David, a.k.a. “Big Dog” from the Veterans Brotherhood VMC asked me to come down to Christ Church in Swansea, MA for the Church’s monthly Veterans’ Breakfast on Saturday, August 5th, 2023.
Christ Church in Swansea, MA puts on a monthly breakfast for Veterans. I was impressed with the number of Veterans in attendance but also how the church ran the breakfast. The food was good and smiles were everywhere. I think Christ Church is onto something. Instead of big gala events, maybe some pancakes, bacon, and orange juice are more effective at getting Veterans together than anything else.
The Veterans Brotherhood VMC headed up by David, “Big Dog” had gathered up World War II Veterans that he takes care of to meet each other at the Veterans’ Breakfast.
Former Boston Globe and award-winning photojournalist Bill Brett was there and talked with the World War II Veterans and got some amazing photos for his upcoming book. He was warm and engaging me with me, and I enjoyed talking with him.
I always have fun talking with these real-life heroes. Both Manny and Caster have been on Oscar Mike Radio and seeing both of them makes it all worth it.
Thanks David, for getting these World War II Veterans together. I appreciate the work that Christ Church, all the members, and volunteers do to put on breakfast for us Veterans!
Gail McAuliffe is a U.S. Army Veteran. She is the lead for rolling out the Behavioral Health Help Line for Massachusetts. After leaving the military she worked for different organizations before working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services. After working for the VA she went into the private sector and is now with Beacon Health Options working to roll out the Mass Help Line.
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Line is about getting help to the citizen of the Commonwealth who are in need. Covering a variety of needs, the Behavioral Health Help Line seeks to connect people care and support resources in a way that gets help where it is needed quickly.
We talked about how this was different than other programs in terms of confidentiality, follow-up, and making sure people are getting help. The goal is to make Massachusetts residents aware of the resource that is staffed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, all year round.
Thank you for talking with me Gail, I am looking forward to catching up with you as this program is maturing.
Veterans Administration – Public Service Announcement
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Semper Savage is the official marinade and salad dressing for Oscar Mike Radio! Semper Savage is a Veteran Owned salad dressing and marinade company. Go to www.sempersavage.com and use “oscarmikeradio” at checkout for 10% off your order. Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business.
Bottom Gun Coffee
The official coffee of Oscar Mike Radio is Bottom Gun Coffee. Submariners know their coffee so go to www.bottomguncoffee.com and use “OMR” at checkout for 10% off your order! Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business
Caisson Shaving Company
The only shaving products I used on my face come from Travis Arnold’s company, Caisson Shaving Company. Travis is a Veteran and has created products that can be used anywhere. Use code “OMR10” for a 10% discount when you order
Oscar Mike Radio is now on Wreaths Across America Radio Thursday at 11 am and Sunday at 8 am eastern. Find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word wreath for Wreaths Across America Radio. Oscar Mike Radio is a top 100 podcast on Feedspot – https://blog.feedspot.com/veteran_podcasts/
The Veterans Kitchen hosted World War II Veterans on September 8th, 2022. This was done with help from the Veterans Brotherhood VM/C, The Fall River War Veterans Council, Andy Biggio, author of “The Rifle”, and City Councilors Linda Pereira, and Laura Washington. I learned a lot about the work The Veterans Kitchen does and the World War II Veterans they serve.
Andy Biggio, who wrote “The Rifle” talked about the story of his book, and every World War II Veteran signed his special M1 Garand Afterwards I got to talk with two World War Two Army Veterans and their stories took me back to a different time in Fall River’s and America’s history.
Dawn and Andy from The Veterans Kitchen told me how they got started with only $60.00 and now serve many Veterans in the Fall River area.
David and Kelli Danforth closed out my time by talking about how husband and wife work together to advocate for Veterans. David is an Army National Guard Veteran and member of the Veterans Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club.
I want to thank everyone who participated in this event and talked with me. There is still time to capture the memories of those who served in World War II. Fall River, MA is an example of non-profit groups and city leaders who can work together to ensure care is provided to Veterans.
George Amaral was drafted and served in the Army as a Combat Engineer.
Edmund, “Eddie” Nibbs volunteered and served in the Army in Infantry and as an Ordnance Clerk.
Dawn and Andrew started the Veterans Kitchen with $60.00 and have grown it to serve more Veterans every year. Andrew is an Air Force Veteran
David is an Army National Guard Veteran and member of Veterans Brotherhood V/MC. His wife Kelli and him both ride together and find purpose in advocating for Veterans.
Semper Savage is the official marinade and salad dressing for Oscar Mike Radio! Semper Savage is a Veteran Owned salad dressing and marinade company. Go to www.sempersavage.com and use “oscarmikeradio” at checkout for 10% off your order. Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business.
Bottom Gun Coffee
The official coffee of Oscar Mike Radio is Bottom Gun Coffee. Submariners know their coffee so go to www.bottomguncoffee.com and use “OMR” at checkout for 10% off your order! Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business
Caisson Shaving Company
The only shaving products I used on my face come from Travis Arnold’s company, Caisson Shaving Company. Travis is a Veteran and has created products that can be used anywhere. Use code “OMR10” for a 10% discount when you order
Abington Massachusetts Veterans Service Officer Adam Gunn reached out to me about interviewing two brothers who served during World War Two. Pat, “Skinny”, who is 101 years old and his brother Walter who is 99 years old grew up and served out of Abington, Massachusetts.
Walter served in Military Police in the Army. Skinny was a Supply Depot Manager in the Marine Corps. Skinny is the oldest person and Marine that I have ever had on Oscar Mike Radio.
Joining us was Massachusetts State Representative Allyson Sullivan who grew up in Abington and knows these Veterans well.
This story is unique that two brothers served in different branches, in different parts of the world and then came home and made lives for themselves after World War Two.
Thank you, Adam Gunn and State Representative Allyson Sullivan, for putting together my time with Walter and Skinny. World War Two Veterans are a treasure, and I appreciate how you both work to preserve the legacy they built for us.
Semper Savage is the official marinade and salad dressing for Oscar Mike Radio! Semper Savage is a Veteran Owned salad dressing and marinade company. Go to www.sempersavage.com and use “oscarmikeradio” at checkout for 10% off your order. Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business.
Bottom Gun Coffee
The official coffee of Oscar Mike Radio is Bottom Gun Coffee. Submariners know their coffee so go to www.bottomguncoffee.com and use “OMR” at checkout for 10% off your order! Thank you for supporting a Veteran Owned Business
Caisson Shaving Company
The only shaving products I used on my face come from Travis Arnold’s company, Caisson Shaving Company. Travis is a Veteran and has created products that can be used anywhere. Use code “OMR10” for a 10% discount when you order
I was at the Abington, MA VFW Post on December 5th, when I saw this notice on the bulletin board about Save the Sketches, a Community Heritage Project being organized by the Dyer Memorial Library (http://dyerlibrary.org/). The project was to give voice to Civil War Veteran Sketches.
This looked very interesting so I sent an email and was contacted by Merlyn Liberty the Archives Librarian. We set up a time to come down and meet, and I have to tell you it was an amazing experience. Looking at history up close and personal is very different from watching a documentary or YouTube clip. At the end of the tour, I offered my voice to support the project and can’t wait to be involved.
This project is open to any Veteran who wants to participate. You can email (info@dyerlibrary.org) or call (781) 878-8480 to learn more or participate.
I want to thank Merlyn for her time today, and I am looking forward to seeing these memories come alive.
If you are a Veteran in the Abington, MA region, please consider supporting this project
