VA News Podcast

I was introduced to Bob Wright by an organization named Us Too. Us Too is an organization that supports and advocates for men at all stages of prostate cancer. Bob is an Army Veteran having served in Vietnam. He is going to talk to us about his time in the military, discovering he had cancer, and become a support group leader for men.

Bob served as a Battalion Surgeon`s Assistant as First Lieutenant Medical Service Corps with 101st Airborne Division. He was in Vietnam from 1969-1970. During his time in service, his efforts were recognized with a Combat Medical Badge, Bronze Star , Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

Covered in Episode 29:

• How to submit questions to podcast
• Interview with Army Veteran Bob Wright  
  • Why she joined the Army
  • His experience in Vietnam and the Army
  • Discovering he had cancer
  • Defeating cancer
  • Becoming a support group leader
• VA research on cancer
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Carl Woida

When you're active in the Veteran community, you tend to hear names repeated in conversation and mentioned on social media. Recently, one of those names is Skye Marshall. I saw Skye in Got Your 6's #shesbadass campaign and knew she'd make a great feature on the podcast. Skye talks with us about serving in the Air Force, following her dreams to Hollywood, working with Al Pacino, and more.

About Skye:

Covered in Episode 28:

• Review and recap of Facebook chat on burial benefits
• Interview with Air Force Veteran Skye Marshall  
  • Why she joined the Air Force
  • Her experience in the military
  • Transitioning to civilian life
  • Choosing to pursue show business
  • Working with Al Pacino
  • How her military service serves her acting career
• School locator for GI Bill benefits
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army and Navy Veteran Anthony L. Johnson

The Women In Military Service For America Memorial (WIMSA), is the only major national memorial honoring all women who have defended America throughout history. It sits at the end of the road as you approach the gates of Arlington Nation Cemetery near Washington D.C. Today's podcast features Army Veteran Dee McWilliams, the current president of WIMSA. Dee talks to us about her 29 years in the Army, retirement, serving as WIMSA president and the significance of the women's memorial.

About Dee:

MG Dee Ann McWilliams retired from the Army in 2003, later joining the Office of the Director of National Intelligence where she served until 2010 as Director of the Lessons Learned Center.

MG McWilliams holds degrees from Lon Morris College, Stephen F. Austin University where she was named a distinguished alumnus, Texas Woman’s University, and the National War College.

IIn 2007, MG McWilliams joined the board of directors for the Women In Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, assuming the position of Vice Chair in 2014. She formerly served as President of the Army Women’s Foundation, a Director on the Army Historical Foundation Board, and on the Lon Morris College Board of Trustees.

She was the 2013 recipient of the American Veterans Center Lillian K. Keil Award for outstanding contribution to women’s service in the United States military and was named a Trailblazer by Women Veterans Interactive.

Covered in Episode 27:

• Review and recap of Facebook chat on burial benefits
• Interview with Army Veteran Dee McWilliams  
  • Why she joined the Army
  • Her experience in the military
  • Retirement from the Army
  • Finding a new purpose after the military
  • Becoming president of WIMSA
  • The significance and value of the memorial
• Center for Women Veterans
• #VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Mary Tener Davidson Hall

Episode 25 is here! This is a fun milestone for us and we're happy to continue this great program. This week's interview features two Veterans involved with the Veterans Community Project in Kansas City.

Kevin Jamison retired after 20 years of service in the Marine Corps. He served three tours in Iraq, was part of the embassy evacuation in Albania in 1997, and was part of the US operation in Haiti in 1994. He is now the Chief Operations Officer for Veterans Community Project.

Bryan Meyer is a prior Marine Corps helicopter Crew Chief. He deployed twice to Iraq and participated in Operations Shining Express. he is now the Chief Legal Officer for Veterans Community Project.

Covered in Episode 25:

• WWI commemoration
• Interviews with Kevin Jamison and Bryan Meyer
  • What is Veterans Community Project
  • The tiny house village for Veterans
  • The value the efforts bring to the community
  • What inspired this initiative?
  • How it fulfills them
  • How its truly benefiting Veterans
• VA's resources for Veteran Homelessness
• Veteran of the Day Navy Veteran Major Lewis

When Got Your 6 first got on my radar, I wasn't sure what they did. Years later, I still wasn't convinced I understood their mission. Then, a few weeks ago, their Executive Director Bill Rausch interviewed Secretary Shulkin for our YouTube Live event. After the event, I invited him to join me on the podcast and he enthusiastically agreed. We had a very informative and fun conversation regarding his service, Got Your 6, the Veteran space, collaboration among organizations, a conflict of guilt some veterans have, and even beards.

About Bill:

Bill Rausch is the Executive Director at Got Your 6. He is a former Army Major with over ten years of service including 17 months in Iraq serving under Generals Casey and Petraeus while assigned to the Information Operations Task Force. Prior to joining GY6, Bill was Political Director at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America where he oversaw policy and advocacy campaigns.

Bill is also an active community leader and volunteer serving as Chapter Captain for Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) in his local community in Alexandria, VA. He also serves on the Board of Directors at Volunteer Alexandria, an organization promoting volunteerism across all charity sectors.

Covered in Episode 24:

• Veteran of the Day FAQ
• Interview with Army Veteran Bill Rausch  
  • Why he joined the Army
  • His experience in the military
  • Getting out and getting back in again
  • Top beards in the Veteran space
  • The mission and direction of Got Your 6
  • Four Veterans that he admires that have him excited
• Get involved with VA Volunteer Services
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Onnie Roberts Stanley

When I first conceptualized VA's podcast, I knew Team Rubicon would be an early feature. Team Rubicon has had a significant impact on the world by providing natural disaster relief and it has had an even bigger impact on the Veteran space by providing a renewed purpose for Veteran volunteers. This week's guest is the Chief Operating Officer for Team Rubicon, Art delaCruz.

Art delaCruz served honorably for more than 22 years in the United States Navy and enjoyed a career that included a broad range of assignments.  Art commanded a Navy strike-fighter squadron, spent one year with McKinsey & Co. as a Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, served as a Topgun instructor, and made six combat deployments.  After retiring, he spent two and a half years in the aerospace and defense sector in the roles of business development and strategy and planning.

Covered in Episode 23:

• Vietnam War Commemoration
• Interview with Navy Veteran Art delaCruz   
  • Why he joined the Navy
  • His experience in the military
  • His decision to retire and how he came to that decision
  • Transitioning back to civilian life
  • Getting involved at Team Rubicon
  • Working as Chief Operating Officer
• Transferring your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to your children
• #VeteranOfTheDay  Army Veteran Longshaw Kraus Porritt

This week's podcast features another participant in the 2017 Women Veterans Art Exhibit, Navy Veteran Debra Russell.  The exhibit is traveling to ten different VA medical centers throughout the month of March to celebrate and honor Women's History Month and how Veterans use art for personal expression.

Debra joined the military in 1984 and served until 1997. She worked in supply early on and went on to work on the staff for an Admiral.  She was "med-boarded" after a running accident and was separated from the military. Around that same time, she was dealing with a sexual assault she experienced with a superior. Debra opens up regarding her service, her transition, and how she uses art and photography for therapy.

Covered in Episode 22:

• HillVets 100
• Interview with Navy Veteran Debra Russell  
  • Why she joined the military
  • Her experience in the Navy
  • Being sexually assaulted by a superior
  • Overcoming an emotional crisis
  • Using her local Vet Center
  • Why she enjoys photography
  • Being a part of the women veterans art exhibit
• Resources for women Veterans
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Ralph “Malachias” Gaskin

The podcast continues to grow and it is thanks to our wonderful audience. Thank you for taking the time to listen to these powerful Veteran stories. This week's guest is Army Veteran Pamela Corwin.

Pamela served in the Army for six years. She went on to complete a Masters in Biology from The Citadel. She now works full-time as a wildlife and fisheries biologist for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

I asked Pamela to join me on the podcast because she is one of ten artists being featured in 2017 women Veterans art exhibit. The exhibit is traveling to ten different VA medical centers throughout the month of March to celebrate and honor Women's History Month and how Veterans use art for personal expression.

Covered in Episode 21:

• Women Veterans art exhibit
• Interview with Army Veteran Pamela Corwin

• • Why she joined the military
  • Her experience in the Army
  • Being a suicide prevention coordinator
  • Transitioning out of the service
  • Becoming a biologist
  • Art and her enjoyment of drawing fish
• Suicide prevention resources
• #VeteranOfTheDay World War II Veteran Mabel Kauffman

We're back with another great episode of This Week at VA. This week's featured guest is Army Veteran, Bobby Henline.

As a 4-tour Iraqi War Veteran, Retired Staff Sergeant, Wounded Warrior, Comedian, and Bravo748 Motivational Presenter, Bobby Henline’s story and lived experiences have been featured in numerous media, including the documentaries “Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor”, “Healing Bobby”, and “Weight of Honor”; on CNN, PBS KET, NPR, Today.com, and Time.com; Time Magazine, People Magazine, The Huffington Post, Guideposts, and The Nipawin Journal; as well as television, radio, and podcasts around the world.

During his initial six-month hospital stay, Bobby remained upbeat, positive, and relied on humor to get him through each day. Putting nurses in headlocks, trying to keep other wounded soldiers’ spirits up by telling them jokes, and singing a ditty over and over garnered the attention of his occupational therapist. She challenged him to go to an open mic night and try his hand at comedy.

Covered in Episode 20:

• Contacting VA with questions
• Interview with Army Veteran Bobby Henline  
  • Why Bobby enlisted
  • His experience in the Army
  • Suffering his burns and injuries
  • Exploring comedy
  • Being an inspiration
• Vocational Rehab and Employmemt
• #VeteranOfTheDay Marine Veteran Mildred Partlow

I hope everyone had a pleasant President's Day weekend. This week's podcast is an exciting one as it features our new Secretary, Dr. David Shulkin. This is the first interview Secretary Shulkin conducted after swearing in as Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Honorable David J. Shulkin was nominated by President Trump to serve as the ninth Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 13, 2017.

Prior to his confirmation as Secretary, Dr. Shulkin served as VA’s Under Secretary for Health for 18 months, leading the Nation’s largest integrated health care system, with over 1,700 sites of care serving nearly nine million Veterans.

Covered in Episode 19:

• YouTube Live town hall with SECVA
• Interview with Secretary David Shulkin

• • Taking job as SECVA
  • The importance of the Veteran community
  • Serving Veterans
  • Continuing to improve VA
  • Treating patients
• Follow Secretary Shulkin on Twitter @SecShulkin
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Sharon Vargas