversity. Their stories remind us that history, while sometimes awed in its record-keeping, has the power to right its wrongs and give heroes like Henry Johnson the recognition they truly deserve. "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty."John F. KennedyIn an era when aerial warfare was still in its infancy, Luke pushed the boundaries of what a single pilot could achieve, often at great personal risk. His willingness to face overwhelming odds and his commitment to the mission, even in the face of near-certain death, make him a timeless gure in the history of military aviation.Though he fell in battle over a century ago, the story of the “Arizona Balloon Buster” continues to inspire awe and respect, reminding us of the extraordinary courage displayed by those who took to the skies in the world’s rst air war. "In the Line of Fire" continued from Page 33for a while, and he invited her out for drinks. Later, she called to wish him a Merry Christmas, and he asked if she’d like to go on a weekend trip with him to Sacramento, California. After that trip, Philip fell completely in love with Lynndee.Philip and Lynndee were married in Melbourne, Australia, in 1975. They lived in various places, including Australia, Louisiana, and Mississippi, before nally settling back in California in the 1990s. Philip suffered a stroke three years ago, partially due to Agent Orange exposure during his time in the Navy. He also wears a hearing aid because of hearing loss in his right ear, another consequence of gunre from the ship. Lynndee is now his caregiver. Their 50th wedding anniversary will be in July 2025. Philip and Lynndee have three children and three grandchildren, and despite his health issues, Philip still says, “Joining the Navy was the best thing I ever did!” Philip now understands why he was spared from coming home from Vietnam in a body bag. He has experienced so much happiness in his life and is grateful to God for how everything fell into place.
38 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024A few months had passed, and we had nally got settled back into normal Army life and then we got orders to invade Iraq. This deployment would prove to be my true introduction to combat. We ew into Kuwait in, I think, January of 2003. We conducted training and awaited orders to push forward through the Iraqi border. The day came when it was time to invade Iraq. The plan was to drive to Bagdad in deuce-and-a-half trucks and Humvees. I was in charge of a gun team in the weapons squad. We were the lead truck for our company, and we had two more squads piled up with us. For the next few weeks, we headed farther into Iraq. The Apache helicopters had gone ahead of us and destroyed any enemy that we might encounter. There were tanks on the side of the road that had been destroyed with bodies still burning as we drove by. You could see the Kiowa helicopters at our anks shooting snipers out in the distance from us. Our rst stop was in the middle of the desert. We had to set up a forward area refueling point (FARP) Shell. This is where the Apaches would fuel up before going into Bagdad to hit targets and before we made it there. We dug in here. This is when the biggest sandstorm in 100 years decided to hit Iraq. It was crazy. I was sitting in my Ranger grave I had dug to sleep in with an MRE. I looked behind me and there was a huge red wall of sand coming toward us. Within seconds we were in a blinding sandstorm, and it was raining mud. I was like what the fuck is happening. We sat in this sandstorm for a couple of weeks before we pushed forward again.We loaded up and were about 25 miles south of Bagdad when we came upon Al-Hilal. As we are driving through town people are lined up on both sides of the streets yelling “We love you Americans,” and “We love George Bush.” There was an albino man that stood out to me. He looked dead in his eyes and was denitely not cheering for us. He hated us. As we got past the city and turned the corner to Bagdad it got deadly quiet. The hair stood up on the back of my neck. You could feel it, this was about to go bad. We are approaching this compound to our left. Just before we reached the rst building, we stopped for a security halt to clear the compound before moving forward. Our scouts had radioed back that there may have been possible enemy waiting for us. We had still been the lead truck, and my gun team dismounted, and we got in a pre-dug ghting position just at the leading edge of the compound facing the buildings. First squad lined the road to our left and second squad got into position on the right of us. We had formed an “L” shape facing the compound. Behind my position was a Hum V with a 50 cal attached to it. About 15 meters to my 10 o’clock was this tall bush that was on our side of the fence of the compound. We saw some shaking in the bush and out pops a man in black garb with his hands up yelling “Sadik, Sadik!” We kept telling him to stop moving but he kept moving forward. The 50 cal behind me started ring on the man in the black garb. It looked like something from the matrix and in slow motion. The rst round knocked him off his feet and then the next one spun him around and his arm fell off. Then another man in the bush behind him jumped out and threw a grenade at our gun position. I have never been so scared in my life. I grabbed my gun and tried to get as far down in the hole as possible. John got down in the hole too. Chris didn’t get down in time and got hit in the face with shrapnel from the grenade. I failed my ammo barrier. All I had to do was to pull him down when I went down, but my reaction was to bury myself KENNY'S STORYpart IIKENNY'S STORYpart IIby Kenny Thomas
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 39deep in the hole so I could survive. After I came back to from the percussion of the grenade everything came back in slow motion. All I could hear was people screaming “Medic, Medic.” Then I started hearing the gunshots ring again. My platoon sergeant told me to move. John and I picked up and ran to the other side of the road and started to engage the rst building while second squad was breaching the wire fence. They red a Smaw D into the side of the building to gain entry and made it in the rst building. We shifted re to the second oor where we had been receiving re from. You can hear the whistles of the bullets as they y by you and you can see them impacting the ground near you. Then we got word we were also taking re from behind us in the eld. First platoon turned to engage the enemy behind us and the Kiowas that were with us provided support also. We had two Kiowas with us for this ght and they had been raining down hell on the enemy. The way they move they look like humming birds with machine guns and missiles attached to them. The call to cease re came across and the chaos came to an end. We had a tank unit attached with us also and some psych-ops guys blaring Led Zepplin in the background. The tank had pushed forward of us down the road toward the end of the complex. Two combatants emerged from what looked like a large metal storage building. They were being ordered to strip naked and to walk backwards toward the tank unit. They were quickly zip cuffed and thrown in the back of a Hum V for transport to the rear. We cleared the compound and destroyed all enemy combatants. We were ordered to set up in the compound for the night and hold the position before we pushed into Bagdad the next day. My gun team was tasked to be the main weapons support on top of the commanders building along with our mortarman three oors up. We later found out that we almost drove directly into an ambush that was waiting for us. There were 10 or more ghting positions dug behind this tree line and there had been around 40 RPG’s lined up to ambush us with. If we didn’t stop when we did, there would have been a lot of great men that would have died that day, and probably myself. As we set in our positions pulling guard, we could see the artillery and missiles going overhead into Bagdad to soften our move into the city the next morning. I don’t smoke cigarettes, but that night someone had gotten a pack of Miami’s off of one of the dead combatants and was handing them out. I lit one up that night. Later that night the second oor of the building we had been set up on caught re. There had been some burlap sacks being stored in one of the rooms and something set them on re. The only way down from the building was to cover our heads and to run through the re. We ended up having to drop all of the mortar rounds down to the guys on the ground below us, so we didn’t expose them to the extreme heat when we had to evacuate the building. That had quite a bit of a pucker factor. The rest of the night was uneventful. The next day we moved into Bagdad. The rest of the deployment we had some more traumatic engagements that ended with loss of life. But this rst one was the one that made a huge shift in me. From this point on I no longer looked at the people over there as fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, friends, etc… They were just obstacles in my way and I had no sympathy or empathy for any of them. Including the men, women, and children. They were all threats that needed to be eliminated moving forward. Also, my lack of reaction to pull Chris down into the ghting position when the grenade went off above us. I felt I had failed my brother. This reinforced this negative belief I had from my childhood after being molested. This really drove home to me that I was worthless and a failure. The rest of the deployment my main goal was to be killed in action. In my mind, I would at least be remembered as a worthy individual. I returned home after that deployment as a shell of a human being. Though I put on a great mask. I nished my four year enlistment and moved back home to Alabama. I started college and thought I was doing ok. Until one day I am sitting in Anatomy and Physiology, and I start sweating profusely. To the point that I had to leave class and change shirts. I had experienced my rst anxiety attack that was triggered by something in that class that day. I still don’t know what it was. My PTSD symptoms continued to get worse from that point on. It was as soon as the new wore off, my reality sank in. I was having extreme nightmares and severe rage. Every weekend we would go to the bar, and I would end up in a ght. Until nally in 2006, two years after I left the Army, I had came home after working a night shift and decided I was done ghting my demons. I decided I would no longer be a burden to the ones around me. That morning, I took I think about 15 klonopins and drank a few beers and laid down hoping I wouldn’t wake up. Luckily about 13 hours later I woke up. After this attempt I gured it just wasn’t my time and I kept living the same way I was living. I wasn’t ready to admit I had a problem. I somehow graduated college with my degree in respiratory therapy and started to work in the medical eld. I was making decent money, but I was always broke. I was working on mastering the art of avoidance. I was doing anything I could do to avoid thinking about my deployments, my nightmares, my failures, and myself. I did this by smoking marijuana, becoming a gym rat, picking up an expensive hobby that I would devote all my time to. I was an addict but not in the traditional sense. I was addicted to anything that would keep my mind off my shit. All the while destroying relationships, isolating myself, and ultimately just waiting to die. Over the next several years this was my life...Part III of Kenny's Story is coming up in our Spring 2025 issue. As the General Manager at the PTSD Foundation of America in Dallas/Fort Worth, Kenny Thomas oversees the daily operations and strategic direction of a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope and healing to combat veterans and their families affected by post-traumatic stress. With over seven years of experience in this role, Kenny is deeply committed to serving the military community and raising awareness of the unique challenges they face.PTSDUSA.ORG
40 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024SOLACE AT LASTSOLACE AT LASTIt was Christmas Eve 1967, my second It was Christmas Eve 1967, my second in Vietnam. After spending twenty-in Vietnam. After spending twenty-seven days in the field on Operation seven days in the field on Operation Kentucky just north of the “Trace” Kentucky just north of the “Trace” (aka McNamara Line) about halfway (aka McNamara Line) about halfway between Con Thien and Gio Linh, we met between Con Thien and Gio Linh, we met up with 6-by trucks that transported up with 6-by trucks that transported 2nd Battalion 92nd Battalion 9thth Marines (2/9) back Marines (2/9) back to Camp Carroll.to Camp Carroll.It was a sanctuary to us after being It was a sanctuary to us after being pounded every day by the North Vietnam pounded every day by the North Vietnam Armies (NVA) rockets and mortars Armies (NVA) rockets and mortars near the demilitarized zone (DMZ), a near the demilitarized zone (DMZ), a misnomer. Carroll was about 12 miles misnomer. Carroll was about 12 miles from the “Z” and wasn’t as easy to from the “Z” and wasn’t as easy to shell as the closer fire bases. Although shell as the closer fire bases. Although there was plenty of reason to hit us, there was plenty of reason to hit us, we didn’t take any we didn’t take any incoming for the next incoming for the next 10 days while I was 10 days while I was there. there. BEER CAN BEER CAN CHRISTMASCHRISTMASWhen I returned to When I returned to Carroll that Christmas Carroll that Christmas Eve, I only had ten Eve, I only had ten days left to go on my days left to go on my thirteen-month tour thirteen-month tour of duty. The previous of duty. The previous May, I was promoted to May, I was promoted to corporal (E4 NCO), and corporal (E4 NCO), and rank has its privileges. rank has its privileges. With only light duty With only light duty and an occasional and an occasional radio watch, I had radio watch, I had lots of free time. My lots of free time. My mind was constantly mind was constantly formulating plans for formulating plans for what I’d do when I what I’d do when I returned home, to returned home, to include cars and include cars and meeting up with all my meeting up with all my old friends, especially old friends, especially the girls!the girls!After a hot meal at the chow tent, we all After a hot meal at the chow tent, we all gathered back at our tent to celebrate gathered back at our tent to celebrate Christmas Eve together. We still had Christmas Eve together. We still had almost the entire radio team except almost the entire radio team except for Lance Corporal Purday who for Lance Corporal Purday who was killed on December 19 while was killed on December 19 while we were in the field. We toasted we were in the field. We toasted Purdy and then began our evening Purdy and then began our evening celebration. Of course, alcohol was celebration. Of course, alcohol was on the menu since the battalion on the menu since the battalion had passed out free beer.had passed out free beer.As we drank, someone mentioned As we drank, someone mentioned we needed a tree. So the idea of the we needed a tree. So the idea of the beer can Christmas tree quickly beer can Christmas tree quickly emerged. At the rate we were emerged. At the rate we were consuming, it didn’t take long consuming, it didn’t take long before the last can was placed on before the last can was placed on top. Some may think the tree was top. Some may think the tree was a bit irreverent, but after what a bit irreverent, but after what we had been through I would beg we had been through I would beg to differ.to differ.PIZZA ANYONE?PIZZA ANYONE?As the evening progressed, food As the evening progressed, food became the next order of business. became the next order of business. Everyone dug into their care packages Everyone dug into their care packages from home that had been received from home that had been received while we were out in the field, and we while we were out in the field, and we ate what we had. And what goes better ate what we had. And what goes better with beer than pizza?with beer than pizza?My care package had several Chef Boy-My care package had several Chef Boy-Ar-DeeAr-Dee®® pizza mixes in a box, complete pizza mixes in a box, complete with cans of sauce and grated cheese. I with cans of sauce and grated cheese. I employed the old Marine Corps mantra employed the old Marine Corps mantra of “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.”of “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.”Earlier in the year, my parents, upon Earlier in the year, my parents, upon my request, sent me a small single-my request, sent me a small single-burner camp stove, mainly for making burner camp stove, mainly for making Jiffy PopJiffy Pop®®. I found an old metal cookie . I found an old metal cookie tin lid, suitable in size to fit the tin lid, suitable in size to fit the pizza, and prepared the pizza on it. A pizza, and prepared the pizza on it. A stainless washtub I spotted served as a stainless washtub I spotted served as a Celebrating Christmas Eve in 1967 © 1967 VL StevensonMaking pizza the Marine Corps way! © 1967 VL StevensonChristmas Eve 1967 with my countdown calendar over my shoulder © 1967 VL Stevenson10 DaYs AnD A WaKe-Up:10 DaYs AnD A WaKe-Up: LeAvInG ViEtNaM BeHiNdLeAvInG ViEtNaM BeHiNdby VL Stevenson, Asst. Editor - USMC
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 41reflective surface. So, positioning the reflective surface. So, positioning the lid and pizza on the burner with the lid and pizza on the burner with the tub over the pizza and spaced off the tub over the pizza and spaced off the floor, we designed a make-shift baking floor, we designed a make-shift baking oven. We cooked all the pizzas we had. oven. We cooked all the pizzas we had. It wasn’t much, but it was pizza and It wasn’t much, but it was pizza and beer…what a night!beer…what a night!SHORT ROUNDSHORT ROUNDIt was an unwritten tradition that It was an unwritten tradition that when your time in Vietnam when your time in Vietnam became short, generally became short, generally around two weeks, the around two weeks, the radio comm sergeant would radio comm sergeant would bring you in from the field bring you in from the field and put you on light duty and put you on light duty while you waited for your while you waited for your departure date back to departure date back to CONUS (Continental United CONUS (Continental United States). It was one of a States). It was one of a Marine’s greatest fears to Marine’s greatest fears to make it through months of make it through months of Vietnam only to be wounded Vietnam only to be wounded or killed in his last days. or killed in his last days. With few days remaining, With few days remaining, a Marine could become a Marine could become extremely paranoid—not extremely paranoid—not a helpful trait when out in a helpful trait when out in the field trying to engage the field trying to engage the enemy.the enemy.As luck would have it, on As luck would have it, on December 29, about five December 29, about five days before I was to leave days before I was to leave Vietnam, a terrifying event Vietnam, a terrifying event happened. We slept in wooden happened. We slept in wooden floored general-purpose floored general-purpose tents big enough to house tents big enough to house about 18 Marines. There about 18 Marines. There was nothing between us was nothing between us and the sky except a layer and the sky except a layer of canvas. About 75 yards of canvas. About 75 yards from our tents, one of many from our tents, one of many scattered around, was a scattered around, was a battery of 175mm cannons battery of 175mm cannons that fired directly over our that fired directly over our tents toward the DMZ. The tents toward the DMZ. The sound of the blasts sent sound of the blasts sent deafening shock waves, but deafening shock waves, but eventually one adjusted to eventually one adjusted to the sound. Huh, what did the sound. Huh, what did you say? These cannons you say? These cannons fired H&I (harassment & fired H&I (harassment & interdiction) rounds 24/7 interdiction) rounds 24/7 at suspected and known at suspected and known NVA targets to kill or at NVA targets to kill or at least make their movement least make their movement more difficult. more difficult. On this eventful day, many rounds On this eventful day, many rounds were fired, but one in particular had were fired, but one in particular had an unusual sound. We all yelled, “Short an unusual sound. We all yelled, “Short round!” and hit the floor laying as flat round!” and hit the floor laying as flat as possible, not that it would do any as possible, not that it would do any good. Short rounds are very dangerous good. Short rounds are very dangerous because they may fall inside your because they may fall inside your perimeter. This round was extremely perimeter. This round was extremely short; it never made it out of the 35-foot short; it never made it out of the 35-foot barrel and exploded near the breach. barrel and exploded near the breach. AFTER - a short round demolished the barrel © 1967 VL StevensonPart of the barrel from the 175mm short round © 1967 VL StevensonBEFORE – This is what a 175mm self-propelled cannon should look like. © 1967 VL StevensonThe explosion sent pieces of the barrel The explosion sent pieces of the barrel flying in all directions, including the flying in all directions, including the direction of our tent. We were sitting direction of our tent. We were sitting inside when we heard a swoosh-swoosh-inside when we heard a swoosh-swoosh-swoosh-thud! Here I was, only a few swoosh-thud! Here I was, only a few short days left in Vietnam, and I was short days left in Vietnam, and I was about to be killed by friendly fire!about to be killed by friendly fire!When the shrapnel finally stopped When the shrapnel finally stopped falling, we hurried outside to see what falling, we hurried outside to see what happened. A five-foot piece of the barrel happened. A five-foot piece of the barrel had been thrown within twenty had been thrown within twenty feet of the back door of our tent. feet of the back door of our tent. A few more feet to its left, and A few more feet to its left, and we would have been squashed. we would have been squashed. Miraculously, only one Marine Miraculously, only one Marine was injured with a broken leg…was injured with a broken leg…the one who pulled the lanyard. It the one who pulled the lanyard. It was a wake-up call for me. I was was a wake-up call for me. I was more nervous than ever!more nervous than ever!ONE DAY AND A ONE DAY AND A WAKEUPWAKEUPOn my last night in Vietnam, five On my last night in Vietnam, five of my buddies threw Sergeant of my buddies threw Sergeant Davies (leaving the same day) and Davies (leaving the same day) and me a going away party. Of course, me a going away party. Of course, alcohol was involved. We all met alcohol was involved. We all met up in our comm sergeant’s tent up in our comm sergeant’s tent with beer and whiskey. Let’s just with beer and whiskey. Let’s just say it was in the wee hours of say it was in the wee hours of the morning on January 3, 1968, the morning on January 3, 1968, before any of us got any sleep.before any of us got any sleep.Sergeant Davies and I had an Sergeant Davies and I had an appointment at 0900 with a 6-by appointment at 0900 with a 6-by truck that would transport us truck that would transport us from Camp Carroll to Dong Ha. from Camp Carroll to Dong Ha. From there we would fly by C-130 From there we would fly by C-130 to Da Nang, our departure base. to Da Nang, our departure base. It wasn’t until I stepped on that It wasn’t until I stepped on that big commercial jet and cleared big commercial jet and cleared Vietnam’s air space that I could Vietnam’s air space that I could finally breathe a big sigh of relief. finally breathe a big sigh of relief. Although, I had mixed emotions—Although, I had mixed emotions—thankful to leave but sad I left thankful to leave but sad I left Brothers behind. The next stops Brothers behind. The next stops were Okinawa, San Francisco, were Okinawa, San Francisco, and my final destination: Fort and my final destination: Fort Worth, Texas. Worth, Texas.
42 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024TALE OF THE STARFISH“The Tale of the Starsh” is an adaptation of “The Star Thrower” By Loren C. Eiseley.There is a beach covered with starsh. As a man walks along the beach, he sees a child throwing starsh back into the ocean. The man asks, ‘Why are you throwing them back?” “There are too many! You will never make a difference.” As the child throws another starsh in, the child states, “It made a difference to that one.”There are three particularly important aspects to this tale that every individual can relate to at one point in our lives.First: The starsh, this is that point in our lives when we need help or guidance. Second: The child is when we selessly assist or guide others through challenging times in life, sometimes we are not even aware of the difference we are making. Third: The man walking the beach is when we question ourselves on what to do, often based on the optics of others. For far too long I was angry at the world, and it completely consumed me. I struggled with suicidal ideation and depression, with no direction for my life. I was, clearly the “Starsh” during this time in my life. There was one person who drastically impacted me, much like “The Child.” Eric, my dearest friend, I am willing to bet he is unaware of how much he helped me. Eric, simply living his life impacted me in ways, I believe, neither of us expected. Basic things like, correcting me privately when I have screwed up, and sometimes kicking my ass if needed. He always put signicant effort into praising the smallest of my personal victories.How important are optics to us as Veterans let alone those who are actively serving? We spend at least eight weeks and up to a full year recreating ourselves to be independent, strong and in some ways indestructible. Far too often I have said and heard others say, “There are Vets who are far worse off.” While in some respects that will always be true, just as there are many who are better off as well. Does this mean that we do not deserve help when it is available? We psych ourselves out worried about appearing weak by bringing up family issues back home while overseas. While deployed, many service members have encountered such problems as wives cheating, a child’s birth, or worse the death of a close family member. “I did not hear anyone talking about their spouses.” “I do not want to be the rst one.” These phrases, “The Man,” are internally spoken like scripture and have caused catastrophic results. At best the results will be some type of anxiety and at worst suicide. Optics can negatively impact us Veterans in another way. Alcohol use is commonly understood to be a component of the Veteran livelihood, which makes it far too easy to “self-medicate” and become alcoholics. The unconditional love for our brothers and sisters in arms is the best way to reduce the 22-a-day statistic.As a Non-Prot V2VG spent the rst two years asking for help from other organizations to help local Veterans in need. Here we played the part of both “the Child” and “The Starsh.” Initially, the organizations and local Veterans were very hesitant to deal with us, because of the optics of not being well known. During the current year we have assisted well over 550 Veterans and their families, with things such as vet bills for emotional support animals, helping purchase a handicap accessible vehicle, and everything in between. Written by: Chuck BradleyWe have also worked with 7 other organizations, from local non-prots to state agencies of VT and NH to the revered Veterans Administration. Not to brag, but we stand rm on our mission statement and will deal with anyone who will back it no matter the political afliation, religious beliefs, or any other controversial situation. We will not let optics get in the way of what we do. A social worker from the VA reached out to us asking us to help with bringing to light the major issue of a lack of Veteran Service Ofcers (VSO). The VA worker was genuinely concerned about any backlash if they mentioned the issue themselves. In response, we put together a strongly worded ofcial memo and mailed it to every State ofcial in New Hampshire. A senator set up a round table to not only discuss the issue but also some solutions. We have no idea whether the Senate will implement any changes, but we will be a painful thorn until the results. My suggestion to everyone is try their hardest to live life like “the Child” in this story. There are times when optics can make our decision more difcult. My non-expert advice is that unless the decision is going to affect your ability for nancial stability then go against optics.We understand each Veteran's unique needs andthoughtfully pair them with a horse that matchestheir spirit.We walk beside them as they learn to care forthese magnificent creatures and help themnurture a deep bond of trust and connection,gently breaking down emotional barriers.This helps encourage healing, bringing peace andunderstanding to their journey, and supportstheir transformation into stronger, more resilientmember of society.THE VETERANS RANCH...SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED US ALLEQUINE THERAPYContact Us863-815-5896theveteransranch.orgContact@TheVeteransRanch.orgSCAN TO FIND OUT MORE AND TO DONATE >
We understand each Veteran's unique needs andthoughtfully pair them with a horse that matchestheir spirit.We walk beside them as they learn to care forthese magnificent creatures and help themnurture a deep bond of trust and connection,gently breaking down emotional barriers.This helps encourage healing, bringing peace andunderstanding to their journey, and supportstheir transformation into stronger, more resilientmember of society.THE VETERANS RANCH...SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED US ALLEQUINE THERAPYContact Us863-815-5896theveteransranch.orgContact@TheVeteransRanch.orgSCAN TO FIND OUT MORE AND TO DONATE >
44 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 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 my followers. Right from the start of my podcast discussion with Zach Tidwell, I realized that what I thought would be a major challenge talking to a Veteran who is now blind and partially deaf presented more of a challenge to me than to him. His story, at times, had me choked up and close to tears. His composure was steadfast from start to nish.Zach Tidwell grew up the image of the all-American boy. He was active in multiple sports and a rebel rouser at times. He always had dreams of being a US Marine and his dream came true right out of high school. He even married his high school sweetheart while on active duty only to nd out later that she had been unfaithful. This was the beginning of events that would start a spiraling effect in Zach’s life.In February of 2018, Zach was involved in a dirt bike accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury that left him hospitalized and broken in several ways. His recovery process was slow, his marriage ended in divorce, and he separated from the military. This led to depression that Zach was able to hide from his fellow Marines. As he put it, the answer in the military community was often to “Shut up and drink!” Within a year of the accident, he began drinking more often and started self-medicating for the pain from his injuries and his personal life events. A year later the demons caught up with Zach and he positioned his Glock 19 between his eyes and pulled the trigger. And this is where our discussion took an incredible turn.It turns out that the round red was a hollow point bullet and it shattered immediately into Zach’s sinus cavity rather than destroying his brain. While the shot resulted in his loss of sight in both eyes and the loss of hearing in one ear, miraculously, he survived the attempt. He has endured many months of rehab and facial reconstruction and has had to re-learn how to eat, walk, and complete other functions. The entire ordeal has given Zach a new focus on the life he nearly ended. He is now almost one year sober and learning to accept his limitations. In fact, he has enrolled in college to pursue a degree in psychology to better understand his journey and to continue to share it with others. Being blind has challenged his computer skills especially with coding so he self-taught himself the process and then started his own computer application company, Dark Horse Games Studios to assist others and to develop gaming aps. His most recent mobile ap is “Zanagrams”, a highly rated and challenging trivia-inspired word puzzle game for teens and adults. Talk about a major turnaround.And outside of study and work, Zach has found his way back to the outdoor activities he loves. Working with other challenged athletes and a group called Blind Endeavors, Zach is now back to rock climbing, sky diving, skiing, snowboarding, white water kayaking, and learning the martial art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It was about this time during our conversation that my jaw hit the oor in awe.Here is a young man who has been to hell and back and has completely turned his life and his focus (pun intended) to doing the things that he has always loved and now sharing his experiences with others, especially to those that may be thinking of traveling down the same rabbit hole that Zach fortunately survived.Today, Zach is facing new challenges having been recently diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, a rare genetic disorder that affects the brain and nervous system. While it causes a gradual breakdown in nerve cells in the brain, there is something that tells me that Zach Tidwell will nd a way to overcome this barrier also and continue to be the ghting Marine that he always dreamed of being.
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 45I Remember When...I Remember When...When I was young and in my prime and only screwed around some of the time, I made my rst visit to a Veterans Administration hospital. It began with me sitting on the tailgate of a very large furniture moving truck on my way to the United States Naval ammunition depot in Hingham, MA. There I sat on my skinny ass for some 15 miles from pickup to drop off. I don’t remember the name of the company but I do remember the colors: Marine Corps red with gold letters. (Was this to be an omen?)Apparently there were no rules of the road calling for people NOT to ride or stand on truck tailgates in those years. Yes, I believe that company broke every rule in the books. Yes, I should be dead now and not be able to speak of this entire episode ltering through my 89.3 years of heavenly bliss. Yeh, would you believe it? It’s a wonder I can still type when you think about it. At the end of the summer, while bouncing on and almost off each day, I discovered I had a calloused ass and went from singing the lowest of musical male voices called Bass right through Baritone to Tenor and on up to Countertenor.My job was to hold onto my “dairy air” then join a crew of furniture movers from this 99 acre plot of military land with its 90 buildings and several warehouses, in which were stored a great deal of World War II medical ofce furniture such as desks, benches, chairs and cabinets. That furniture is what yours truly helped move to the West Roxbury, Boston, MA VA Hospital and to the brand new Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA VA Hospital.The West Roxbury bldg. started out on 29.58 acres as a 382 bed acute care facility at the time of World War II (1941-45). The need for hospitalization of Veterans was overwhelming. The Jamaica Plain VA was being nished back then and I continued my furniture moving to that building throughout that summer of 1952. YES! You read it right, 1952! Now, I tell you of my rst experience seeing Veterans entering that building. I was in awe, denitely in awe. There I sat on one of the medical desk chairs, swiveling around on it, when they came in off a big bus with a number of attendants helping them. It was here that I got my rst glimpse of what a Veteran looked like, whether he was from WWII war or the Korean War that kicked us in the pants from 1950 to 1953. It didn’t matter. My rst glimpse was that of a vet walking a walker with tennis balls on its feet. He was leaning pretty heavily on it. I could see the hurt in his eyes. The next vet wobbled a bit with his cane. The next vet I glimpsed at was in a rickety old wheel chair. He denitely did not look comfortable while wheeling himself. He looked exhausted, really exhausted. I remember leaving my cushy chair and asking him if I might help. He had some kind of southern accent. He said, or I think he said, ‘No, but thank you, son. I need the practice. I’ll be using it for quite some time”. The next vet came with an attendant help ing him. He had a large cast on his left arm and a smaller one on his right leg. The next vet came on a gurney. He was pretty much wrapped up like a mummy as his attendant wheeled him to their destination in this brand new hospital. There were many more I watched who looked like they had just come in from the front lines. Some of the attendants didn’t look any better. I really believe I had some kind of rude awakening back then because I felt so much sorrow and blinked back a few tears. That experience was from my rst visit. However, and there is always a however, I now tell you of my second experience as a PATIENT. Yes, yes, who woulda thunk I would be joining the ranks of the Vietnam era so many years later. Do you know what I see now? I see our vets’ WIVES. Yes, wives and or their signicant others. Let me point them out to you. Each one is assisting or accompanying her vet. Come, take a gander at them. There’s one wife holding on to her vet’s wheel chair as she points out their destination on the directory board. There’s another wife trying to direct her vet, who happens to be shufing around, not able to determine in what direction he must go. She helps but he doesn’t want any help. He can do it alone. The question is will they be late for their appointment? I hope not. Look. There’s another wife standing next to her husband’s gurney and holding on to his hand as he begins to move towards an operation he needs badly. He’s her love, the one she promised to stay with through thick and thin. Is this the thick or thin time? Oh, there’s a wife I saw drop off her husband out front as he walked up the front stairs with his cane. She probably has to park the family car in some far off parking lot. It’s raining blue blazes. Good luck to her. He sits waiting for her. Here she comes. Yes, she is soaking wet and he greets her and asks how she’s doing. Naturally, she does say, “Fine, ne”, and they move on to their appointment. It’s probably down one of those many long, long corridors to a waiting room where they see any number of vets’ wives waiting with their men. One of those wives will have to accompany her vet husband to his appointment. She will have to answer the doctor’s questions because her vet is deaf as a bat, so she says. It is she who may have to correct her vet’s answers. It is she who will have to ll in the blanks because her man may forget to share certain information. God, how that Veteran must love that woman!! I know I would.I see several wives dropping off their vets at some art classes. I’m sure these beautiful people will be attending some group therapy class while their men dabble in some kind of art therapy of their own. These wives will be working through myriad situations as they share problems so similar to each other. I am sure God Almighty must be close to each of these wonderful gifts as they face so many of their special vets’ problems day in and day out. I see such “togetherness” that I can cry.To each of you who walk with your vet, be aware that God loves you and so do I. When God thinks of you, He Smiles. Smile back!! UNSUNG HEROESby Paul Sullivan, Ret. Captain, USMCPaul Sullivan, Ret. Captain, USMC resides in Massachusetts with his wife Beverly.
Most grunts report to an infantry battalion in the FMF (Fleet Marine Force) after gaining their MOS, but Rogers had enlisted on a Security Forces contract. This meant he had one more school to attend and would spend the rst half of his enlistment as part of a security element assigned in support of the Navy. The delay in getting to the FMF (and thereby to combat) chaffed the young warrior but turned out to be a valuable experience.He was assigned to F.A.S.T. (Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team) Company in Chesapeake, Virginia. FAST Company is sometimes referred to as the Marine Corps’ SWAT Team. They receive extensive tactical training, often ring more ammunition in a year than an entire infantry battalion. The accumulation of these advanced skills established a baseline far above the average grunt and would make him an even more lethal small unit leader in a few short years. While at FAST Rogers deployed to GITMO (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba), Bahrain, and participated in a NEO (Non-combatant Evacuation Operation) in Lebanon. As the FAST Company tour concluded it was time for Rogers to head to the FMF. He reported to 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines (3/2) aboard Camp Lejeune, NC. Shortly after arriving he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and the new NCO was assigned the billet of Infantry Squad Leader. The unit was slated to deploy to Iraq.The sub-culture of the grunts within the Marine Corps is one that ruthlessly challenges peers. When a Security Force Marine arrives, particularly if he is an NCO, that individual is initially viewed with skepticism by those who have been in the infantry since they were Privates. Rogers recognized this environment and quickly proved himself by deftly displaying a combination of physical toughness, aggressiveness, humility, and tactical competence. Part of the credit goes to his training, and part of it simply to the caliber of man whose blouse had two name tapes. One read “ROGERS” and the other “U.S. MARINES.”Rogers describes his deployment to Iraq as disappointing, later recognizing it as valuable. Al Qa’im in 2008 was different from the hotbed of kinetic activity just a few years before. The place where Corporal Jason Dunham’s actions resulted in a Medal of Honor, seemed now to be a quiet, run-down, Middle Eastern village of no remarkable feature. There were occasional IED’s and random shots red by would-be snipers but nothing of consequence. Rogers did however gain invaluable experience leading squad patrols in a combat zone, even if it did not feel like combat. Tangible skills including communication, weapons engagement, medevac procedures, and reporting were honed alongside a myriad of intangible skills required to lead men.Rogers brought all of his men home from Iraq. It is an event for which he was grateful, yet he still yearned to be tested in combat. Upon returning to Camp Lejeune, NC it did not appear that Roger’s unit would be slated for a combat deployment. It has been said that if Marines don’t have anyone to ght, they will ght each other. Perhaps this explains why Rogers decided to try out for the All-Marine Boxing Team where he spent the next nine months. Training was rigorous and discipline was iron clad. Physical combat 46 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024It is no exaggeration to say Ryan Rogers is a hero. In fact, it is quite the understatement. His story, though with some heart-breaking turns, begins with a classic Americana start.Rogers came from a middle-class family in rural Ohio. He had a loving family with a father who imbued him with down-to-earth folksy wisdom such as “Measure twice, cut once.” He grew up hunting and shing, a pastime which now soothes the moral wounds of war. He played baseball and was on a trajectory to do so in college, but like many Veterans of his generation the terrorist attacks on 9/11 altered his path.Rogers’ great-grandfather served as a medic in the Pacic during World War II, but military service was not common in the family. A sense of duty and love of country however, most certainly were. Rogers was a sophomore in high school on 9/11. Seeing the towers fall deeply moved him and awakened an unmistaken call. Joining the United States Marine Corps was exactly that for Ryan Rogers, a calling. This kind of patriotic feeling seems old fashioned to some, but thankfully there are still young lions who rise. Rogers chose the Marines he says, simply because “they were the most badass.”After graduating high school in 2004, he took just enough time to go on an elk hunt with his father before reporting to Parris Island, SC for Recruit Training. Rogers was the Honor Graduate in boot camp then proceeded to Camp Geiger, North Carolina to be trained as an infantryman. One of his instructors was a combat Veteran Fallujah and Ramadi, Iraq. The lessons and stories he told were just as valuable, if not more so, than much of the curriculum. TheTheLionsLionsOf Of Marjah:Marjah: The Inspiring Journey of US Marine & Author Ryan RogersBy Adam Walker. Head Writer - USMC
Choices Not Chances. At the time of this writing Choices Not Chances aired 80 episodes and can be found on all major streaming platforms. He’s hosted several prominent gures in the Veteran community, and many Veterans who might otherwise remain unknown. He uses this platform to allow Veterans to tell their stories, and to educate the public at large, helping bridge the military-civilian divide.Rogers remained in North Carolina after retiring. His proximity to Camp Lejeune facilitates numerous speaking engagements, primarily targeted at young Marines in the FMF. His presence in the local community and his online activities allow him to continue making a lasting impact as a leader. He is a proven, seasoned warrior and an example to the generation that will engage in the next ght.Future projects from Rogers include a book on leadership, where he intends to share some of his own failures and lessons learned. Another forthcoming book tells the story of his experience collaborating and facilitating his interpreter’s escape from Afghanistan during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal.Ryan Rogers’ books, podcast, and speaking engagements are platforms by which he continues to lead and make a difference. He did not lose his purpose, he simply moved on to the next phase. Rogers embodies the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps: Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful.Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 47with a singular opponent in the ring partially satiated the base impetus for battle, but still fell short of satisfaction. Rogers’ rst enlistment was nearing expiration. A decision had to be made to reenlist or return to civilian life. War drums still echoed in his heart, so Rogers reenlisted to remain in the operating forces.Initially assigned to a Regimental Headquarters where he would be part of the commander’s PDS (Personal Security Detail), he soon received orders to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines (3/6). He found himself once again serving as an Infantry Squad Leader and was soon promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The roller coaster of emotion dipped to disappointment again when he found out the battalion was scheduled to deploy to Okinawa, Japan as part of the Marine Corps’ UDP (Unit Deployment Program). After releasing a string of profanity, he buckled down to execute his duties in a professional manner.The enemy gets a vote.Hostile activity with the Taliban was picking up in 2010 as operations in Iraq were winding down. 3/6 was diverted from UDP and deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Just when Rogers thought war eluded him, he found himself center stage. The man in the arena.Something in Rogers recognized the signicance of this unfolding experience. He didn’t want to miss it. He began to keep notes in a journal, scribbling thoughts and recording incidents in lulls between ghting, “…in the dim night from a mud hut…”. These words would provide reference for his rst book “Lions of Marjah” published in 2021.“Lions of Marjah, a war memoir” records Rogers’ experience in combat ghting the Taliban. It is gritty, raw, and written with an unvarnished authenticity that draws the reader to share laughter and tears with the author. It is truly a must read for anyone who wants to understand combat in Afghanistan from a grunt perspective, and the deeply personal toll inicted on a leader of warriors.Rogers shares details of violent engagements with the enemy and the harsh environmental conditions endured. These elements provide a backdrop from which we glimpse intimate, enduring, fraternal bonds that can only be described as love. Additionally, descriptions of seemingly mundane things are contextually fascinating.Rogers’ humility and transparency in the book is remarkable. In one vignette he recounts getting chewed out by his platoon sergeant after voicing concern on the details of an upcoming operation. “I swear Rogers! You are the biggest coward in the planning phase and the most feared when you are in the execution phase!” Lions of Marjah concludes with the end of the deployment, but it would be years before it was penned. Rogers returned to Camp Lejeune, NC then become an instructor at the School of Infantry. In many ways he came full circle. He was now a combat Veteran of Afghanistan teaching Privates in the same place he was once a Private being taught by combat Veterans of Iraq. Rogers found operational service and leading ghting men to be well suited to his disposition. He sought to pursue further challenges in this vein. While undergoing physical screenings for MARSOC’s (Marine Special Operations Command) Assessment and Selection, it was discovered Rogers had signicant damage to his eardrums from repeated concussive exposure in combat. Further examination determined TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) that would eventually result in a medical retirement after ten years of service.The forced retirement brought anger, then grief, and ultimately bewilderment. Once assured of purpose in life Rogers was now adrift. He self-medicated with alcohol, as many combat Veterans have done. Before life altering wreckage was wrought, the destructive behavior was culled after some in-patient treatment and the establishment of positive life choices. Rogers recognized much of his life was the result of choices, not chances.He started an initial draft of Lions of Marjah but became frustrated at his own perceived limitations. He then oriented on school, including taking classes such a Creative Writing. Rogers discovered a passion for learning and tackled scholarly pursuits with zeal. In 2021 he earned a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security with a focus on Intelligence Collection Fusion. Soon thereafter he felt equipped to nish crafting Lions of Marjah.The book has an immediate impact. Over 800 copies were sold in the rst week. Soon Rogers began receiving a ood of encouraging reader feedback. Parents messaged him relating how their sons returned from Afghanistan deeply changed, but never spoke to them about their experiences. The book provided perspective they otherwise would have never gained. Fellow Veterans appreciated a tale of their generation being made available. In many ways it was their story too. Up and coming warriors (who too felt called to serve) found the book instructional and highly relevant. As Rogers realized the impact the book was having, he was encouraged that he could continue to serve by educating and inspiring the next generation of warghters. A couple of months later he launched a podcast called Adam Walker, head writer at AT EASE! Veterans Magazine, is a retired Marine MGySgt., Purple Heart recipient, and seasoned storyteller whose unflinching narratives can also be found on his website, takeitontheleftfoot.com
48 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024MCON Draws Military Veterans to Las VegasMCON Draws Military Veterans to Las VegasBy Amy Forsythe, USMC & Navy VeteranInstagram: @amyforsythe760LAS VEGAS - The second iteration of MCON.live was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Oct. 24-27, 2024. A one-day Military Impact Summit was added this year and the attendance doubled to 3,500. Vendors and sponsors also doubled this year to ll the spacious World Market Expo Hall. MCON was created by Veterans to bring the military community together for an epic celebration with food, music, speakers, and sports. It’s the only annual event celebrating what we love and miss about military culture and they are growing even bigger in 2025. The rst day of the event was “Range Day” to kick off the festivities. Range Day brought together the military community like no The second day was the Military Impact Summit brought together leaders from different non-prot organizations and Veterans support organizations like the Veterans Benets Guide who are driving change to help military and Veterans with skillbridge opportunities, military spouse entrepreneurship and navigating access to Veteran resources.MCON founder and Marine Corps Veteran Waco Hoover opened the summit by discussing the importance of transitioning back to civilian life and why creating MCON was so important to him.“The transition piece has such a massive cascading impact on the overall wellness of the Veteran, not just mental health but also nancial wellness, relationships, spiritual wellness,” Hoover said. The American Legion, a founding sponsor of MCON, had one of the largest displays where staff and volunteers were able to greet Veterans and family members to share more about the Be The one initiatives and provide relevant resources.Attendees were treated to an all-star cast of speakers who delved into topics of interest to servicemembers, military personnel, their families and supporters, and more.The event also hosted ghters from the UFC roster, including stars such as Connor Matthews, Jared Gordon, and Evan Elder. This element of the event highlighted the synergy between UFC combat sports and military combatives, celebrating the shared values of discipline, resilience, and peak performance.Other speakers included: Rudy Reyes, actor and philanthropist, Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, President and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, and Jennifer Marshall, Navy Veteran and actress.“We’re supporting Veterans and each other. This is not about Veterans’ problems…this is about celebrating Veterans’ potential,” Reyes said in between his speaking sessions at the Expo. Reyes, a Recon Marine Veteran who is starring in the new TV show in the United Kingdom called “SAS: Who Dares Wins.”Haley McClain Hill, award-winning entrepreneur, former NFL Cheerleader, Air Force Veteran, hosted a reside chat “Sidelines to Shark Tank” to share her journey of entrepreneurship after military service. Her two companies TORCH Warrior Wear and Seek From Left to Right: Rudy Reyes, Scott Huesing, Nick Palmisciano & Amy Forsythe share a laugh while paneling a discussion how to get Veterans stories to film, TV , & Books. other event. Operators, pro shooters, Veterans, amateurs, family, and more- we have something for everyone. Hosted at PrairieFire, the range venue is a magnicent destination just outside Las Vegas surrounded by mountain peaks, providing unique Special Operations-Inspired challenges for visitors. The goal is to elevate bonds of friendship, the power of teamwork, discovery of leadership, and the strength of extreme trust according to the MCON website. “Military and Veteran focused conferences like MIC and MCON provide an incredible opportunity for us to spend time with others doing great things after service. I highly recommend attending - denitely a highlight of my year” said Jennifer Marshall, U.S. Navy Veteran and actor.{}
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 49and Set Free have partnered with companies such as AAFES, The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, and the 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleading Team. She was also featured on ABC’s Season 15 of Shark Tank and is also the 2022 Veteran Shark Tank Pitch Competition Winner.“This year’s MCON exceeded my lofty expectations,” Hoover said. “We had stimulating conversations about core issues of today’s Veterans. Transitioning. Mental wellness. Finding purpose. Entrepreneurship. And so many more. I’m so grateful for our attendees, sponsors, volunteers and everyone who played a role in building momentum at this year’s MCON. Next year’s third annual conference will be even bigger and better, and have a greater impact on our community.” MCON 2025 will return to Las Vegas from October 23-26 and all are welcome to attend. If you’d like more information about sponsorship/partnership opportunities, go to: https://mcon.live/sponsors-partners.RUDY REYES AND ADAM MARR SHARE THE STAGE AT MCON 2024.Connect with Amy ForsytheMCON FOUNDER WACO HOOVER TALKS TO MEDIA AT THE MCON FOUNDER WACO HOOVER TALKS TO MEDIA AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE WORLD MARKET EXPO HALL IN LAS VEGAS.ENTRANCE OF THE WORLD MARKET EXPO HALL IN LAS VEGAS.THE AMERICAN LEGION IS A FOUNDING SPONSOR OF MCON AND WAS ON THE AMERICAN LEGION IS A FOUNDING SPONSOR OF MCON AND WAS ON HAND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT RESOURCES FOR VETERANS AND HAND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT RESOURCES FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. LEARN MORE: LEGION.ORG.THEIR FAMILIES. LEARN MORE: LEGION.ORG.THIS YEAR'S MCON DREW NEARLY 3,500 ATTENDEES TO LAS VEGAS OCT. 24-27, 2024. PLAN FOR 2025 BY GOING TO THEIR WEBSITE: MCON.LIVE.
With eyes as cold and gray as the days of combat they had seen, stands a man called to ght for his country. With honor, George Washington accepted this duty with dignity and courage. As a young ofcer, those resolute eyes fought side by side with the French. Proud to be from Virginia, representing a nation yet unborn, he led an untrained army into a war many thought unwinnable. After long years of ghting without adequate supplies or funding, they emerged with new borders, free from British rule, now American.After leading his country to victory, Washington returned to private life. His ability to lead and his love for this nation laid the foundation of what we recognize today in our Veterans. For those of us who serve, the oath we take does not expire. Six years after the war, the nation again called on Washington to lead, this time as the rst President of the United States. The grit that denes successful Veterans was key to his achievements as president. In his farewell address, he warned against foreign alliances and the divisiveness of political parties, foreseeing how they could divide the nation.Once George Washington left ofce, we did not see another president with military experience until James Monroe. The absence of Veteran leadership meant that the nation lacked a president with the same rsthand understanding of service. This gap contributed to the rise of political parties and foreign policies that sometimes seemed to benet other nations more than the American people. One notable achievement during this period, however, was the Louisiana Purchase by Thomas Jefferson, which greatly expanded the nation’s territory.The next president who served as a patriot was James Monroe. He began as a lieutenant under General Washington, wounded in combat, and later promoted to captain. His greatest military accomplishment was his role in the Battle of Trenton, a victory that delivered a crucial morale boost for the troops. Afterward, Monroe returned to private life until the nation called on him once more.As president, Monroe led by example. Faced with nancial challenges and foreign policy issues, he believed in a united nation with a limited federal government, allowing states greater control. Perhaps this perspective stemmed from his early days as an ofcer, understanding the importance of empowering others to take ownership of their roles.Both Washington and Monroe served with the sole desire to build the best country in the world. Neither sought ofce for personal gain. An excerpt from the NCO creed in the Army states, “I will not use my position for pleasure, prot or personal safety.” Washington embodied this creed; he stood with his troops, understanding the challenges they faced. Such leadership, rooted in empathy and shared experience, remains one of the most powerful forms of guidance.Of the 46 individuals who have served as President of the United States, 32 have had some military experience, though not all were on active duty or deployed. Still, many of these presidents share a commitment to strong leadership and a desire to succeed. The last president with military experience was George W. Bush, who served in the National Guard. There is a compelling case to be made that without the leadership and self-discipline built through military service, it can be challenging for a leader to fully grasp the reasoning behind their military advisors’ recommendations. Leadership is forged through adversity, and the type of leadership required to lead a country is distinct from that needed to build a company.I leave you with this: Veterans can accomplish anything they set their minds to. We don’t quit and want to see others succeed. I take pride in seeing a fellow Veteran achieve their goals. As a community, we have accomplished much, and perhaps the next experienced President of the United States has just read this article. Dignity in LBy Donald Dunn50 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024
Valley View, a small, tight-knit community in Texas, was still grappling with the devastation that followed the EF-3 tornado over Memorial Day weekend. The storm had swept through the area with terrifying speed and fury, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Homes were attened, lives were lost, and those who survived were left to piece together what remained of their lives. For the roughly 800 residents of Valley View, the aftermath of the storm was a collective wound that would take years to heal.Among those affected by the disaster were a Veteran couple whose story had recently captured the attention of the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative; a non-prot organization dedicated to supporting Veterans in need. The couple had been through more than most, and now, in the wake of the tornado, they found themselves facing yet another challenge—nding a stable place to live.The Veteran couple had poured their savings into purchasing a travel trailer, a modest home they hoped would offer them security and stability. But as fate would have it, the tornado struck with such force that it obliterated their trailer, leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a car they had miraculously used to escape the storm’s path. With their home destroyed, they were forced to take refuge in their vehicle, living day by day in uncertainty.As they struggled to rebuild their lives, the couple applied for assistance from a well-known organization that specialized in helping disaster victims. They hoped for a glimmer of relief, but their request was denied. The rejection hit them hard. Without a place to call home, they had no way of securing a “host” spot at a local RV park, a necessity for setting up a more permanent living situation.The couple’s situation grew more desperate with each passing day. The vehicle they were living in was small, uncomfortable, and offered no protection from the elements. As the heat of the Texas summer bore down on them, they began to lose hope. It seemed that, despite their years of service to their country, they had been forgotten in their time of greatest need.That’s when they heard about the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative.The non-prot organization, known for its tireless work in supporting Veterans, had helped countless individuals and families who had fallen through the cracks. The founders of the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative believed that no Veteran should ever feel abandoned, especially after giving so much to their country. The organization 52 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024A Beacon of HopeHope in the Aftermath of DestructionTHE UNDAUNTED WARHORSE INITIATIVE:
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 53worked to provide housing, resources, and support for Veterans who found themselves in precarious situations.After hearing the Veteran couple’s story, the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative immediately sprang into action. The couple’s situation was dire, and the organization knew that time was of the essence. Living in a vehicle was unsustainable, and the couple needed a solution that would offer them both stability and dignity.The organization was determined to help, but they faced a signicant challenge. Providing an RV or travel trailer on such short notice would require a considerable amount of funding, and the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative was already stretched thin from helping other Veterans affected by the same tornado. The storm had caused widespread devastation, and many Veterans in the area were still struggling to recover.Despite the nancial strain, the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative refused to turn the couple away. They put out a call for assistance, asking their network of supporters for donations. The response was heartening. A generous donor, moved by the Veteran couple’s plight, stepped forward and offered to help fund the purchase of a new RV for the couple.With the donor’s support, the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative quickly set to work. They scoured listings, looking for a travel trailer that would meet the couple’s needs. Time was critical, and the organization was determined to nd a solution within days. After several tense negotiations and a few moments of uncertainty, they managed to secure a well-maintained RV at a signicantly discounted price. Originally listed for over $30,000, the RV was purchased for less than $10,000, thanks to the generosity of the seller who was moved by the couple’s story.The RV was delivered to the Veteran couple just days after their request for help had been received. When the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative’s team arrived at the site where the couple had been staying, they were met with tears of relief and gratitude. The couple, who had endured so much loss and hardship, nally had a place to call home once again.The new RV wasn’t just a shelter; it was a symbol of hope. It represented the community’s willingness to come together and help those who had served their country in times of need. For the Veteran couple, it was a fresh start, a chance to begin rebuilding their lives without the constant worry of where they would sleep each night.The RV also allowed the couple to secure their “host” spot at a local RV park, a place where they could settle in and regain a sense of stability. The park, like many in rural Texas, offered affordable accommodations for people living in travel trailers, but having an RV was a requirement for residency. Thanks to the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative, the couple was no longer at risk of being displaced once again. They were able to leave their makeshift shelter behind and move into their new home.For the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative, the successful outcome of this case was a testament to the power of community and generosity. The organization took great pride in fullling its commitment to the couple and providing them with the assistance they so desperately needed. But while the immediate crisis had been resolved, there was still much work to be done.The purchase of the RV had been a signicant expense, even with the discounted price, and the organization now found itself in need of additional funds to continue its mission. They knew that there were countless other Veterans in the area who were still struggling in the aftermath of the tornado. Some had lost their homes, while others faced nancial difculties that made it impossible for them to rebuild on their own. The Undaunted Warhorse Initiative was determined to help as many Veterans as possible, but they needed the support of their community to make it happen.In the days following the RV purchase, the organization launched a fundraising campaign to recover the funds used to help the Veteran couple. They reached out to their network of supporters, sharing the couple’s story and asking for contributions. Every dollar raised would go toward helping other Veterans in need, ensuring that no one would be left behind.As the fundraising campaign gained momentum, the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative received an outpouring of support from people across Texas and beyond. Donations came in from individuals, businesses, and other Veteran advocacy groups, all eager to help the organization continue its important work. Each contribution, no matter how small, made a difference.The organization’s efforts were further bolstered by the local media, which picked up the story of the Veteran couple and their new RV. News outlets in Cooke County and surrounding areas ran stories about the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative and its mission, shining a spotlight on the incredible work being done to support Veterans in need. The exposure brought in even more donations, allowing the organization to expand its outreach efforts and assist additional Veterans affected by the tornado.In the weeks and months that followed, the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative continued to provide aid to Veterans who had been impacted by the storm. They helped secure housing, provided nancial assistance, and offered emotional support to those who were struggling to rebuild their lives. For many Veterans, the organization was a lifeline, offering hope and stability during a time of unimaginable hardship.The Veteran couple who had received the RV remained deeply grateful to the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative and its supporters. They had gone from living in their vehicle to having a safe, comfortable home, all thanks to the generosity of strangers who believed in the importance of taking care of those who had served. As they settled into their new life at the RV park, they became active members of their community, giving back in whatever ways they could.The Undaunted Warhorse Initiative’s work was far from over, but the success of this case served as a powerful reminder of what could be achieved when people came together to support a common cause. For the rest of the team at the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative, it was moments like these that reinforced their commitment to serving Veterans. No matter how great the challenge was, they would continue to stand by those who had sacriced so much for their country, ensuring that they would never have to face life’s difculties alone.As the community of Valley View continued to heal from the devastation of the tornado, the Veteran couple’s story became a beacon of hope for others. It was a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, there were always people willing to lend a helping hand. And for the Undaunted Warhorse Initiative, it was proof that their mission—to support Veterans with unwavering dedication—was more important than ever.
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 55WHERE DID WE GO WRONG!?WHERE DID WE GO WRONG? WE CAN FIX IT!In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in the attitude of younger generations toward Veterans and military service. This is a dangerous trend, as it weakens our society’s appreciation for the sacrices made by those who have served. As someone with over four decades of association with Veterans, and having seen rsthand how this shift has eroded the honor Veterans deserve. If left unaddressed, this decline threatens to sever the bond between military service and the civilian community, making it easier to forget the cost of our freedoms. Here is my perspective and rationale.The rst major factor is the shrinking size of our military. With fewer people serving, there are fewer families and communities directly connected to Veterans. This decreased exposure to Veterans means many young people grow up without a personal understanding of the military experience. The small size of today’s military compared to past generations compounds this problem, as many communities rarely interact with service members, especially in non-military towns.Our current culture, driven by social media and instant gratication, is another culprit. It has become easier for younger generations to prioritize what’s trending, focusing on quick rewards from social media likes or viral videos rather than taking the time to understand the deeper value of patriotism and sacrice. Service to one’s country, which requires dedication and often unseen, long-term sacrices, doesn’t t neatly into the narrative of immediate rewards.Unfortunately, much of today’s media and entertainment glories fame and fortune while rarely promoting the importance of military service. Celebrities and inuencers who hold the attention of younger generations often fail to emphasize the values of duty, honor, and commitment. When the spotlight is only on personal achievements and material success, there’s little room for messages about the value of service to others and the country. The lack of emphasis on civics education in schools today diminishes a strong understanding of the foundations of our country, the Constitution, or the struggles that shaped our freedoms. Patriotism, which once had a central role in the classroom, is being pushed aside for more neutral or globalized curricula, which often leaves students without an appreciation for national service or the legacy of Veterans. This shift is danger-ous, not only for Veterans but for society as a whole. When we fail to honor those who have sacriced for our freedoms, we risk losing sight of what it takes to preserve those freedoms. It creates a culture of entitlement, where the privileges of citizenship are taken for granted and the responsibilities that come with them are neglected. Without respect for military service, future generations may become less willing to answer the call to serve, further widening the gap between civilians and those who protect the nation.A PATH FORWARD: EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTOne of the most effective ways to combat this trend is through education. At the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame, we are developing the Learning Academy Program, a course syllabus designed to address these very issues. The program will start with Texas history from statehood and cover Texas’ involvement in U.S. wars and conicts. Civics lessons, with a focus on patriotism, will also be integral, ensuring that students not only learn about the importance of the U.S. military but also understand that serving the country is more than just a job—it’s a profound duty.Additionally, we are championing the Remember Them Forever Project, a one-of-a-kind program that allows us to honor both living and deceased Veterans. Through this initiative, a Veteran’s prole is entered into a robust database, and a QR code is generated. For living Veterans, this code can be shared with family and friends. For those who have passed, the QR code is placed on a special marker at the grave of the deceased. Visitors can scan the QR code and access the prole of that Veteran, allowing their stories to live on and be remembered by future generations. To date, over 11,000 proles from 16 counties and 54 cemeteries have been added.TIME TO ACT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATEIt’s not too late to reverse this trend. By reinvigorating civics and history education, promoting the stories of Veterans, and encouraging direct community engagement through projects like the Tejas of Texas Heroes 100 Club and the Remember Them Forever Project, we can restore the respect and honor Veterans so rightly deserve. It’s up to all of us to remember that our freedoms are not free—and to never forget the individuals who have paid the ultimate price to defend them.Now is the time to rebuild this connection before it is too late. Create memorials and other venues like the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame Museum that will honor the stories, sacrices and accomplishments that can live on—not just in history books, but in the hearts and minds of every American.As President John F. Kennedy said in 1960, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”For more information on how you can get involved, please email the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame at info@txVeterans.org. www.txVeterans.orgGary E. Steele, USAF, RetiredPresident of the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame
56 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 20241968 was not a good year for me. It was traumatic, I was ghting a war in Vietnam when I lost my father, and some friends I served with. Ask anyone about their duties and experiences while serving in the military and you’ll get a different story, this is just one of mine. This is an account, as I remember of what happened one fateful night to a plane ying out of Thailand. Some of the blanks in my memory were revived by research, and by the search for two people I found that were connected to these events.Writing this account at this time was not by chance because the inspiration came to me almost as a commandment. It happened on Sunday, at church. I wasn’t even thinking about this being so close to the anniversary of the loss of a plane I ew on while in Thailand, but in my mind, I was overwhelmed by the memories of this event. It was a moment that I couldn’t ignore as if every detail was consuming my thoughts. I turned to my wife and told her that something was happening and there was a story I needed to write down when we got home.I was in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Okinawa doing ightline maintenance on C-130 transport airplanes. I liked my job and was earning my stripes as soon as I was eligible. One day I was summoned to my boss’s ofce, Chief Master Sergeant Tucker, and given orders for a new assignment. One day I was enjoying a cool breeze coming in off the ocean at Naha Air Base, and two days later I was going TDY to Ubon Thailand, near the Laotian border. I was way down the totem pole with only three stripes, but I did have what they needed. What they needed was someone highly qualied in aircraft maintenance who was willing to do any job needed.While at Ubon it was possible to y as an extra crewmember loading ares to be dropped over enemy positions along the Ho Chi Minh trail. These missions were classied and designated combat/hazardous duty which enabled me to receive combat pay. To me, the money was just gravy because what I really wanted to do was y. But this story is not so much about me, but about one particular mission and one special airplane.The call sign was Blindbat 01, and the aircraft number was 56-0477, a C-130a model. The aircraft commander was Lt. Col. William Mason, a West Point graduate, excellent pilot, and genuinely nice person. I mention him here because, from the rst mission I ew on his plane, he made me feel like I was a part of this little nine-person family. Two other crew members I’ll mention were Sgt. John Quincy Adam who would set the timers on the ares and Sgt. Melvin Douglas Rash who would load the 28-pound parachute ares into the rack to be launched. My station was directly in between these two ight crew members. When handed the ares, I would pass them on to Melvin. I can’t say that Melvin and I were close, but I did spend more time with him than the other crew members. No special skills were needed for my job, it just made the other’s jobs easier. Being a maintenance person, I was also available for issues with the aircraft. Aside from this, we all stood lookout for AAA re from the ground. REMEMBERING BLINDBAT 01by Ron Dickson
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 57We got shot at on every ight and 37 mm anti-aircraft re was common, but we were always fortunate to be a little out of range, well camouaged, and sometimes just lucky. Not to say that nobody ever got hurt, me included. My last ight was on May 02, 1968, where I injured my wrist, not life-threatening but enough to interfere with my job. Instead of extending my time in Thailand, I was sent back to Okinawa. I was disappointed, but this probably saved my life because, on May 22, 1968, contact with Blindbat 01 was lost and apparently shot down over southern Laos somewhere near Muang Nong, about 20 miles southwest of the A Shau Valley. Another aircraft had reported seeing a large re on the ground near the last radio contact position. It had indeed been shot down with no evidence of survivors. The crash site was not accessible because of heavy enemy activity in the area. Photo reconnaissance and search aircraft were directed to the suspected crash site to verify the downing of the aircraft, but they could only report seeing a large, very bright re on the ground that burned for a very long time. The brightness of the re was probably from the large number of magnesium ares carried onboard. Numerous aircraft were diverted to search for Blindbat 01 with no success, and interviews with other ight crews ying in the area were conducted with equally negative results.I was already being reassigned to Cam Rahn Bay Vietnam, so aside from reliving some of the more vivid memories of anti-aircraft re scaring the living daylights out of me, Thailand went to a dark place in my mind and waited. Blindbat 01 also went dark until well after the war ended when in 1989 a Dog tag belonging to Sgt. Gary Pate, one of the crew members, was found. It was being sold as a war souvenir and eventually made its way to a JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) team out of Hawaii that was tasked with nding and returning MIA service members. Many false leads and interviews of locals uncovered other aircraft and helicopters that were lost during the war. Determined to locate this plane, the team persisted and in 2002 an aircraft wreckage matching Blindbat 01 was found. There wasn’t much left due to locals scavenging metal, but it was denitely a C-130. After gathering all the necessary specialists in 2008 a forensic excavation began to recover and identify any remains found. Using Mitochondrial DNA supplied by Larry Rash (Melvin Rash’s brother) and dental analysis along with other evidence, the remains of all nine crew members were identied and in June of 2010 were returned to the U.S. and interred in a group burial in Arlington National Cemetery.It took me many years before I wanted to share this part of my Vietnam experience with my family. To compound my problem, nobody was sharing anything about their own experiences. The missions were classied and, being the Boy Scout I was, I only had a few photos and some “Flare tags” that were attached to the lanyard used to arm them. Orders were to not talk about the planes, and I didn’t. One thing I did have was a document that named the crew members ying each mission. I kept the ones where I was listed and searched for a name I thought that I could nd. Sonny Cook was the Crew Chief on a different are plane, known as Sonny’s Honey, that I ew on which was also piloted by Col. Mason, so I sought Sonny out. I learned that about a year later after Sonny was reassigned, and I was back in the States, his plane, 56-0533 was also shot down. As I said, these were dangerous missions. Contacting Sonny gave me the strength to continue my research which led me to a YouTube video about Melvin Rash. Initially, I wasn’t looking for him, but rather anything I could nd. It was a memorial history project that his high school, York River Academy in Virginia produced commemorating hometown heroes. It was like nding gold, and after contacting the school I was put in touch with Melvin’s brother Larry. He told me that his and Melvin’s parents both passed away before the search team found the crash site saying that it was hard on everyone not knowing what happened to him. I decided that I needed to know more about the discovery of the crash site which led me to the Library of Congress where I discovered the declassied details of the loss, search, and recovery of Blindbat 01, site number 1187. Because of the classied nature of the missions, Melvin’s family didn’t know what his daily life was like. I shared what I could with Larry, but it was so long ago that most of the things I remember were the things I wish I could forget.I have profound respect for the people who devote their lives to searching for and bringing home our MIAs. We should never forget the duty and sacrice our military service members make for us. As for myself, I will honor these memories, even the painful ones with all the respect they truly deserve. As for Blindbat 01 and her crew, I will always remember them because some memories cannot be forgotten and will return when least expected.MELVIN DOUGLAS NASHEXCAVATED CRASH SITE - LAOSNASH & THE BAT MOBILE
56 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 202458 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 2024FROM MY POINT OF VIEW:FROM MY POINT OF VIEW:By Cristie RemmelThe holiday season, while a time for celebra-tion, is often marked by heightened stress and emotional strain. Whether it’s family gatherings, travel, or simply the pressure to meet expectations, the season can challenge even the most resilient among us. For Veterans it is a particularly tough time because we are more in tune with the losses we have suffered over the last 30 years. In preparation for this article I have to turn to my favorite area of study. Stoicism, a philosophy that has endured for centuries, offers a powerful framework for handling life’s inev-itable challenges. As I have worked on my own personal development and challenges I nd that by applying Stoic principles, I can cultivate resil-ience, manage stress, and rediscover the serenity and joy of the season.Here’s my own Stoic approach to navigating the holidays with strength and clarity:Embrace What’s Within Your Control and Let Go of the RestOne of Stoicism’s core tenets is the distinction between what is within our control and what lies beyond it. Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher and Roman emperor, wrote: “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will nd strength.”As the holiday season brings its usual chaos, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by factors outside our control, from delayed ights to unplanned conversations. Stoicism teaches us to focus on our responses to these events rather than the events themselves. By practicing acceptance of what we cannot change, we can reframe our experience and avoid unnecessary frustration.Stoic Tip: Make a list of potential holiday stressors, then divide them into two categories: those you can inuence and those you cannot. For things you cannot control, practice letting go and accepting them as they come.Practice Negative VisualizationNegative visualization, or “premeditatio malorum,” is a Stoic exercise that involves imagining potential setbacks before they occur. The purpose isn’t to dwell on negative outcomes but rather to prepare the mind and develop resilience for handling them gracefully. This one tip has been the best I could ever exercise in my own personal life.If you’re worried about holiday plans falling through, visualize how you would respond. By Holiday Resillience: A STOIC GUIDE TO NAVIGATING THE SEASON WITH STRENGTH & SERENITY.
mentally preparing for obstacles in advance, you’ll be better equipped to handle surprises calmly.Stoic Tip: Spend a few minutes each day imagining small inconveniences that could arise. This mental exercise helps you become less reactive and more accepting when things don’t go as planned.Cultivate Gratitude for What You HaveGratitude is a key Stoic practice that strengthens emotional resilience. Seneca, the Stoic philosopher, advised us to appreciate what we have rather than always yearning for more. In the holiday season, this practice of gratitude can serve as a balm for the pressures of materialism and societal expectations.Instead of focusing on gifts, think of the relationships and experiences that bring you joy. This perspective shift can enhance holiday satisfaction, reminding us that contentment comes not from accumulation but from appreciation. As a single mom with children, I conversed with my girls about the true nature of the holidays was in the blessings we have received and not in the gifts I could not give them. Instead we focused on creating memories and taking the pressure off gift buying.Stoic Tip: Each evening during the holidays, take a moment to write down three things you’re grateful for. Whether it’s a warm home, a good meal, or a supportive friend, this habit helps keep your perspective grounded.Strengthen Your Inner CharacterEpictetus, another Stoic philosopher, believed that character was shaped by adversity. According to him, challenges are not obstacles but opportunities to demonstrate virtues like patience, compassion, and humility. When faced with family tensions, nancial strain, or time pressures, remember that these moments offer a chance to grow stronger.Instead of reacting with irritation or frustration, try to embody virtues like kindness and patience. Every difculty presents a choice: we can either resist and become worn down, or embrace it as an opportunity for self-mastery.Stoic Tip: Set a personal goal to practice a specic virtue throughout the season, such as patience or understanding. Use holiday interactions as exercises to build and strengthen this aspect of your character.Embrace Solitude and ReectionThe holidays can be draining, especially with the constant inux of social activities and obligations. For Stoics, solitude and reection are crucial practices for inner peace. Spending time alone gives us space to recharge, gain clarity, and deepen self-awareness."How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."Anne FrankIf you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that it’s okay to step away. Even a few quiet minutes each day can help you reconnect with yourself, re-center, and face the season with renewed resilience.Stoic Tip: Dedicate a few minutes each morning or evening to quiet reection. Use this time to meditate on Stoic passages, journal about your experiences, or simply enjoy the silence.See Each Moment as an Opportunity for PresenceStoicism encourages us to live fully in the present. Marcus Aurelius reminded himself, “Conne yourself to the present.” The holidays are full of beautiful, eeting moments, but they’re often clouded by our focus on the past or future.By consciously bringing ourselves into the present, we can connect more deeply with those around us, appreciate the sights and sounds, and live each experience more fully.Stoic Tip: Practice mindfulness by immersing yourself in sensory details—the warmth of a cup of tea, the twinkling of lights, the laughter of loved ones. These moments remind us that the season’s true beauty lies in presence, not perfection.As the holiday season unfolds, Stoicism offers tools to remain resilient, grateful, and grounded. By practicing acceptance, preparing for setbacks, and focusing on inner growth, we can navigate challenges with calm and clarity. Stoic principles remind us that the spirit of the season isn’t found in the hustle and bustle, but in the quiet moments of reection, gratitude, and connection. I am so blessed to have known all the people who are no longer with me and for having been a part of their journey in life. This year, let’s commit to embracing the holidays as Stoics—ready to meet both joy and difculty with grace, patience, and an open heart. May you experience the true beauty of life and may your happy moments be lasting memories. God bless!CristieWinter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 59
"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded."Ralph Waldo Emerson60 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 2024WHAT INSPIRES YOU?by Christine WalkerInspiration—it’s the lifeblood of creativity and the spark that ignites change. It drives us to think bigger, dream harder, and make something out of nothing. But what really inspires you? What stirs your soul and pushes you to create, to move, to act?For me, inspiration comes in waves, often when I least expect it. Lately, as I’ve been navigating some serious health issues, I’ve found myself drawn to the simpler things in life. There’s something deeply grounding about making homemade bread, feeling the dough in my hands, and watching it rise into something beautiful and nourishing. I’ve switched to a percolator coffee pot that forces me to slow down and wait for the perfect cup. It’s a small ritual, but it brings me peace.I’ve also been immersing myself in old-time radio shows—there’s a charm and simplicity in the storytelling that feels like stepping into another era. It’s been a joy to rediscover these gems and let their nostalgic warmth fill the room. Alongside that, I’ve been reconnecting with music, revisiting the songs and melodies that once stirred my soul. .Tangible, tactile things like old books, art, and flipping through vintage family photos have also taken on a new significance for me. Even in the midst of deadlines and personal hardships, I’ve found inspiration in these simple joys.For you, maybe it’s art—the way a single painting can evoke powerful emotions or transport you to another time and place. Perhaps it’s standing in front of a masterpiece in a museum or creating your own, finding beauty in chaos as you bring your vision to life.Or maybe writing is where you find your muse. There’s something sacred about pouring your thoughts onto the page, crafting your emotions into words that can connect with others—or even just with yourself. Sometimes, it’s as simple as jotting down a few lyrics or picking up an instrument and letting the notes carry your emotions. There’s a catharsis in creating something musical, even if it’s just for yourself. Whether it’s a journal entry, a story, or a heartfelt letter to someone you love or lyrics, writing has a way of grounding us, reminding us who we are.Photography is another incredible source of inspiration. A single photograph can tell a story that words cannot. It preserves fleeting moments: a sunrise breaking over the horizon, the joy in a child’s eyes, the grit on a soldier’s face. Photography is a way to freeze time, to hold on to the beauty of the moment.But inspiration isn’t always about creating. It can be found in life’s quiet moments. It’s the sound of waves crashing against the shore, the stillness of a forest, or the memories held in the faded pages of an old photo album. It’s the stories of courage and resilience that remind us of the power of the human spirit.So, I ask you—what inspires you?Is it the veterans who’ve faced unimaginable trials and come out stronger? Is it the community you’ve built, the stories you’ve shared, or the memories you’ve made? Inspiration can come from anywhere if we’re open to it.I challenge you to reflect on what sparks your passion. When was the last time you felt truly inspired? What were you doing, and how did it make you feel? And more importantly, what did you do with that inspiration?At AT EASE! Veterans Magazine, I find endless motivation in the incredible stories of courage, sacrifice, and perseverance in our veteran community. I want to hear from you.What drives you to keep going, to create, to contribute? Share your story with me. You might just inspire someone else to pick up a pen, a paintbrush, a camera—or even an instrument.Inspiration is meant to be shared
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 59
62 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 2024Hurricane Helene struck with unprecedented fury on Thursday, September 26, 2024, making landfall on Florida’s Big Bend as a powerful Category 4 storm. While it weakened slightly as it moved inland, the storm’s remnants unleashed catastrophic ooding and widespread destruction in western North Carolina. With up to 30 inches of rain falling in some areas, rivers overowed, triggering landslides, road washouts, and the devastation of entire communities. Towns like Swannanoa and Asheville were left in ruins, their ooded neighborhoods marked by destroyed homes and displaced families.The Black Mountains region, including Chimney Rock, experienced particularly severe ooding. Entire communities were isolated, and rescue operations became an immediate life and death desperate necessity. Among the rst responders was Adam Smith, a 17-year US Army Green Beret Veteran. On the morning of September 28, Smith, piloting a civilian helicopter, carried out a daring rescue to save his 3.5-year-old daughter and her mother from North Carolina Highway 9. With his family safe, Smith quickly turned his efforts toward aiding his stranded neighbors, delivering supplies and evacuating those trapped without power, cell service, or essential resources. These actions laid the groundwork for what would become Savage Freedoms Relief Operations, also touted as the 'Redneck Air Force', a coalition of Veterans and volunteers dedicated to disaster response and recovery.HELENE’S UNEXPECTED FURYInitially forecasted to weaken as it moved inland from the Gulf Coast, Hurricane Helene deed predictions. Absorbing unseasonably warm moisture from the Gulf Stream, the storm intensied rapidly, transforming into a Category 2 hurricane by the time it reached North Carolina. Within 12 hours, Helene dumped over 18 inches of rain, leaving small mountain towns vulnerable to ash ooding. Rivers swelled beyond their banks, swallowing homes and vehicles, while bridges crumbled under the relentless deluge, cutting off access to remote areas.The devastation caught residents and local ofcials unprepared. Entire communities were left without power, clean water, or access to medical supplies. For many, survival meant improvising—boiling oodwater or scavenging for food. Yet, as the chaos unfolded, government aid remained conspicuously absent, leaving the region’s residents to fend for themselves.THE ABSENCE OF FEDERAL AIDIn the critical hours following Helene’s immediate impact, federal and state agencies were nowhere to “W' FEMA T “W' FEMA T FEMA’ FEMA’ ,” - A S ,” - A SNATIONAL TREASURES
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 63be found, much less mobilized. Political posturing, bureaucratic delays and logistical challenges meant that weeks passed before federal agencies reached the hardest-hit areas. Survivors reported drinking from contaminated streams and scavenging for essentials. As one survivor recounted, “There was no FEMA, no Red Cross, no National Guard—just the Veterans.”This glaring gap in the government’s response underscored the importance of grassroots efforts. Communities had to rely on the bravery and resourcefulness of individuals who stepped into the void, acting swiftly to provide relief and save lives within just hours of the devastation.VETERANS STEP INTO THE BREACHIn the face of government inaction, Veterans like Adam Smith and Rep. Cory Mills (FL) mobilized to deliver aid and rescue stranded residents. Utilizing personal nances, resources, military training, and an unwavering commitment to service, they organized independent relief operations. Savage Freedoms Relief Operations emerged as a lifeline for the forgotten communities of western North Carolina.By October 3, Savage Freedoms had created what the New York Post describes as "an all-volunteer operation being run out of a Harley-Davidson dealership with ruthless efciency and military precision." Multiple times a day they would deploy helicopters piloted by seasoned Veteran pilots to reach isolated areas. Roads were impassable, communications were down, and conventional relief efforts were paralyzed by the scale of the destruction. Yet, these challenges did not deter the Veteran-led team. “We couldn’t wait,” said Mills. “The people of North Carolina were on their own. It was up to us to bridge that gap between survival and help nally arriving.”RESCUE MISSIONS UNDER FIREThe scenes faced by Smith and his team were apocalyptic. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, and residents were trapped on rooftops or in attics. In one mission, Smith’s crew rescued an elderly couple who had been stranded for over 36 hours. The husband, reliant on an oxygen tank, was running out of air. Using a hoist system, they lifted the couple to safety and transported them to a makeshift medical station.Another mission involved delivering critical supplies to a remote mountain community where 200 people were stranded without access to clean water or food. Savage Freedoms airlifted water purication tablets, MREs, and medical supplies, providing a lifeline for desperate residents.WEEKS WITHOUT BASICSFor weeks, many communities remained cut off from basic necessities. Clean water was scarce, and power outages persisted for more than 20 days in some areas. Residents resorted to makeshift solutions, like collecting rainwater or boiling oodwater. In this dire situation, Veterans stepped up to ll in the gaps left by government agencies.Savage Freedoms established distribution hubs to supply essentials like diapers, batteries, and canned goods. A hub in Swain County served over 1,000 residents in its rst week alone. Volunteers worked tirelessly to reopen roads, repair damaged roofs, and provide emotional support to families grappling with unimaginable loss.TRANSITIONING TO RECOVERYAs rescue operations gave way to recovery efforts, In the initial stages, due to even more delays in governmental response, local volunteers, Veterans, and private citizens became pivotal in the recovery efforts. Among these, Team Rubicon, a Veteran-led organization, played a signicant role. Known for their disaster response capabilities, Team Rubicon’s volunteers, or “Greyshirts,” worked alongside ofcial teams to clear routes, assess damage, and recover bodies in the hard-hit areas. Their involvement was crucial in the early recovery phase, especially where the community relied heavily on grassroots efforts to coordinate via social media and local networks to report on the missing or found.The recovery process was challenged by the region’s
rugged terrain and widespread ooding, complicating access to many areas. Lack of communications added to the distress of the situation, complicating the already difcult task of body identication. Team Rubicon, with its focus on immediate action and community support, helped bridge the gap during the initial lack of ofcial presence. Despite the eventual arrival of more substantial government assistance, the initial recovery burden largely fell on community efforts, highlighting the critical role of organizations like Savage Freedom Ops and Team Rubicon in disaster response and the complexities of managing such a signicant tragedy.RESTORING HOPE AMID DESPAIRBeyond physical aid, these Veterans provided something equally vital: hope. Their presence reminded residents that they were not forgotten. In one particularly moving moment, Rep. Cory Mills joined a local church service in a ood-damaged community. Addressing the congregation in a makeshift shelter, he said, “We’ve been through hell before. Together, we’ll get through this. You’re not alone.”Savage Freedoms shifted its focus to rebuilding communities. Teams of Veterans and volunteers reconstructed homes, removed fallen trees, and created temporary shelters for displaced families. Their military training proved invaluable in adapting to the evolving needs of the disaster-stricken region.“We were trained to adapt and overcome,” said one team member. “That’s exactly what we did here. We didn’t have a playbook for this kind of disaster, but we didn’t need one. We had our skills and our commitment to get the job done.”For many survivors, these words were as impactful as the supplies delivered. The actions of Savage Freedoms and other boots on the ground Veterans exemplify the power and the enduring strength of the American spirit.A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIPThe response to Hurricane Helene showcases the critical role Veterans play in times of crisis. Despite bureaucratic hurdles and threats of arrest, they acted swiftly and decisively, saving countless lives. Their efforts are a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness honed through military service.As federal agencies eventually arrived, many residents reected on the extraordinary efforts of these Veterans. “They didn’t have to do this,” said one survivor. “But they showed up. They gave us hope when no one else did.”The story of Hurricane Helene is not just one of destruction but of courage, and unwavering commitment. Through their heroic efforts, Veterans like Adam Smith and the Savage Freedoms team demonstrated the power of leadership and the importance of doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done. Their actions remind us that, in the face of disaster, true leadership is dened not by titles but by the willingness to step into the breach and make a difference.In the darkest times, these men and women of valor became the light that guided a shattered region toward recovery. Their legacy of service is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the human spirit and the extraordinary impact of service-driven compassion that saves lives.WHAT CAN YOU DO?Volunteer | Donate | Share their Stories
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 65"Freedom is "Freedom is the oxygen the oxygen of the soul." of the soul." - Moshe Dayan
Whether you're a veteran, a military family member, or someonelooking to gain a deeper understanding of the lives and experiencesof those who serve, Coming Home Well is your go-to hub. inspiringstories, expert insights, and invaluable resources tailored tocelebrate and support the military community.PODCASTAND RADIOExclusive on our websitewww.cominghomewell.comPLAYING MUSIC BYVETERANS AND THEIRIMMEDIATE FAMILYwww.veteranvoiceradio.com
FOREVER CREWby Richard FrohmPart OneWinter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 67
68 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024Millions of Americans served in the armed forces during World War II. They have been called the Greatest Generation. The following is the story of one such man from that generation and his B-17 crewmates. Staff Sergeant Jack Flynn’s wartime story started like any other Sunday for a seventeen-year-old in December 1941. However, this Sunday was December 7th. Along with his buddies, Jack was playing basketball at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea school gym on City Island, Bronx, New York. Their basketball game stopped when a friend rushed into the gym, telling them the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The boys all went back to their homes to nd their families. Their world forever changed that afternoon. War with Japan was declared the following day. On December 11th, just three days later, Germany declared war on the United States. Jack, like so many young men, knew that he would soon ght in the Pacic or Europe. Jack graduated in June 1942 from Cardinal Hayes High School. After graduating from high school, he worked for his father. He owned and operated a supply boat that fueled the many ships that moored off City Island in the Long Island Sound. Turning eighteen in August, he became draft-eligible. Knowing that he wanted to join the Army Air Force rather than being drafted. Jack and his good friend Wyatt Pick had, for some time, been talking about enlisting. On Wednesday, November 25th, 1943, the two childhood friends walked into the Army Air Force recruitment ofce in the Bronx and enlisted in the Army Air Force the day before Thanksgiving. That year would be a Thanksgiving the Flynn family would never forget. Jack entered the Army Air Force that December and immediately began training. Over the next nine months, Jack received extensive and specialized training in all areas of a B-17 bomber operation. During that time, he was promoted to the rank of Staff/Sergeant and selected to be a Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on a B-17. Ultimately, they assigned him to a bomber crew at Drew Army Aireld, Tampa, Florida. Before completing their training, the bomber crew’s pilot, Lt. Levine, was replaced by Lt. Raymond Buthe. A new pilot could have been a problem. The crew had been together as a crew for some time. However, Lt. Buthe seemed to t in perfectly with the crew. He was outgoing and described as a “talker.” Although only a few years older. They considered him the old man, married, and with one child.In early October 1943, they completed their nal training and received orders to go to Hunter Army Aireld near Savannah, Georgia. The ten-man crew, led by pilot Lt. Raymond Buthe, co-piloted by Lt. Charles Norris, left Hunter Army Aireld near Savannah, Georgia, on October 17th, 1944. They were ferrying a new B-17 loaded with spare parts and headed to England. Their ight route took them near New York City. Lt. Buthe said to the crew, “Let’s go take a look at the Statue of Liberty.” The crew shouted they would get shot down. Lt. Buthe circled the Statue of Liberty. From there, they made one stop at Grenier Field, New Hampshire, for fuel. Their next stop was Iceland, where they would spend the night getting some badly needed rest and fuel for their bomber. Leaving the following day, they ew to an aireld at Valley, Wales. Here, another Sgt. Charles Agantovich, Sgt. Ralph Corning and Sgt. Jack Flynn taken some time before completion of their training.CREW TRAINING COMPLETE - TAMPA, FLORIDAStanding: S/Sgt. Jack Flynn, Sgt. Doug Aldrich (Waist Gunner), Sgt. Charles Agantovich (Ball Turret), Sgt. Anthony DeMarco (Radio Operator), Sgt. John Lafferty Jr. (Waist Gunner), Sgt. Ralph Corning (Tail Gunner)Kneeling: Lt. Charles Norris (Co-Pilot) Lt. Raymond Buthe (Pilot) Lt. Curtis Chapman (Bombardier) Lt. Marvin Brawer (Navigator)
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 69crew would y their B-17 to the Army Air Force base in Burton Wood, England, for modications. Jack and his crewmates left Valley, Wales, traveling by train to an Army Air Force base for incoming aircrews in Stone, England. Here they spent a few days awaiting assignment to a permanent base. On October 24th, they were ordered to report to Rattlesden Army Air Force Base. They would join the Eighth Air Force 708th Bomber Squadron which, was part of the 447th Bomb Group. Before their rst combat mission, the crew, like all other newly arrived aircrews, needed to complete a concentrated ground school introducing them to Eighth Air Force and air combat against Germany. It ensured aircrews learned everything they would need to be ready before actual air combat. Aircrews also had to complete the required practice missions. No one could y until they met all the mandatory training. This ten-man crew was ready for combat. Each man knew they could count on the other, with a B-17 that was extremely important. One thing about this crew was the closeness between the ofcers and the enlisted men. On November 21st, they were all woken up at 3 am. The crew got the word they were going on their rst combat bombing mission. Their training was over; this time in the air, they would be together as an actual combat crew. Each man knew they needed the other if they were going to make it. The other planes in their bomber formation would depend on this inexperienced crew. They had enough time to get dressed and go to the mess hall for breakfast. Those Catholics would receive communion and a blessing from a priest before the mission brieng. Even non-Catholics would seek a blessing of forgiveness for all their sins from a priest. After the mission brieng, the crew drove together out to their plane. Once they took off, each bomber circled until all the aircraft were in the air. That could take anywhere from one to two hours, sometimes longer, depending on the number of bombers going on the mission. When all planes were in formation, the lead pilot would have said “go,” and the bombing mission was underway. Their target that day was the oil renery and marshaling yard in Koblenz, a German city located approximately 200 miles from the Belgium border. The young crew got through both the German ghters and heavy ak to drop their bombs on the target and safely return to England. Their next mission was on November 26th, with the target being the railroad marshaling yards in Hamm, Germany, located northeast of Cologne. This time they made it back to their base at Rattlesden, a lot more aware of the danger to their job. In a letter to his family after their second mission, Lt. Curtis Chapman, the bombardier, wrote he felt like a veteran now. He also wrote of their bombing mission, the squadron had been shot up considerably, but he and the crew returned home safely. Their next bombing mission was on November 30th. This began as the ones before, up at 3 am, the mess hall for breakfast, church, brieng, take-off, and formation. Their target that day was the Lutzkendorf Oil Renery near Merseburg, Germany. However, they would be one crewman short that morning when they found out their waist gunner, Sgt. Douglas Aldrich would y with another crew. That would be a blessing for Sgt. Aldrich. He would nish the war and return home.THE CREW ON A BUS HEADING OUT TO THEIR B-17 DURING TRAINING AT DREW AIRFIELD IN TAMPA, FLORIDA.S/SGT. JACK FLYNN WITH LT. BUTHE AND LT. BRAWER IN THE BACKGROUND WITH PARACHUTES.Part Two Coming in Spring 2025
70 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024Bagdad, Iraq circa 1980. | Public DomainDoD 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 denition 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™ identied 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 specicity of the decedent’s demographics, military experience, and death details available to OpDD™.OpDDTM identied 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 afliation, 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
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 71• 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 identied military service experience characteristics to rene the identication 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 rene the identication 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 specic 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 benets, will improve the success of prevention approaches.o Integrating identied 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 specicity 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 signicantly 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
72 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024SCARS & STRIFESCARS & STRIFEBOOK REVIEWBOOK REVIEWScars & StrifeBy M.E. JohnsonPublisher: Koehler BooksCopyright © 2024 M.E. JohnsonReview by: Adam Walker | Head Writer"SCARS & STRIFE" As Post Traumatic Stress and his response to it became manifest, the old soldier says “You are looking at the only guy who did not see it coming.” Further social interactions brought uncomfortable moments. “Was it a look of sympathy? That unspoken message of I feel sorry for you but stay away. I’d seen it before, always from people who nothing of service.”M.E. Johnson is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Veteran of the Iraq War. He also served as a superior court judge over a Veterans treatment court. These life experiences inuenced him greatly as an author and provided a unique perspective from which to craft this novel.Scars and Strife tells the story of a retired Army Ranger with numerous combat tours. First Sergeant Randy Andrews prevails in war at great cost, only to come home and nd his life in shambles. It continues to spiral out of control as he seemingly loses everything for which he was living. Finding his way in life when no longer in uniform and navigating life’s mineeld of Post Traumatic Stress.On a drunken whim he heads south of the border winding up in a shanty town, full of seedy bars catering to thirsty tourists. In one of these dives he meets unexpected characters who have a profound impact on the trajectory of his life. And so, begins the journey healing the traumas of war, albeit in a most unexpected way.One of these characters is a woman who make a living dancing for customers, and the other is a mountain lion kept caged to attract customers to the bar. Both, like Randy, have deep wounds and a lack of trust in others. These three would form unlikely bonds and embark on life changing journeys.The story is wildly unexpected yet holds timeless human emotion. If Louis L’Amour wrote tales of Post-9/11 Veterans instead of western novels, this is the kind of book that would emerge. It contains a strong, yet conicted man who shows characteristics sometimes referred to as “the code of the west”. We also nd a woman of strength and beauty who endured great tragedy.Scan the QR Code to Find Out More...The author’s life experience allows him to craft certain lines in the book that convey thoughts and emotions that are deeply familiar to combat Veterans or to those in the battle with Post Traumatic Stress. When our protagonist is off on an alcoholic bender, he writes “Lost for the next ninety days - inside my head.”“Cleaning always made me feel better” Conveys the orderliness and purpose to a simple task.After dwelling on tragic events from combat and wrestling emotions the Ranger says, “And that was enough of a visit to the inside of my head for one day”...and “I have to get better.”“I would never allow myself to be vulnerable before a stranger.”On relationships and social interaction, he writes “This is friendship in the civilian world? No wonder I was having trouble outside of the Army.” As Randy’s marriage falls apart his wife says of him “You never came back, not all the way. You came home, but you are still over there.”STANDOUT! AT EASE! Veterans Magazine commends Scars & Strife as a thought provoking and candid look into a Combat Veterans thought process while dealing with PTSD. Continued on Page 78
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 WORLD WAR II WORLD WAR II WE WILL NEVER FORGET!WE WILL NEVER FORGET!WE WILL NEVER FORGET!WE WILL NEVER FORGET!T A P ST A P SWinter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 73RANK/NAME BRANCH DEATH DATE DEATH LOCATIONSGT. CLAUDE W. ALLEN ARMY 15-Nov-45 EUROPEPVT. JAMES G. BAGGETT ARMY 12-Mar-44 EUROPESGT. SIMON W. BAILEY ARMY 30-Nov-44 EUROPEPVT. ROBERT L. BAKER ARMY 19-Jul-45 EUROPEPVT. JOHN W. BELL ARMY 17-Nov-44 EUROPESGT. MAX A. ADAMS ARMY AIR FORCES 20-Jul-45 EUROPE2ND LT. JOHN C. ALLEN ARMY AIR FORCES 8-Aug-44 EUROPE1ST LT. JOESEPH L. BLEDSOE JR.ARMY AIR FORCES 13-Apr-44 EUROPEPVT. HOWARD M. BLACKMAN ARMY AIR FORCES 27-Nov-43 BURIED AT SEASSGT. JOHN D. BULLEN JR. ARMY AIR FORCES 11-Nov-44 EUROPEPFC. TEDDY CHISM MARINE CORPS 19-Feb-45 PACIFICPFC. ABBIE DISMUKES MARINE CORPS 27-Jun-44 SAIPAN ISLANDPFC. LEE ARTICE DIXON MARINE CORPS 23-Jun-44 PACIFICPFC. JAMES E. GASTON MARINE CORPS 1-Nov-42 SLOMON ISLANDS2ND LT. WALLACE R. HATHCOX JR. MARINE CORPS 15-Feb-45 BURIED AT SEAENS. HOWARD MAYNARD ALLEN JR. NAVY 10-Mar-40 EUROPELT JG OSWALD JOSEPH ALLEN NAVY 24-Jul-45 BURIED AT SEAS1 WILLIAM LOUIS ALLISON NAVY 28-Mar-45 EUROPEMACH1 CLINTON ADAM BAUER NAVY 15-Oct-42 EUROPECPM EDWARD BROWN BLACKMON NAVY 12-Dec-43 BURIED AT SEAhistorymuseumofmobile.com/wwi-wwii-casualty-list/
After Nearly 250 Years... The TUN™ TUN™ is Returning to PhiladelphiaTHE TUN TAVERN THE TUN TAVERN BY ARTISTBY ARTIST FRANK HAMILTON TAYLOR, FRANK HAMILTON TAYLOR, CIRCA 1922CIRCA 1922Image courtesy of the Library Company of PhiladelphiaImage courtesy of the Library Company of Philadelphia
“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things that you do for others remain as your legacy.” – Kala Ndukwe Kalu– Kala Ndukwe KaluThe Tun Legacy Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is The Tun Legacy Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is rebuilding one of the nation’s most historic destinations. When completed, rebuilding one of the nation’s most historic destinations. When completed, The Tun™ will serve as a functioning tavern reminiscent of the colonial The Tun™ will serve as a functioning tavern reminiscent of the colonial Philadelphia mariners’ tavern that it was, serving period-influenced Philadelphia mariners’ tavern that it was, serving period-influenced refreshments, food, and entertainment, and offering an educational refreshments, food, and entertainment, and offering an educational experience through exhibits, historical documents, and special events. experience through exhibits, historical documents, and special events. It is projected to open in the summer of 2026, coinciding with America’s It is projected to open in the summer of 2026, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary.250th anniversary. The Tun™ will be located approximately 250 yards from the original The Tun™ will be located approximately 250 yards from the original site, in the heart of Philadelphia’s “Old City” district. The organizations site, in the heart of Philadelphia’s “Old City” district. The organizations whose history began at the historic tavern – the United States Marine Corps whose history began at the historic tavern – the United States Marine Corps (1775), United States Navy (1775), Pennsylvania Freemasons (1731), St. Andrew’s Society (1747), The (1775), United States Navy (1775), Pennsylvania Freemasons (1731), St. Andrew’s Society (1747), The Society of St. George (1772), and Society of The Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick (1772) – are Society of St. George (1772), and Society of The Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick (1772) – are involved in reestablishing The Tun™ in Philadelphia.involved in reestablishing The Tun™ in Philadelphia. Several attempts have been made to rebuild the historic tavern since it was razed in 1781, however, Several attempts have been made to rebuild the historic tavern since it was razed in 1781, however, this is the first time that a coalition of members of the organizations with a heritage at the Tun are this is the first time that a coalition of members of the organizations with a heritage at the Tun are joining together in the effort. The Foundation aims to replicate the architecture, materials, and layout joining together in the effort. The Foundation aims to replicate the architecture, materials, and layout as they existed in the 1770s to offer a homecoming place for the millions of Americans who can trace as they existed in the 1770s to offer a homecoming place for the millions of Americans who can trace their organization’s lineage back to this one tavern.their organization’s lineage back to this one tavern. Donations will be used to rebuild The Tun™, Peg Mullan’s Beefsteak Club restaurant, The Tun™ Donations will be used to rebuild The Tun™, Peg Mullan’s Beefsteak Club restaurant, The Tun™ museum, a gift shop, and Tun Alley, an outdoor garden walkway. All profits from operations of museum, a gift shop, and Tun Alley, an outdoor garden walkway. All profits from operations of The Tun™ will be donated in perpetuity to support Veteran causes, Masonic charities, educational The Tun™ will be donated in perpetuity to support Veteran causes, Masonic charities, educational scholarships, and qualified charities as determined by the Foundation’s independent Board of scholarships, and qualified charities as determined by the Foundation’s independent Board of Directors. Veterans can participate in rebuilding The Tun™ through donations, volunteering for the Directors. Veterans can participate in rebuilding The Tun™ through donations, volunteering for the “Tun Militia,” or helping spread the word about The Tun™.“Tun Militia,” or helping spread the word about The Tun™. “The Tun™ will undoubtedly be a destination for Marines, Freemasons, military historians, and “The Tun™ will undoubtedly be a destination for Marines, Freemasons, military historians, and history buffs. Significant events in American history occurred at the Tun, and these events, as well as history buffs. Significant events in American history occurred at the Tun, and these events, as well as the story of the tavern, the men and women who operated it, and the stories of the organizations with the story of the tavern, the men and women who operated it, and the stories of the organizations with a heritage at the Tun will be shared with visitors,” said Patrick Dailey, President and Founder of the a heritage at the Tun will be shared with visitors,” said Patrick Dailey, President and Founder of the Foundation, a Marine, and a member of the Society of The Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick Foundation, a Marine, and a member of the Society of The Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick and The Society of St. George.and The Society of St. George.To learn more, contribute or volunteer, visitTo learn more, contribute or volunteer, visitTheTun.orgemail tavernkeeper@thetun.orgemail tavernkeeper@thetun.orgThe Tun Legacy Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed by members of organizations with origins at the historic Tun that are still in existence. All images in this ad are protected by copyright law and may not be used, reproduced, distributed, or displayed without the express written permission of The Tun Legacy Foundation, Inc., except as permitted under applicable copyright laws or through a valid license or agreement.
76 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024MEALS READY TO ENDURE: A MARINE’S LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH MREsWritten by: Cory PeplinskiAs a former infantry Marine, I would have to say that my relationship with MREs was ckle at best. Tepid. Wavering. The early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom saw us going through many, many, cases of MREs; and they got old and boring very quickly. However, it was not always that way. There was a time when I was just a baby, boot Marine recruit and MREs were new, fun and exciting. This is my journey, my love/hate relationship with MREs.Back in my day (circa 2002-West Coast) Marine recruits got their rst MRE about two-thirds of their way through the 13-week boot camp. It was during the grass week portion of boot camp.We would get on a bus at MCRD San Diego and make our way to Camp Pendleton for 3-4 weeks during our journey to become Marines. This was when we learned how to be eld Marines.I remember it as if it were yesterday. We were outside the barracks at the Weapons Field Training Battalion area of Camp Pendleton. We were in a platoon formation, seated. We were having what’s called “Senior Drill-Instructor time.” Senior Drill Instructor time was when our Senior Drill Instructor would take off his duty hat and talk to us in more of a mentor/mentee manner as opposed to the DI’s are god/recruits are lth manner, which was standard. The other three DI’s handed out the MREs. The entire platoon was glowing with excitement. Now, on a side note here-Marine Corps Boot Camp completely and absolutely revolves around food. The only bright spot we had each day was breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were always hungry, I mean always. No exaggeration. I would have to assume that it had something to do with constant movement, exercise, stress, etc. Our next meal is what kept us going. The MREs were handed out, and I received Chicken with Rice. Menu number 8. Of course we could not tear into it until we were told to, so we all just turned over the package in our hands. Reading what meal we would soon enjoy. Meanwhile, our Senior Drill Instructor was pulling each item out of the MRE and explaining what it was, all the way down to the toilet paper and how to use it conservatively.Finally, we get to the point where we are able to open and begin eating our MREs. As I said earlier, I had Chicken with Rice. I am aware that Chicken with Rice doesn’t sound super exciting-and it wasn’t. As a matter of fact Chicken with Rice was cut from the lineup shortly thereafter. What was exciting, however, was that this menu included a fudge brownie. It was pretty good too. Many of the MREs back then also included a mini bottle of Tabasco Sauce, which was pretty neat. Being that this was our rst MRE experience, we ate it in the most basic manner possible. It wouldn’t be until about 6 months later that I would learn how to make MREs more exciting. Peanut butter on the fudge brownie? Heck yea!MREs remained exciting through the duration of boot camp. There was always some type of sweet or dessert and sometimes it was candy, like Skittles or M&Ms. Obviously that was a big deal because none of us had seen candy since we stepped on the yellow footprints. We learned how to eld strip them so they didn’t take up so much room in our pack. We had to complete The Crucible which is a 54 hour training evolution and back in 2002, per the internet (because I can no longer remember)-we got 3 MREs but were only allowed to eat the main and side meals, no candy or desserts. I remember being very hungry during The Crucible and it was on us to ration out our food so that it would last for the duration of the training evolution.My next stop was the School of Infantry (SOI) at Camp Pendleton. This was a lot of eld training and therefore a lot of MREs. This was when Marines began to gure out the good menus from the bad, what you could mix together, and what you wanted to trade for. Chili Mac was always a big favorite as was Beef Ravioli and Beef Enchiladas. Least favorites back in 2002 were usually Beef Teriyaki, Thai Chicken and Beef with Mushrooms. They were always the last ones left in the case after Marines ried through for the prime menus. Enjoying local Iraqi fare of Chicken, Rice & Naan.
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 77Some of the more mid-level menus could be dressed up. For example, if I ended up with Meatloaf with Gravy I would mash up the meatloaf and gravy and mix it in with the mashed potatoes. Then I would trade my toaster pastry for cheese (preferably Jalapeno Cheese) and mix that in as well. The nal ingredient would be the miniature bottle of Tabasco sauce. In the end I was left with a pretty tasty concoction.In October 2002 I received orders to my permanent duty station which was with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines, Kilo Company, in 29 Palms, California. Very shortly thereafter we were deployed to Kuwait in anticipation of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The big twist here (regarding MREs, not war) was that I was no longer a junior Marine amongst other junior Marines. Now I shared MREs with all sorts of ranks higher than my own-and that meant I became well acquainted with the less desirable menus listed above.In another couple months we were in Armored Assault Vehicles (AAVs) headed for Baghdad, eating MREs all day every day. AAVs have limited space. Certainly not enough space for the bodies, egos and attitudes of 20 or so Marines. There were more than a few instances of arguments or ghts over MREs. This was denitely the point where the MRE had fully lost its luster to me. I was over them; we all were. And this was only April of 2003. We still had many months to go during that deployment in Iraq. At the time, I’m sure I grumbled about it-but we also had a need to fuel our bodies. War isn’t meant to be a catered party, and as Marines we certainly knew how to embrace the suck, but at that point I never wanted to see another MRE in my life and still had to consume another few hundred or so to get through that deployment.In May we nally arrived in Karbala which would be our nal stop for that deployment. We did what Marines do and got control of the situation on the ground. When it was safe to do so we engaged with the locals to get some food that wasn’t MRE’s. Chicken and lamb and kebab, sand naan bread. Local Iraqi fare. As often and as much as we could. Any chance I could get to eat the local food and avoid another MRE, I took with excitement. Excitement to not have to eat another MRE. We ordered some live goats or lambs, and the locals came to our base, slaughtered and cooked them for us. In a culinary sense, things were looking up. Most of what we ate was still MREs, but my own personal MRE evolution had come full circle. When I was able to secure a meal that was anything other than an MRE, I felt that same excitement I did that day back on Camp Pendleton with my Chicken and Rice and the Fudge Brownie.FROM C-RATS TO CLOUD NINE: THE DAY A MARINE DISCOVERED AIR FORCE CHOW IN VIETNAMWritten by: Jack Riley, USMC...This past weekend, my wife and I attended our high school’s annual reunion for all classes graduating fty or more years ago. While there, talking with a fellow Vietnam Veteran, the subject of chow during the war came up and triggered this memory…No, it wasn’t C-Rations or the packaged Long-Range Rations, but the peaches and pound cake in C-Rats were always the most desired desserts from two different canned meals.The Navy chow aboard ships was good, but few choices existed. Morning chow with black coffee was their forte, and it was always very good to me. Coffee could never be too strong for me, thanks to my dad making it each morning in my youth. We laughingly told our friends that we didn’t drink coffee at home, it was so strong we had to chew it. I was fortunate to discover the U.S. Air Force Mess Hall in Da Nang after being medevac’d, operated on, and then released from Charlie Med at Red Beach and again at the Marble Mountain Naval Support Activity Hospital. We Marines, wounded in battles, were transported by air to the nearest Navy Medical Battalion Hospital. For two of my three medevacs, it was Charlie-Med at Red Beach. The third was to Delta-Med at Dong Ha, then transferred to NSA at Marble Mountain for surgery. In every case, after two surgeries, one to remove the foreign bodies and the second to remove the drainage tubes and dead tissue in the wound that might cause Gangrene. Upon my ability to walk without the need for pain medication, I was released to return to my Marine Corps company, India 3/9. This meant I had to get myself back to my company using my thumb. My return started when I stood on Highway 1 and later 9 with my gear, wearing the same lthy, blood-stained, ripped jungle utility uniform I had been wearing when I rst arrived from the battles. It was never hard to catch a ride from any military vehicle going in my direction. Sometimes, that may require me to thumb down two or three different rides to reach my destination. One time, I was lucky enough to catch a ride all the way to my destination, which was always, rst and foremost, the Da Nang United States Air Force Mess Hall. I was required to make a fourth trip to Da Nang for a follow-up appointment once, allowing another Air Force Chow visit. I also made a fth visit to catch my R&R ight to Hawaii and meet my wife. My sixth and nal visit was when I reached my DEROS (end of tour date) to rotate back to the States after over thirteen months.My visits after each surgery were during a time when the Mess Sergeants started managing who was authorized to eat in their prized Mess. Everyone wanted their chow, including all the various military personnel who had permanent jobs in Da Nang. I approached the entrance to their Mess, looking so out of place. The Airmen wore clean uniforms and soft covers, representing everything from pilots to clerks. Riley & scout dog, going with my squad on a patrol towards Dong Ha Mountain
78 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024My lthy, smelly Utilities were ripped and bloodied. They stunk from being previously thrown into a bag at the Med Battalion while still wet from sweat and blood to ferment into a horrible odor! I explained my predicament to the sergeant, showing him my wound bandages, and he mercifully allowed me to enter his exquisite palace of food cuisine.On my rst visit, I looked inside with wonderment! There were many tables spread about, lled with Airmen relaxing, laughing, and enjoying their chow. Then they see me standing there with this look of total amazement on my face. They stopped talking and turned to stare as if I were the rst Marine they had ever seen. I was obviously out of place!I turn to see the chow line quickly moving along as Airmen point at something they want on their plate. “Real Plates!” Not stainless-steel trays used at stateside USMC chow halls or Mess Kits like we eld Marines have used since the Revolutionary War, but breakable porcelain plates. The men behind me in line are wondering why a putrid smell is invading their nostrils instead of the aroma of ne food. They keep their distance! The rst station in line is for drinks, and they have a choice from what looks like ice-cold tea, lemonade, Kool-Aid, coffee, and sweet chocolate milk! Wow!!! These choices sure beat canteen water from a bomb crater laced with Halazone tablets!The next station offers a choice of various meats: fried, broiled, baked—you name it, they have it. I took the fried chicken but also wanted the grilled steak. The server said one meat only, then looked at me and gave me the steak. I enthusiastically thanked every server; evidently, they were not used to hearing that from the troops. The selection of vegetables was probably canned, but maybe not since this was, after all, the USAF, where they ate like kings! My “real porcelain plate” was running over with chow I had not seen or tasted since leaving home. Eating great chow like this as a Marine Grunt in Vietnam was unbelievable.I sat at a deserted table, not desiring to offend anyone by my odor, with my meal t for a king. Some Airmen joined me at my table, asking what it was like in the bush. In truth, all they had to do was to look at me compared to their daily clean bodies, clean uniforms, and eating the best chow I ever had in-country. I answered their questions by describing a typical day for us in both operations and search and destroy patrols. I told them about USAF, USN, and USMC aircraft providing close air support for us. Also, how “Puff the Magic Dragon,” the C-47 and C-130 aircraft provided light shows every night with arching streams of re hammering NVA troops and positions. Also, watching as North Vietnamese Army SAM (surface-to-air missiles) red from North Vietnam, trying to down our attacking aircraft at the DMZ. I expressed my appreciation for their part in that war. It took everyone, with some having a more dangerous role than others. After nishing my meal, I stopped at the exit to thank the Air Force Mess Sergeant again for allowing me to eat there. We didn’t know then that we would see each other again for another terric meal in over two months.My next stop is always the Air Force PX (post exchange) to get some Pokey Bait (junk food for my troops) before catching a Marine Corps Air Wing or USAF resupply outbound airplane or helicopter headed in my direction.Upon returning to my battalion position, I checked in with my Commanding Ofcer and First Sergeant. I also had to always check in with my battalion surgeon, providing him with paperwork outlining the surgical procedures that had been performed and any future return appointments. My early return after each wounding also meant I still had sutures that my platoon Corpsman would be responsible for removing after the appropriate passage of time. Until the sutures were removed, it was very uncomfortable wearing my combat load of gear. The most painful was sutures, where my wound went into my hip and out of my lower buttocks. My ammo belt, Army fanny pack (not USMC issue but taken from a dead NVA soldier), gas mask, canteens, and magazine pouches rubbed on those places enough to keep them painfully irritated as we performed our daily missions.Semper Fidelis,Jack RileyI/3/9 ©In reection and with a sense of loss he says “Once I wanted to be a hero. Now I don’t know what one is.”In response to concern expressed by others of his behavior Randy says “I’m okay… I wasn’t.”When talking about two young soldiers, the best of friends who never made it home from war “These two kids with nothing in common were inseparable.” Anyone who has been in uniform has witnessed this kind of bond and it is deeply moving.“I only trusted one person. Everyone else was dead.” Many Veterans thrust back into civilian world far from fellow Vets feel this way.The book moves back and forth in ashbacks from combat or early life experiences. Randy’s father, and his untimely death, deeply impacted him. As Randy comes to terms with his conduct and full of remorse he says “I am glad he wasn’t alive to know what I’d done” and “My reection in the glass mirrored my shame.”At one point in the story Randy nds himself in jail. On that experience he reects “There was structure. I had a mission to survive. Things made sense in jail. It was everything that was missing on the outside.”The contrast of life in combat versus life afterwards and its relative ease brought sobering admissions. “Once upon a time I laughed a lot. Even in horrible places.”Even for those who may nd this story outlandish or not quite their genre, it unmistakenly captures the thoughts, emotions, and circumstances combat Veterans face while wading through the turbulent waters of Post Traumatic Stress. Had Johnson not been a Veteran himself, nor continued his service to Veterans and their recovery as a Judge; it is unlikely he would be so effective at conveying these themes. For this he should be commended. BOOK REVIEW - Continued from Page 72
Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 79"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."Harriet Beecher Stowe
80 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024We are Camp Freedom Fitness, a woman-owned and Veteran Company. Thank you for all of your support. You can always reach us on Facebook @ Camp Freedom Fitness or call us directly at (323) 424-2881. Just ask for Daniel. Take care and if no one told you “We Love You”. When I was a young Marine weight loss was never a thought. I was 20 pounds under my maximum weight. Six years later I was ten pounds under my max weight, and 12 years later I was in trouble. My Wife was pregnant, and I was eating everything she was. For the rst time in years, I could not control my weight. I started paying attention to the scale and it was causing some extreme anxiety. I was terried of being that Marine. The one who everyone looked at in pure disgust. Out of pure fear, I came up with a plan and started working on it to lose weight immediately. Here are some awesome tips to start losing weight and keep it off! The rst question we all must ask ourselves is “Do we really want to lose weight”? Most people start a weight loss journey and never take the time to reect on why they are doing it. Without a why, we will all fail. We need a reason to keep going when things get hard and trust me they will. The workouts, the diets, and the consistency while trying to balance life. When times get hard, we need to look back and remember why we started. Get red up again and go. So, ask yourself what are the reasons this is so important before you hit the gym or start your meal prep. The second question is, “What are my strengths and weaknesses?” Do you use food as a coping mechanism? Some people forget to eat when they are stressed out, is that you? How hard is it for you to stick to a schedule? Do you need a trainer or accountability partner? By answering these questions, you now know how to set yourself up for success. If you can’t hold yourself accountable hire someone who will. So now that we have got the meat and potatoes let’s talk about food. Protein is essential! Yes, I said it protein is important to muscle growth and weight loss. But why is it vital to eat protein? Protein helps increase your metabolism, suppress your appetite, and regulate weight-sensitive hormones. For individuals who want to get rid of belly fat protein is essential! The more protein you eat the more calories your body must burn to digest it. Yes, carbs and fats are important too. However, protein is king! Some people live solely off protein and reap some serious benets from it. The idea here is to eat a high-protein diet. Typically for weight loss however much you weigh, aim for that in protein. If you weigh 150 pounds. Aim for 150 grams of protein for the day. Spread your meals throughout the day by roughly two hours apart. Finally, aim for no less than 64 ounces of water daily.The dreaded conversation we all need to have. Alcohol is not good when it comes to weight loss. It’s a toxin that not only messes with our brains, but also ruins our gains in the gym. It’s coupled with the worse types of sugars that contribute to weight gain as well. By eliminating alcohol usage, you will start to see progress pretty fast. A study conducted by www.pewtrusts.org found that over 29 million Americans struggle with alcohol use disorder. We all know someone who struggles with this issue. I would encourage you to nd help if this is something that you struggle with. The best you is the you that can be there for your family. We always encourage our clients to quit drinking or at least slow down before starting any of our programs. I could talk about tips on weight loss all day, but we would run out of space. If you have any questions about weight loss and getting started, you can nd us on Facebook at “Camp Freedom Fitness”. If you would like to message me directly on Facebook search “Leinad Cernad”. Now let’s have some fun. We have a new model, and her name is MO. She is going to demonstrate a super awesome upper body workout. Please consult your doctor before conducting any workouts and understand this is at your own risk. I would suggest stretching before working out. Veteran Fitness:SHEDDING POUNDS & KEEPING IT OFFBy Daniel Dancer | USMC
Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 81...Enjoy the Workout! I hope you enjoyed the workout! Take care of yourselves and remember to make yourself a priority. 'I AM STRONGER''I AM STRONGER'Repeat this circuit based off your current tness level.*As always please consult a medical professional before participating in exercise. ALTERNATING BICEP CURLS 5 SETS 12 REPS EACH ARM. REST 40 SECONDS BETWEEN EACH SET.1. STARTING POSITION 2. UP & DOWN ALTERNATING DUMBBELL HAMMER PRESS 4 SETS 12 REPS EACH ARM. REST 40 SECONDS BETWEEN EACH SET.1. STARTING POSITION 2. UP AND DOWN, ALTERNATING ARMS UPRIGHT DUMBBELL SHOULDER ROW 4 SETS 12 REPS EACH. REST 40 SECONDS BETWEEN EACH SET.1. STARTING POSITION2. UP AND DOWN - KEEP BACK STRAIGHT. LIGHT WEIGHT REAR DUMBBELL ROW 4 SETS 12 REPS EACH. REST 40 SECONDS BETWEEN EACH SET.1. STARTING POSITION2. ELBOWS TO THE REAR & RECOVER12121212
82 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024“I’ve noticed people often complain about the monotony of life. How sometimes every day is just like the last and they all blend together. Do they know how lucky they are? But maybe that’s the problem with a smooth pleasant routine, you begin taking it for granted”. – Cheryl Diamond.As I sit to write this entry for the Mind, Body, and Soul column, it is Tuesday, October 8th, 2024. I am penning this entry on the heels of Hurricane Helene (a tropical storm here) that moved through Western North Carolina early morning on Friday, September 27th, 2024. Hurricane Milton is a few days from landfall near Tampa, Florida, as a projected Category 5 storm. I live in Henderson County, located in Western NC. In this article, I will share my thoughts about things I once took for granted and will no longer do so.Before the storm landed, local news stations and the City of Hendersonville Water and Sewer Department advised all residents to ll their bathtubs with water in case of a loss in pressure or complete cessation of service (to be used to ll the toilet tank for ushing waste). Charging ashlights and purchasing an extra case of bottled water were the only other preparations we made for the storm.TS Helene roared through our area around 0100 hours with heavy wind and 20+ inches of rain. At 0555 hours, I emailed the students in my community yoga class to check their status (because of storm projections, I had canceled the weekly class two days prior). I sent this email at 0600. At 0601, we lost power. At this point, the ordinary things about life I took for granted became necessary. In the paragraphs to follow, I will record these and the most critical thing we all assume is in innite supply.POWER/COMMUNICATIONS The electrical power supply drives many everyday services to which we have become accustomed—Internet/cell service, heating and air conditioning, lighting, banking, shopping, etc. When we lost power, all these services came to a halt, and as of this writing, they still are for many people across Western NC. Face-to-face and FM/AM radio became the primary modes of communication (if you had power). Power restoration to my HOA community occurred in the rst fteen hours as we were part of a priority grid.The internet is a primary form of connecting the world. Within several days, a few grocery stores reopened when power restoration continued. However, something we take for granted every day can create issues. Many cell towers and ber optic cable hubs were damaged, and the banking industry could not communicate with them - hampering the ability to use the credit/debit cards we rely on to be readily available. For several more days post-storm, cash became the only way to NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTEDTim 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). complete transactions. ATMs were unavailable to dispense currency. A few stores and gas stations were eventually able to take the cash/card. Lesson learned - keep cash on hand.WATERI took for granted that I would always have a constant water supply. In my home, we experienced a day and a half of low water pressure and a boil order for almost a week (cooking, cleaning). Pressure conditions improved in a few days, but we are still under a water use restriction. We were able to boil water because the gas lines remained intact.There is an endless list of lessons learned I can discuss, but that would take up several pages of this magazine. I am positive that many readers of this publication have gone through similar natural disasters, so I do not want to reiterate or open old traumas. I know communities have banded together to provide services to those most affected by Helene. The human spirit and will to survive is awe-inspiring.WHAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED THE MOSTWithin the rst several days after the storm, I began to reect on something I believe we take for granted the most each day. After relating these thoughts, I will share a meditative practice you can try when things become chaotic—natural disaster or just life.Our conscious and subconscious mind spends excessive time waning between the past and the future when all we have is the present moment anchored in our breath. Like the internet, we take each inhale and exhale for granted as if it will always be there. As a retired
Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 83......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 BROTHERS & MY SISTERS.I AM A VETERAN! rst responder, I can recall many times when a family member recalled that a patient was enjoying dinner one second, and the next moment, they experienced sudden cardiac arrest and transitioned from this lifetime. All we have is now.One week after Helene rolled through, I resumed my weekly community yoga classes and shared these thoughts with my students. We began our class with the following breathwork practice I offer you all.Gratitude1. Lie on your back with the support of either a yoga mat or bed.2. If comfortable, close your eyes and place your hands on your belly. You can also keep your eyes open.3. Inhale through your nose, lling your belly (like a balloon). Exhale through your mouth (like a sigh), allowing your navel center to relax towards your spine.4. With each breathing cycle, mentally express gratitude for this present moment of life.5. Continue this practice for at least ve minutes.Until next time - be well,Tim“The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” - C.C. Scott. Just Breathe...
84 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 2024
Winter 2024| AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 85CAPTAIN JACK: THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGENDFor nonmilitary and Veteran readers, Captain Jack is a song, and no, not the one from Billy Joel, but instead it is a long-standing military cadence. “The rst cadence to spread throughout the US Army was “Sound Off,” introduced by Pvt. Willie Lee Duckworth in 1944. Duckworth’s cadence was based on the African American work song tradition and was intended to boost morale.” (1) This cadence is a common crossover between the Army and the Navy. It is particularly interesting because most soldiers don’t know who Captain Jack exactly was. Is this mythic ofcer some famed war hero? Or perhaps it’s the tale of an unsung arbiter of freedom and justice? If you hail from the Marine Corps, I’m sure somewhere in between the crayons in your teeth, you must believe it’s somehow linked to LTG Lewis “Chesty” Puller. And yet in my few questions to squad and platoon sergeants, the same answer would be uttered from their lips, “Who the fuck cares or shut the fuck up.” And yet I’ve always been a curious soldier and have enjoyed military history and heritage. It strikes a personal chord because I am related to Paul “Pappy” Iring Gunn, a Naval Pilot in WWII. His ingenuity helped him invent new ways to mount machine guns to plane propellers and turn the tide at the Battle of Midway. His inspiration was his family who were captured and detained in a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This was always a mention of honor at family gatherings, but it wouldn’t be until my second enlistment that I truly appreciated this historical event. I had the honor of serving in two of the units that helped rescue my family. I served in the 173rd which assaulted and took the Island of Corregidor, considered the Gibraltar of the Pacic. This laid the groundwork to move other units into the battle space. This resulted in the second unit I served in, the 1st Cav Division, which rescued the POWs at Santo Tomas. This is all to say that because such events are so close to my life story, I have found these pieces of culture and history to be important and exciting. It’s why I create cadences with my artwork. It’s also why I went down the rabbit hole to nd the famous Captain Jack. I found a harrowing tale of a struggle from America’s rst people. The indigenous Americans who lived here long before European settlers, still inspire the military. They braved our branches to give us Code Talkers and have roots in many units as most people can easily recognize the 2nd ID patch. Yet there was a time in our history when our military and government committed atrocities beyond recognition on our fellow brothers in arms. This tale seems to be the origin story behind Captain Jack. Captain Jack, or Kintpuash was a principal headman of the Modoc during the Modoc War (1872-73). “Kintpuash was among the Modoc signatories to the 1864 treaty with the Klamath, the Modoc, the Yahooskin Paiute, and the United States. Under the terms of the treaty, the Modoc people were to relocate to the Klamath Reservation. Kintpuash initially complied with the terms of the treaty, but he later repudiated it when he found conditions on the reservation intolerable and the government unwilling to address the Modocs’ grievances.” He staged an ambush attack which was intended to be a peace negotiation at a set of railroad tracks. This resulted in the death of Rev Eleazar Thomas and Major Gen Edward R.S Canby. It would be a year and require a force of 1000 Army regulars to capture Captain Jack, but he eventually surrendered and was executed. His skull resided at the Smithsonian, and you can currently visit his memorial at Fort Klamath. But the best way to honor this brave and noble warrior is to sing his cadence and remember the tale. Pvt. Willie Lee Duckworthhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_cadence#:~:text=The%20name%20derives%20from%20a,during%20the%20Second%20World%20War.173rd Corregidorhttps://www.moore.army.mil/infantry/magazine/issues/2021/Spring/pdf/17_Evans_Corregidor.pdf1st Cav Santo Tomashttps://1cda.org/history/santo-tomas-raid/Kintpuash, Captain Jackhttps://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/kintpuash_captain_jack/Stephen Russell is a U.S. Army Veteran, author, and illustrator known for his book Troublemakers: The Greatest Dog and Pony Show in Iraq, which humorously captures the unique experiences of military life. As an illustrator for AT EASE! Veterans Magazine, he brings powerful visuals to stories that amplify Veterans’ voices.
86 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine | Winter 202428 VETERAN PODCASTS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT28 VETERAN PODCASTS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT7 Figure Squad. Airman to Mom. Battle Buddy. Borne the Battle. Entrepreneur On FireDisgruntled Docs PodcastDevil Doc PodcastFrontlines Of FreedomHome-Bound VeteranJocko Podcast Mentors For MilitaryMind of the WarriorNonProfit ArchitectOperation FreedomThe Stoned Vet The Truths We HideThe Unprofessional VeteransThe Warrior Soul. Veteran on the MoveVeterans Be Real You Why Powers Your HowSomeone You Should KnowTeam Never QuitThe Ambitious VetThe Hoarding SolutionThe Military Veteran DadThe Red, White, & Blue YouThe Graceful WarriorGOT A PODCAST? LET'S ADD YOU TO OUR LIST. podcast@ateaseVeteransmagazine.com
‘‘"Far better it is to dare mighty "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious things, to win glorious triumphs, even though triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to checkered by failure, than to rank with those timid spirits rank with those timid spirits who neither enjoy much who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor that knows not victory nor defeat."defeat."Theodor RoosevelTheodor RoosevelWinter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 87
DOWN1. NAVY DANCE3. MARCH TO A BEAT5. SOLEMN BUGLE CALL6. AIRMAN BRANCH7. PLACE FOR NAVY ATTENTION11. FUEL SPOUT12. ARMY SLEEPING BAG13. LOVE-HATE MEAL14. VETERANS ORG.15. NAVY ENLISTED RANK16. TIME OFF18. PARADE DAY20. HOME AWAY FROM HOME23. A PLACE FOR SALUTE25. ARMY COVER26. CANCEL ORDERACROSS2. LIVING QUARTERS, VIETNAM4. SAILORS ROPE8. MILITARY ADDRESS9. DISASSEMBLE, CLEAN, AND LUBE10. SCHOOL IN COLORADO15. USMC RANK BELOW SGT.17. 3 PM, MILITARY TIME19. USMC STYLE - IDIOT PROOF21. NAVY POKEY22. SERIOUSLY MESSED UP SITUATION24. FIGHTING/UTILITY KNIFE27. FRUIT SALAD28. USMC BIRTHPLACE29. HALL FAVORITE30. TRACKED MVMILITARY MILITARY LINGOLINGO88 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 2024
CROSSWORD ANSWERS:COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE EXERPTS FROM 'BORN IN A BAR II'...COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE EXERPTS FROM 'BORN IN A BAR II'...Any Marine who has spent at least one day on active duty in the eet knows Thursdays are for Field Daying. It’s a ritual written in the Marine Corps Manual that all barracks rooms must be cleaned top to bottom on Thursday, or the ghost of Chesty Puller will haunt you.While other services may have a different day to clean, and a different ghost haunting, one thing is one hundred percent certain: It’s mandatory that Field Day must be accomplished while drinking and listening to music. Loud music.A major part of barracks eld day is the stripping and waxing of the tile oors between the barracks rooms. This is a shared duty of members of each quad of rooms. This was a pain in the ass of a job; dirty and tiring. It’s also the very rst thing your chain of command saw coming in to inspect and we were going nowhere until it was so shiny we could see our assholes while squatting above it.Now, anytime you ask a junior Marine to do something they don’t want to do, it’s going to get done eventually, but they are going to bitch about it the whole time, which turns into our own version of humor.Enter the Buffer Rodeo.Step One: Remove anything not bolted to the ground. Drink a beer.Step Two: Sweep and mop. This was also the time where we put down as much water in the hallway as possible to make a swimming pool or a Slip-N-Slide. Allow to dry. Drink more beer while waiting.Step Three: Apply stripper. Then make jokes about strippers. “Hey Lance Corporal E, I heard your stripper girlfriend goes down just as easily as this,” or “I don’t think I’ve ever seen the oor so wet from a stripper unless you count the time I tipped Lance Corporal E’s girlfriend twenty bucks!” Continue drinking.Step Four: Remove stripper from oor. “Hey, how do you get the stripper off the oor? Depending on how much they’ve had to drink, usually you just tell them their daddy is here to take them home.”Step Five: Scrub the oor, or what we like to call: Buffer Rodeo. Set the seventeen-inches-wide electric stand-up buffer in the middle of the hallway, switched in the ON position with the forty-ve feet long cord laying on the oor next to the electric outlet. A Marine will then sit or stand on the buffer the same way they would mount a mechanical bull, with one hand in the air (cue up “Rodeo” by Garth Brooks). Once they give the ready signal, another Marine will then plug in said buffer and the 175 revolutions-per-minute unit will very quickly go around and round. The buffer cowboy will then try to hold on for as long as they can before either being ung off onto the wet oor, usually hitting a wall or wall locker, or until the forty-ve-feet long cord wraps completely around them.“I haven’t seen anyone get thrown off that fast since I told your mom that’s how your sister likes it too!”Repeat this process until all the scuff marks are removed, or until someone gets blood on the oor.Step Six: Rinse the oor and any blood that may have been shed. Apply wax. Let dry for at least two to three beers before applying another coat of wax.This is the point that no living soul will step on the waxed oor until the inspection has been done. Go out windows if you must, but NEVER, EVER step on a newly waxed oor. FOR MORE INAppROpRIATE SHENANIGANS, FOR MORE INAppROpRIATE SHENANIGANS, ScAN THE QR cOdE BELOw: ScAN THE QR cOdE BELOw: BUFFER RODEOby Gunny Jesse EsterlyWinter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 89
90 AT EASE! Veterans Magazine |Winter 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 fulll 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 signicantly 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 ofces, while those of us still serving on active duty will continue to put fullling 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 ofces, 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 fullling 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 fulll 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 inict are signicant. 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 ofcers are far from the only ones complicit in recent illegal activities, as a signicant 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™
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 91On January 1, 2024, a group comprising of 231 Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel released the 12-page Declaration of Military Accountability on X (formerly Twitter). In an effort to be heard by Senior Leadership, Active Duty physicians and personnel exhausted efforts using their Chain of Command and legal channels through the Courts. With the aim of raising awareness about the leadership crisis spanning across the six branches of the Military, this declaration also serves as a Call to Action directed to the American people.militaryaccountability.netOr Scan the QR Codes
Coming Up In Our Next Issue: JACK CARRUS Navy SEAL, Author of the #1 New York Times Best Seller & Amazon Prime series The Terminal List.
Winter 2024 | AT EASE! Veterans Magazine 93LIKE WHAT YOU SEE SO FAR? HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ...'YoU'Re No FrIeNd Of MiNe'HIGHLY RECOMMENDS: Donnie Reis and Scooter Brown co-founded War Hippies, a country music duo. Brown and Reis are U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army combat veterans
VETERAN STORIESVETERAN STORIES MILITARY HISTORYMILITARY HISTORY DD-214 & BEYONDDD-214 & BEYOND GIRLS & GRITGIRLS & GRIT SALUTE TO SATIRESALUTE TO SATIRE VETERAN VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSENTREPRENEURS AND SO MUCH MORE!AND SO MUCH MORE!SCAN THE QR CODE TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!ATEASEVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM/SUBSCRIBEATEASEVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM/SUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBE TODAY!SUBSCRIBE TODAY!PO BOX 52295 | DENTON, TX 76206PO BOX 52295 | DENTON, TX 76206940.209.0022 | DEVILDOCPUBLISHING.COM940.209.0022 | DEVILDOCPUBLISHING.COM