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Talking With Heroes
On the Road
Filmed in Loveland, Colorado
Air Date on StardustRadio.Com Sept 28, 2008
WATCH all of these interviews 24/7 on www.myfbn.com
CLICK HERE to Listen to this program 24/7
Or to: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/19487 - Go To Episode 69
More info on this event at the American Military Families website www.amf100.org
Thank You to the following for making this Talk Show Happen:
Patti Bader - Military Mom and Founder of www.SoldiersAngels.Org
Eve Tidwell with www.godblessfortbenning.com
Albert R, Renteria Chief Warrant Officer-4, USMC (Ret.) and Founder/CEO
Southwest Veterans' Business Resource Center www.swvbrc.org
Regis University - www.regis.edu
College for Professional Studies Colorado Springs, Colorado
(Ret) SGM John A. Hill, U.S. Army
Military Business Development Executive
Alan Gray with NewsBlaze.Com Breaking News
Hosted By: Bob Calvert
Filmed By: Tom Pehrson - Peak Impact Productions, LLC
www.peakimpactproductions.com - Video that makes an IMPACT!
Guests:
Debbie Quackenbush, Founder/President
American Military Family, Inc.
www.amf100.org
In the late 60's, my brother and his friends were drafted and sent to Vietnam in short order. The 1960's were a turbulent time in our history and I remember feeling like a square peg in a round hole. I would struggle daily with the fears and concerns for the safety for my brother, his friends and all those serving in Vietnam. Those of us with members overseas would send care packages and letters. There was no email in the 60's so we would hope for a phone call to arrive in the middle of the night, telling us our loved ones were ok. We would approach friends and neighbors and ask for their support, but we were met with resistance, or better yet, a complete disinterest in helping those serving in the military.
When the Vietnam Vets returned home, they were all treated in a deplorable fashion and it is something that haunts me to this day. Instead of receiving their WELL DESERVED "WELCOME HOME", they were greeted with hatred, violence and chants of "Baby Killer", while others were spitting on them. The returning vets couldn't wait to put on civilian clothes and get their hair to grow out so no one would recognize them as a member of the military. What a horrendous way to treat those who serve our great country. No member of the military or their family should ever be treated in such a manner ever again.
Life in the United States turned on a dime on September 11, 2001, and we will never again experience the innocence of life before that devastating day, BUT, we certainly can, should and MUST respect, honor and support the brave men and women who serve and sacrifice so much for all of us.
American Military Family, Inc. will strive to promote a positive campaign in direct support and appreciation to all those who serve to protect the citizens of the United States of America. We "THANK YOU" for your support of our military and their families.
Debbie Quackenbush
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Operation: Military Kids' (OMK) speakers bureau, "Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) - Linda Fuller, Kisha Dodson, Corey Gerrish, KaeLynn Harrison, Jasmine Smith www.operationmilitarykids.org
Operation: Military Kids (OMK) speakers bureau, Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) will be participating in the talk show.
SOMK is a youth-led, adult-supported project that generates community awareness about issues faced by youth of military families. SOMK members form speakers bureaus and develop presentations, public service announcements, videos and other materials and actively seek opportunities to share their experiences with others in the community.
SOMK and OMK are supported by 4-H, the Joint Family Support Assistance Program and the CO National Guard Family Programs office.
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Jenn Page
www.soldiersangels.org
Colorado VA Team Leader for the Colorado VA Hospitals
Region 3 Coordinator for the VA Teams
Jenn Page is a member of Soldiers' Angels. A nonprofit Organization supporting the troops not only deployed but home. She is from Buena Vista, CO living at 8000ft and worlds away from the fighting in IRAQ and Afghanistan, but it hits home. She knows first hand what a simple letter or a package does for morale of all the brave men and women serving our country. With having 2 brothers and many other family members in the military she saw a chance to help out. With the help of 2 JR Angels she keeps very busy with this very important job. Jenn has 2 children, Tyler, 11 yrs old and Emily, 8 yrs old. They both help send letters, pictures and support to all the HEROES.
Jenn is currently the Colorado VA Team Leader for the Colorado VA Hospitals and also the Region 3 Coordinator for the VA Teams. Region 3 consists of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado. "This is a Very rewarding for me. With one brother out of the service and an OIF Vet and one brother still serving. I want to make sure when they need the VA help the hospitals will have the support to give." The VA Team was started in Early 2007 after the roport of the conditions of houseing at Walter Reed. To date almost every VA is being supported by SA. The VA's are asked for a WISH LIST to be sent. WIth lists posted on the Soldiers' Angels Forum many many needs are being met by angels all over.
The VA Teams currently send out VET PACK's to the many different standdowns and also to the VA's for help with any Vet who comes in without the basic neccesities. These Packs consist of Sweat Pants, Tshirt or sweat shirt, hat, toilerties, underwear, sometimes a calling card, a lap blanket, and a SA Coin. Always with the message of THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. This year the VA Team has also started GIVE A VET A TANK. Asking that anyone donating money for a gas card. These will go to the VA's to help with gas money for our Vets. Sometimes the Vets can't make their appoints because of the rising cost of gas. Soldiers' Angels are making a point to help out as much as we can.
Jenn Page
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Kathy Dean Regional Captain ID, MT,WY & CO
CO State Coordinator Soldiers Angels
I joined Soldiers’ Angels in 2004, I am currently a Regional Captain for ID, MT, WY & CO and also the CO State Coordinator. Some of my larger projects with Soldiers’ Angels:
I have headed up many WalMart drives to collect donations – sending much needed supplies over to the Wounded & CSH units in Iraq & Afghanistan. I collected 332 Sets of Blankets, Sheets & Pillows from angels all over the US. Packed & bagged each individual set. Deliver to Ft Carson in my husbands Semi and borrowed trailer.
One of my largest Holiday Projects I worked with angels and caring people to make hand made Holiday Stockings. I had several volunteers help me stuff 3332 hand made stockings with socks, cards, snacks & candy. I then packed & shipped 3182 stockings to Iraq & Afghanistan. Then we hand delivered 150 Holiday stockings to the wounded in Laundstul Germany while visiting our son stationed in Germany.
I belong to the special Soldiers’ Angels Alerts Team, the Wounded and CSH team and in my spare moments try to send out a baby shower gift for expecting wives waiting here at home as a part of our Operation Top Knot team. I enjoy
making blankets for the wounded and cool scarves for our troops.
I work as an accountant for an outside company and also my husband & I have our own trucking business. Tom drives over the road and I take care of the books. I am the mother of three Grandmother of seven with one more due to
arrive any day now. I am also a Great Grandmother of one with one more Great Grand Child due at the end of this year.
My Father Served in WW II
My Husband Served In Viet Nam
Our Son Served in Iraq as an Army Medic
Kathy Dean
CO State Coordinator
Soldiers Angels
Until They ALL Come Home
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Major Davis - Colorado National Guard
Private Davis enlisted in the Colorado National Guard as a Field Artillery Crew member. He moved up through the ranks to Staff Sergeant. After nine years enlisted, he attended Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Field Artillery.
He served as a Fire Direction Officer and Platoon Leader in the Field Artillery Battalion and as a Fire Support Officer in a Special Forces Battalion. In 2000, he assumed command of Firing Battery.
In 2002, his battery was mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle. In 2002-03, Captain Davis deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq with Special Forces as an Artillery Officer. In 2005, Captain Davis completed the Special Forces Qualification course.
In 2006, he deployed to the Philippines and in 2007-08 he deployed to Iraq as Special Forces Officer. Currently Major Davis is assigned as a Operations Officer with the Special Forces.
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Terrance D. McWilliams
CSM, USA, Ret.
Director of Military Support
El Pomar Foundation
www.elpomar.org
As Director of Military Support for El Pomar Foundation, Terrance D. McWilliams oversees community outreach activities on behalf of the Colorado Springs – based Foundation. El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest Foundations in the Rocky Mountain region, making grants in arts, humanities, education, health services, amateur sports, civic and community initiatives with an emphasis on excellence in nonprofit organizations and development of its own operating programs.
Terrance implements and manages innovative programs designed to provide direct services and support to the Military’s Active, Guard and Reserve, community and charitable organizations. The Foundation’s current outreach efforts are focused on working with the Military, Veterans Affairs Administration and various Veteran organizations to provide assistance and support to our service men and women.
Terrance also serves on the board of directors for the American Red Cross, Pikes Peak Chapter, Southeast YMCA, President - Citizen Soldier Connection, President - Pikes Peak Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, member of the Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and is also an advisor to the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army.
Prior to joining the staff of El Pomar Foundation, Terrance was the Command Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General of Fort Carson. Terrance served on active duty in the Army for over 30 years, cumulating his career as the Division Command Sergeant Major of Division West, First Army and Fort Carson on June 21, 2007.
Terrance has attended numerous military leadership and management schools and holds an Associate of Science degree in Supervisory Leadership from Hawaii Pacific University and a Bachelor in Business Administration from Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio. He is married to his High School sweet heart Georgia Marie, and has two sons and three daughters, Johnny, Lachelle, Terrance Jr., Doris, and Georgina, and one grandson and three granddaughters.
(Ret) CSM Terrance D. McWilliams
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MAJOR GENERAL MARK GRAHAM
COMMANDING GENERAL
DIVISION WEST, FIRST ARMY AND FORT CARSON
Major General Mark Graham became the commander of Division West and Fort Carson on September 14, 2007. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery on December 22, 1977 at Murray State University. Following the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Major General Graham was assigned to the 1-2nd Field Artillery, 8th Infantry Division, Baumholder, Germany. During this assignment, he served as a Fire Support Team Chief, Fire Direction Officer, Battery Executive Officer and Battalion Special Weapons Officer.
Major General Graham has served in command and staff positions throughout the Army in the United Statesand overseas.
His command assignments include: C Battery, Staff and Faculty Battalion, Field Artillery School Brigade, A Battery, 2-18th Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; 1-17th Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Division Artillery, 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Los Angeles, California (MG Graham was the first active duty Army Colonel to command a National Guard Brigade in peacetime); He commanded the 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment – Osan Air Base Korea; and Deputy Commander/Assistant Commandant, U.S. Army Field Artillery Center and School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Major General Graham has served in several operations, plans, and training staff assignments. These assignments include: G1, VII Corps Artillery, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany; S3, 2-29th Field Artillery, Germany; S3, Division Artillery, 1st Armored Division, Germany; Chief, Field Artillery Proponency Office, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Chief, Field Artillery Branch, Alexandria, Virginia; Executive Officer to the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea; and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
His most recent position was as the U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) Deputy Commanding General, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. A 1977 graduate from Murray State University with a Bachelors degree in Political Science, Major General Graham also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Oklahoma City University and a Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the National Defense University. His military schools include the Combined Arms Services Staff School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (Two Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Five Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (Four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Carol Graham
Carol Graham is the wife of Major General Mark A. Graham, US Army, Commanding General, Division West (First Army) and Fort Carson.
In the last four and one-half years Carol has tragically lost both of her sons. Her youngest son Kevin, a University of Kentucky senior Army ROTC scholarship cadet, was studying to be an Army doctor when he died by suicide on June 21, 2003. Kevin was being treated for depression but had stopped taking his medication.
Carol’s oldest son Jeffrey was a scholarship student that graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 2003 with a degree in civil engineering, and was commissioned a lieutenant in the US Army as an Armor officer. Although the Army offered Jeff a position in a non-deploying unit because of the death of his younger brother, Jeff said he needed to be with soldiers and wanted to serve his country.
Jeff was killed while leading his platoon on a dismounted patrol in Khaldiyah, Iraq on 19 February 2004.Jeff spotted an IED taped to a guardrail and warned his platoon moments before it exploded.
Following the death of Kevin, Carol and her husband, using the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) program, established the Kevin A. Graham Memorial Fund at the University of Kentucky to raise awareness to the signs of depression and prevent suicide. When Jeff was killed in Iraq the fund was endowed and renamed the Jeffrey C. and Kevin A. Graham Memorial Fund.
The Grahams in partnership with UK alumni also established the Second Lieutenant Jeffrey C. Graham Memorial Scholarship Program for engineering students. Soon after their only surviving child, Melanie, enrolled at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma they realized that Cameron did not have a suicide prevention program.
Carol worked along with her husband and university leaders to establish the Jeffrey and Kevin Graham Memorial Endowed Lectureship in Psychology for the study of depression and suicide prevention.
Carol was instrumental in raising awareness for depression and suicide prevention for the families and Soldiers at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Carol received the Governor’s Commendation (State of Oklahoma) for Suicide Prevention and Depression Awareness in support of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program in July 2005. Carol speaks at conferences and workshops to help others survive grief and understand depression and suicide.
She routinely visited wounded soldiers and their families at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to her departure Carol received the Texas Governor’s “Yellow Rose of Texas” award.
Carol was appointed to the national board of directors of the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) in March 2006. www.spanusa.org
She also serves on the Colorado Springs, Colorado suicide prevention board.
Carol Graham
Kevin Graham
Jeffrey Graham
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Recently Retired CSM Pete VanDyke
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