This show is about Denisha Montgomery Smith from a larger viewpoint. I have been struggling with questions about why these kinds of situations are tolerated in the military. Especially when a recruiter will tell someone and their family that the military will “take care of them”. Only to experience the worst kind of betrayal when a soldier like Denisha Montgomery Smith dies in a manner that is suspect at best.
Colonel Wesley Martin is U.S. Army Ret. and served our country for over 30 years. He acted several times in his career to punish those who hurt other soldiers in the Army. This continued when he retired from the Army in 2010. He has been involved with Denisha’s case and answered questions I think many people have.
Colonel Martin said this boils down to people who see and know something is wrong and then choose to not do anything about it. As long as people willingly turn the other way when situations like Denisha’s arise, this will continue. It was hard to hear because I want to continue believing that those officers leading us to conduct themselves to a higher standard. Sadly, that is not the case which made talking with Colonel Martin a lesson in where we came from and why history is repeating itself.
He talked about Denisha and her family warmly and when I asked him about apparent failures in the system there was an undercurrent of anger in his responses. It seemed he took the failures of senior leadership in Denisha’s case personally and it drove him to seek justice for her and her family.
I asked Colonel Martin about Senator Grassley’s involvement in this case. He told me of instances where Senator Grassley got involved in previous cases and what happened when he was lied to about misconduct. Someone listened to many voices asking for help, and now a louder voice is demanding justice for Denisha.
As Colonel Martin said, we as Americans need to write our Elected Representatives and Senators about this and let them know we do not accept what happened and want change. I believe this is something that many Americans forget. Senators and Representatives are elected. These people work for us and have a duty to listen to our voices. If we can spend time on social media, watching sporting events, and going to concerts, we can take ten minutes and demand change for those with no voice.
Thank you for being one of those who won’t look away, Colonel. You are someone we can all follow.
Veterans Administration – Public Service Announcement View and cancel health care appointments, view claims and appeals status, upload documentation to VA, securely message your doctor, locate VA facilities, retrieve your vaccine records, access the Veterans Crisis Line, and more—right from your phone—with VA’s Health and Benefits mobile app. The app also makes it easy to prove your status as a Veteran so you can take advantage of available retailer discounts. Join nearly 700,000 users in the Veteran community who are accessing their benefits and services, safely and securely, wherever and whenever they need them: https://bit.ly/3O43Yoe
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
Lakeydra served in the Air Force in Military Police. She is working to bring accountability for Denisha Montgomery Smith’s death.
Military Sexual Trauma is something Lakeydra has experienced personally and understands what servicemebers are experiencing. Working to shed light on the issue, Lakeydra says that leadership’s attitudes must change for permanent change to happen.
You can help by going to https://gofund.me/d2a310a4 and getting involved. Share this story, write a letter, and remember #IAMDENISHAMONTGOMERYSMITH
Veterans Administration – Public Service Announcement
View and cancel health care appointments, view claims and appeals status, upload documentation to VA, securely message your doctor, locate VA facilities, retrieve your vaccine records, access the Veterans Crisis Line, and more—right from your phone—with VA’s Health and Benefits mobile app. The app also makes it easy to prove your status as a Veteran so you can take advantage of available retailer discounts. Join nearly 700,000 users in the Veteran community who are accessing their benefits and services, safely and securely, wherever and whenever they need them: https://bit.ly/3O43Yoe
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
Army Private First Class Denisha Smith lost her life on August 8th, 2022. As the story unfolded, questions were raised about the last month of her life. I will Livestream this Thursday and talk about the story so far and the three women who are leading the charge for accountability from the U.S. Army. Air Force Veteran Lakeydra Houston, U.S. Army Veteran Lindsey Knapp, and Amy Lynn Franck. Lakeydra asked for my help and this is just the first salvo. More importantly, I want you to come back and watch Amy, Lindsey, and Lakeydra talk about their experiences advocating for those who have experienced the horror of sexual trauma. Simply put, #HerLifeMatters
You can help the effort by donating to GoFundMe and visiting these organizations that are working to get justice for Denisha and her family.
Public Service Announcement VA: Heath and Benefits App
View and cancel health care appointments, view claims and appeals status, upload documentation to VA, securely message your doctor, locate VA facilities, retrieve your vaccine records, access the Veterans Crisis Line, and more—right from your phone—with VA’s Health and Benefits mobile app. The app also makes it easy to prove your status as a Veteran so you can take advantage of available retailer discounts. Join nearly 700,000 users in the Veteran community who are accessing their benefits and services, safely and securely, wherever and whenever they need them: https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-health-and-benefits
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 got an email from listener about The Moving Wall. This monument is half the size of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. There was an oppurtunity to talk with Veterans in Attleboro, MA about how this exhibit is coming to Attleboro, MA.
The Attleboro Veterans Service Officer, Ken Badertscher, along with two Vietnam Veterans came to Attleboro VFW Post 115 to talk with me about their experiences and what The Moving Wall meant to them.
As we began talking it became clear that the Vietnam War was still fresh on their minds. Both Vietnam War Veterans said that they had been healing even after all these years.. The Moving Wall shows them they are not forgotten.
And that is really the core issue with many Vietnam Veterans. For a long time, America forgot about them. America did not honor their service. These Vietnam Veterans who are alive today and are reminded of that fact. However, they are hopeful because of events like The Moving Wall. Seeing the entire city of Attleboro come together to bring this event to the region means that younger generations want to ensure stories are told. The sacrifices and ones lost will be remembered as those who answered the call, or in the case of the Vietnam War, those who didn’t have a choice to serve.
I will be going to this event, and I am looking forward to talking with these Veterans again. You all are not forgotten.
The article was about Scott Lobaido. He is an artist, and his mission to raise awareness and advocacy for PTSD. I liked that an artist wanted to do this. Since it was in Weymouth, MA there was no reason not to go.
I went the first night and talked briefly with Scott and Secretary of Veterans Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Francisco Urena. Scott asked me to come back the following night to talk with him more.
Talk with people and Scott
The next night was windy in a way that made recording any audio a real test. There was a guy on a Harley – Davidson Sportster named Anthony. He told me that the VA could have done more for his brother.
I never realized what it does to mother to have her child serve. Conversations like I had with Jacquelyn make me stop and consider the cost of PTSD. It is not the soldier who bears this alone. Family can be asked to pay a heavy price as well.
Scott was gracious to give me some time, and we talked about his work. His art is about conveying a feeling of pride in being an American and loving our great nation. You need to go to his website (http://scottlobaido.com/gallery/) and check out his work. Which piece is your favorite?
The last person I spoke with was Conor Sullivan. Conor is an Air Force Veteran. 19 months ago he got a heart transplant. Two weeks ago, he ran the Boston Marathon. Aim High indeed, well done Brother. Conor is a member of the Veterans Brotherhood Motorcycle Club. It was good seeing these guys at the exhibit.
Scott proves that anyone can do any thing to make change where they are. I won’t look at artists the same way ever again. Thanks Scott.
Scott brings his vision to light allowing us to understand the scope of loss.
