Saturday was go time for Michael Darrah. The Soldier, Army Ranger, husband and father said he was going to step into a ring having never done it before. He did.
I went to Warwick last night to check out Brawl for it All 5. There is some who would say that the boxing scene is dead. After last night, I think that there are some hard working talented athletes and trainers who made the trip worthwhile. These are dedicated, talented people.
Mike was the last card before the main event. He and Team Darrah came out to the “Lion Sleeps Tonight” with flags waving and the crowd loved it.
Speaking of crowd, all I saw was “Team Darrah” shirts and swag everywhere. A big shout out to Mike Smith, who worked behind the scenes to promote and sell tickets. Also it was cool to hang out with Matt D, who is considering following Michael’s footsteps. Good stuff.
Chad and Mike faced off and people around me were like, “Who is this guy?” I was like, “Mike has never fought before, ever…” People started to look at this fight differently.
I don’t know much about boxing. So I respect the hell out of the dedication and effort it takes to get into the ring much less go the distance. Putting my spin on the fight won’t count for much here. All I will say is after watching multiple boxers go down in the first or second round, it was bad ass to see Mike go all three rounds.
In the end, he lost the match by the scorecard, and like that it was over. I walked up to him and saw that he was literally covered in sweat and blood. Some people say it, some people sing it; however, here was a man who walked his talk. So while he didn’t win the match, I will never say that he was beaten.
You made all of us proud Michael. Glad to have met you and let’s train or go riding soon.
** FILE ** In a file photo British soldiers give a hand in rescue operations at the site of the bomb-wrecked U.S. Marine command center near Beirut airport Sunday, Oct. 23, 1983. Imad Mughniyeh, the militant accused of attacks that left hundreds of Americans and Israelis dead, has been killed, Hezbollah said Wednesday Feb. 13, 2008. He was suspected of masterminding the attack on Marine base in Lebanon that killed more than 260 Americans in 1983. (AP Photo/Bill Foley/File)
I was 11 when this happened. I don’t remember much to tell you the truth. I read about it in school, and the bombing was covered in detail when I was in boot camp. A large truck carrying a bomb ran into a command center in Beirut, Lebanon killed over 300 people.
I couldn’t believe that it was worst day of casualties for the Marine Corps since Iwo Jima. This was also when I first heard about Islam. I read James Clavell’s Whirlwind, and started to get an understanding for how different Middle East was compared to my life.
I all know is we can never forget the Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and French soldiers who were killed in this attack.
Several lessons were learned as a result of this attack. One of the primary changes, was the mandate that protective barriers capable of stopping a truck that would have carried bombs. More resources were put into intelligence about terrorism.
Looking back on 9/11 and other terrorist attacks, the question has to be asked if we have learned anything? Or are we still repeating the same mistakes that lead to this terrible event?
Source D-Day Museum and The National D-Day Memorial
I looked at that image and tried to wrap my head around it. More Americans died on June 6th than in the Afghanistan over 10 years.
I don’t know what else I can add to what has been already said, written and filmed about D-Day. I do know that without D-Day it would have been next to impossible for the Allies to win WWII.
73 years later, D-Day still resonates across the world. I don’t think we should ever forget what was done. It is highly unlikely that we will ever see an operation on that scale ever again.
I think seeing the film D-Day: Over Normandy a couple weeks ago really drove all this home. I hope this story never gets old, and that we never forget what was done this day.
I had the privilege of being able to guest host last Wednesday on South Shore News and Views. The program airs on WVBF AM 1530. SSN&Vs is hosted by Jack White, Murray Vetstein and Bob Wisgirda. You could say this program is where I got my real start in radio. I got to see how a program is set up start to finish, and learn some of the important tasks that go into making a radio show work.
Jack White, Julie Lovely, and Murray Vetstein – April 19th 2017
South Shore News and Views airs every Wednesday from 1-3 PM. You can also listen to this program on the Tune-In App on your phone or listen on your computer by going to http://www.hometowntalkradio.com/ and clicking dog to listen live. If you want to find out what is going on around the South Shore, this is the place to be. They love it when people call in to the show. The number is (508) 822-1106.
Wednesday, April 19th Julie Lovely came on the show and talked about the program she runs to help combat veteran suicide.
I was interested to hear about her work and how Horses for Heroes helped veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI. It is heart wrenching going to funerals for brothers and sisters who feel that there is no other option.
Julie talked about the program, how it got started, and how horses are well suited to help veterans. I was drawn into how she started with an idea to help someone and now it is something that changing lives. Julie wasn’t there to pat herself on the back, but to tell us how a horse can help someone who is suffering on the inside. I was hooked. WVBF and South Shore News and Views cares about our military and veterans, and I was glad to be a part of this show. Julie closed out the show by talking about the upcoming benefit dinner on May 20th. I will have the link below. Please check out the website and social media links below.
Wild Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Program – Links
Mark Vital from Sweats for Vets sent me an email today with the 2016 Campaign Totals. Mark Vital was in Episode 18 – Mark Vital – Sweats for Vets. Mark Vital and his crew wrapped and distributed 1,033 sweatshirts to 28 different shelters/transitional homes in all the New England states.
I looked at the totals below, and the number of sweatshirts going to these different locations means that this was a complete team effort. I just wanted to take a some time and say congratulations to Sweats for Vets. I can’t wait to have Mark back on to talk about 2017.
This is the breakdown of what Sweats for Vets did in 2016. Great job!
Today marks 75 years ago that Japan attacked conducted a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack changed our country forever, and the effects can still be felt today.
I feel it is important to take time to remember what happened and understand how this changed us and the world. I think of all the lives that were lost on that day and the lives that would be lost before the end of World War II. I also think about how the United States responded as a nation and how it affected my grandfathers who served in the Navy.
Japanese Prime Minister Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has committed to visiting Pearl Harbor. He would be the first Japanese Prime Minister to ever do so. I am not sure how I feel about this because the Japanese have never apologized for the attack. While I appreciate the gesture as a way to move forward with Japan as an ally, almost 2500 Americans were killed at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago.
Take some time today to listen to the some of the surviving veterans from Pearl Harbor, and watch some of the old news reels. Talk about it with your children, and like 9/11 let us never forget.
