Ginger and Jeff take a Walk with Tiger – aka Larry Prentice. He is a 3rd generation veteran who is now giving back through an annual 20-mile walk. Listen in for all the details and how to get involved. The back half of the show brings us to the ocean. Swim with a Mission kicks off their 2nd Annual Fish with a Mission this year. We hear from SWAM Board Member, Todd Wheatley, who is passionate about this amazing event and about giving our best for NH military and veterans.

February is American Heart Health month and Ginger and Jeff kick today off with Shannon Fitzgerald, a Cardiac Rehab nurse with the VA Medical Center in Manchester.  Shannon shares their model of after care and how easy it is to connect with services.  Next up are Eric McNeil and Chuck Bradley, veterans who founded and run Veterans2Veterans Group in the North Country.  They assist military and veterans from NH and beyond with the dedicated mission of Family Through Service.  There is no veteran problem they can help solve.  And wait til you hear about their thrift store! 

In this week’s show, Ginger Munson and Jeff Chidester meet with Brigadier General (ret) Don Buldoc and his wife, Sharon. In the span of their 36 year marriage they navigated dual military life and multiple duty stations and many months – adding up to years – apart. Listen in for an honest glimpse inside the lives of military families, who is really in charge and who feels separation the most.  Sharon and Don help shed light on what service looks like inside the family and inside the unit.

Jeff and Ginger host a robust line up of guests. They kick it off with John Larson from Veterans Inc., a regional non-profit providing a host of services, including housing support, employment guidance and suicide prevention efforts. Next, they are joined by Christina Wright, 23-year Marine Corps veteran and NH native; From high school to Washington DC to non-profits in New England she served and continues to serve the military and veteran community. The show rounds out with guest Jason Zilm, from Prime Lending; he and his partner are starting the show Veteran Mortgage Matters to shed light on the benefits of VA connected home loans and services.

Ginger and Jeff spend time with Julie Vose, Acting Director of the Manchester VA Medical Center. From providing direct services to spearheading their COVID response, Julie has dedicated herself in service to our military men and women. Together we cover important events coming up for our local VAMC and glimpse the heart of those who serve our nationals military.  Post inauguration, Jeff and Ginger share a few reflections of the connection between service and politics. 

Ginger and Jeff continue to step into the new year with important interviews for the NH military and veteran community.  Today they are joined by Al Aldenberg – Chief Military and Veterans Service Officer for Easterseals New Hampshire. They dive deep into all the details for New Hampshire’s one of a kind Military and Veterans Campus under construction in Franklin, NH.  Kathy Flynn, Easterseals NH Major Gifts Officer, joins the conversation to discuss the importance of sustainability and how community individuals and businesses (the 99%) can help support our military men and women (the 1%) both during and after their time of service.  Find out how you can be a part of this groundbreaking effort!

Jeff and Ginger spend time with Jessica Dunn, Air Force veteran and Program Manager at Harbor Care. She dives into the principles and services under the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Program.  A tough, yet importmant , topic to cover especially in the wake of the holidays and winter in New Hampshire.  In the 2nd half, Ginger and Jeff check in with Liberty House to highlight the food pantry and the special needs of winter.  Hear from those who support veterans with housing and so much more. 

Ginger and Jeff finish out the year interviewing Ethan and Chase McAllister,  local brothers who are both  serving in the…

Today’s show is all about family.  We visit with Mark and Tracy McAllister who have two sons currently serving in the Army – one in the NH National Guard, and one in the midst of his  final year at the Unites States Military Academy, West Point.  In addition to sheparding these two young men, they help to host a West Point parents’ group.  We discuss both the fears and the joys of parenting service members.  On the flip side of this conversation, we are joined by Suzie Rankins, parent of three young adults. Her youngest is considering military service and we talk through the challenges and conflicts parents face when talking through decisions for pursuits after high school.  

Christmas is just around the corner, today we hear from Chaplain Sean McMacken from the NH Army National Guard about what service during the Holidays is like and how to best reach out and support our military and veterans. We also sit down with Nicole Settipane from the Military 2VA Program within the Manchester VA Medical Center. They work to guide recently separated service members on the journey of from active duty to civilian and veteran status.