Home Base Nation

Kicking off 2025, Navy Veteran Vann Morris sits with Dr. Ron Hirschberg and talks about his journey from young sailor, to Lieutenant Commander, and a man on a mission to heal America through his patriotism and infectious personality. Vann is a teacher, preacher, and leader. Retired after 30 years, his last 3 tours were at the Pentagon, the 82nd Airborne Division in Bagram, Afghanistan, and US Special Operations Command. Vann talks about love for country, family and the fact that we all should be aware that our best friend and our worst enemy are actually the same person – ourselves. He talks about the power of influence and how it can be used for good, and how when it comes to veteran suicide, it’s about making ourselves more approachable than we think we are, and therefore to ask each other if we are not doing OK. 

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Many thanks to Navy Veteran Vann Morris for sitting with me, along with Army Veteran and wife Rita Morris. Thank you for your ongoing service in many ways, your leadership and lessons to both kids and adults – And for your whole family’s military service. You can learn all about Vann, his life and work at healingamerica.com.

Please go to homebase.org for updates, programming, and recourses if you or anyone you know is struggling in anyway. 

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

This week three years ago, we told the story of “Operation Christmas Drop” after discovering the oldest ongoing Department of Defense mission - the world’s longest running humanitarian airdrop - to deliver critical supplies to remote islands in the Pacific. On 12/14/24, Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Airforce Base in Guam was another success, and the 73rd annual drop delivered 220 bundles to 58 islands, helping more than 42,000 people. Ron Hirschberg and Lucy Little told this story in 2021 including Zoom interviews east to Guam with (now) former President of OCD2021 Air Force Capt. Matt Carrowan, and north to Canada with the 2021 Netflix Movie "Operation Christmas Drop" Director, Martin Wood. Happy holidays all and enjoy this amazing story of giving, and making a true difference for thousands of people every year. 

Operation Christmas Drop - Official Trailer / Netflix

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Home Base Brain Health Summit 2024 Conversations: Marine Veteran and Chief Programs Officer of Navy SEAL Foundation Alison Messick, and Command Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Greg Smith. On September 11th 2024, Home Base held its first Brain Health Summit. Spearheaded by Home Base Senior Directors Dr. Sofia Matta and Retired Navy Captain Dr. Joe Bonvie – The Summit highlighted brain health but at the same time aimed to cover the whole person: Mind, body, and soul – Targeting not just longer lifespan, but living well longer, or… HealthSpan.

First Up: Chief Program Officer of Navy SEAL Foundation Alison Messick. Alison is a Marine Veteran, and has been a leader in the Special Operations space for 15 years including her time at Naval Special Warfare prior to the Foundation. When Alison took the mic at the Brain Health Summit, she gave a captivating talk about Collective Impact when it comes to doing right by this community as collaborators not competitors. Alison Messick networks for success and listens to her fellow leaders in order to work together for all things – as she tells us - energy giving… 

Second Up: Command Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Greg Smith – looks back at the time he was called to lead the first team deployed after the twin tower attacks, while at the same time reflects on military and civilian medical “wins” over stigma and addressing invisible rounds. From operator to senior leader at USSOCOM, to his current work at the Pentagon with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he has been a trusted voice in the Special Operations community - And we are honored to now have Greg as a member of the Home Base Honorary board.

Many thanks to Greg Smith and Alison Messick for your years of service and leadership, and ongoing partnership – Humans are more important that hardware is a driving core principle of USSCOM and something you both not only believe in, you walk the walk in every day. Special thanks to Sofia Matta and Joe Bonvie for all your work in putting together the first annual Brain Health conference at Home Base.

Please go to homebase.org for updates, programming, and of courses if you or anyone you know is struggling in anyway. 

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Marine Veteran and Home Base Florida colleague Jaime Fernandez came up to Boston this month to help bring to fruition the first Spanish speaking veteran two-week Intensive Clinical Program. Born in Nicaragua, Jaime moved to Miami at age 6, and after high school joined the Marines in 2001. After 3 tours in Iraq and back home, he would pursue degree in Human Performance at Florida Gulf Coast University, which launched a prolific career in strength and conditioning with Red Sox affiliate in Greenville, SC. In 2015, he joined Home Base Southwest Florida led by fellow Marine Veteran Armando Hernandez. As a bilingual veteran, Jaime continues to speak the language of service in both English and Spanish, while speaking other languages of mindfulness, meditation, and fitness. 

Many thanks to Marine Veteran and fellow Home Base colleague Jaime Fernandez for your service and ongoing service to so many veterans and military families. 

A special shout out to ICP director Laura Harward for all you do to lead innovative programs, and the Home Base Boston team, including Elizabeth Valencia, Nilea Silva, Kelly Sarsfield, Kassandra Iliadis, Clare Stupinski, Dr. Stephanie Stamph, Army Veteran Katrina Echevarria, Navy Veteran Jessica Covitz, Luiza Welton – with support from Home Base Florida with Armando Hernandez, and Angie DeLima. Also thanks to Wounded Warrior Project for helping Home Base make Puerto Rico veteran outreach possible.

And thanks to Drs. Rachel Millstein and April Hirschberg for your leadership in mind body health and wellness. Make sure to check out a full spectrum of meditations curated by the Home Base team, and HBN editor and producer Chuck Clough, at homebase.org/meditations. Please feel free to sign up for Resilience programming at homebase.org/program/rwarrior, and of note in February 2025 when Jaime leads the first Spanish speaking Resilient Warrior course.

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Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Happy Veterans Day! Chrystal and Mike Campbell are two Navy veterans who grew up with service on their minds, became pilots, and met while sharing the same hanger in Pensacola, FL. Mike was a Naval flight officer after graduating Wesleyan in 1981 and selected as a Blue Angel in 1987. In 1980, Chrystal was one of the first 55 women to graduate from the Naval Academy. She first served in the Philippines, and then became flight instructor, and impressed with Mike during back-seat-training, midflight. Mike talks about the daily Blue Angels debrief ritual after a long day of training – The "Oh By The Way" - That moment at the end of each meeting, when everyone is allotted time to offer whatever is on their mind, some challenge of the day or week, something personal or something special – To a circle of trust and support. 

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Many thanks to Chrystal and Mike Campbell for your service, and ongoing service to so many veterans and military families since 2016, enabling transitioning, mental health, and family support. Your leadership gives hope for more healing to our wounded warriors, and at the same time teaches all of us that we can not only get a little better every day, we should strive to trust each other in order to have that Oh By The Way moment no matter who we are, or what we do.

The Blue Angels Foundation is an all-volunteer Board composed of former Blue Angels and Honorary Blue Angels. Their philosophy is to give back to the next generation of warriors who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedoms. The Foundation has been supporting causes from Cystic Fibrosis to Breast Cancer - And since 2016 has been targeting that support to transitioning warriors and their families to home and daily life, and making it possible for so many to receive expert assessment and treatment at Home Base and our partners in the Warrior Care Network. Learn more at www.blueangelsfoundation.org

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

It’s fitting that the melodic lyric connecting Liverpool Football Club fans is "You’ll Never Walk Alone," when chatting with Football Veteran (and Army Veteran) Goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, who joined the Rhodesian Army in 1975, speaking about bonded brotherhood during bloody conflict – While in an ambush, Bruce yelled to a buddy, “When we get out of here, I’d like to play football for Liverpool.” Fast forward to 1980, and the great LFC Coach Bob Paisley spotted Bruce warming up in the rain under an umbrella, and from that moment on, that figherfight banter 5 years earlier became a reality. Over 14 years, Bruce and LFC won 6 Premier League championship and many other major trophies. As an Army Veteran of the current Zimbabwe who experienced trauma on both battlefield and the pitch during 2 horrific stadium tragedies, Bruce’s own life was saved by football, owing much to the fans who support him and his iconic team. 

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Many thanks to Bruce Grobbelaar for sitting with me in the great city of Liverpool and teaching us about brotherhood, the religion of football, and even getting to sing together from South African sounds of Paul Simon to his adopted homeland sound of The Beatles. Bruce has an autobiography you can check out in 2019 called: Life in a Jungle: My Autobiography. And for a good read about Bruce, football and the Rhodesian War, I recommend an article from that same year in The Guardian. 

A very special thank you to Rob Glover – our friend from Boston and Liverpool for all you do in helping and connecting with others, who graciously connected us with Bruce. 

And of course, thank you to our Chief Development Officer at Home Base for the great work you and team do with LFC Foundation partners, Karianne Kraus.

To learn more about the Run to Anfield and find out about next year’s event, you can go to: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/foundation

And we didn’t forget to find the Anfield Rap with Goalkeeper, Jungle-Man, Bruce Grobbelaar to take us out!

MUSIC:

You'll Never Walk Alone - Rodgers and Hammerstein, 1945 / Gerry and The Pacemakers, 1963

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Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Home Base Nation is Back with its 8th Season and 110th Episode of the show. In this episode Dr. Ron Hirschberg reviews some of the news and updates from Home Base since summer, highlighting the All-Star Forum Honoring Women Service Members and Veterans on 7-26-24 at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway just prior to the 15th Annual Run To Home Base. This powerhouse panel was hosted by former ABC News Chief Health and Medical Correspondent / Emmy Award Winning Journalist, Dr. Jen Ashton. On September 11th, Drs. Sofia Matta and Joe Bonvie launched the 1st Annual Home Base Brain Health Summit which was a big success. Later in September at the Seaport in Boston, the New England Council honored General Jack Hammond as one of the recipients of the esteemed "New Englander of the Year Award."  We had a bittersweet farewell to Chief of TBI Services Dr. Ross Zafonte at Home Base is heading to Missouri as Medical School Dean, and a recent pivotal visit by Senator Elizabeth to Warren Spaulding Rehabiliation Hospital for a Forum on Blast Injury and Special Operator Health along with Dr. Zafonte and others. Thanks for your support and tuning in to our 8th Season kick-off!

In The News at Home Base!

• First, if you didn’t know – In 2015 Home Base opened its doors in Fort Meyers, Florida, more recently expanded to Tampa, and now working with partners in Pensacola. This month our Home Base colleagues and all the community they serve are on our minds - in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton – Resilience and recovery is what our teams do for patients – But building back up your own body, mind and soul is another challenge - that is necessary to help take care of others. So, Marine Veteran Armando Hernandez heads up the FL team, thinking of you all.
• On September 11 and 12, the brainchild of Drs. Sofia Matta and Joe Bonvie – The 1st Annual Home Base Brain Health Summit, was a great success. With local and national experts at the podium, the Summit recognized the evolution of military medicine since 9/11, and focused on brain health and performance medicine in the Special Operations community, and a strong emphasis on not just living long, but living well – something we focus a lot of energy on at Home Base – Healthspan. Check out link here: https://homebase.org/events/brain-health-summit/
• Later in September, at the New England Council’s massive event in the Boston Seaport, General Jack Hammond was one of the annual recipients the New Englander of the Year Award. Chairman of the Boston Red Sox and Co-Founder of Home Base Tom Werner’s words summed it up, introducing our Executive Director: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHMYXDC6MBQ
• Last week, we said our bittersweet farewells to Dr. Ross Zafonte who is heading to Missouri to lead the medical school. Ross received the prestigious Warren Award at Home Base from General Hammond and Michael Allard. AND, last month, Senator Warren visited Spaulding Rehab Hospital for a Forum on Blast Injury and Special Operator Health with Dr. Zafonte. Take a Listen: Senator Elizabeth Warren Forum at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in collaboration with Home Base (youtube.com)

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Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

In Season 7's final episode, Dr. Ron Hirschberg sits with Dr. Ali Raja, MGH's Executive Vice Chair of Emergency Medicine, in his office in the heart of the Bulfinch Building at Massachusetts General Hospital, est. 1811... 159 years prior to establishing Emergency Medicine training programs in 1970. Dr. Raja's life and work are discussed, from growing up in Houston looking towards an Air Force career - a family legacy - to a journey into medicine, business, service, and leadership - while along the way juggling all the balls in the air with his eye always on the most important (and delicate) "glass ball" - his family.

Thanks very much for joining today on our final episode of Season 7 of Home Base Nation. Many thanks to Dr. Ali Raja for your service and ongoing service to your staff at MGH and of course the patients who come in every day to the ED who may be unlucky to be there, but lucky to have you and your team at the bedside. Learn more about Dr. Ali Raja

And on behalf of Home Base, thank you to all who’ve served. Hoping to see you at the 15th Annual Run To Home Base on July 27th at Fenway Park. You can still Run virtually with us and donations are accepted and appreciated – Go To: www.runtohomebase.org.

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Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs
• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

Let’s rewind 5 years-back on conversations that stick with us at Home Base, with amazing women who leave a mark on service, sacrifice and leadership, and teach us how recovery and resilience become a reality. (With - 77th USS Constitution Commander Billie J. Farrell / Air Force Veteran and TAPS Founder Bonnie Carroll / Army Veteran, Author and Cancer Survivor Brandi Benson / Navy Veteran, Home Base Marathoner, and Commercial Truck Driver Yuma Haidara / Army Veteran / Army Veteran and America’s Got Talent Finalist and Singer Christal Rheams / Marine Veteran, Paralympian and Adventurer Kirstie Ennis / Army Active Duty Soldier and Tokyo 2020 Olympian Sagen Maddelana / Marine Veteran, Pilot and Founder of Dogs on Deployment Alisa Johnson). Thank You all for listening today and we hope to see you at Fenway Park on July 27th for the 15th Annual Event. And remember, you can also join us virtually from anywhere - to Run, Walk, Support and Share in a common mission to stomp stigma and address the invisible wounds of war affecting Women and Men, Children and Families of all who’ve served. 

Kicking off this episode with Executive Director of Home Base, US Army Brigadier General (Ret.) Jack Hammond.

This month, we will continue our commitment to celebrate those who have served and are serving at the 15th annual Run to Home Base presented by RTX – our unique 9K run and 5K run/walk through Boston that ends with the unforgettable experience of crossing “home base” at historic Fenway Park. On Saturday, July 27, we will once again gather at “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” for this moving occasion and, special to our 15th year, will honor Women Veterans and Service Members.

The day prior to the Run, we will host an All-Star Forum honoring Women Veterans and Service Members alongside the Red Sox Foundation. This panel discussion, hosted by Emmy-Award winning journalist and former ABC News Chief Health and Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, will highlight the triumphs and challenges; accomplishments and sacrifices; and future of women’s service. 

We are thrilled to announce this esteemed panel of five women –

1. General Mary K. Izaguirre (Army Surgeon General)
2. Major Sidney Jacques (Army Ranger)
3. Kaci Clark (Army Veteran, former pilot in the 160th SOAR, West Point Grad)
4. Jennifer Silva (Army Veteran, current Chief Program Officer for Wounded Warrior Project, West Point Grad)
5. Lieutenant Madison Marsh (Air Force Academy Graduate … And First member of the US Military to become Miss America)

CLICK HERE:To submit a question for the forum and stay tuned for details on how to watch it. 

The weekend’s events will culminate with a poignant, on-field pregame ceremony to recognize the service and sacrifice of Women Veterans and Service Members before the hometown Boston Red Sox take on their fiercest rival, the New York Yankees. If you are a Woman Veteran or Service Member interested in joining us for the ceremony.

CLICK HERE: for a chance to join us.

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Home Base Nation will be sharing episodes every two weeks up through the Run To Home Base this coming July 27th. Please sign up to join us there to support all veteran, servicemember and family care, and as we celebrate women in the military this year. 

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs
• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.

In May 2024, Dr. Jarone Lee from Mass General Hospital Center for Global Health, and Global Response Medicine welcomed a Ukrainian of doctors to Boston for two weeks – to train, collaborate and build comradery for care on the frontlines. One of those physicians, Dr. Bohdan, asked if there was a piano he could play while visiting Boston. It turned out that it had been two years since he last played, which was just following the Russian invasion in February 2022. Along with colleagues at Berklee College of Music, Home Base cohosted a memorable performance and conversation about trauma and resilience in war, and how music is a common language that connects and heals people, across generations.

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Many thanks to - Andrea Leiner, Dr. Steve Donnelly and Kelsey Gonzalez of the amazing organization Global Response Medicine, and your team for all you do to bring together the right people, from US Special Operators to Medical partners and staff from around the world, and of course for facilitating this unforgettable visit from our Ukrainian friends.

Thank you Dr. Jarone Lee of MGH Center for Global Health and Health Tech Without Borders for visiting Home Base and shining the light on acute medical need wherever it may be….

We are so grateful for our music-medicine partners in Boston – The Berklee Music and Health Institute, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, with special thanks Dr. Joy Allen and her team – Professor Brian Jantz, Clinical Director of Music Therapy Cynthia Koskela, and Christina Quarles. 

And of course thank you to Home Base Communications Director and Army Veteran Kelly Field.

For video content of this episode, Here is YouTube version with cinematography and production by Luke Zvara. 

This episode was edited by Chuck Clough.

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Home Base Nation will be sharing episodes every two weeks up through the Run To Home Base this coming July 27th. Please sign up to join us there to support all veteran, servicemember and family care, and as we celebrate women in the military this year. 

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs
• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.