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.