Keith Monti from New England Veterans Business Community joins Ginger and Jeff to share about his efforts bringing veteran business owners and veterans within businesses together for comradery and networking.  He highlights the importance of connecting veterans to support each other in business and in the community.   Later they visit with Shawn Buck, Director of the NH Veterans Cemetery.  Shawn is a passionate about the respect veterans and their families receive at the end of life. He and his team (with many volunteers) steward this 104-acre haven to honor service members, share local military history, and build a legacy of patriotism.

Today is a great line up…Keith Dillon, Deputy Police Chief at the VA Medical Center in Manchester, talks us through their focus of keeping both veterans and providers safe for every visit. Next up, Debra Luszey shares her decade of efforts with Operation Care for Troops.  This year included 4 tons of goodies. We wrap things up with Ev Norsworthy from 603 Legal Aid and the dedicated program Hope for Heroes. 

Ginger and Jeff meet with CW5 (ret) Mike LeNeave, former Director of Aviation Safety for Army Special Operations.  Joining the Army just months before 9/11 and eventually joining the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Mike shares stories from his training day on September 11, 2001 and high intensity moments in Iraq.  Since leaving the service, Mike has joined Pison, a Boston based company  focused on creating revolutionary sensor technology aimed at gathering data and supporting risk management throughout multiple disciplines: sports, health, and military operations to name a few. 

Non-profit work is the theme of the day. First, we hear from Ed Currier of Clearpath New England they do outreach to homeless and at-risk veterans getting them connected to a host of services. Next we visit with Gray Somers from Addiction Recovery Coaltion – NH. They house the regional veterans coalition: Stonger Together. November 10th marks the 18th Manchester Marathon and this year, the charity of choice is Swim With A Mission – training tips, running stories and how business supports community with John Mortimer from Milennium Running and Amanda Quinlen a regional running champion.

Ask the Question is the conversation of the day. What is the question, you’re wondering? and why does it matter?  listen in and find out.  The second half of the show has us connecting with Andrea McCarren, President of PenFed Foundation and Ryan Johnson, CEO of Bugle.  They share about the Veterans Entreprenurial Program – a program specifically for veterans who have started or are seeking to start up a business. 

Today we spend time with Gold Star spouse and Semper Fi and America’s Fund Case Manager, Joanna O’Melia. The Semper Fi Fund is a longstanding non profit dedicated to supporting combat wounded veterans. Joanna is local but the services are nationwide. Listen in to understand how dedicated and informed their providers are!  Having a purposeful job is one small part of improving mental health and getting upstream of isolation and depression. Sandra from the VA promotes the upcoming job fair and the importance of work and purpose.  

Our friends from Veterans Count join us to highlight their upcoming event: Beyond the Boots on October 19th.  And to share the importance of understanding veterans outside their uniformed work.  Jen Hunter from Granite United Way and the Center Area Veterans Coalition stepped in to tell us about their monthly coffee hour and their activities for their growing Suicide Prevention Coalition. 

Our monthly segment with the VA has us revisiting Suicide Awareness Month. We chat with Community Outeach and Engagement Partner, Justin Moiling, about the 8 statewide coalitions which have developed in the last year.  Great work to combat isolation and help lower suicide risk among veterans.  We also take the journey from dancer, to Marine, to yoga guru with Brianna Renner, Chief Executive Officer of Veterans Yoga Project.  We even do a small one air meditation.  We round out the show hearing from Henry Och, currently serving Infantry Lieutenant Colonel with the Massachusetts Army Reserves and President and Chief Executive Officer of Harbar Care who is hosting a veteran standdown this week.  

Meet George Kalantzis who  signed up on 9/11/01 and served in the Marines for almost 10 years. Since then, he has written two books which encompass his life, challenges and proven measures for success during transitions.  Next Jeff and Ginger connect with Brian Selling from VFW Post 1617, Derry NH. They will be observing POW/MIA Day September 20-21, 2024 with a 24 hour vigil.   We round out the show hearing from Ramona Branch of Cathedral of the Pines. where they will host the 2nd Annual Women Veterans Conference this year. All events and stories you don’t want to miss!

This week NH VA Medical Center Director Kevin Forest discusses the upcoming VA Job Fair happening on September 10th, as they search for Medical Support Assistants. Jeff also speaks with US Navy Veteran Michael Kessler, who talks about the Thresher Base and as well as the United States Submarine Veterans group and their mission. Also, this week Jeff talks with Steve Bowker, from American Legion Post 51 in Epping, and John Marshall, of Veterans Count – NH to discuss the upcoming Veterans Symposium scheduled for September 14, 2024.