IN THE NEWS

THIS WEEK'S GUEST

RAPID FIRE

Special Guest: Michael "Rod" Rodriguez.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
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• Join The American Legion | The American Legion
• Global War On Terrorism Memorial Foundation - Advocating for a memorial on the mall for GWOT service members.
• Team - Global War On Terrorism Memorial Foundation
• Text - H.R.1115 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
• Student Veterans of America Awards Inaugural Senator Bob Dole Continued Service Award to Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation - Student Veterans of America
• Find a Service Officer
• Legacy Scholarship: 2022 application open for military children of the fallen, disabled | The American Legion

Jeff and Ashley share some of their conversations with speakers, exhibitors and attendees during the 2022 Student Veterans of America National Conference at the Disney Coronado Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Special Guests: Jared Lyon, Michael Hoherchak, Solomon "Sol" Jennings IV, and Tamika Brown.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Episode 35: Tango Alpha Lima: SVA with guest Jared Lyon
• Join The American Legion | The American Legion
• News - Student Veterans of America
• USAJOBS - Search
• Veterans History Project (Library of Congress)
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• manhattan kansas american Legion - Google Search
• Post 17 | Pearce Keller American Legion Post 17 | United States
• Send us your feedback!

Jeff and Ashley are joined by Virginia Cruse, a licensed professional and nationally certified counselor specializing in military issues and combat-related trauma. Virginia shares her personal path to becoming a therapist and her quest to explain PTSD to service members in a way that makes sense.

Virginia also talks about how American Legion members and posts can help veterans struggling with PTSD.

Special Guest: Virginia Cruse.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• The Soldier's Guide to PTSD
• Join The American Legion | The American Legion
• The Soldier's Blog
• Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling) Home
• Home - Landing Page - Give an Hour
• Cohen Veterans Network | Veteran and Military Family Mental Health Care
• Find a Service Officer
• Veterans Crisis Line: Suicide Prevention Hotline, Text & Chat

Sean Powers is a former NYPD Officer, a member of American Legion 9-11 Memorial Post 2001 in New York City, and Tango Alpha Lima's first return guest.

He's come back to talk about the New York Police Department’s POPPA (Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance) program, a volunteer police support network committed to providing a confidential, safe and supportive environment for police officers and retirees.

While POPPA is geared toward officers, the approach can be scaled to assist veterans who are struggling, and Powers says he has used his POPPA training to help fellow veterans.

Special Guest: Sean Powers.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• POPPA New York Police
• Cop Counselors - Alexander Street, a ProQuest Company
• Join The American Legion | The American Legion
• Veterans Crisis Line: Suicide Prevention Hotline, Text & Chat
• Find a Service Officer

A decade ago, Air Force Veteran Jeffrey Freeman, frustrated by pain and limitations caused by service-related injuries and other health issues, attempted suicide. In the aftermath of that moment, Jeffrey found The American Legion and credits for saving his life nearly a decade ago, and he wants to share his story in hopes of helping other veterans who may need support.

Special Guest: Jeffrey Freeman.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Veterans Crisis Line: Suicide Prevention Hotline, Text & Chat
• Join The American Legion | The American Legion
• Find a Service Officer
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• California Helmets for Heroes

In our first of four episodes addressing veteran suicide, Idaho American Legion Adjutant Abe Abrahamson joins Jeff and Ashley to talk about One More Day, a peer-to-peer program where trained task force members help mitigate the situation when a veteran is in crisis, gets them assistance, and maintains contact and support for them in the aftermath. Abrahamson, who is also director of One More Day, believes this formula can be adapted elsewhere.

Special Guest: Abe Abrahamson.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Suicide Prevention Hotline: 24/7 Confidential Help – Veterans Crisis Line
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• Buddy Check | The American Legion
• Department of Idaho | The American Legion
• Find a Service Officer

Our big farewell to CV has a little bit of everything.

Ashley fosters a lively discussion about using the National Guard as a pivot point during the Jan. 6 Probe.

Jeff sings the praises of a daring Coast Guard rescue on the brink of Niagara Falls.

CV finally gets his wish as President Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Sgt. First Class Alwyn C. Cashe.

RAPID FIRE

Some surprise guests help bid CV adieu.

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• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Home - Heroes With Hearing Loss
• DRAMATIC VIDEO: Coast Guard attempts rescue at edge of Niagara Falls
• Medal of Honor Ceremony | C-SPAN.org
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• VA App Store | VA Mobile

Andrew Carroll, playwright, author and founding director of the Center for American War Letters at Chapman University, talks with Tango Alpha Lima about his work to preserve war letters, how he got started, and how of collecting correspondence has led to the creation of the virtual Museum of American War Letters and his new podcast, "Behind the Lines: The Worlds Greatest War Letters and the Stories Behind Them."

Andrew shares some of the most unique and compelling letters from his collection as well as some of the stories behind them.

Special Guest: Andrew Carroll.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• American Legion called upon to bolster Toys for Tots | The American Legion
• The Center for American War Letters | Legacy Project | Chapman University
• Behind the Lines Podcast
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• War Letters Museum
• Find a Service Officer
• Nominate A Tango Alpha Lima Guest | The American Legion

You have to do some math to figure it out, but Episode 80 is really our 100th episode. The hosts spend a little time reminiscing about favorite moments before we dive into the rest of the episode. (Check the show notes if you want to go back to any of the full episodes we loved)

Ashley gets excited about a newly signed bill that will allocate $15 million to improve maternity care for female veterans - although CV is not impressed by the name "Momnibus Bill"

It wouldn't be a 100th Episode without a good Space Force Story, and CV obliges with a story of the newest branch formulating a plan to train Guardians ... if they could just figure out what they're training them to do.

RAPID FIRE

Special Guests: Autrey James, Hugh Crooks Jr., Jeff Stoffer, Jessica Lynch, Naveed Jamali, Robert Douglas, Sean Powers, and Vince Patton.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• SE1EP1: Take me to the pilot — Watch Jeff Daly from the cozy confines of his boudoir.
• Tango Alpha Lima remembers 9/11 with USCG Master Chief Petty Officer Vince Patton — Ashley gets a shock during one of our most memorable 9/11 special episodes
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 65: Tango Alpha Lima: First steps for Afghan Interpreters, Pay the Guard, and GOMORs Galore — In which we pull one over on CV.
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast: Episode 9: Tango Alpha Lima: Race and Law Enforcement - Part I
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast: Episode 9: Tango Alpha Lima: Race and Law Enforcement - Part II
• The American Legion (@theamericanlegion) • Instagram photos and videos — Catch our NYC parade interviews
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 50: Tango Alpha Lima: Devil Dogs Decline Vaccine, a Legion Founder and Navy 'Deviants' — Where we begin our officer roast.
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 39: Tango Alpha Lima: How to Catch a Russian Spy with guest Naveed Jamali — Russian spies and Hooters
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 91114: Tango Alpha Lima remembers 9/11 with former POW Jessica Lynch — Really, it's THE Jessica Lynch.
• Tango Alpha Lima Podcast Episode 91106: Tango Alpha Lima remembers 9/11 with air traffic controller Robert Douglas — Our most watched/listened to episode
• American Legion called upon to bolster Toys for Tots | The American Legion
• New law pumps $15 million into improved maternity care for female veterans | Stars and Stripes
• Space Force Has a Plan for Training Its Troops. Now It Must Figure Out What They Need to Learn - Government Executive
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program
• Smarter not harder: How the Marine Corps wants to improve performance
• Marine Corps Commandant considers letting some Marines skip boot camp
• Why the Marine Corps wants to tank National Guard recruiting efforts

Stephen “Shanghai Six” Machuga deftly avoids falling down the World of Warcraft well with CV as he shares the story of how he started his non-profit, Stack Up, as a way to bring veterans and civilian supporters together through a shared love of video gaming.

Stephen talks about the programs Stack Up offers, gaming as recreation therapy, and opportunities for American Legion members to connect.

Special Guest: Stephen Machuga.

Links:

• Watch video of this episode on YouTube
• Send us your feedback!
• Join The American Legion
• Military Charity | Stack Up | United States
• Air Assaults | Stack Up
• The Stacks | Stack Up
• Overwatch Program (StOP) | Stack Up
• Dr Disrespect - Wikipedia
• (1) Stephen at San Diego Comic Con (@ShanghaiSix) / Twitter
• American Legion called upon to bolster Toys for Tots | The American Legion
• The American Legion Vehicle Donation Program