For this episode I was blessed to be able to sit down with Joe Chenelly! Joe is the National Executive Director for AMVETS (America Veterans), and a family man, so I truly appreciate him taking some time to sit down and talk with me! In this episode We learn about ASMVETS and the good work they do, and hear a little bit about Joes’ career. Turns out he is aquatinted with a former guest podcast, and was peripherally involved in a well publicized event during his time in Iraq. You can find out more about AMVETS at AMVETS.org or you can follow Joe on twitter @jchenelly And of course you can reach me on twitter @jverhalen on facebook at “Voices of Americas Veerans” and email at [email protected]

For this episode, I get to talk with someone who truly is one of my favorite people! Full disclosure: Cliff is one of the people I had in mind when i decided I wanted to talk to and record veterans! Enjoy!!!

I experienced a technical difficulty with this episode, but i wanted to go ahead and share it. But in this episode I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with retired Sergeant Major Yolanda Mayo. I will say, that I could have sat and listened to her all evening! She shared a little about experiencing history, about the Marine Corp training her in makeup, and competing in a pageant for the opportunity to represent the organization: Final Salute Inc. an organization that is doing some amazing work to help Women Veterans! Please look them up and support them at: www.finalsaluteinc.org as well as www.msveteranamerica.org Sunday Oct 11, 2020!

For this episode I finally got the love of my life to sit down with me! It took her a little bit to get warmed up, but I am so glad that she did! For this episode we talk about several things: how our lives have been touched by an active duty members suicide, how Sheila has seen the workings (and some failings) of the military support structure, and she helped me through a dark period. I can’t thank her enough for doing the podcast with me, and for sharing with me, for sleeping with me, and for supporting me when she did!

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with fellow navy veterans Derek Galsband. He shared some his experiences from the navy, which in this case, were pretty sad to listen to. He talks about his time on his first ship, and how it affected his mental and physical health. Derek is also a podcaster and active on social media. So look him up if you have a story to tell! His podcast and social media handle is: Once Upon a Boot. So again, look him up, give a subscribe and listen!

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Major Jon Nagel. Who, among other things is a combat veteran, a teacher and a blacksmith! And somehow found time talk and share with me. At one point you will hear him talk about how suicide touches and affects everyone! Check out his work on Facebook and Instagram at Nagelhaus Forge!

In this episode I had the honor of speaking to Ms. Heidi Estrada. I truly enjoyed just sitting an listening to her! There were a couple of times i started to interrupt her, but a little voice just said: no! Let her speak! I think it worked out much better that way, because this is “Voices of Americas Veterans”. Not Joey talks over his guests! I did have a technical issue on my side, which you will hear when you listen. But again, you are not here for me,you for our veterans and their stories so I ran with it!

A few numbers and contacts as promised: Facebook page - Voices of Americas Veterans. Email is [email protected]. And patriotpaws.org if you would to contact to the people who are responsible for bringing Luna into Richards life.

A brief intro to “Voices of Americas Veterans” and to myself, Joey Verhalen. It’s extremely rough and uncut. You can most likely hear me playing with a binder clip because I am so nervous! I put a musical track in to try and cover my fidgeting, didn’t work. Anyway, here it is! Please help me reach out and get in touch with our nations veterans so they can know that i here for them! Facebook page is “Voices Of Americas Veterans” and email address is [email protected]