The Scuttlebutt: Understanding Military Culture

Veterans Breakfast Club

Welcome to The Scuttlebutt, a weekly pre-recorded program presented by The Veterans Breakfast Club. “Scuttlebutt” is a military term (specifically Navy) for talk or gossip around the watercooler below decks. And this is what our program is all about: we have informed conversations about the military experience, past and present. We want to bridge the divide between those who serve and those who don’t. We look at headlines, we tackle important topics, and we ask questions. Join us on this journey of spreading the Scuttlebutt! read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

WWII Veteran Yoshio Nakamura, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Today
WWII Veteran Yoshio Nakamura, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
“We had Japanese faces but American hearts.”  So says our special guest Yoshio Nakamura, a Japanese-American born in California. Yoshio experienced first-hand the upheaval of World War II when Japanese-Americans were classified as enemy aliens.  He endured internment at Tulare Racetrack and Gila River Camp, facing humiliation and loss of freedom. Despite the injustice, he demonstrated loyalty to the U.S. by joining the Army, serving in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Nakamura participated in key battles in Europe, contributing to the unit’s status as the most decorated in U.S. military history.  After the war, he pursued education and became an art teacher. Despite hardships, Nakamura maintains a positive outlook on life. Also joining us is Dr. Mitchell T. Maki is the President and CEO of the Go For Broke National Education Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and lessons of the Nisei (a person born in the US whose parents were immigrants from Japan) World War II veterans.  The mission of GO FOR BROKE is to educate and inspire character and equality through the virtue and valor of our World War II American veterans of Japanese ancestry. Dr. Maki is also the lead author of the award-winning book, Achieving the Impossible Dream: How Japanese Americans Obtained Redress, a detailed case study of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act.  Nearly fifty years after being incarcerated by their own government, Japanese American concentration camp survivors succeeded in obtaining redress for the personal humiliation, family dislocation, and economic ruin caused by their ordeal.  An inspiring story of wrongs made right as well as a practical guide to getting legislation through Congress, Achieving the Impossible Dream documents the redress movement from its earliest roots during World War II, the formal introduction of the idea in the 1970s, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, the judicial battles during the 1980s, and the lobbying of the legislative and executive branches in the 1980s and 1990s.  In 2000, the book received the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award which is given to books addressing bigotry and human rights in North America. Dr. Maki has held the positions of acting Provost and Vice president of Academic Affairs, Vice Provost of Student Academic Success, dean of the Colleges of Professional Studies and Health and Human Services (CSUDH), acting dean of the College of Health and Human Services at CSU Los Angeles and assistant professor in the Department of Social Welfare at UCLA.  As acting Provost, Dr. Maki provided academic and strategic leadership for CSUDH’s five academic colleges which served over fifteen thousand students. Go For Broke – https://goforbroke.org/ Achieving the Impossible Dream – https://bit.ly/3H36KIm Thank you to Tobacco Free Adagio Health and UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event! #veteraninterview #greatestgeneration #wwii #happyhour #history #interview #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #virtualevents #virtual #zoomevents #liveevents #webinar #militaryhistory #military #army #navy #marinecorps #marines  #coastguard #vbc #nonprofit #501c3  #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #vietnam #usnavy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview #greatestgeneration #wwii #ww2 #worldwarii #worldwar2 #war #americanhistory #oralhistory
Nurses in Vietnam and Other Subjects a part of Open Conversation on VBC Scuttlebutt
1w ago
Nurses in Vietnam and Other Subjects a part of Open Conversation on VBC Scuttlebutt
We have another fast-moving, free-for-all Open Conversation with the Veterans Breakfast Club. This is National Nurses Week, in honor of Florence Nightengale's birthday on May 12, so we discuss military nursing and ask our nurses about their service. We also ask veterans who were treated--and perhaps lives were saved--by nurses in battle zones around the world.    Nancy Smoyer asks what Vietnam War movies are the best and worthy of screening for a course on the war. We'll discuss the relative merits of Hamburger Hilll, Coming Home, We Were Soldiers, and The Ugly American.  Vietnam Marine veteran Ron Farina wonders what movies and books fed his generation's ideas of war before they headed off to Southeast Asia to liberate the land from Communism. Marilyn Pignataro from PALS Skyhope non-profit will tell us about her remarkable organization, which uses a network of planes and pilots to provide free medical and compassion flights for patients and veterans. Nadia Rupniak's father was a hero. But she never knew his story until after he was gone. She'll talk about Marcin Rupniak's service in World War II, which included the Polish  War Order of Virtuti Militari. The award is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war. U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran Bob Connor gives us an update to his long work identifying and recovering Vietnamese and American remains from the Vietnam War. He has news about a probably identification and US POW MIA remains, including a witness who saw the burial of a POW who died after a forced march. Bob works with the Vietnamese government and US Department of Defense Prisoner of War Accounting Agency to search for more than 1,200 US service members who are still missing from the Vietnam War. Thank you to our sponsors Tobacco Free Adagio Health and UPMC for Life
Vietnam Veteran Chuck Theusch and the Library of Vietnam Project on The Scuttlebutt
May 6 2024
Vietnam Veteran Chuck Theusch and the Library of Vietnam Project on The Scuttlebutt
Vietnam Veteran Chuck Theusch discusses his transformative journey from the battlegrounds of Vietnam to the peaceful mission of building libraries in Vietnam and Cambodia. In 1969-70, Chuck served in the 4/3 Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division in Vietnam. Like many others, he experienced the harsh realities of combat, witnessing the devastation of war and its profound impact on both the land and its people. These experiences left an indelible mark on him. After his military service concluded, Theusch returned to civilian life in Wisconsin. However, the memories of Vietnam continued to weigh heavily on him. In 1999, after a return trip to Vietnam, he founded the Children’s Library International. Theusch recognized the power of education in shaping the future of nations recovering from conflict. He understood that libraries could serve as beacons of hope, offering access to knowledge and fostering a love for learning among children and communities. With this vision in mind, he set out to build libraries in Vietnam and Cambodia, countries deeply scarred by war but resilient in their pursuit of progress. The task was daunting, fraught with logistical challenges and bureaucratic hurdles. Yet, Theusch remained undeterred and gradually turned his vision into reality, one library at a time. The impact of Theusch’s work extended far beyond the mere construction of physical structures. Each library became a symbol of reconciliation, bridging divides and fostering understanding between former adversaries. By providing access to books and educational resources, these libraries empowered children and communities to break the cycle of poverty and ignorance. In Vietnam, Theusch’s efforts were met with gratitude and appreciation from local communities. The libraries he built became cherished landmarks, offering a safe haven for children to explore the world of literature and expand their horizons. In Cambodia, a nation still grappling with the legacy of genocide, his work brought hope to marginalized communities, offering a pathway to a brighter future. Theusch’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of service and compassion. Thank you to Tobacco Free Adagio Health and UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event.
VBC Open Conversation: Manchu Regiment & Drug Use in Vietnam
Apr 15 2024
VBC Open Conversation: Manchu Regiment & Drug Use in Vietnam
A large group of Veterans gathered to discuss their military service for a Veterans Breakfast Club Open Conversation. We talked about the 4/9 24th Infantry Division "Manchus," the experience of PTSD, and the use of buttons vs. brass zippers on Army fatigues. But the most robust, disturbing, and important aspect of the conversation was a discussion of drug use among US Servicemembers during the Vietnam War, especially 1970-1973.  During the Vietnam War, drug use was much more prevalent than in previous wars. Soldiers consumed a variety of substances, including marijuana, psychedelics like LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin mushrooms, as well as hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin. The military also issued stimulants like amphetamines to enhance endurance during missions and sedatives to manage anxiety and prevent mental breakdowns, which were notably successful with a low rate of mental breakdowns compared to previous conflicts. The ease of access to drugs, breakdown in morale, and influence of counterculture back home contributed to widespread drug use among troops. Marijuana was initially tolerated and easily obtained from local villages. However, media attention following reports like John Steinbeck IV's article led to crackdowns by the military, pushing many soldiers towards heroin, which became more available due to its odorless nature and influx from neighboring countries like Cambodia. Most soldiers used drugs casually as a means of escape from the harsh realities of war rather than being addicted. Efforts to curb drug use included initiatives like "Operation Golden Flow," which required servicemen to undergo drug testing before returning home. Contrary to fears of widespread addiction post-service, rates of drug use and addiction among veterans returned to pre-war levels. The role of drugs in the brutality witnessed in Vietnam remains debated. Overall, the Vietnam War reflected broader societal shifts in drug culture during the late 1960s and early 1970s. #happyhour #history #interview #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #virtualevents #virtual #zoomevents #liveevents #webinar #militaryhistory #military #army #navy #marinecorps #marines  #coastguard #vbc #nonprofit #501c3  #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #vietnam #usnavy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview#podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3
How to do Military Records Research
Apr 8 2024
How to do Military Records Research
Beth Reuschel is a professional military records researcher who helps families discover their legacies of service. She conducts research for people and also coaches them to do their own detective work. Through her expertise and guidance, dozens of people have tracked down service records of veteran parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, as well as brothers and sisters. Beth joins The Scuttlebutt to give us “Military Records Research 101” briefing. She’ll offer tips and tricks to guide family history seekers through their own research journeys. If you’ve ever been curious about your veteran ancestors or family members, you’ll want to join us to talk with Beth and ask questions about how to start or get past the obstacles in your way. Beth’s own path to archives began with a search for her grandfather, Jack Perz, who died before Beth was born. An airman in Europe, Jack spoke little of the war. He even threw away his uniform in 1945. It was a black hole in her family history. By asking questions and digging into archives, she discovered a picture of his crew, his original Certificate of Discharge (DD-214), his ribbon bar, even his Individual Flight Record. She eventually traced him a B-24 tailgun position in the 766th squadron, the 461st Bomb Group, 15th Army Air Force in Italy. Researching his unit both online and at the National Archives II, she was able to compile a complete list of every single combat mission he flew—all 36 of them– including the target, mission number, accuracy rating, and, for some, the number of the aircraft the crew flew that day. With a little more work, Beth then discovered the Holy Grail for any military researcher: the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). The OMPF is the official administrative records of a service member’s military career. It tracks where they trained, what they qualified to do, where they went, how they performed, what trouble they got into, and most other highlights and lowlights along the way. She requested Jack Perz’s OMPF through the National Archives website. She was prepared to be disappointed. Up to 80% of all Army OMPFs were destroyed in the NPRC 1973 fire. It turned out, Beth’s grandfather’s records were scorched, to be sure, but not totally destroyed. She received 60 pages of his file. And the stories she learned about her grandfather’s service provided her relatives, including her grandmother, a source of pride and love for a long lost family member. This first experience taught Beth her biggest lesson in military records research: Don’t give up. There will be obstacles and seeming dead-ends. They can seem insurmountable. But the paths to discovery are many, and there’s almost always a workaround. Even brick walls can be climbed. Join us to share your questions and our research story! And learn more about Beth’s work at reuschelresearch.com. Thank you to Tobacco Free Adagio Health and UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event! #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus
Mar 25 2024
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus
Ray Mabus served as the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, the longest to serve as leader of the Navy and Marine Corps since World War I. Secretary Mabus is a Navy veteran himself, having served two years in the Navy as a surface warfare officer from 1970 to 1972 aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock (CLG-4), achieving the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Ray Mabus has been Secretary of the US Navy, Governor, Ambassador and CEO. As Secretary during President Obama’s Administration, he revolutionized the Navy and Marine Corps, opening all jobs to women, aggressively moving to alternative energy as a warfighting measure, building more than twice as many ships during his term than in the preceding eight years and developing the Gulf Coast Restoration Plan after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It was during his watch that Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden. Among many awards, he received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Responsibility Award and was chosen as one of the top fifty CEOs in America by GlassDoor, the only government person picked. From 1988 to 1992, Mabus served as Governor of Mississippi, the youngest elected to that office in more than 150 years. Mississippi experienced record growth in jobs, education, tourism and exports. Mabus was United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1994-1996. He was CEO of a public company from 2006-2007 leading it out of bankruptcy in less than a year while paying all creditors in full and saving equity. Today, Mabus is on the board of two public companies, Hilton and Virgin Galactic, where he is Chair. In addition, he is a board member of InStride, a public benefit education company, the founder of Mabus Group, a consulting organization, and a board member or advisor to several other companies. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Explorers Club, and the Screen Actors Guild. He serves on the boards of the Environmental Defense Fund and Jose Andreas’ World Central Kitchen and the advisory board for the National Medal of Honor Museum.  He has thrown out the first pitch at all 30 major league ballparks. He has stood on both poles and, during his life, has traveled to more than 190 countries and territories. Secretary Mabus is a native of Ackerman, Mississippi, and received a Bachelor’s Degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Mississippi, a Master’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a Law Degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. Mabus served in the Navy as an officer aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock. Thank you to Tobacco Free Adagio Health and UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event! #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3    #virtualevents #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #war #army #navy #marines #marinecorps #airforce #coastguard #history #americanhistory #zoomevents #liveevent #virtual #webinar #interview #oralhistory #militaryhistory  #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #coffeehour #breakfast
War Movie – The American Battle in Cinema
Mar 11 2024
War Movie – The American Battle in Cinema
War Movie is a five-part documentary series that examines not only the history of war in American cinema but how this medium has shaped our country's perspective on conflict, foreign policy, race, masculinity, and national identity. Cinematic depictions of military conflict have been common since the first crank of a shutter. From early films like The Birth of a Nation to recent entries The Hurt Locker and Dunkirk, the atrocities of war have never strayed far from the silver screen. Whether praised by critics or criticized by veterans who were there, war films play an integral part of our cultural understanding. War Movie looks at the history of these films and attempts to understand why we're compelled to experience and re-imagine our own violence on screen. Rather than a simple survey, War Movie examines our complex psychological relationship with the genre. By interviewing cinema studies scholars, creatives that bring these films to life and veteran perspectives, War Movie unpacks the over one-hundred-year history of military conflict on screen. Join Shaun Hall, Documentarian Evan Mulgrave, and WAR MOVIE Director, Producer, Editor, Cinematographer, and Writer Steve Summers as we discuss his incredible series.   IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28633748/   War Movie on Amazon Prime – https://bit.ly/3P59DNi   Purchase on Blu-ray - https://www.amazon.com/War-Movie-American-Battle-Blu-Ray/dp/B0CNKT9CVC   Thank you to our sponsors:   UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare   Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/   To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
Dogs For Our Brave
Mar 4 2024
Dogs For Our Brave
Dogs for Our Brave’s mission is to provide professionally trained service dogs at no cost to veterans who have suffered debilitating injury or illness while in service to our country. Their goal is to use rescue dogs at every opportunity, thus saving two lives at once. In order to fully realize their mission without adding financial burden, they also provide a continuum of free support that covers all food, veterinary care, and pharmaceuticals for the life of the dog.   Bryan Pieschel has joined the DFOB Team as the first Director of Veteran Services. Bryan served as an active-duty US Army medic from 2004-2009. During his time in service, Bryan served as both a lead company medic and lead battalion medic attached to a mechanized engineer unit. His unit deployed to Iraq in October 2005 with the purpose of conducting and training Route Clearance missions (IED hunters). The battalion saw significant action in combat which led to multiple KIA’s and numerous significantly injured soldiers. Bryan was one of the injured, during a night mission in Sept 2006 his vehicle was struck by an EFP (explosively formed projectile) that threw him into the back of the vehicle rendering him unconscious for several minutes, which resulted in him being awarded a Purple Heart. Upon returning to the states in Nov 2006, Bryan began to experience significant symptoms of PTSD and despite receiving great care, the symptoms would ultimately lead to him being medically retired in 2009. Despite his Retirement from active duty, the mission to serve his brothers and sisters in arms remains.   After being medically retired from the Army, Bryan returned to St. Louis and began working with his other passion in life, coaching kids, and teenagers in the sport of volleyball.   Listen to the Scuttlebutt this week to hear Bryan’s story firsthand and how Dogs for Our Brave is serving veterans in need.     Dogs for Our Brave - https://www.dfob.org/about/our-story/   Bryan Pieschel - https://www.dfob.org/team/bryan-pieschel/   Thank you to our sponsors:   UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare   Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/   To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
Author and Poet Victoria Kelly
Feb 26 2024
Author and Poet Victoria Kelly
Victoria Kelly is the author of Homefront, Mrs. Houdini, and When the Men Go Off to War. ​ Victoria graduated Summa Cum Laude from Harvard University. She received her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and her M.Phil. in Creative Writing from Trinity College Dublin, where she was a U.S. Mitchell Scholar.​​ Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Best American Poetry, The Autumn House Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, Prairie Schooner, Southwest Review and dozens of other journals and anthologies. Her novel Mrs. Houdini was a People Magazine Best New Book, a USA Today New and Noteworthy Book, a Jeopardy Pick and a Publishers Weekly Starred Debut. Her new book HOMEFRONT is inspired by her experiences as the wife of a fighter pilot during three wartime deployments, this collection follows women whose lives have been impacted by war and military service as they struggle with their fragile ideas of home. In “Prayers of an American Wife,” a Navy wife grapples with loneliness when she discovers that her neighbor, also a Navy wife, is having an affair while their husbands are deployed on the same aircraft carrier. Tensions rise in “The Strangers of Dubai” as a soldier on leave tries to buy his wife a souvenir from an Afghan vendor. After attending eight funerals with fellow military wives whose husbands died in the Iraq war, the protagonist in “Finding the Good Light” divorces her Navy husband and tries to start a new life as a movie star. These, along with the eleven other stories in this collection, explore the emotional landscape of the resilient women who remain on the homefront. Kelly’s stories offer readers an intimate, eye-opening look into the sacrifices and steadfastness of military family members. https://www.victoria-kelly.com/ Homefront - https://bit.ly/49im7cD Thank you to our sponsors: UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/ To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
Veteran and Social Anthropologist - Charles Warner III
Feb 19 2024
Veteran and Social Anthropologist - Charles Warner III
Charles Warner is a veteran and social anthropologist studying at the University of Leuven, Belgium. His research interests primarily revolve around war veterans (a.k.a. the emerging field of “Veterans Studies”), strategic peacebuilding, and post-conflict dialogue/resolution in Southeast Europe. Within this research, he incorporates or centers visual art and poetry/prose-poetry/narrative nonfiction to express ethnographic engagements, research insights, temporality and polyvocal (re)presentation. His PhD project, tentatively titled "The Veterans Eclectic: Engaging voices of past war & visions of future peace in Former Yugoslavia," is guided by two research questions: 1) Do former combatants embrace the identity of "veteran," maintain veteran-oriented organizations, and connect internationally after the battlefields have gone silent? If yes, how? 2) How might mapping and understanding cross-border veteran relationships influence current or new approaches to peace and stability between former battlefield foes? In pursuit of these questions, Charlie conducted two+ years of relational ethnographic fieldwork and participant observation alongside war veterans in Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Kosovo. This fieldwork has generated new insights into veteran culture and relations, their social visibility (or lack thereof), transnational relations, performative materiality, and veteran considerations of the future. Speaking more broadly, this research seeks to strengthen collaborations between social anthropology and the political sciences while contributing to Veterans Studies (thus challenging North Atlantic-centric narratives and hegemony within an emerging field) and informing new paradigms of peacebuilding in former Yugoslavia and beyond. The research shared by Charlie Warner with the Scuttlebutt podcast is supported by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the University of Leuven, Belgium. The Veterans Eclectic - https://theveteranseclectic.wordpress.com/ Ku Leuven - https://soc.kuleuven.be/anthropology/staff/00122596   Thank you to our sponsors:   UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare   Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/   To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
What Happened to Japanese Americans During WWII
Jan 29 2024
What Happened to Japanese Americans During WWII
Dr. Mitchell T. Maki is the President and CEO of the Go For Broke National Education Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and lessons of the Nisei (a person born in the US whose parents were immigrants from Japan) World War II veterans. The mission of GO FOR BROKE is to educate and inspire character and equality through the virtue and valor of our World War II American veterans of Japanese ancestry. Dr. Maki is also the lead author of the award-winning book, Achieving the Impossible Dream: How Japanese Americans Obtained Redress, a detailed case study of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act. Nearly fifty years after being incarcerated by their own government, Japanese American concentration camp survivors succeeded in obtaining redress for the personal humiliation, family dislocation, and economic ruin caused by their ordeal. An inspiring story of wrongs made right as well as a practical guide to getting legislation through Congress, Achieving the Impossible Dream documents the redress movement from its earliest roots during World War II, the formal introduction of the idea in the 1970s, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, the judicial battles during the 1980s, and the lobbying of the legislative and executive branches in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2000, the book received the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award which is given to books addressing bigotry and human rights in North America. Dr. Maki has held the positions of acting Provost and Vice president of Academic Affairs, Vice Provost of Student Academic Success, dean of the Colleges of Professional Studies and Health and Human Services (CSUDH), acting dean of the College of Health and Human Services at CSU Los Angeles and assistant professor in the Department of Social Welfare at UCLA. As acting Provost, Dr. Maki provided academic and strategic leadership for CSUDH's five academic colleges which served over fifteen thousand students. Go For Broke - https://goforbroke.org/ Achieving the Impossible Dream - https://bit.ly/3H36KIm Thank you to our sponsors: UPMC for Life: http://upmchealthplan.com/medicare Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/ T o find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/ #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
History and Stories of the Challenge Coin
Jan 22 2024
History and Stories of the Challenge Coin
Have you ever received a challenge coin and thought about its history? Who started this tradition? What is the etiquette of keeping them on hand? How are they made? Who designs them?   The Scuttlebutt attempts to answer these questions and more with Vietnam Navy Veteran Donn Nemchick and longtime VBC member Henry Schoepke. We dive into the history and hear stories of the challenge coins Henry and Donn have received over the years. Henry also dives into his vast collection of signatures and stories he’s received from WWII veterans. Henry’s letter in VBC Magazine - https://bit.ly/421Tw8v   Henry’s appearance on 15WMTV - https://bit.ly/48WZKbS   Challenge Coins Wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin   44-year veteran creates challenge coins to honor military members - https://youtu.be/Na2-PPT5xXI?si=R0VKPUAtUWGuaqr_   Thrift Store Finds Military Challenge Coins Large Lot Any Good Ones? - https://youtu.be/N-5mKIkZNms?si=-cmxEew4UvS2HNF5   How to Practice Military Challenge Coin Etiquette - https://youtu.be/zc6_9TqmOfA?si=Hgx2JUEdcXzGZZRY   Order your own Challenge Coin from a Veteran-owned Business - Www.medalsofamerica.com   Support this podcast:   Thank you to our sponsor: Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/     To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
Veteran Al Smith talks about the Military & Veterans group Braver Angels
Jan 15 2024
Veteran Al Smith talks about the Military & Veterans group Braver Angels
Al Smith was an Infantry Platoon Officer during the Vietnam War. He believes that his military service taught him how to work well with people from all backgrounds regardless of race, gender, or political beliefs.     Today, he is a member of the Military & Veterans Group within the organization Braver Angels. The MV Group's mission is to bring together veterans whose military service has instilled them with the importance of unity, teamwork, and a country-first mentality in order to promote working together. Braver Angels believes that the military’s core values of service-before-self, behavior of acceptance of others, and teamwork can help our nation reduce effective polarization. They are leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the political divide. Through community gatherings, real debates, and grassroots leaders working together, they’re offering America what it needs to overcome the bitterness of our partisan divide. Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans and Braver Angels believes we are a nation bound not by race or religion, but by the shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality. When Reds, Blues and Others work together, the entire country benefits. Their movement is the guiding force that's helping Americans work together again. To get involved visit their website at www.BraverAngels.org. Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/   Support this podcast:   Thank you to our sponsor: Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/     To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
Navy SEAL Veteran Rick Kaiser Talks Frogman Stories and the Navy SEAL Museum
Jan 8 2024
Navy SEAL Veteran Rick Kaiser Talks Frogman Stories and the Navy SEAL Museum
Joining me on The Scuttlebutt this week to kick off our ninth season is Navy SEAL Veteran Rick Kaiser.   Born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Rick Kaiser joined the U.S. Navy at age 17. He attended Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/S) training Class 109 in Coronado, CA. Rick was assigned to SEAL Team TWO in Little Creek, VA in 1980. He served at SEAL Team TWO from 1980 until 1985, specializing in winter warfare, combat diving, and sniping until he was selected for duty at SEAL Team SIX in 1985.   In 1993, Rick received the Silver Star Medal for Valor during the Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down). He served at ST-6 from 1985 through October of 2012. During his time at ST-6, Rick acted as sniper, explosives expert, lead training Chief, sniper team leader, and Deputy Operations Officer.   Rick continues to serve his country and fellow SEALs by helping to educate others about this unique special operations force and further the Frogman heritage as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.   Rick talks about his service, what challenged him in BUD/S, the leaders he looked up to, the missions he was assigned, and when the history of the SEALs started to mean something to him. Hint: It’s not when you think!   For more information about Rick’s book FROGMAN STORIES and to check on the goings-on at the Navy SEAL Museum check out the links below.    Frogman Stories: https://www.amazon.com/Frogman-Stories-Leadership-Lessons-Teams/dp/1636243517   Navy SEAL Museum: https://www.navysealmuseum.org/   Support this podcast:   Thank you to our sponsor: Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/     To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
Emily Bleeker newest historical fiction book When We Were Enemies
Dec 18 2023
Emily Bleeker newest historical fiction book When We Were Enemies
Emily Bleeker is the best-selling author of seven novels. Combined, her books have reached over 2 million readers. She is a two-time Whitney Award finalist, a Wall Street Journal bestseller, Amazon charts bestseller and was recently listed as one of the top 100 Kindle authors “of all time.” Emily lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her four kids and a growing menagerie of animals. Between writing and being a mom, she attempts to learn guitar, sings along to the radio (loudly), performs with a local improv troupe, and embraces her newfound addiction to running. Her newest historical fiction novel, WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES tells the story of camera-shy Elise Branson. Elise is different from the other women in her maternal line. Her mother is an award-winning actress. Her late grandmother, Vivian Snow, is a beloved Hollywood icon. But when Elise’s upcoming wedding coincides with a documentary being made about Vivian, Elise can’t escape the camera’s gaze. And neither can her grandmother, even in death. It’s 1943 when Vivian, a small-town Indiana girl, lends her home front support to the war effort. As a translator in the nearby Italian POW camp, she’s invaluable. As a celebrated singer for the USO, she lifts men’s spirits and falls in love with a soldier. But behind this all-American love story is a shocking secret—one that is vital to keep buried if Vivian is to achieve the fame and fortune she covets. For Elise and Vivian, what’s hidden—and what’s exposed—threatens to unravel their lives. The heart-wrenching choices they must make will change them both forever. Emily Bleeker’s Website: https://emilybleeker.com/ WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES - https://bit.ly/3tjrAjl WRECKAGE - https://bit.ly/48grojX WHAT’S LEFT UNSAID - https://bit.ly/3t9PbDf WHEN I’M GONE - https://bit.ly/46V3itY THE WAITING ROOM - https://bit.ly/3v14m1T WORKING FIRE - https://bit.ly/489BJ0W WHAT IT SEEMS - https://amzn.to/3NmcLmV The Body Keeps the Score by Sean Pratt - https://bit.ly/4a9BzbP Support this podcast: Thank you to our sponsor: Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/ The Scuttlebutt is now on Wreaths Across America Radio. You listen in any time with this live link:  https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio   To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
Pat D’Amico and the Importance of Strong Leadership
Dec 4 2023
Pat D’Amico and the Importance of Strong Leadership
Pat D’Amico, is a Corporate Adviser to Fortune 500 Executives and the CEO of About-Face Development, LLC. From the explosive front lines of the battlefield to the high-stakes world of Fortune 500 companies, Pat D'Amico has mastered the art of leadership under fire. His story begins as a mere teenager, enlisting in the U.S. Army and, against all odds, rising through the ranks to Captain. In the harshest conditions imaginable, Pat led global deployments leaving an indelible mark on the Army’s legacy. The battlefield morphed into the corporate arena, where Pat stood against the tides of business uncertainty for over 25 years. He claimed leadership positions, even at the VP level, in mammoth corporations and feisty start-ups, leading teams to victory in the global corporate landscape. In a remarkable twist, Pat didn't just lead departments – he pioneered them. Embracing newly created roles, he transformed nascent departments within established organizations into thriving and effective entities. Pat wields his diverse experiences like a two-edged sword, delivering sharp, real-world insights that trigger commercial success for his clients. From the Army to the corporate world and coaching arena, his leadership journey is packed with tales of triumph, transformation, and unwavering pursuit of excellence. About-Face Development - https://aboutfacedevelopment.com/ Support this podcast: Thank you to our sponsor: Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/ The Scuttlebutt is now on Wreaths Across America Radio. You listen in any time with this live link:  https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/ #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview
WW2TV with Paul Woodadge
Nov 20 2023
WW2TV with Paul Woodadge
Paul Woodadge is a battlefield guide, historian, and YouTuber. He hosts the popular YouTube channel WW2TV which has nearly 900 videos. With 59,000 subscribers, he is one of YouTubes most popular historians. Growing up in Great Britain with a grandfather who was proud to discuss his time in service, Paul developed a passion for history. Eventually settling in Normandy, Paul spends his time leading groups and producing his YouTube channel. WW2TV brings you the world's best military historians, authors and experts - battlefield explanations, presentations, lectures, discussions and analysis. Paul is intoxicating with his extreme devotion for storytelling and encyclopedic knowledge of the history of D-Day and beyond. WW2TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/WW2TV WW2TV Website: https://www.ww2tv.com/ Paul’s Books: Angels of Mercy - https://bit.ly/3QHQGjC World War II Battlefields - https://bit.ly/3MJ8EkP Support this podcast: Thank you to our sponsor: Tobacco Free Adagio Health: https://tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org/ The Scuttlebutt is now on Wreaths Across America Radio. You listen in any time with this live link:  https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio To find out more information about the Veterans Breakfast Club and view our upcoming schedule of online and in-person events, visit our website at: http://www.veteransbreakfastclub.org/   #podcast #zoom #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #oralhistory #militaryhistory #roundtable #navy #army #airforce #marinecorps #marines #military #coastguard #veteran #veterans #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #nonprofit #501c3 #veterans #veteran #vet #militaryhistory #usarmy #army #vietnam #usnavy #navy #pilot #airforce #veteranowned #coastguard #aviators #militaryveterans #Iraq #vietnamveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteranshistoryproject #veteranstravel #veteranstrips #veteranshistoricaltours #veteransoralhistory #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #airforce #vietnamwar #veteraninterview