Oscar Mike Radio

She was a special woman and a beautiful soul to so many.

Tonight, I honor Maureen (Dunn) Smith, April 11, 1949, ~ June 2, 2025 (age 76)

In the 450th episode of Oscar Mike Radio, we dove into the world of rallycross racing with Kito Brielmaier and Ann Hanson, a Marine Corps veteran from the Northwest Rally Association.

Kito and Ann discussed the sport's grassroots appeal, inclusivity, and supportive community. Ann shared her transition from the Marine Corps to rallycross, highlighting the camaraderie like military bonds. Kito explained the accessibility of rallycross, noting its lower entry barriers compared to other motorsports.

The episode emphasizes rallycross as a welcoming space for veterans and encourages participation from diverse backgrounds, celebrating the sport's community spirit.

Northwest Rally Association has their upcoming June Jamboree 2025 coming up on June 21, 2025 at Albany Motorcross in Albany, Oregon. You can go to https://www.nwrallyassociation.com/ and get in on the fun!

I am looking forward to seeing Ann in action in 2026. Thank you Kito for taking with me.

Semper Fidelis, Ann.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lechon Kirb at Military Creator Con 2025, where James Van Prooyen and Marah Lago invited him to speak on panels about business development and strategy.

A former Marine Corps EOD Tech and Marine Security Forces veteran, Lechon’s transition out of the military wasn’t without its challenges, but he turned that transition into an opportunity to enter and thrive in the business world.

In this episode, Lechon shares how his mother’s story inspired him to embrace his worth, the importance of building authentic networks, and valuable insights into pricing and communicating value in today’s marketplace.

Discover more about how Lechon and his team are reshaping marketing at Presgeux Hall (https://www.presgeux.com/)

Thank you for joining us and sharing your perspective, Lechon. Semper Fidelis.

It was a true honor to speak with Michael Korman, U.S. Navy Retired Seabee, on this week’s episode. Michael is being recognized at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's 10th Annual National Convening on Military and Veteran Caregiving, on May 20, 2025, for his remarkable advocacy on behalf of military and veteran caregivers.

In our conversation, Michael opens up about his journey caring for his father-in-law, a Vietnam veteran affected by Agent Orange. He offers powerful insights into the challenges caregivers face, especially when navigating the VA system, and stresses the crucial role families play in supporting our nation’s heroes. His advocacy work with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation is both inspiring and necessary.

This episode is a tribute to the unsung heroes behind the scenes—the caregivers—and a call to action for greater recognition and support for their tireless work.

Learn more about these extraordinary individuals here:

https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/campaigns-programs/dole-caregiver-fellows

Michael, I look forward to meeting you in person. Bravo Zulu on your continued service.

Special thanks to Keith Hayes of Sinista1 Productions for making this show great!

Once again, Sgt. Armand Perreault and Brianna—my U.S. Army sister from Cocktails in The War Room—are Oscar Mike and on a mission. This time, they invited me to join them for a very special visit to Delmyra Kennels in Exeter, Rhode Island.

There, we met Ruth Delmyra, who shared the powerful story of her late husband, Scott Gordon, and the creation of a War Dog Memorial in his honor. Located at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, this monument pays tribute to the bond between service members and their loyal K9 companions.

Ruth walks us through the emotional journey of bringing this tribute to life, from concept to installation. Sgt. Perreault, a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, reflects on what this memorial means to the veteran community. Together, they paint a vivid picture of the statue—a Vietnam-era Marine alongside his war dog—that captures the heart and sacrifice of military working teams.

Mark your calendars: The official dedication ceremony will take place Saturday, May 17th, 2025, at 12 PM at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery.

To learn more about this sacred ground where Rhode Island’s heroes are remembered, visit: vets.ri.gov

Special thanks to Ruth, Brianna, and “Sarge” for sharing this heartfelt mission with us. This is one episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, United States Marine Corps Veteran Travis Partington sits down with Mark Ormrod, a Royal Marine veteran from the UK. I just like the way that looks and sounds.

Having interviewed many U.S. Marines, I hold deep respect and admiration for our older Royal Marine cousins across the Atlantic. Mark’s story is nothing short of incredible.

He shares how his desire for challenge—sparked by the influence of family and friends—led him to the Royal Marines. Mark walks us through the intensity of their legendary training and his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He then recounts the life-changing IED blast that resulted in the loss of three limbs, and the long, difficult road to recovery that followed.

What stands out most is Mark’s resilience. From mentoring fellow veterans to launching business ventures and inspiring thousands with his story, Mark embodies grit, determination, and purpose. It was an absolute honor to speak with him.

Learn more and support Mark at www.markormrod.com

Per Mare, Per Terram.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Thomas La Grave—a former Navy SEAL and Navy Corpsman who is now a clinical therapist—to explore a story of resilience, redemption, and service.

Thomas opens up about his military background, his battle with addiction, and the turning points that led him on a path to recovery. Through raw honesty and deep insight, he shares the emotional toll of life after service and how seeking help changed everything. Today, he dedicates his life to supporting youth in recovery, using his journey to inspire others.

His book, Special Welfare / Social Warfare, is a compelling look at the emotional wounds many of our nation’s youth carry and the healing possible through compassion and support.

To learn more about Thomas’s work and The Honor Bound Academy — an organization committed to guiding and empowering today’s youth — visit thehonorboundacademy.org. You can also find a link there to order his book.

Thank you, Thomas, for your service, vulnerability, and mission to make a difference.

There was a time when “Made in the U.S.A.” was the standard. During World War II, many private companies played a key role in supporting the war effort. That history made my recent conversation with Ben Keeney especially meaningful, as we discussed the importance of American-made personal protective equipment (PPE).

Ben is the co-founder of True Health, a company that manufactures nitrile and latex gloves here in the United States. Our discussion touched on the many challenges of PPE production, the risks of relying on foreign imports, and the contamination concerns often associated with overseas products.

Ben shared True Health’s mission to provide safe, reliable PPE while also creating entrepreneurial opportunities for U.S. veterans. One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was learning about their new program that actively involves veterans in the company’s operations and growth.

To learn more or place an order, visit https://www.truehealthus.com.

Thank you, Ben, for an insightful and inspiring conversation.

April 26th is a special day — it marks what I consider to be the true birthday of Oscar Mike Radio.

Nine years ago, on this date, Oscar Mike Radio began with a panel session at Massasoit Community College’s first Dale Dorman Media Day. To commemorate this milestone, going forward there will be a special annual show on April 26th called the Oscar Mike Radio Mission in Flight Award.

The first recipient of this honor is Navy Veteran Richard Sherman.

Richard shared his military experiences and his transition to civilian life, with a focus on his powerful photography project, Never Home: Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned.

Our conversation explored the emotional impact of visiting military cemeteries and how Richard uses photography to tell the stories of World War II veterans. He emphasizes the importance of remembering our fallen soldiers and the personal narratives behind their sacrifices.

Listening to Richard, I felt a deep connection with his journey. I was so moved by his words and work that I knew I had to do something special to honor him.

You can support Richard’s work by ordering his book on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1644919602/one-book-never-home-heroes-remembering.

To learn more about his project, visit his website: https://www.neverhomeheroes.com.

Thank you for watching and listening. Be sure to check out more episodes at https://www.oscarmikeradio.com.

It is with great pride that I share a special announcement about Richard Sherman, a U.S. Navy veteran and gifted photographer. Through his powerful book, Never Home, Richard has captured the stories of military heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and never returned from service during WWII. His work ensures that their legacies live on and are never forgotten.In recognition of his dedication, perseverance, and profound impact on the veteran community, I am honored to name Richard Sherman as the inaugural recipient of the Oscar Mike Radio Mission in Flight Award.This award celebrates individuals who embody resilience, belief, and a relentless drive to make a meaningful difference. Richard is not only preserving history—he is inspiring action. He is, without question, a force multiplier.You can support Richard’s work by purchasing Never Home on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/16449196....Tune in tonight at 8 PM EST on Oscar Mike Radio to hear the full story behind the man and his mission.Congratulations, Richard. Fair winds and following seas on your next journey.