Tango Alpha Lima Podcast

National Medal of Honor Day

THE INTERVIEW
Access to food, childcare, transportation, mental health resources, social connection and more are key issues facing veterans in their first year transitioning out of the military. Air Force veteran Abby Kinch shares how Student Veterans of America is addressing these needs with its Basic Needs and Wellness Survey.

SCUTTLEBUTT
The first Americans to earn the Distinguished Service Cross were two Army nurses

Remembering Marine Corps veteran and Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman

Special Guest: Abby Kinch.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Take the SVA Basic Needs and Wellness Survey
• Join The American Legion
• National Medal of Honor Museum hosts Grand Opening
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 151: Tango Alpha Lima: National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation CEO Chris Cassidy
• National Medal of Honor Museum
• Home - Heroes With Hearing Loss
• Homepage - Student Veterans of America®
• Student Veterans Center
• The Consequences of Being Called A Hero | Duke's Fuqua School of Business
• Veteran Non-profit | America’s Warrior Partnership
• Peering Through the Fog: A Proposal for Veteran Critical Theory
• SXSW EDU 2025 Schedule | The Catalytic Power of Veterans on Campus
• Find A Chapter - Student Veterans of America®
• Find a Post
• Research - Student Veterans of America®
• Two women were the first to earn this Army combat award
• Famous Veteran: Gene Hackman | Military.com

When veterans return to the civilian world, they often encounter challenges related to employment and mental health. That’s where having a tribe can be a game changer. Retired Army Col. Adam Rocke and retired Army Gen. Paul Funk II share how finding a tribe can help with improving mental health, finding a job and more on this week’s episode of Tango Alpha Lima.

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE
We Can Do It! Roll up your sleeves and show us your best Rosie Pose for Rosie the Riveter Day

Special Guests: Adam Rocke and Gen. Paul Funk.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Rosie The Riveter | You can do it!
• Be The One | The American Legion
• Active Duty & Military Mental Healthcare & Health Services Providers Clinics Alaska - Katie's Way Plus
• Warrior Call
• Buddy Check | The American Legion
• Tribe — Sebastian Junger
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 107: Tango Alpha Lima: Author, journalist and filmmaker Sebastian Junger
• DOD SkillBridge Program
• Home Page - Hiring Our Heroes
• Home | Team Funk
• Home | Soldier for Life

Sleep expert Dr. Tina Burke shares her experience working with veterans, first responders and others who have trouble sleeping and provides tips on how to improve sleep including meditation, breathing techniques and establishing a routine.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Anna Coleman Ladd: the American woman who sculpted new faces for battle-scarred WWI vets

The Healing Benefits of Humor and Laughter

National Debunking Day

Special Guest: Dr. Tina Burke.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• CMPN Training Products
• WRAIR: Biomedical Research
• Anna Coleman Ladd: Les Gueules Cassées (“The Shattered Mugs”) - The Manchester Cricket
• The American woman who sculpted new faces for battle-scarred WWI vets — The American woman who sculpted new faces for battle-scarred WWI vets
• Anna Coleman Ladd | Smithsonian Institution
• Anna Coleman Ladd: An Artist Who Created Hope for Wounded Soldiers – Pieces of History
• The Healing Benefits of Humor and Laughter - Whole Health Library
• DEBUNKING DAY - March 11, 2025 - National Today
• Wild Thing: Longform Podcasts about Science and Society | Foxtopus Ink

Retired Col. Sam Whitehurst found his purpose during his nearly 30 years in the Army. Whitehurst developed a passion for uplifting and developing the soldiers around him. That experience smoothed his civilian transition to his role at the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services where he helps veterans and their families. Whitehurst discusses all this and more as the special guest on this week’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

SCUTTLEBUTT
FDA Finally Bans Red Dye No.3 from Food, Drinks and Medicines in US–Following Cancer Link

A trailblazing woman veteran: Linda A McDonald DuMoulin Horan

Use Your Leadership Skills: Become a Mentor for a Veteran

Special Guest: Sam Whitehurst.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Be The One | The American Legion
• Home page - dixoncenter
• American Legion testifies on citizenship for service | The American Legion
• After Action | Pledge of Allegiance | Season 1 | Episode 3 | PBS
• Home - Soldier On
• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – Until No Veteran Is Homeless
• Join | The American Legion
• FDA Finally Bans Red Dye No.3 from Food, Drinks and Medicines in US–Following Cancer Link — FDA Finally Bans Red Dye No.3 from Food, Drinks and Medicines in US–Following Cancer Link
• A first, and proud of it | Legiontown U.S.A.
• Use Your Leadership Skills: Become a Mentor for a Veteran | Military.com — Use Your Leadership Skills: Become a Mentor for a Veteran

What's on the menu for “Let’s All Eat Right” day

THE INTERVIEW
Dr. Columbus Batiste honed his skills as a cardiologist while working for the VA. He is working to reduce the number of deaths from heart disease, which surpassed 702,000 in 2022. In celebration of Heart Health Month, he joins the Tango Alpha Lima podcast to share how veterans can protect their hearts to live longer, healthier lives.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Army officers had to write haikus about Pacific theater of World War II during a leadership course

Remebering Hal Sperlich, Navy Seabee and Engineering Pioneer of the Mustang and Minivan

We were soldiers once...and dipped.

Special Guest: Dr. Columbus D. Batiste.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• LET'S ALL EAT RIGHT DAY - February 25, 2025 - National Today
• Home - Heroes With Hearing Loss
• Home - Dr. Columbus Batiste
• Healthy Heart Nation - Healthy Heart Nation
• (4) Slave Food Conversations - How to keep your kidneys from failing - YouTube
• (4) FLAMIN' HOT | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures - YouTube
• Be The One | The American Legion
• Army has officers write haikus about WWII in leadership course — Army officers had to write haikus about Pacific theater of World War II during a leadership course
• Hal Sperlich, Navy Seabee and Engineering Pioneer of the Mustang and Minivan, Dies at Age 95 | Military.com — Hal Sperlich, Navy Seabee and Engineering Pioneer of the Mustang and Minivan,
• An ode to the GWOT spitter
• How To Quit Smoking & Other Tobacco: Veteran Resources - Mental Health
• Why I Abandoned Traditional Cardiology to Become the “Healthy Heart Doc”
• Join The American Legion

Celebrating National Vet Girls Rise Day

THE INTERVIEW
Army veteran John Davis lives in the Dominican Republic, scuba dives, plays golf and works as a veteran advocate. In this episode, he shares what veterans need to know about the process to move abroad, what to do in advance, how to take care of their health care, mental wellness and much more.

SCUTTLEBUTT
New bill would make it easier for veterans who signed secrecy oaths for covert ops to obtain back benefits

A caucus of military veterans seeks to bridge the political divide in a polarized Congress

Marine recruit uniforms were photoshopped on at boot camp

Special Guest: John Davis.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• Home - Military Women's Memorial
• Be The One | The American Legion
• Home - John H. Davis
• Veterans Guide to Moving Abroad - John H. Davis
• Combat to College - John H. Davis
• Writing Archive - John H. Davis
• Bill would make it easier for veterans who signed secrecy oaths for covert ops to obtain back benefits | Stars and Stripes
• Military veterans in Congress bridge the political divide | AP News
• The Marines tried photoshopping uniforms on recruits at boot camp

Army 1st Lt. Austin von Letkemann, better known to his Instagram followers as MandatoryFunDay, shares his unusual rise to fame on the podcast. His Instagram channel, with 20 million monthly views, features comedy videos that poke fun at various parts of military life.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Medals of Honor, delayed nearly 120 years due to administrative issues, to be posthumously delivered to desendants.

VA National Salute to Veteran Patients

Reddit Rabbit Hole: Military Romance Scams

Special Guest: Austin Von Letkemann.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Be The One | The American Legion
• MandatoryFunDay
• Office Joe
• 2 soldiers who fought in the Philippine Insurrection to be awarded Medals of Honor approved more than a century ago | Stars and Stripes
• Valentines and visitors say Thank You Veterans - VA News
• Questions about a potential "Military Romance" scam. : r/Scams
• I think my Mom is in a military romance scam... UPDATE : r/Scams
• TangoAlphaLima

Stacy, Joe and Adam look forward to the holidays and observances in February, including African American History Month, International Women’s Day, Valentines Day, Change Your Password Day, and GI Joe Day.

THE INTERVIEW
After making history, Kamin Samuel struggled upon leaving the military. Now she is an entrepreneur, best-selling author and documentary filmmaker of “Courage to Thrive.”

SCUTTLEBUTT
Arizona Legion members take part in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop.

National WWII Museum in New Orleans, the special exhibition - Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II

A trip down the Reddit rabbit hole in search of wild post office stories in honor of National Thank a Mail Carrier Day

Special Guest: Kamin Samuel.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• The Action-Packed History of G.I. Joe — Google Arts & Culture
• Be The One | The American Legion
• Kamin Samuel
• Home - Kamin Samuel
• VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports
• Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being: Seligman, Martin E. P.: 9781439190760: Amazon.com: Books
• Post 109 Invades the Arizona Bowl | Legiontown U.S.A.
• Fighting for the Right to Fight | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans
• Story of the Buffalo Soldiers 'positive history' for Iron Riders Gathering co-chair | The American Legion
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 103: Tango Alpha Lima: Buffalo Soldier Iron Riders with Bobby McDonald
• What’s your most wild post office story? : r/USPS
• I’m a former USPS mail carrier that worked for 10 months. Ask me anything and I'll answer them as honestly as possible! : r/IAmA
• TangoAlphaLima
• Join The American Legion

California Legion members standing strong and supporting communities devastated by wildfires.

THE INTERVIEW
Patrick Murphy, who joined the Army at 19, worked his way up to become the 32nd Army Under Secretary and America’s first Iraq War veteran to serve in Congress. Today, he continues to serve his brothers and sisters.

SCUTTLEBUTT
Happy Birthday Coast Guard
How Navy veteran Charles Sanna changed hot chocolate forever
Remembering President Jimmy Carter

Special Guest: Hon. Patrick J. Murphy.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Join The American Legion
• ‘It’s a warzone’: Army veteran shaken by aftermath of Palisades Fire - YouTube
• In Pacific Palisades, ‘memories are gutted’ but Legion will help community rebuild | The American Legion
• American Legion Post 519 Raises Funds for LA Fire Victims at Village Fest
• California District 21 the American Legion Family Fire Relief Donation | Supervisor Karen Spiegel - Riverside County District 2
• (20+) Mendocino Action News - Fire, Traffic and Other Emergencies | DONATION CENTER FOR #LOSANGELES FIRES: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | Facebook
• ‘We will be back. We will rebuild.’ | The American Legion
• Be The One | The American Legion
• Taking the Hill Productions — Veteran Owned & Operated Television & Film Production Company
• Business and Finance News Videos - Yahoo Finance
• Patrick J. Murphy
• National Emergency Fund | The American Legion
• How a Korean War Food Surplus Brought Instant Hot Cocoa to the World | Military.com
• How Jimmy Carter Saved Canadian Nuclear Reactor After Meltdown | Military.com

American Folk singer-songwriter and author Mary Gauthier talks about her addiction recovery, mental health journey and how she uses songwriting to help veterans with PTSD.

She works with veterans on their healing through songwriting with SongwritingWith:Soldiers.

“What I try to emphasize is that this can be of service to other people — a lifeline actually, which it often is.”

SCUTTLEBUTT
VA awards $1.5 million to study using psychedelics for PTSD treatment

The Army built a giant concrete pyramid in North Dakota and only used it for six months

Vets can opt for ‘green’ burials at VA cemeteries through new pilot

Special Guest: Mary Gauthier.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Home - Heroes With Hearing Loss
• Mary Gauthier
• Songwriting With: Soldiers | Transforming Lives by Collaborative Songwriting
• Rifles & Rosary Beads — Mary Gauthier
• Hurt - YouTube
• Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting - Kindle edition by Gauthier, Mary. Arts & Photography Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
• Be The One | The American Legion
• VA awards $1.5 million to study using psychedelics for PTSD treatment — VA awards $1.5 million to study using psychedelics for PTSD treatment
• This massive pyramid in North Dakota helped end the Cold War
• (18) "Weird" Al Yankovic - Amish Paradise (Parody of "Gangsta's Paradise" - Official Video) - YouTube
• Vets can opt for ‘green’ burials at VA cemeteries through new pilot — Vets can opt for ‘green’ burials at VA cemeteries through new pilot