VFW Podcast 71: It's All About Choices

Welcome to Still Serving the VFW podcast, the official podcast of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. And now from the VFW Memorial Building in Washington, DC, here's your host, Rob Couture. And welcome to Still Serving. I'm your host, Rob Couture. Let's do roll call. Joining me here, back here physically here in the studio, Gabby Kubini, the deputy director of National Legislative Service. >> Hey Rob, how are you? I'm well, Gabby. Good to see you here. Chris Msinkoitz, deputy director for National Veteran Service. Hello, Chris. >> Good morning. Good morning. >> Good morning to you. Actually, it's it is still morning. You're right. >> Uh a few minutes, right? Our director of National Legislative Service, Christina Keenan. Hello, Christina. >> Hey, Rob. >> You're filling in for Ryan as he is out on vacation. I'm glad that you're here and you got the whiteboard. That's good. And joining us from Rhode Island, the hostess with the mostess, uh, my co-host, Britney Diamond Murray. Hello, Brian. Uh, Britney. Oh, man. I messed that up, didn't I? >> No worries, Rob. Um, sorry, Britney. >> I am doing well. I am doing well. >> Are you? >> And I'm excited. I have a good good of the order, and I'm excited to share. >> All right. Well, uh, let's go to our full screen here. Uh, wow. We're back from convention. Obviously, this is our second one back from convention. Uh but actually back here in the studio. So, uh a little bit different backdrop. We're still waiting for things to come back here uh into Washington DC as it's a little bit delayed for delivery. Uh but nevertheless, all things are still moving forward here in DC. And we're going to go over to you Christina for what is going on. What do we have on the agenda? >> All right. So, I don't know if you can kind of see that. That's our agenda. So, we've got um we'll talk a little bit about Takava, the taking take care of America's Veterans Act and quick update on that. >> Um the Chris is going to talk about the NASDA conference which I've written out. NASDA National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. >> Yes, it is. >> Um and we will also Gabby's going to talk about the VFW SVA Fellowship >> um which is just we've just opened registration for that. So, we're sort of revamping that program. So, excited to hear about that. Um, we will just touch a little bit on the fall legislative conference. Um, and then you guys have an update, a still serving spotlight. >> Spotlight. We sure do. >> Um, and then of course we'll end with good of the order and we're going to do the food edition. >> Yes. Uh, the food edition. And I think it's, you know, as we get towards the end of summer, we're, you know, finishing up barbecuing and we start to move into the pumpkin spice latte >> season where a lot of people are paying. >> I'm not a fan to be honest with you, but we'll save that for the good of the order. Um, what do you got? What do you got going on over there, Britney? You got something you're you're drinking? >> I I saw pumpkin spice Cheerios yesterday. What won't be >> I think it's August 1st and everything becomes like >> fall focused even though it's we're like in the heart of the summer >> mid August here in DC. I mean pretty summery >> October too. >> It's wild. >> Yeah. >> Our our local Spirit Halloween already moved in. Like they're already here. Like they've been here for a week. >> And next week it'll be a Christmas tree show. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. >> Right. >> Most likely. >> Um well excellent. Uh and that that's going to be a good uh good of the order because uh we all love food. So >> >> um all right moving on. So we have had uh a lot uh moving before national convention with regards to um the take care of America's Veterans Act. Um but then everybody went into recess >> or at least it seemed to be that way. So what is going on on you know behind the curtain? what's going on in the back rooms and and in the boardrooms and in the meeting rooms and the chambers. What what is really the skinny? >> Well, so there's ongoing discussions about the funding mechanism for the Takeare of America's Veterans Act, which TIA is sort of the the shorthand. So when I say TIA, we're talking about that bill. Um so our organization and many others are having conversations about um other mechanisms to pay for this legislation, other options. Um you know, we're we're talking with our partners on the hill about what what are feasible ways forward. Um but yes, I mean, Congress is in recess right now. So the House will come back first on August 31st. then we still got another couple weeks after that before the Senate comes back which on September 14th. >> Um so there's there's a lot of discussion and I think we we should and and and could be prepared for movement in September on this on this bill potentially. Um, so we're continuing to, you know, talk to our membership, VFW members about our position and, um, that, you know, that's that's kind of where we're at. We had really good feedback at the convention. I don't know if you all, you know, spoke to people, but people came up to me non-stop throughout the convention to say they were really happy with our advocacy and I tried to put it back on them like, "No, you're you're helping us with our advocacy, you know, sharing our message and um you know, taking action through our action alert." Um, so we've had a lot of good responses on our action alert, but yeah, generally from the convention, a lot of really great feedback. So we, you know, we're still working really hard on this um on this issue and making sure that our future veterans are pro, their benefits are protected, right? you know, I'm just reminded every day that we have service members in harm's way and those those are the people we're fighting for >> um in large part on our opposition on this uh piece of legislation. So, >> um you know, things are ongoing, but you know, we won't see real movement until Congress comes back. >> Yeah. And and you know, there has been a lot going on in the news surrounding it. It's almost like if news outlets are just starting to catch up with it because I have been over the last few weeks getting media requests, hey, can I speak to somebody about this Tik Cava bill? It's like, where are you been? We've been talking about this for, you know, 3 months now. I don't really understand. But, you know, nevertheless, word's finally getting around and people are wondering. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we're getting really close now that the now that some of the primaries are over in the states. >> We're getting closer towards the election midterms and people are like, >> "What's the hotness out there?" So, um, Gabby, grassroots wise, >> you know, what what are you're hearing? You got your ear to the ground. Um, what's what's going on? So what I'm hearing is VFW members, our auxiliary members are standing behind us 100%. Right? They understand what is at stake. They do not want to see those who are in harm's way serving now or serving tomorrow to have a different benefit than they have today. It's not right. And they fully are aware of that. >> We've done three action alerts on this and over 80,000 messages have been sent to Congress. Wow. >> In maybe like 5 weeks or so. >> It's incredible. >> Yeah. >> So, our grassroots are on it. I get calls from our committee members. They are working hard. They are pushing the information and you can still see it on social media, right? Any post that there is, there is still overwhelming support for not pushing this through with section 108, >> you know. And the other thing too uh that we've seen is, you know, there's hard work going on on the other side. >> We're seeing that on social media. We're seeing it particularly in media where we've actually written people like, "Hey, why are you only presenting one side of this argument?" And they're like, "Oh, I'm sorry. You want to speak to us?" Yeah, absolutely would. Um, and it makes you wonder kind of like, oh well then, you know, when we put uh bureaucrats in the media on a t-shirt and it's like, oh well that that maybe maybe we were on to something, everyone out there. >> Um, and and I tell you, I I think that >> some of the media maybe they just like the controversy, right? Some of them like to stir the pot because it gets readers. It gets clickbait. >> Yeah, that is possible. >> I mean, we're we're still educating, you know? I mean, we're still in sort of an education mode and you know, when this bill dropped and then saw floor action, I mean, it was a very short period of time and it's over 500 pages this this piece of legislation, this bill package. So, to your point, I mean, some people are catching up. The media is catching up and and sometimes they hear one side of the story, but I think generally when we've reached out to folks, no matter who they are, they're open to hearing our views and like there is another side of the story. Yeah. >> Why would we oppose a massive veteran bill expansion uh legislative package? Um there are specific reasons. The funding is a poison pill and we just have to walk people through that and it's you know it's understandable and they they get it. So we're still educating. Speaking of the education piece, and I think it's important maybe for us to talk about that is >> when we when we talk about this bill, um there's always the huge price tag attached to it. Somebody's somebody has got to pay for it. Some there's got to be a pay for. Um but that doesn't mean that every single thing on this bill has a price tag attached to it. Yes or no? >> Correct. There there are some bills in the package that are either low cost or costneutral. So all of these were put together. The first few bills in the list are are the highest some of the highest cost bills. >> Um so the major Richard Star Act, Love Lives On, um the Access Act, those three probably cost more than all the other ones. Um and and so yeah, when you put a lot together in a package, the price tag is going to go is going to go up. Now, our view also is that the major Richard Star Act, which is a retirement issue, doesn't really belong in this package anyway, where a VA offset would generally need to be found. This is a defense issue. So, retirement issues tend to go through the NDAA and defense budget. >> Yeah. >> So, there's also sort of a misplacement of that bill, which costs a lot. So, you know, there are ways to look at how to move these individual bills forward. uh we've been pushing for a lot of them over this whole Congress and even in the previous Congress. So there's there's avenues um to get some of these priorities done without necessarily keeping them all together in one big package and saying, "Well, there's only one way to get this done." >> Yeah. >> You know, >> right. And you know what's interesting is that >> um you know, we've asked for things, one of the bills in there, the Tap Promotion Act, right? which we've asked for that for a long time, advocated for that for years, right Britney? And I mean, Britney, that was back when you were uh on the Ledge team. >> You were working on it or at least doing the research on that, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I worked I worked with members in Congress to get that bill drafted >> and um >> gee, that must have been 3 4 years ago by now. It's been a little while. Um, so yeah, we that's that's a big priority of ours, you know, and it would solidify access of of accredited service officers in in TAP classrooms, which is a really big deal. Um, they're currently in the curriculum now. Finally, the VA put them in the curriculum um recently within the past couple of years, but it's not it's not firm. They can be removed at any time. And so, um, we really want to see that codified, but it's part of this larger package. And unfortunately because it's part of that larger package, you know, we have that red line in the sand. And so, um, >> it's it's a bill, >> something that we're not going to budge on. >> Yeah. It and it's a bill that we've we've pushed through the via the NDAA as well. Um, it's costneutral because VA is already doing this. So, it's not even adding anything more to what VA is currently doing. It's codifying >> um a VA program, right? Yeah. So, so that's that's there are other ways and we'll continue to push for that especially in September for the TAP promotion act, a bill that was introduced by VFW member of Congress uh Derek Van Nordon and um you know potentially would have a chance through the NDA or just as a standalone bill. Well, that's that that is I want people to hear that that is that bill that was submitted, right? Um has been roped into this and is almost held hostage >> as well as the other bills that are in >> That's a good way to put it. It's a choice, right? So, I think that's what's important about this conversation also is the difference between talking points and facts, right? Because the fact is the Tap Promotion Act barely costs anything, right? Cost neutral. Congress has made a choice not to move that bill through regular order. They chose that >> and now they're telling us the only way this can happen is if this bill gets passed. No, that is not the only way it could happen. There are other ways. The NDAA passing as standalone. The truth of the matter is Congress has decided that they only want to work this way. That's not how it has to be. >> And that's part of the problem, right? Because they don't have to pay for it this way. They are choosing to pay for it this way. >> Yeah. They're saying all >> well said, Gabby. >> And it doesn't have to be that way, right? Literally, legally does not have to be that way. By order, by how Congress should be working, it does not have to be that way. If Congress had moved bills like this that are costneutral through the regular process, it could already have been done by now, right? They've had what, a year and a half of this Congress already, they could have done that. They chose not to and then chose to put that in a big bill and tell us, "Oh, well, if you don't give up these disability ratings, there's no way any of this could happen." No, that's what you have chosen to do. >> Yeah, that is crazy >> to think about. And and I, you know, as someone who I still kind of think of myself as a novice when it comes to politics here in DC, just putting it in layman's terms like that, like that they chose to put that in. They didn't have to. They could have passed all those things long ago. They could have passed a major Richard Star Act. They could have passed all that, but they made it to so we have no other choice. Oh, well, what's the matter? You don't like widows? Oh, what? you don't like combat disabled veterans. Oh, what? You don't like No, we're not saying that at all. But you're not going to take away from these, you know, service members. Oh, by the way, imagine that you're an active duty service member getting ready to go out. Hey, this bill just passed and now you you can see a service officer um when when you're going through your transition. Oh, great. Well, here I'd like to submit my BDD packet. Um but I've had this ringing in my ear and I have trouble sleeping. So, well, sorry. we might be able to work something out on the sleep, but when it comes to the ring in your ear, nah, you're going to have to deal with that, kiddo. That to me is is just uh it's just crazy how they put that all in. >> Again, it's a choice. Also, another choice is their budget rules. Every Congress decides how they want to fund things. They choose, they make a choice on how they want to fund things. So when we look at how this Congress has said we want to fund things, that's what part of why we're in the place we're in, right? So all of these decisions that Congress makes are decisions and our choices and that's where our grassroots are so important because what we as constituents want to see is what our representatives in Congress are supposed to be doing. That's why those 80,000 messages matter so much, right? That's why they've been effective because >> this is not what the people want and the people should be represented by those who are in Congress and should be reminded that everything they do is a choice that they are making. >> Yep. >> Gabby and on that note, it's also a choice when they choose not to pay for things. makes a choice and they choose to wave those rules >> uh when it suits them >> as it does >> right which is which is really quite remarkable that they pick and choose what they are going to apply the rules to and what they are not going to. Mhm. >> Um, so again, it goes back to this being a choice. >> A choice. >> Well, and this is this is the interesting thing, right? Because uh we the the choice to choose these couple uh disability ratings within the VA to either cut or reduce uh to pay for. Um the argument there's so many different things. Well, it was going to be done anyway. And now, of course, if you are a member of Congress, you don't want to say, you know, these are BS disability ratings, although some do in Congress. Yeah. >> Somehow. >> Somehow. Um, but in the media, these, you know, supposedly, you know, hey, uh, unbiased media out there are painting veterans again >> as, oh, wow, well, look, this, they're milking the system or they that is such a small percentage of people that are scammers, just like that's a small percentage of people that get workman's comp or that take advantage of social security, you know, in the wrong way or welfare. or what it's such a small percentage. >> Yes. >> Uh and it it's just an argument especially when it comes to veterans. >> Mhm. >> I I just can't see why veterans are kind of fooled that way because they're because they know one person. Well, you should know that doesn't represent all veterans. >> So Rob, you said it perfectly a couple weeks ago when we were talking. You said we're getting farther and farther away from the war. So a lot of a lot of folks basically we don't have that sentiment of you know we've got people that are heroes out there that are suffering but now it's a little bit on the back burner and whatnot. And I just want to add you know with the sleep apnnea being you know having it called a BS disability is completely wrong. I mean that is honestly in my mind it's one of the disabilities that affects you a lot. I mean your brain's not getting oxygen. I mean, I recently had a friend that almost committed suicide because something was off and it was really messing with his world. He finally talked with his doctor, found out his CPAP wasn't uh adjusted properly. >> Oh, wow. >> So, it wasn't adjusted properly. It was messing with his brain and, you know, causing a lot of depression and and a lot of issues because he thought he had gotten past it. >> But that's a BS disability. >> And and we hear these arguments over and over again. They kind of come come and go. Um, and whenever Congress is lo looking for budget savings, it can seem that veterans are getting a lot. And we have a huge we have a a veteran population that came out of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. So, we've we we had to expand um VA benefits and usage of VA, right? The pact showed us that very very clearly that there are veterans that still needed to get care from those two very longstanding wars, right? >> Um but we heard from the VA inspector general Cheryl Mason say that the level of fraud is very low. That's the inspector general saying that you know at a hearing that the the percentage of fraud in the VA space is very low. So that means that there are veterans that are getting the benefits that they need and still we're trying to, you know, make it simpler for veterans to get those benefits, right? That's our job. Um, and so there's just a lot of misunderstandings about VA benefits, what they're for, what does 100% mean, why can you also work at the same time, right? You know, so there's just a lot of >> a lot of ways that you can I think the media can finagle um well, what is what is this foot fungus thing? Well, trench foot, you know, which has been a thing forever when you serve in the military. >> Um, tonitis and sleep apnea are some of the most common disabilities just from serving. Not not to mention combat service, just being in the military. It's loud. There's there's there's all kinds of hazards that can cause these these conditions. And so, the misunderstanding, I think the media can really take advantage of that. And I think the public not necessarily knowing all of those details can feel can can really think that veterans are getting getting more than maybe what somebody else who's not a veteran. >> Well, look, I I mean it it it's happened to me once before. Um and this is it doesn't matter what side of the political spectrum you're on. Uh but there are always people out there that will say to you, um oh, you get that. Oh, man. Must be nice, right? Must be nice. I I remember one time I was I was bringing my son >> appointments were easy. >> Yeah. Yeah. I was bringing my son to an appointment and I was in the waiting room and uh this lady was there and she goes, "Oh, you live you live on base." I said, "Yeah, I live on at the time I was living on Fort me." "Oh, wow. You so you must get that tax-free groceries." I'm like, "Well, yeah, that's part of it." She said she said to me, "You know, you should bring me there sometime." Like, first of all, like, uh, you know what? >> I'm sorry. Yeah, she actually said that you should bring me there. >> Well, why? I don't really know you. Why would I bring you there? And she goes, "Yeah, but I should get that too." And I said, "No, this is part of my contract, the service that I earned through this." So, uh, and so anyway, the point is is this is not charity. >> This is >> from our contract entitle. It's an entitlement that we all have from our contract earned through our service. Yeah. And and if you look at it as workman's compensation, it makes sense. Oh, well, it's because of this service connect uh connected condition that the military is >> almost like reimbursing you for whatever you have, right? Having to see what the pains I mean, you know this, you deal with this all the time, Chris, you and your team. >> So, um, >> but that doesn't mean that you don't still work through it. I like I I go I try to go to the gym every single day and yeah, I can't run like I used to be able to run. It hurts. I can't I I can't do a lot of things. I still try to do some of these things, right? And you pay for it later >> and I pay for it later or, you know, like I'm bench pressing and then all of a sudden I like, oh, there's that injury in my shoulder again from overuse. And I know eventually I'm going to have to get surgery on some of these things just because uh just because of the wear and tear from 24 years in the military of trying to keep up with the rest of the 18year-olds. You know what I mean? And and one thing also to think about is the way that our military is run right now, right? And over the last 20 years or so, we yeah, we might have less physical veterans, but we have veterans that have deployed six, you know, six times in seven years >> that, you know, they were broken, you know, coming back from a deployment and told, "Suck it up. You're going out again in 5 months." Right? I mean, I remember between my two deployments, we had the chaplain come up and give us, you know, the briefing when you're going home, and the response was, you have 86 working days until you're right back here again. >> So, these multip multiple deployments, they didn't have the ability to actually rest and recover and actually recuperate before you go right back out there and you're carrying all that gear and doing your stupid things that we had to do. And it just makes that wear and tear keep on going down farther and farther and farther, >> which is very different from from past wars, right? You would usually go to war, then come home and you're done. >> And a lot of times you might even get out, >> right? And so we have maybe fewer deaths because of modern medical um medicine um and and and medevac and you know all the technology to keep people alive. But then people often have lifelong disabilities and and so I think that story just is kind of lost, you know, as we get further from those big wars and then we're not getting a lot of information about the current our current conflict and what's going on with service members. I mean, and when we do, it's a big scandal, right? We hear, you know, everything about one ship, right? >> Right. The USS Abraham Lincoln, right? We don't hear about every service member and what what are their conditions and what's what does their sacrifice look like today. We're just not getting we don't have necessarily all the media there to capture like we did with Iraq and Afghanistan. We had a lot of information about what was happening. >> Well, I mean I I think when we look back at the the first uh Trump administration when uh they went and got what was it? Sulammani from Iran, right? and the retaliation with I think in the retaliation there was a few people that were injured but most of it was you know mild traumatic brain injury and some other ringing in the ear and that sort of thing and you know hey that's the cost of going after this guy um it's the same thing you know look you can look at what's going on in Iran right now and and the war that we're prosecuting or conflict I don't know it's not declared war but people will say it's war regardless so you have sailors that are on aboard the ship that have been out there for, you know, 200 plus days in a deployment. Britney and I were talking about that because, you know, Britney's Navy, so we're like, you know, I remember deploying uh, you know, and did a 15-month deployment. Well, okay. Yeah, that's a long time. And Rob, your deployments were many years ago. This is we're in a new time, but a lot of times back then, sailors, unless they volunteered, they weren't going on those deployments. They didn't have to um like the army. So now it's the Navy's turn. The Navy's prosecuting this war. And think about what those service members are are going through over there. You may say, "Oh, they're weak." And there's pictures of the food and whatever that I don't. It doesn't matter. The point is is they're deployed. >> Why are we not focused on number one making sure that we're doing the best we can, that they're outfitted logistically, they get all the stuff that they need. There's a turn and and it's good. Now, we hear that there's another ship that's going to be taking over, but those service members are going to need care when they come back just like any other service member coming back from their deployment because it's hard, right? >> You know, >> they've been away from their families for that long. I mean, one of the things that we were always told is like the problems that you left are going to be waiting for you when you get home. They're only going to be worse because they've been just festering. Yeah. >> So, you have that whole transition as well. >> You know, I this is not I mean I I know it's rough. There's different depending on your deployment. It's It's always rough, but if you've ever been on a ship, uh this cramp quarters, number one, >> it going on a Navy ship for a tour is a nightmare. >> A nightmare. Okay, I say that my husband was in the Navy. He served on two different ships. He did two deployments that were 6 months each. >> I didn't even want to go. I had two friends come one time. He was like, "Oh, I'll show them the ship." One of them walked right into a beam. She saw stars, >> right? Like she >> It's all steel. >> It's all steel. And those racks. >> Yeah. >> My husband couldn't turn over in bed, >> right? Cuz he was very broad. Those racks are tight. He literally could not I flip over all night long. I'm flipping around. >> He literally could not move to turn over. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. to do that for 200 nights with no like there's also nowhere there's nowhere private on a ship, right? You're on a floating city with all these people. You can't get off. The only way out is the ocean. >> Like it is it is serious, right? Like I don't know that people understand >> what it's like to be on a a metal thing in the middle of the ocean with nowhere to go. Yeah. >> And with what it like for the people who do that, >> it's you couldn't pay me a billion dollars to do that. >> Well, Britney, our sailor here in the room >> with constant airplanes. >> Britney's like, I did it for a lot less money than that. >> Exactly. Full disclosure, I've never been on a ship. Full disclosure, I was at what they call I'm doing air quotes for those listening to the audio version. I was a dirt sailor, >> but um you know, plenty plenty of my colleagues and friends have been aboard ship for long deployments. >> Um yeah, it's bad. Um my chief online the other day, she was talking about how um one of my chiefs was talking about how every time, to your point, Gabby, she wanted to turn over in her rack, she had to get out of her rack and get back in it in the new sleep position that she wanted to be in. So it's you know >> does that contribute to sleep apnnea disturbed sleep >> she is a small human >> just just to let you know she's a small human >> and I think what we're what we may see are are you know conditions and disabilities that are unique to those to th that situation and things that we may not have realized or experienced as like boots on the ground soldiers you know >> um and boots on the sea. >> Yeah. I don't I don't know how it see I don't know as army guys. >> We were boots on the ground and so we experienced different things >> um than maybe the the current folks are experiencing right now. Um >> and and so we just always have to >> um back to educating, you know, educate the public about what what what these benefits are for >> um and and why they should be protected. Yeah, >> this is, you know, we reject this argument that these benefits were going to change anyway. We fought, these are hard fought benefits. Compensation is important if you're going to serve in the military and you do get hurt. >> And and we don't want to go backwards. We want to progress and make things better for those um who are serving today. I think that um I think it's important for people no matter what you think of the current deployment whether you're one of those super salts that like I was under you know underway on a sub for during the 60s you don't know what it's like or you know there I was you know in the Meon Delta uh you know and I was in a river boat and we weren't able to get off or it was just however you want to say how many turns you did in the Mediterranean or in the Pacific or Atlantic or you know your turtle shell back or whatever. The point is is that uh and going back to what you reminded me of is that we the American public, we've we're so far removed from those that are serving. Look, we all signed the contract, right? We all gave up our creature comforts, our freedoms at home, and we understood that it some of that was going to suck, right? And we we just embraced the suck as we used to say when we were deployed. But nevertheless, >> or we didn't I didn't serve, right? like like all these other people that didn't because it takes something extra to do that. >> Yeah. So, so instead of criticizing uh the sailors that might be having an issue, how about showing your appreciation and gratitude for those that are still serving while you get to go and enjoy the the you know the creature comforts and the freedoms that our country affords because of their service, you know. So, why don't why don't you do that? Why don't and there's there's so many things people can do whether it's advocacy for their their their benefits right their future benefits when they get to transition whether you're at you're like what can I do what did you do 20 years ago when we were all deployed >> you know how are you guys still doing that anymore I mean I know cell phones are pretty uh prevalent now but that doesn't mean that they're available aboard ship you know there's gift packages sending letters talking there's things you can mail day was was the best day ever. I mean, I don't care who it was from. If you got a letter that even just said to random soldier, you got to open up something that somebody cares about you, you know, wrote that to you. It means a lot. It I mean, morale is a really big thing. And as we see on the news, you know, the morale is kind of low right now out there. So, I mean, >> write a letter. >> I tell you what, once they get into port call, uh, you know, the USS Abraham Lincoln, there better be a whole bunch of folks out there ready to welcome them home. for what they've done because >> we were able to enjoy that. And I would hope that veterans that are in that vicinity are the first ones to welcome those sailors home because you remember when um when we had those Vietnam veterans and Persian Gulf War veterans that welcomed us home. >> Yeah. Right at the airport at whenever we >> I got I got my cold whopper from Burger King. It was the best one I've ever eaten in my life. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> I still have pictures of the folks that welcomed us home from Afghanistan. Yeah. >> I mean, it's it's probably the reason why I joined the VFW was when I came home and I didn't know what the hats were. They just, you know, these veterans were there at the airport at 3:00 a.m. when I landed on American soil after my deployment and they had hats on and so I knew they were I I just assumed they were VFW. Who knows where they were from? I don't I don't really remember because that was all a blur. But I I thought of them for such a long time and I signed up online to become a BFW member. I'm like, I'm home now. I qualify. And that was the first image that I had was these veterans waiting for me to shake my hand and hand me a cell phone and say, "Call your mom." >> Ah, that's awesome. >> Oh, that's great. >> What a great memory. Great. >> That's amazing. >> Um, okay. Well, we we've gone forth and long in this, but it's about education and I'm glad that we're we're bringing up a lot of these things because it's current. I mean, it's I don't think we've actually really delve into uh, you know, the current deployment overseas for our sailors. Uh, and we do thank them and wish them u well and that they come home. Absolutely. And for the leaders that are there, you're doing that everything you can to make sure that they're properly fed, properly rested because mission readiness is everything and sleep and nutrition are two of the biggest things when it comes to being mission ready. So, let's uh let's just hope that they're they're getting after that and making sure that they're being outfitted the best they can. So, uh with that, we're going over to our next subject, which is NASDA Naz attended. >> Chris Yeah. So, tell us a little bit about what was this thing you went to? So NASVA is the national association of state directors of veterans affairs. So every state has their own version of you know the department of veterans affairs. This conference was all the leaders of those departments. So there was about 50 to 100 or so uh folks there cuz you know they brought their staff as well. And I was able to sit on a panel that was really really interesting. um for the first time ever they had VSOs sitting on a panel talking about how we can work with NASDA to make sure that we're helping our veterans the best ways that we can. So there was a lot of different uh you know how can we collaborate? We have this thing called cross accreditation where you know we can share for lack of a better term licensing and allow representatives to work for different organizations and whatnot. But the real meat of it came into when we when we were asked how are you reaching veterans today? you know, how are you reaching the younger veterans? How are you reaching the veteran that is afraid to go out because maybe they have severe anger issues and if they go out in public and stand in the line to get into the federal building, it's not going to be a good day. >> So, we really talked about that and I was able to explain to them and show them how the VFW accredited representatives, all of them have uh remote access to VA systems and a laptop to where you can go virtually anywhere and help them out with their claims. we can do anything without ever even seeing the veteran, which is allowing us to actually get into those veterans homes and help them where they actually need the help. >> Cuz a lot of veterans don't want to come out to the office. They don't want to see us where we are. We need to see where they are. And then I was also able to get into our combat tested gaming um program that I think is absolutely incredible because a lot of folks, you know, they they go home and Yeah. they they're people out. >> Yeah. And I'm going to tell you right now, I'm I'm a Madden player. The new Madden dropped. It's amazing. Not a plug, but it's amazing. They did some cool stuff. And I'm not going to lie, like going on to com combat tested gaming and things like that. I'm playing against other people my age. And I'm not getting beaten up by a 12-year-old and being cursed at making me feel like I'm an absolute loser, you know, because they know all the cheat codes and all that kind of stuff. And, you know, so so like I said, it it allows veterans to actually communicate with veterans. And thankfully, we actually have some of our service officers on there. And I can tell you right now that we're saving lives because folks are going through and getting on to that uh program when they're having a bad day. >> Yeah. >> And somebody else that understands what a veteran's bad day is compared to, you know, somebody else's bad day. It can be completely different. So just having those conversations is saving lives and talking with them about their benefits. There's been a lot of teab conversations on there just explaining. And one thing I do want to I do want a little bit of a plug with the Tikava stuff. I've been seeing it online. The VFW membership, the folks that are responding, >> I am loving the fact that the vast majority of them are being civil and arguing intelligently instead of just calling names and things like that. And that's that's something else we talked about on that platform, right? that if you walk into a fight or I'm sorry, I'm sorry, a negotiation looking for a fight calling each other blue falcons and everything else. >> Yeah. >> That's not gonna help anything. All you're going to do is turn the person off and you're not going to get anything. >> Yeah. And you know, I think uh so this isn't necessarily planned uh to talk about, but I know that our new commander-in-chief Cory Gistler, he's also a Legion member, and we had talked about that because as people may know, the Legion is is a pro tava organization, one of the few that had signed on to that letter. and um you know they are um they're doing kind of their own education tour but I think there are a lot of VFW members that are also Legion members that you know maybe contribute to Wounded Warrior Project or they're part of DAV and nevertheless you find yourself on either side of these conversations and I think what you know they they say uh you know you you end up >> uh catching uh catching more flies with honey than you do with vinegar >> and I I think that's really uh not to call other people flies, but what I'm saying is that there you want to compel somebody to come to your side. You don't want to start calling them names. You want to reason with them as Derek Van Orton did say a long time ago, let us together, right? He did say that. So why why not have these conversations? Go if you share a post with a Legion, if you're a VFW post and you share it with a Legion post or maybe you're members of both at the same facility, have those conversations. Talk about the reasons why. If you know why uh we stand the way that we do, you know, just put those out there and find out how much people know or if they're just going off what they're reading online because there's so much online that's a distraction. Um, and then you get to, okay, well, let's let's get to it. Do you know how the benefit system works? Do you know why accredited representatives are able to do what they do as opposed to someone else who isn't accredited that could take you for all your money, you know? And I think that going to these organizations like this, what was it? N >> Nazda. >> NASDA, right? NASDA um that that this is a an excellent place for us to be able to let our voice heard. So, I'm glad that you represented us, Chris. Is there other things that you um that you discovered while you were there that came up? >> So I mean I discovered there is a lot of there is a lot of support for VFW stance with TAVA. I mean there was a lot of people coming up to me and saying basically keep fighting the good fight. >> Um we were able to discuss like I said mainly it was a lot of how do you reach the younger membership? How do you you know reach veterans in their homes? So, I think being able to discuss with them and showing that the VFW is there working and um actually like working in the local community. Uh real quick, for example, recently I taught a class on the postbenefits advisors. So, you know, how to help people in your local community. Was talking to one veteran and he says, "Well, I'm not sure exactly how to do that. I'm not sure to how to help somebody. I'm not sure how to how to get the information out." And in our conversation, I learned that he had been living in his same hometown for over 75 years. And I looked at him and a couple choice words were said and says, "You've known about that town for for 75 years. You know, you know which is the good pancake spot. You know, if a veteran is sitting there missing pancakes at home from their homemade pancakes, you know which diner to send them to. That kind of stuff is important." And that's the kind of stuff we were talking about at that conference as well is how do you actually reach a veteran on the lowest level because not everybody needs support not uh from financial situations. Not everybody needs a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes they just need the pancakes at the good diner, >> you know, whatever it might be. And that's that's what we can actually do to help bridge that gap to make sure all of the veterans are getting a good quality of life. Yeah. Everything. It's more than just benefits. It's also about those social relationships. >> Yeah, that's great. That's a great point. Um, you know, speaking of young veterans, uh, I think it's time for us. >> Yes. >> Gabby, I was noticing the shirt that you're wearing today. >> Oh, yeah. Let's take a nice young veteran. >> Yeah. Can we Can we get in there? There we go. Yes. >> She She's >> So, Gabby, do you want to tell us about the shirt you're wearing today and why you might be wearing it? >> Yes. I love it. I'm very excited. Um, >> I am, too. I really do enjoy these. Um, and it's one of the first times I'm wearing it, so even better. Um, so this is a quarter zip um, from the VFW store um, for this past year's VFW SVA legislative fellows. So, they all received one of these um, so did our staff and that was from um, a donation from T-Mobile. they helped with this um as they help with the fellowship and that's what we're going to turn to because now the new year the application is open right now. >> Right now you can go over to vfw.org go to student veterans and click the link to apply now. >> Who can apply though? >> Anybody who is a VFW member or eligible to be a VFW member. So, you don't have to already be a VFW member. You just have to be eligible and you have to be enrolled in school um higher education. So, bachelor's, masters, doctorate. Um we've had veterans in all of those programs over the years. So, we're looking for student veterans at an accredited university college um to come join us here. Um there's two parts to this. you get to go to the student veterans of America's national convention this year that will be in Texas and then in March you get to come and be a part of VFW's March Washington Conference. So it is a wonderful program. We're going to focus a lot more this year on training around Congress, giving some good education on what's going on here. Um, we're going to work a lot deeper with our staff and our national legislative committee members to create a community action plan that the students will then once after they've gone to uh, NACON for SBA, they will spend time there talking to all the other student veterans about whatever issue it is that they'll be working on. And then they'll do their project between in January and February. They'll come here to DC and join us and join their National Legislative Committee members from whichever department they are from and join them on the hill. Every meeting that they're in, they get a few moments to talk about whatever their priority is and bring that forward in addition to whatever legislative talking points we have. And this year we're going to be a little bit different um because we are switching, right? We're going from this Congress into a new Congress next year. So, one of the things we're going to work on is what does that mean? What does that look like? What is what happens? Right? Cuz every two years we got to start over again, right? So, um the education will be increased, the community action plan will be increased, and we are looking forward to a great crop of applicants. Um the application ends September 15th >> soon, >> very soon. Um so if you have somebody who is VFW member eligible or a VFW member, >> encourage them to apply. Right? This we've had fellows who have gone on to become like Tammy Bartlett, right? She was a fellow and she ended up being associate director then deputy director here at VFW and then went to SVA to be their vice president. >> There are paths if what we're doing if you're seeing the ticava fight and you're like I want to do more. I want to learn more. This is how you do it. You get training from SVA. You get it from VFW. You get mentors across like staff as well as members of the organizations. So apply apply. >> Very good. Um yeah. So VFW member or eligible, not auxiliary. Correct. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Need to talk to the auxiliary about something like that. >> Yes. >> And we've talked about this in in the group that the auxiliary is >> they could be super powerful for us if we leverage them as a group of very passionate people. >> Yes. Maybe there are amplifiers. >> Maybe that's a resolution that the uh the auxiliary needs to to do. I can't submit it. I'm not an auxiliary member, but you know, >> I guess me to myself. >> Um yeah. Okay. So, uh let's go. Since we talked about the fall Oh, look Britney on our screen. It looks like you're ready to join the podcast setup. So, uh I'll have to fix that here in a second. Um, but you know, you said September 15th, Gabby, and that's right around the time of our fall legislative conference. >> Uh, talk talk to us a little bit about that. Would you please, Christina, why fix this? >> Yeah, no worries. Yeah, happy to talk about our our legislative conference. So, we do two legislative conferences every year. Um the fall one is sort of the first of this command cycle. So we we do have some new members on the committee um the national legislative committee for the VFW which is you know as not everybody knows sort of the committee set up at the national level but we've got representatives from every state um and some of our veterans who live abroad um that will come to DC in September to receive training and a full day of training and then they'll spend two days on the hill meeting with their elected uh representatives and their senators. Um, and so our talking points vary, you know, each time. Um, it is usually, I mean, it still aligns with our overall legislative priorities. As Gabby mentioned, we are looking at the, we're at the tail end of this current Congress. So, it's focused on what can we get done between now and the end of the year, which is a very short period of time. Um, we're in a recess right now, but a October is also a recess period because of what? >> Yeah. So, like the calendar >> Oh, elections >> because of elections and campaigning, right? So, the legislative days left in this Congress are not a lot. It's it's very the calendar is very condensed. And so, I think we'll see a lot of activity in September and then November going into the end of the year. Um, but, you know, so we're not necessarily we've got a lot of priorities. We we you know endorse over hundred different pieces of legislation which people can see up on our website. But when our folks fly in in September, they will have you know three or four issues that they're going to bring to their members and keep it concise and and make very specific asks and you know we hope to get some things done before the end of the year. >> Yeah. Well, I tell you what, as a taxpayer I that ticks me off when I find out how many days Yeah. that they're not even going to be here. like, man, what do we pay these people for? And yet they're the ones that are scrutinizing our benefits. Holy smokes. Anyway, that's a whole another conversation. That is um >> more to come on that as as we get a little bit closer to it. We'll have more of sort of the topics that we're going to focus on that we can discuss um >> and sort of what the training will look like. But, you know, it's sort of all kind of in the planning and in the works right now. >> Well, we we also like I mean, I guess you could liken it to our our March conference. The only thing is is our March conference um the Washington conference is more like a mid- winter for the VFW. I mean there's there's you know the national council meets uh we have awards that are given away there's a reception there's other things that go on >> there's other activities in March and also our national legisl national legislative committee members come with a delegation >> so it could be like this the department commanders um maybe even an auxiliary president and then other members of that department depending on the state um whereas in September it's it's primarily our legislative committee um again to provide them training as they're starting this this new command year um in their roles. Um some are going to be new, some have been in here, you know, in the committee for a while and some have been on the committee a long time. So we're actually looking at training specifically for your your level, like how advanced you are in this process. And so if someone's been on the committee three times, their training might look a little bit different than someone who just joined um this month. >> So, um yeah, a lot of exciting things that I mean, we've got an amazing committee, as Gabby knows. Um they they are just incredibly professional and >> super connected. >> Very connected. A lot of them are influencers in their own communities. Yeah. >> Um you know, they're wellknown. They're on social media. They're they're writing a lot. They're publishing a lot. So, um, so it's it's a great time for us to have concentrated time just with those folks in September. >> I think it's important, uh, and I don't know if this is going to be part of your training. I know Britney and I, we've talked about this for an upcoming podcast, is um, as VFW members and how to socialize the right and left limits of how we are able to um, enter into politics and still be, you know, nonpartisan. um giving uh equal time to both candidates. Uh and it's a you know, especially with our uh committee coming here in the fall, September, going right back to where they are to be able to help with that. Um >> at the very least, encouraging people to vote, just showing people how important it is to be part of the civic process that we have. >> Absolutely. with the midterms. It's a it's a great opportunity for veterans in their local areas to go to town halls and to to ask these candidates or for their members who are up for re-election, >> how where do the where do you stand on veterans issues? Are you supporting these things? Are you against these things? These these issues matter. Yeah. >> So, it's a great opportunity for for the everyday person to have access to um their representatives who are going to be running or rerunning um to ask them those hard questions um so that they know that these are important issues and that we're watching and listening. >> That's exactly right. And I think, you know, I think if anybody out there um those candidates that just want to continue to do their thing, they just want people to stay home. They don't want them to be part of the process. They don't want them to vote. They don't want them show up at town halls. They don't want them to uh have their voice heard because they want to continue to do whatever their party's telling them to do or they think is best for the country. No, you're there as a representative on behalf of all of us and that's why we voted you into office and so you need to hear from us and so that but you know it's a two-way street. If they're there and willing to hear from us, then we need to be there at those locations to let our >> voice we have to vote intelligently. >> Right. Exactly. Right. We we should ask those questions. They they need to know that these issues are important and >> and we should never assume my elected official cares cares a lot about veterans because they went to Memorial Day or they went to this event. Ask them the hard questions. Do you support this legislation? Are you committed to funding these programs? Those those are tough and but that's that's where you see the support. It's not just where the the photos that they take or the events that they go to. Let them tell you where they support and how they're going to support veterans. >> Or the fact that just because they are a veteran doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to be supporting veterans. >> Bingo. That's right. >> We have We have to ask those questions. >> Yes. >> There's excellent points. >> Yeah. >> Because again, it's all about choices. >> Yeah. >> What choices are they going to make for you? >> It's true. And we can't make any assumptions to to your points. We can't you have to ask everyone where they stand. Um, and also just pay attention to how they're voting, you know, and and if they're not voting in the way that you feel that they should be based on your personal concerns or maybe those in your community, when they come home to, you know, host town halls, ask them about things. Why did they vote the way they did? Um, and it's really easy with our website, right? You can go to the page of all the bills that we support. You can click on that link, it'll take you to congress.gov, And then you just click on the little tab that says co-sponsor and see where your member of Congress sits. It's all right there. >> A lot of co co-sponsors on the on the major Richard Star Act when it was by itself. Am I right? >> And they're still there. >> There are a lot of supporters there. What? >> Yeah. And there's and there's a lot of like the >> standalone. Yeah. And there's a lot of like those political calculators out there. I'm not going to say any names of which ones what, but they basically you can answer a bunch of questions and it'll tell you exactly, hey, this is the way that they that your representative voted on these issues that matter to you and it's all public record and and there's a lot of places out there that just put it all in one easy to read spot for anything and everything. >> Do the research. It takes a little bit of time, but it's worth it. Well, and and Britney to to where you are, let's say in Rhode Island, you know, at when you're such a small state, um >> you could be active. You can do Yeah. It's so tiny. Uh you could be active. There's a lot of things you can do there. Um >> uh at the state level, right? Because there's legislation that is reflective of what's going on in much larger country, but also things very specific to Rhode Island. Let's say for instance like uh taxing on retirement if a military retirement or >> property or those other things uh you know you and Pat as you've been there has that kind of given you the bug to kind of take part in those processes there >> you know um I told Pat when he left DC I was like there's no way you're going to stay away I was like this is impossible you're not going to be able to stay away from this stuff and I was right I was Right. Because not only did he come down for the the Takava Hill days now a month ago. Um but we throughout the like the past I don't know we'll say several months there's been this big issue locally where you know it's kind of gross but Rhode Island doesn't have a way to get rid of its waste. >> Oh really? >> And so >> you don't have a Newark like New York does? >> No I guess not. So we don't um New Jersey takes offense. Um so no, Rhode Island doesn't have a way to dispose of its its it's its human waste >> and which is really gross, but we have to talk. It's a thing, right? Like because it's it just is a thing. So um >> there's they wanted to put a sludge plant in our town and they didn't get any buyin from the actual citizens of our town. It was like just made by this council and everyone found out about it like at the wrong time like I guess once things were already kind of in motion and it massive uproar massive massive massive and um Pat was like Pat found out about it obviously he couldn't help himself he had to go to a town hall >> >> um he wasn't supposed to be he wasn't supposed to be he his intent was not to talk about this sludge plan but he ended up like putting in a jab about it at like the very end of what he when he was there to talk about. Um, and then he he ended up going to a hearing. He he went to a hearing a >> just happened. >> Yeah. And then he also took it upon himself to write a bill. >> And And he's shopping it around. >> Just kind of chopping it around. Yeah. So, um he's shopping around to see who will introduce it during the next session um to protect um it's not just for the sludge plant. It's overall to protect the entire aquafer that provides all the fresh water to our area. >> So, that's what he's doing in his free time. >> Well, it sounds like a real crappy situation for you guys, >> but let's but let's hope there's some movement >> for real. But isn't that great when somebody sees an issue and knows what to do? >> Yeah. Like it doesn't and just it only takes one person really. Um to make to take action on something when they see a problem. >> Um and that's that's what we're trying to do with our training is let people know and and give them the tools on any issue that they see. I mean, we're informing them about the veteran issues that we see every day, right? um that our service officers see every day, but it's the same tools that you that's needed for any kind of local issue as well. Exactly. Because every every voter has the ability to do this. >> Well, I mean, look, Pat co-authored that uh the major Richard Star Act bill. I mean, he helped write that thing. >> Yes. >> Authored. I don't know if that's correct term, but I know that he helped write that. Um so, >> obviously, and well, I mean, look, he he's a smart guy. he to go to Georgetown, but you know, he but before then he was just a regular guy like those of us from New England that >> Yeah. He worked in construction. >> Yeah. Just just so you can do it. You can learn how to do it. >> And that's the beauty of this country, right? That's the beauty of our representative government is that it was meant >> kind of for all of us, right? like or that's the promise the beauty of the promise of this country is that the >> what we do how we do it >> is on all of us. We all have a responsibility to as a part of a representative republic democracy whatever you want to call it. >> Yeah. >> That doesn't come with nothing on our side as well. That's what the fellowship is about. That's what the NLC is about. That's what training is about. Because there are a million problems across our country, whether that's hyper local or affecting everyone and we all have that responsibility to do something about it and we all have the ability to do something about it cuz we all got mouths, especially those of us in New Jersey, >> right? and and and at the base level, if if let's say if you're in a in a situation where you don't have the time to invest for a huge organization or something, at the very least, do the research before voting. Don't just vote because this person has a nice smile or they're the party that you've always voted for. I mean, just spending an hour researching everything before you go voting is probably one of the most important things that anybody can do. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. All right. Well, look, we have to move on. Uh, and one of the things we talked about is everybody has a chance to use their voice. Um, even Hollywood does that from time to time. I know majority of us are like, "Ah, we don't want to hear from them. >> Well, play the wrap-up music." >> But, but when when uh when they do things to focus on service members, I I got to they got to they got my attention. So, uh, with that, we're going to be moving on to our still serving spotlight as Britney and I um will engage with the director of the film Civilian. So, we'll be back with that right after this. >> From the opening gabble to the final salute, the 127th VFW National Convention in Reno, Nevada, brought veterans, advocates, and VFW leaders together from across the nation. Delegates tackled the issues affecting veterans, celebrated service and achievement, and set the VFW's course for the year ahead, culminating in the election of Cory Gesler as VFW National Commander. >> One team working together in a spirit of service and respect. One mission supporting veterans, their families, and our communities with honor and dedication. and veterans first always. >> Rob and Britney also took over the exhibit hall stage for engaging live conversations throughout the convention. If you couldn't join us in person or just want to relive the action, find convention live streams and highlights at dfw.org/convention and catch Rob and Britney's live content on the BFW YouTube channel. and welcome to this episode, Still Serving Spotlight, where we look at the feature film Civilian. Britney, why don't you go ahead and take it away for us? >> Absolutely. Thank you, Rob. Um, so thank you all for being here today. Today we are joined um by some of the key players behind the movie Civilian. Um, and so with that we have John and Anthony uh Baddine and also Marissa Vitali. Um, uh, would you three mind just taking a few moments to tell us a little bit about yourselves? >> Sure. Uh, I'm John J. Badine, the writer and director of the movie, upcoming movie Civilian. Um, my background started in visual effects in 1999 where I was doing visual effects for lots of high-end commercials, music videos, other directors. I've worked with almost every high-end director in the industry. Um, I wrote and directed a feature script called Rocka Away back in uh 2019, which is also about my brother who's joined us here. This one's about us growing up on Long Island. Civilian is my follow-up feature, which was influenced by my brother um as a US military um Air Force veteran. >> Awesome. Thank you, John. >> And I'll jump here. My name is Marissa Vitali. one of the amazing producers on this project being here today and I've been producing independent film for about 10 years at this point and I come out of branded content working at Kundai Nest and building out conversations and looking to use independent film as a way to start a conversation and bridge gaps where we need to shine a light on things that are happening. >> Awesome. Thank you, Marissa. All right. I'm uh Anthony Baddine, uh John's brother. He kind of plugged me in there a little bit. Um a veteran of the Air Force, Special Warfare, uh former NYPD, former FDNY, and a almost lifelong martial artist at this point. Um and then yeah, so some of the some of the things for the film, he needed me as a reference and um just to kind of pick my brain on some things as well. So that's my role in this film. >> Um that's I'm I I think this is actually a good segue. Um Anthony, since you went last, um is just to talk a little bit about the background of the film. Can you tell us about it? Um yeah, so it's uh about a veteran who is deployed, you know, overseas and comes back and has to adapt to civilian life and uh all the struggles that veterans have to do uh and deal with with that, you know, just back into normal life and uh also just the family involvement as well and what they have to deal with. >> Yeah, it's it's a lot. It's a lot. And um I don't actually I don't I can't remember any image um sorry any any films or any TV shows uh that I have ever seen that have focused on on this transition because most Americans never have to even think about that what that means and for it to be portrayed on screen I think is really interesting um to put it kind of in people's living rooms. Yeah, for sure. For sure. And I think this uh this will be a good film for people to see uh what goes on in in real life. So, >> you know, Britney, uh actually there is there is a film um my daughter just shared it with me called The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit from like the ' 50s and it talk it's Gregory Peek and he it's about his transition into civilian life. Again, I in recent memory, I it's it's tough to think of, you know, when they address that cuz often it's about special operators or something else. And, you know, they focus in in that and then they, you know, they they're brought in for one last, you know, one last mission or something like that as opposed to really talking about the dynamics of what it's like to go home and to transition that way with your spouse and with your families. So, it's really great to be able to uh look at that, especially when you talk about service members that might be coming home from the Middle East right now and might be transitioning out of military, what that looks like for them. So, how timely to have a film such as this to come out. Well, so a little bit more on it is, you know, influences in writing it are absolut absolutely the film's Jarhead where not a ton happens, but there are still invisible scars that and life-changing things that disrupt the normaly of your civilian life and of course uh Hurt Locker, you know. So with >> yeah, with with our film, you know, we have a fabulous cast. We have Jack Kessie in the lead who was a former Marine, but he also is an exploding actor in the scene. He was Hellboy in Hellboy the Crooked Man. He is the lead in the Apple series called 1212121212121212121212122 and he just did a Shan Penn film called The Gun on Second Street. But the biggest takeaway for us is that he's a former Marine so that he really knows this world. Paired with him, we have the iconic Thor Burch, who you know from American Beauty, Hocus Pocus, Now and Then, Chronology of Water that just came out. And then we're in final negotiations with Bruce Durn, like legendary Bruce Durn. So having this cast, it's going to command attention and eyeballs and I think it's going to really help a lot of people out there. >> Um so we're excited about it. >> Uh on on that note, John, um you bring up the reach, the amount of people that you you want to that you want to be able to reach with this film. And I understand this film is about uh an officer's experience transitioning. Um, however, uh, VFW is really involved in in the transition space. We have, uh, we're on about 24 different installations. Now, we're actually also in South Korea, um, and interacting with transitioning service members every day through through the through TAP class, the transition assistance program. Um, with that, we collect data. Um, but there's also a lot of other people out there tracking transition and the various experiences and challenges that come with transition. And sometimes often times it's colored by how you served, what your service looked like. Um, and that includes something as simple as whether you were enlisted or an officer. And those transition experiences vary for a number of reasons. Um, of course like the the the standard enlisted member has changed over time. a lot of enlisted members are coming in with higher levels of education um as an example. But by and large um transition experiences can differ like like I said due to education levels but also due to financial stability. You know enlisted people don't make as much as officers for example. Um but then also there's kind of this bias or out there like civilians view uh officers and listed a little bit differently. Um it's that's I don't know if there are data out there to support that but it's kind of like there's there's this kind of divide if you will that that's out there between like with employer preferences between officer enlisted. So, um, what was the reasoning for choosing to portray an officer's transition experience? And with that, do you feel like this film is going to resonate with both with with all veterans or of of all ranks? >> Absolutely. So, so our lead character, Ryan Collie is his name, played by Jack Cassie. I I made him an army lieutenant. And the reason for that is in our film, there are flashbacks to Afghanistan. And I wanted to, as they say in the film world, raise the stakes. >> His decisions carry so much more weight. >> Every decision he makes and there is a vulnerability that he shows to a young Afghany girl in our film. And it is ultimately leads to something that he carries that guilt and brings it back to the States. And in the States, he doesn't want to be that vulnerable again because he's carrying this this this guilt of what has happened. and it's his fault. And by making him an army lieutenant, every decision has so much more weight to it that when he comes back to the states, it just it needed to be that sort of, you know, gravity of the situation and why he's shut down and he's disconnected and he had and and that I think intensified the invisible scars. Um, so with the invisible scars, I think that many veterans, I mean, you can look at a veteran be like, "Oh, well, you you came back all intact. You didn't, you know, that there's that's not necessarily true." And those are the hidden ones. Those are the harder people to connect with because >> it's a could be a deeper sort of acceptance of something is going on. I need help and finding that help at the right place. So with the juxtaposition of those two things, I think we can reach a a very large audience. Um, and maybe we'll realize that maybe I should talk to someone. >> Yeah. I mean, what I'm hearing you say, what I'm hearing you articulate, actually, one of the things is moral injury. >> Yep. >> Um, which is something that's becoming uh more and more common place uh more and more common commonly discussed um in that Yeah. you're I mean it's one thing to appear intact, right? Um it's another it's another it's another thing altogether to um to have to like reconcile with some of the things that that veterans have had to experience or endure or stand by and watch um >> and not be able to do anything >> and and that aspect of it, you know, with my my brother coming back, you know, he always he'll tell you as well. He's like, "Well, I didn't see crazy firefights and this and that." Yes, but you came back and you you were still eating MREs. You didn't have a resume. You know, I think that's Anthony could speak more to this, but like I think that's why he was looking for something with that structure that he was missing when he was in the military. NYPD, FDNY. >> Um, but he can tell you more about that. I think that's where that part of this the story stems from. >> Yeah, that's that's another big that's another big piece of it. It's it's a whole uh it's a I I don't want to use this word, but there's a whole there's a whole pie to transition. You know, there are many different corners of what it means to transition. Well, um and Anthony, do you want to talk about that? >> Uh I mean, yeah, I think you nailed it. Um you know, you get out, especially with the military, they don't really prepare you to be a civilian again. Um I think they can do a better job at that for sure. Uh and I mean, I just kind of me personally, I just stayed on that path. I just kept doing, you know, paramilitary type things between the NYPD and the FDNY. >> Um, so that kind of made my transition maybe a little better. Uh, >> but yeah, if they can if this film brings any light to that, I mean, that'd be great. Helping helping these guys and and girls that get out, you know, just transition better, you know, be better prepared for civilian life. >> Absolutely. >> You know, Anthony, I have to ask you if I could. I'm sorry, John. you were going to say something. >> Oh, I was going to say interestingly enough, you know, the Thora Burch role in the film, while not a military personnel, uh, her toughness that I wrote into it, it definitely stems from my brother's wife, Tiana, who was US Air Force as well. And they met they met at Magguire Air Force Base. Am I correct with that? It was Magguire, right? >> Yeah, I was Magguire. >> Yeah. So, they're she's she's very tough. She uh she doesn't take any from my brother. >> It's crazy. I did a little bit of growing up in Meguire Air Force Base. My dad was in the Air Force and so I I was very young at the time. Probably moved away at about five four or five years old, but uh I remember it fondly. Good memories there. Um >> but I have to ask Anthony, did you do when you when you got out, did you do the fire department first or you do the or the police department? Which one did you jump into? >> Yeah, it's uh I guess a unique kind of route. Uh I went to the NYPD first. Well, first I was pumping gas at a gas station in Jersey. So, talk about getting out of the military and transitioning. >> So, Jersey, you can't pump your own gas. That's right. >> Yeah. I pump gas at a gas station and uh luckily my wife stayed with me during that time. >> Um but then I got on the NYPD. Um but I always just had a dream to be a firefighter. So NYPD will usually pick you up first. Um they just hire way more fire department. it takes a little bit longer to get on. Um, unfortunately due to 9/11, they had to, you know, because all the losses, they had to hire quickly. So, I got on two years later with the fire department. Um, and then during that time, uh, so I was originally went into the Air Force out of high school for par rescue, which is special operations, and I ended up quitting and it bothered me forever. So when I was in the fire department, I had like one more shot. It's just the way things were lining up with life and my age to go back in. So uh I went in the guard cuz I was not going to leave the fire department and went back in as uh attack P, which is currently now they kind of restructured everything. It's uh under special warfare kind of umbrella uh what we calling close air strikes and uh air support and stuff like that. So I was doing both at the same time, fire and tact. >> Wow. Wow, >> quite a career. >> Yeah, that was interesting. >> Yeah, >> I I will say I hear you, Anthony. Um I think you articulated it well that the the military does an excellent job of training you to become a soldier, sailor, marine, airman, etc. Um but they don't teach you how to become a civilian again. Um there's a tremendous investment on the front end and even throughout continuous training. uh to have that warrior mentality and transition into that warrior lifestyle, if you will. But then there's a super minimal investment on the back end um to help you come out of that mindset and figure out who you are, what your life looks like without that identity, >> right? Yeah. Uh again, my path kind of lined up where it worked out, but uh the biggest struggle I had was when I got out of the fire department because I was no longer like a paramilitary structure. And that was when reality finally hit. You know, I had that brief moment where I was pumping gas and I was like, what am I doing with my life? And then I just kind of went back into the same role that I was doing and and >> but when I got out of the fire department and tac pee, then it was like, okay, now what do I do? And that that that was a little bit of a struggle for sure. >> I I imagine. So, I um I went I mean, everyone's journey is different, but I went through like say like a seven-year period afterward. I was medically separated and um I went through like a solid seven years not knowing like what to do next. Um I just didn't even know cuz that was like I wanted to retire you know like I wanted it to be a career and when that's just kind of when it comes to an end for everybody it looks different you know but um it's it can be jarring that transition can be jarring um but I I do want to I do want to pivot to another question um and that is about how you're portrayed in this film um you know films historically have portrayed veterans um like struggling with various issues, you know, PTSD, you know, anger, stuff like that. Um are any of these um are any of these challenges portrayed in the film um as a factor in the main character's journey? >> Absolutely. So, Ryan, our main character, um there's there's a little bit of uh struggle with alcohol. Um the the biggest thing I would say is a a disconnection and just a dullness of life. Um needing to find a new purpose. I mean that's the biggest thing is like you know you have a purpose a very defined purpose when you're when you're shipped out and then you come back and it's like what is my purpose now? Where do I fit in? >> And those are the the tidbits and breadcrumbs that lead to much bigger things if you don't address them right away. So, with Ryan being back, um, he struggles with PTSD. He struggles with a bit of alcoholism. Um, he's kind of trying to mask things by being, you know, not really financially savvy, just um, band-aids on things. You know, ultimately, unbeknownst to him, our Bruce Durn character who plays a uh Home Depot manager for him is his conduit between the civilian world and the military world. He plays a sort of snarky Vietnam war veteran. Obviously, being back, yeah, you're perfect for Bruce Dur being back, you know, longer. He tries to help Ryan, but ultimately is the sort of catalyst that says like, "Ryan, find another mission that's not at Home Depot," not knowing that he's going to take on this mission against his neighbors. Um, and the film is told through that perspective with everything sort of leading into is something really going on or is nothing going on and this is him just coping. That's actually a really interesting uh twist. Um because I what I'm hearing also is kind of a thread of that the challenge of turning it off, the challenge of um being on alert um of analyzing >> and and how difficult that can be to to overcome especially when you don't need it like Anthony and and what you did after your career after the gas after the gas stations. um like that was really helpful for you, I'm sure, to to be able to continue that mindset. Um but to your point, John, this this um the main character and civilian um maybe that was kind of something that he wrestled with. Not really sure as you mentioned. >> Um >> absolutely. >> Yeah. So that's a really good through line. There's also there's a there's a nice again juxtaposition of his relationship with a young Afghany girl and how warm and inviting he is and what it leads to. And then back in civilian life, he has a son who he's very closed up to and struggles to bond with because he's taken this all back home with him. >> Right. >> So, there's a lot about the family dynamic in there as well. I'm glad that you talked about that and you chose to to portray that in the film having someone being someone rather that you know I I deployed three times plus an unaccompanied tour to Korea. There was so much time away from my family. You know what I mean? like my oldest daughter I miss most of her birthdays uh you know and and during my 24 year career and you know to show that uh like my wife was she's really the true soldier in our family to be able to to hold it down back at home uh while I go off and serve my country uh she's in effect serving too you know and the support system that I needed and I I tell you those coming back home was not easy every time because it was a brand new adjustment every time the kids are older, different situations at home. Uh, and so this is what kind of, you know, intrigued me about this is that you chose uh to depict the family uh depict a dependent child plus a spouse. Um, you know, what kind of informed I know you had mentioned before that uh Anony's wife was was part of that inspiration. What else um kind of helped develop the character that Thor Burch plays? And oh, by the way, how did you land Thor Burch for this? >> So, you know, a lot of it goes you write the role and then you start looking at like who might be cast in it. We have an amazing casting team of uh Thomas Sullivan and Leo um Leo Wolf who cast the Green Book that won the Oscar that Peter Farley directed. So, they found us Jack as well. Like we think Jack's a home run. Got all his information. Saw he was a former marine. Great. Love it. Thor came around a little bit later and then you start feeling out the sort of demeanor of how you understand this person and you you amend things to cater it to them. So, I don't think it originally had that toughness, but I wanted somebody to be able to stand up to this tough guy in the film to to be this strong female co-lead essentially that could handle the family dynamic and keep things together. And there's also a lot in there about, you know, the sacrifices her character has made and what potential and what path would have she been on if she didn't choose this partner in her life. >> Um, so for me it it starts with writing the character and I think I definitely had my brother's wife Tiana in mind with the toughness cuz you know my my brother my brother's tough. We used we used to really get into it but then when he used became a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt I'm like I'm not going to get into it anymore with him. But Tiana Tiana, you know, he'll tell you all about that as well. He's doing he's got a huge Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym in Georgia called Iron Horse Jiu-Jitsu. And it's really he's found he's found his place. He's got 100 students or so. But yeah, so it was based on Tiana, his wife, the toughness aspect of it because, you know, so often, you know, it's the dam in distress. It's it's the woman who like needs the man in this situation. It's the it's it's the man who needs a woman essentially and and she's there for Ryan, but also has her own aspirations and life and toughness. >> Wow. Um I'm really I'm thankful that you chose to portray um the family side of things and what that looks like because I don't know that that's a story that's told often. I know it's I mean we talk about it a lot in our circle in Washington DC because that's the world that we live in. Um but like that's a bubble. >> Mhm. >> And otherwise it's discussed within military circles. Um you know in the organizations that have popped up because of the true need for military families because of the struggles that they endure. um you know just the just the issue of um military spouse unemployment alone is a huge issue because of the military lifestyle um the moving the challenging you know I don't I don't have to get into all that but I'm really thankful that you that you're you're including this in in in the story um so that people can try to to understand what are you what are you trying to hope um the audience takes away from the this the family side of the story >> I think my my hope is that that uh families realize, you know, they have a better understanding of their spouse that is serving or who has served, a better insight into what is going on with them, but also an understanding that it's it's a team thing. You know, it's just like uh any sort of, you know, if you're a lieutenant and you have people underneath you, that that's a team thing as well. So, the family dynamic needs to be tackle things together. And if someone is isolated, you shouldn't isolate them out. you should find ways to join in on whatever they need to help their recovery and their path to being, you know, reassimilated into civilian life. So, I think just, you know, the team family aspect of it um is important and I hope people take that away like you're not alone. >> I love that. Um I >> and that's right. That is the power. >> Yes. >> Right. >> Yes. We have this phenomenal story written by John, inspired by Anony's journey, and now we're able to kind of bridge that gap that I referenced earlier and share this story of the family and the spouse, the post-traumatic stress, reintegration outside of the veteran community, right? So that it can have a ripple effect in our society and in our local communities. and and at some level maybe we can all just be a little bit more compassionate with one another's journeys and have a deeper understanding of what it really means to be a veteran. >> Yeah. Uh with that, Mercedes. Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> Oh, no. I was just saying, you know, what that journey is kind of thing. >> Um I love that and I I really appreciate that you brought up the the power of storytelling because without stories, we don't really have a lot. We don't have um we don't really have the foundation for changing anything um without being able to understand the experience of others and have empathy and be motivated to um maybe have a better uh community wraparound services around that military family um who is still serving or or coming home from serving trying to reintegrate back into the community. Um and um I also understand that from this um that from this film um the veteran impact initiative um has come about. Would you Marissa mind uh discussing that? >> Sure. I I can say since I've been on this project I know it was very important for John from the beginning to have veterans both behind the camera and in front of the camera. And that's kind where it started. And I've been working very closely with producer Corey S. Thompson on this as well. And we started having conversations that we wanted to invite the veteran community to be a part of this now on the front end of production. We we're not looking to have the veteran community be an afterthought once the film is made in the can and uh streaming on platforms and theatrical release. Come see this movie. We really want this to be an opportunity to have a ripple effect and to shine a light on missions and things of importance to all the fantastic work these veteran nonprofits are doing. So through these conversations, we have connected with Creative Vets and they're going to be helming a production boot camp with careers for combat veterans as well, which is going to have about 10 to 15 veterans coming to set, shadowing the different departments to see if a career of interest for them. And there will be an educational component as well. Uh we've been working with Fiser House to kind of set up a watch party across all of their homes where there can be live interactive conversations happening once the film is streaming. We've had great support from Psych Armor and Travis Manion potentially collaborating with them on their upcoming mass deployment for 2027. And you know it's interesting because all of this has come about organic. >> You know it's meeting with all these great organizations and saying what's important to you? what's the gap? What do you need to get out there outside of the veteran community listening and then saying, "Okay, how can we use a film to amplify your message to a larger audience?" And so, out of one of those conversations, we were talking with IAVA to actually put together a spousal employment day of kind of reintegration into the workforce where there can be different panels throughout the day specifically just for the spouses and to give them support. uh you know resumes, interview process, how to be a caregiver when your loved one comes home physically, em uh you know mentally, emotionally. So it's really been wonderful to connect with all of these nonprofits and civilian has kind of fallen into this position of being a connector of there's so many I have found that there's so many nonprofits that are operating siloed. So, how can we all come together and how can we use Civilian to amplify your message to a larger audience? Because as one rises, we all rise, >> right? >> We've even we've even been working with our sales agent, Storyboard Media, very closely because John brought to our attention that there are over 5,000 military bases throughout the world. There are theater theater installations at most of them. And so we're working with our sales agent to make sure that we have distribution in these theaters on military bases and currently talking with corporate title sponsors that could potentially sponsor a day of screenings that would be free for whoever attended and you know potentially have some type of red carpet event panel discussion afterward. You know we're really looking at how can we use this film to bring people together. >> Yeah. >> Wow. That's fantastic. I'm so glad that you all have decided to just embrace this and uh and you know, open up these doors. I mean, I tell you what, there are a lot of veterans that have got into the social media space as podcasters, uh influencers, and you know, I think a lot of it is because maybe they don't know how to break into uh that part of of the entertainment industry. um with just a save a few that have done it on their own. Um you know, Adam Driver comes to mind and a bunch of other older celebrities that uh you know had established long after uh their their careers long after their military service. Um so this, you know, transition is a big thing obviously part of what we're talking about here. The VFW advocates for transition awareness um such as the TAP promotion act uh to get service members connected with their benefits or VA benefits as they're transitioning out of service. So that's just one aspect that we do. But you know it this audience will I I think hopefully also include policy makers out there also include those are kind of in centers of influence to help bring a little bit better of an understanding. What what are some of the things some of your goals I should say with this just the film alone? >> You want to take that you want me to take that? Yeah, go ahead, John. >> I was like, you might have something good and I have a thought as well. So, yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, I think my my my goal overall is to obviously create a, as you were saying, storytelling is so powerful. So incredibly powerful. Um, just seeing sometimes seeing things on a screen resonate more than when you see things in real life. And for me, I personally like I was at NYU when 911 happened and >> I saw the second plane hit. I was going into my internship. It didn't process inside of me until I saw it on a screen at the production company I was working at at the time. So different media, different storytelling, but storytelling from an authenticity by authentic people who have experienced it. That's why it's important for this initiative and and to have those conversations happen and people understand that, >> you know, they're not broken. They're just they just need to get back to what is always inside of them. >> Yeah. um and and not to overlook them for these job opportunities and things and and learn how to communicate with veterans better and and and vice versa. Veterans learning to communicate with civilians better because we're all human beings, you know. So, I think that this story and told properly how we're going to do it with authenticity is going to do that. I I'm really hopeful and I feel like there's a real chance. Um I mean it see because it seems like it's such a comprehensive story. Um a lot of different a lot of aspects have been considered. Um obviously I haven't seen it. Um but if it to me it seems like um a kind of a whole a whole package and and the fact that this whole initiative the veteran sponsorship or sorry not the veteran sponsorship initiative veteran impact initiative has come out of it um as like kind of a community effort like there's a big there's a community behind it you know um which can serve to amplify it and amplify the message um to get it hopefully in front of the right you know the right audiences. is who have the the power and influence to to affect change. Um because that's that's I mean that's what it's all about or at least in part um because that that that's that's the that's why storytelling is so important. >> Something that was very rewarding with with the script um is that you know a I got my brother's stamp of approval on it and then a quick little story. So, uh, Jared Taylor, who started Black Rifle Coffee, >> um, he actually was my brother's TACP instructor. >> What a small world. >> Yeah. And he he read the script and immediately said to me, he's like he's like, "I'm so happy that you you wrote this with such authenticity. You didn't just make him an angry military man." >> Exactly. you you you made him you really captured the the PTSD aspect of it and what they actually go through like that you would think that you served and and that was very rewarding to me already that he he and my brother gave me the stamp of approval with what was written. >> Wow, >> that's great. >> Yeah, that's we were talking we were talking to him and then my brother's like, "Yeah, he was my TAC B instructor and I I said, Jared, do you remember my brother Anthony?" He goes, "Yeah, I used to call him Jersey Shore because of his long arm." And he said he remembered him because they were what Andy, what were you guys six people in, six people made it through for your TAP P class or something? >> Yeah, it's there's a fairly high wash out rate. Um I wouldn't say it's the highest like obviously Navy Seals PJs I think are the highest power rescue, but um you know they'll put the you have different flights, different teams. I was a Hawk flight. So they'll combine your team with another team. So you're graduating class >> I think I I don't know it's roughly 15 or so maybe a little more. But it's a combination of the different flights that they put was left and then they put them together into one flight if that makes sense. because you get washed out and quit throughout the process and then they just take those groups, put them together and then um you know if you some of you have obviously been in the military you know if you're going through the training there's blocks in your training where if you fail and then you pass then they just combine you with other group right so that's kind of what happened so I think the original people that went through with me out of like >> 40 or so or there was like six of us and then combined them with the other groups and it ended up being like 15ish at the end of it. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Wow. Um but I mean what and also like what are the odds like this coming full coming full circle if you will. Um >> it's just such a small world and I'm I'm just constantly reminded of that. So um I I love that. Um before before we wrap up um each of you is there anything that you wanted to leave the audience with before before we wrap up? >> I would love to jump in here. I, you know, going back to your point about community effort and kind of we've been so welcomed in the veteran community with this project of nonprofits wanting to be part of this civilian impact initiative. But one of the things that we do need at this point is that we are still assembling financing for the film as well. And so, you know, I'm just sharing this because we are in meetings. We are doing product placement in the film with veteran companies. Uh we have many companies that are interested that are reviewing the materials. And so I just want to put that out there because in order to really have the impact that all of us know that this project can and will have, we you know need to be able to make the movie as well. So I'm just sharing that that we are having some fantastic conversations with private investors as well as corporate corporate sponsors and things like that. So I'm just sharing that with the community because if you do think that this is something that you would like to be involved with in front of the camera, behind the camera, you can definitely find us on Instagram. Please follow us, message us at this is civilian and it would be an honor to connect with you and share more about the project with you. So, thank you so much. >> Great. >> Thank you, Marissa. >> Yes. >> Yeah. And just to piggyback on Marissa's saying, you know, uh we are still just assembling everything to get it together to be able to do this huge initiative with this amazing cast, uh with this amazing story. And um we are just excited. I mean, the cast is extremely excited for what we've been building out as well. So, we're just ready to just bring it to the screen to then bring it to the homes to then bring it to the healing. >> I love that. >> I love >> Amen, John. That's on. >> Yeah. >> Well said. >> Yeah. And if I could uh just add something, too. Um I think the biggest thing that helped me was my martial art background. So, uh I'm always trying to help veterans, first responders, stuff like that. And Brazilian jiu-jitsu was huge for me, just having that camaraderie that kind of resembled those kind of um environments. And you know, I'm always trying to get veterans in, trying to help them out because it especially with like my anger issues that I would have like letting it all out on the mats and then having that camaraderie and that very like strong group of people to be around um helped. So, you know, if there's any veterans that hear this and they they feel like they need to find that that place, that kind of place where they fit in, um they could reach out to me, whether it's they're in the area that I'm in in Alpharetta or just anywhere in the world. Um jiu-jitsu is a small community, so I can probably help them out and point them in the right direction. >> Well, where is it? It's It's ironor jiu-jitsu, right? Ironhorse jiu-jitsu. Uh >> yeah, Instagram is just iron_horse_bjj. That's my Instagram. >> All right. >> Well, great. Well, hey everyone. Thank you so much for joining us. Uh, real quick, in a perfect world, everything lining up, money, people, all that sort of thing. When do you think a target release date would be? >> Great question. >> Uh, I I think Marissa, correct me if I'm wrong, I would say like Q2 or Q3 next year. >> Okay. >> Is that is that correct, Marissa? For release, for a release date, I would say >> maybe Q3, Q4. >> Yes, I would definitely say Q3, Q4 next year for release. I want to give you a little time for post, John. >> Yeah, that's true. That's true. That's very true. >> Yeah, you'll be cramming on that. >> So, everything is, you know, just how you want it to be. >> Very true. That's true. Thank you. Well, I tell you what. Um, next year, depending on where you're at with it, uh, we'd love to invite you out to our VFW national convention, uh, to talk about it. Uh, or not, or even to show it. That would be fantastic. So, uh, why not? I know big promises here, but, uh, but anyway, thank you again for being on the podcast, and we really look forward to this work. Thank you for what you're doing to bring attention to our service members, their transition, and their military families. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for showcasing our story. Yeah. >> All right. >> Meet Charlie. He needed help with his VA claim. Charlie said >> the VFW offers free expert help. That's where I'm going. >> Now meet Dick. He needed help, too. But Dick said, >> "Free? Huh? You get what you pay for. I'll hire someone." >> He paid a huge fee and will lose a cut of his benefits every month forever. Charlie keeps 100% of what he earned. Dick is funding someone else's yacht. Don't be a dick, be a Charlie. Go to claims.vfw.org to get started. >> All right, and we're back and it is time for the good of the order. And this one is going to be the food edition. As we said earlier that we get into this time of year where people are and I mean I'm still not sick of barbecue. I love barbecue. Love grilling outside. Not tired of it. But you start seeing things you start seeing things in your local stores like, you know, maybe you're a pumpkin spice latte person at your Starbucks or you're an apple cider donut person from Trader Joe's or, you know, whatever that means. >> I forgot about those. >> Oh, I tell you what, we had one. It was delicious. Oh my gosh. Um, so we're going to go around the horn for this special food edition of the good the order. And uh we'll start with over there. Christina, what is your good of the order? >> All right, food. So, recently I've been making baby food cuz I have I have an I have an eight-month-old and and yeah, I've I've just found that it's super easy to do and >> >> um >> resourceful >> make making her making purees, making baby food instead of buying jars of baby food that have preservatives added to it. >> Um so, I don't have a lot with a baby. I don't have a lot of time to cook. >> Yeah. >> Um so we're we're actually doing like home chef deliveries which I didn't think I was going to like cuz I like cooking, >> but it is kind of nice having everything >> packaged together and then I just make a meal or my husband makes a meal based off of that. Um, so it's it's one of those times where we just don't have the bandwidth to even go grocery shopping regularly. But when we do, um, getting fruits and vegetables and making baby food is is is my jam right now. >> But very nice. Yeah, you could throw all your food in a blender. >> Nothing nothing fancy, but baby food. Yeah, >> baby food. Well, I mean, I tell you what, in this economy, it's a great idea. >> Yeah, Britney >> Britney's got something. >> I want to go I actually want to go next. Oh, Britney, you go right ahead. >> But only if Christina's But only if Christina's done. >> Yeah, I'm done. >> All right. All right, Britney, over to you. >> Last night, I was googling how to make baby food. >> Oh, really? Yeah. >> So, Christina, >> it's so easy. It's fun. It's easy and fun. >> I need your notes if you could. um like on ratios, stuff like that because >> we're at the stage where like >> our son is like eating more and more things, but he still he refuses to eat vegetables like in their whole form. So, we have to hide them in other things. And so, we're getting like older kid toddler purees, but they all come in plastic packages. >> Yeah. >> And it's like so wasteful. So, I want to get some of those um glass jars to that are pre, you know, measured >> and make it just make it myself because it's just so wasteful and and then I know to your point, I know exactly what's going into it. So, um >> y >> I would love to connect on that. But, um my actual food I'm going to bend the rules a little bit. All right. >> Um because >> I'm going to dinner tonight. So, there's food involved. Um I'm going to dinner tonight with Cindy. Cindy with >> Cindy. It was Cindy Noel. Tell her we said hey. >> Cindy Noel from National Veteran Service Team. >> Yes. So Cindy is one of our um wonderful um >> uh she's the one assistant director um for National Veteran Service and what she still works out of camp Loun, right? >> Yep. Yeah. As the assistant director for our BDD team. So she manages all of those people. That's a job in of itself. It >> sure is. It's a lot. So, um, yeah, she reached out to me out of the blue yesterday and she's like, "Hey, I'll be in Rhode Island tomorrow." And I was like, "What?" Okay. Well, we're going to go to dinner, so I'm really excited. That's my go to the order. >> Oh, I think that's great. You know, whenever you have and even I tell you what, uh, and especially in the VFW and when you're on staff for the VFW, uh, the people you work with end up becoming your new battle buddies. So, when you're separated and you're able to get together with them, um, it's like you never left, right? And so, uh, you pick right up where you left off, just like those friends that you deployed with. And, uh, and that's great. So, good to hear, good to hear, Britney, that you are, uh, connecting with Cindy over there. Okay, so let's go over to our next good to the order. And I would say that would be Chris. So, Chris, what do you have for us? >> Okay, so I have a couple quick things. First of all, I just found out this morning that there's a new scam out there that's really hurting veterans. >> Probably good for this PSA. Go ahead. Yeah. So, I guess they're send there's a company or these scammers sending out postcards to veterans saying that, hey, if you give us a call, you know, we're with the VA and we can get you an extra $185 a month in your benefits if you give us all this information. Obviously, it's a scam. So, please don't fall for it. VA is not going to send you a postcard saying you can get an extra $185. >> So, what my suggestion is is don't let them take your money. Use that money to go buy yourself some good groceries and do what I've been doing lately with smoking meat. I mean I like just yesterday I ended up smoking a London broil and turning into like Philly cheese steak sandwiches. Do smoked meatloaf smoked chicken. I mean if if it needs to be cooked I've been smoking it lately on my Trager. >> Yeah. >> So easy, so amazing. And >> yeah, I tell myself it's healthier even though it's smoke. But >> well I mean is there do you do you happen to have like a very expensive smoker? >> Can you do that without an expensive smoker? >> Yeah. So, actually, for years I was doing it with just the, you know, $40 Weber charcoal grill and stuff, and then my parents came out and they said, "Oh, honey." >> And for my 40th birthday a year ago, I got the I got the Trager. My whole family pitched in. All right. >> But, uh, yeah. So, I've got the fancy one now, but prior to that, it was just charcoal and some wood chips and a pan of water. So, so Chris, so you you live by Well, I mean, you said you had a roommate, but for the most part, you you're by yourself. So, you're making all this food in advance, probably saving yourself some money by doing that. >> Yeah, exactly. What I'll do is on my one of my, you know, mental health rituals is on Sundays, I'll just cook something. >> Like this past week, it was Zupa Tuscana and smoked meatloaf. >> Well, I don't even know what you just said. What was that? >> Zupa Tuscana. It's a It's an Italian cream soup with sausage and kale and potatoes and stuff. It's It's amazing. So, you make that up and then you make some other stuff in your meal plan for the week and anything that doesn't I throw them into the into mason jars, put them in the freezer. >> Very good. Very good. Yeah. Well, I mean, look, you got to save money during uh back to school season, right? >> Exactly. >> Should have made this the back to school. Uh >> and you can't smoke a quarter pound of meat, you know? You have to do the big piece. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's right. Yeah. It would be It's far more economic to to do a larger piece. >> Yeah. >> Use it later on. Okay. So over to you, Gabby. What do you have for your good of the order? >> So my favorite fall food are the apple cider donuts. >> Oh, so I kind of stole your >> You kind of did, but that's all I had. But the important part is they are available now at Trader Joe's. >> Wait a minute. >> No partnership. That's just where I shop. And I was very excited. I even said something to the Trader Joe guy that was standing right next to the desserts cuz I saw him and he was like standing in front of them. So I saw him from the side and I was like, "It's that time of year." And I got so excited and he just looked at me and I was like, "Okay, bye." But I brought him here this morning and I got the reaction I was looking for. >> Yes, they were amazing. Um, well, look, hey, appreciate you doing that again. No implied endorsement of treatable. >> No. >> Anyway, we kind of tuned that anyway. Um, don't get too too nervous, Britney. I think we'll be okay. >> I have a m I have a mo I have a mulligan. >> Okay. What's your mulligan? >> My mulligan is uh again, no endorsement, but uh Costco pumpkin pies. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. >> They do make a good They do make a good really. >> They're so big. >> They're huge. I don't They're nice. You got to get the I mean, they're massive. And you know, if you're eating that all by yourself, you >> you got to do some evaluation of your nutrition. >> Hey, hey, hey, hey, don't judge me. >> I mean, I get it. I get it. It's tough. But you're you're right, Britney. They're really good. >> And they're hot dog. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And especially the hot dogs were $150. >> Can Can we go get some lunch now? >> Um, look, >> got a hot dog cart right down the street. >> We do. I guess for my good of the order, I kind of in line with all this. So, I made some banana bread yesterday morning using a a bread maker. Uh, and I just think the the more you can do to actually do things on your own and save yourself some money, uh, do it. Why not? You know, I mean, I it came out all right. >> And it's fun. >> I haven't used a bread maker in a long time. >> It's fun. At least it should be. >> There was, you know, you there was some I don't know if banana banana bread supposed to have banana marbling in it. So, I don't think it was, >> you know, people pay good money for that marbling, >> but it was it was it was good. My my wife told me I I did all right. So, yeah. All right. Um, but I think to all these things, uh, as we get into the fall, yes, do what you can to save yourself some money. That's my tip. Uh, as someone who used to cut his own hair when, if you believe that when I was in the military, >> been saving a lot of money lately. >> Yeah. I've been saving myself a ton of money. I mean, cuz from I don't know if you know this and this is not necessarily the good of the order, but if you've gone to a barber, >> okay, maybe not if you went to Sport Clips cuz they're still relatively reasonable. >> Yeah, they they do a good job. >> It's no $10 at the the BX PX. >> It's, you know, Barber there. It's like $30 or $50. >> If you're if you're paying $10, you're getting a basic training haircut, >> right? I I don't understand. And you ladies like >> it's hundred $100 or something. >> 100 try two or 300. Oh, >> try five. >> What? >> I have paid in DC to have my hair done $500. >> That's a guy. >> But is that worth it? >> No. >> Man, I go a long time without a haircut. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. >> I just think like there's so many other things you can do with that money as opposed to >> All right. Well, anyway, I think we got a little off track here. As long as you're enjoying your life and not hurting anybody, you know, you're good. >> Well, okay. >> Well, all right. Well, thank you all for joining me here in the studio, and I thank all of you out there for joining us here for another episode of Still Serving the VFW podcast. Make sure that you like, subscribe, follow, uh, hit us up on on YouTube, watch us there, or on your favorite podcast platform. Uh, until next time, I'm Rob Couture reminding you when it comes to the VFW, we are still serving. Take care. >> Thank you for listening to Still Serving, the VFW podcast. To get the latest news and information from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, make sure to follow, like, and subscribe to us on social media at VFWHQ, on Facebook at VFW Fans, or visit our website at vfw.org.