Welcome to The Veterans Newsletter!

In today's edition:

• An Army chaplain has released a new documentary about the lives of four individuals who are overcoming the challenges of living with spinal cord injuries through their passion for motorcycle riding.

• An African-American cemetery dating back to the 1840s has been discovered at MacDill Air Force Base. 

• The recently passed Brandon Act makes mental health evaluations much more accessible for service members.

• Camp Corrals program for the children of wounded, ill, and fallen veterans is now accepting applications. 

• The story of the most decorated combat soldier of World War II

• And more…

Links of the Week

📰 Veteran Stories

Lt. Col. Deborah Brown, an Army chaplain, has premiered her debut documentary, "Pounders: We Are Who We Are," which follows the lives of four individuals overcoming the challenges of living with spinal cord injuries to pursue their passion for motorcycle riding. The 40-minute film, produced through DAT Gypsy Productions, highlights the resilience of the featured individuals, known as "pounders." Brown, who has served in the Army for 23 years, collaborated with her brother, Wendell Thompson, a spinal cord injury survivor and one of the pounders. 

The documentary captures the liberating impact of motorcycle riding on the pounders' lives, helping them overcome emotional struggles and physical obstacles. The film, shot in Williamsburg, Emporia, New York City, and Detroit, aims to inspire others facing challenges. Still active in the Army, Brown plans to dedicate more time to her production company and explore stories of resilience and the human spirit (link).

Researchers at MacDill Air Force Base have located over 120 possible graves on the base, believed to be from the Port Tampa Cemetery, an African-American cemetery. The cemetery, dating back to the 1840s, was used by Black families until the land was sold and redeveloped into the Air Force base. 

The graves were found through a noninvasive survey using tools like ground-penetrating radar. Records of the cemetery were lost for decades until rediscovered in the 2010s. In 2021, the Air Force established a historical marker acknowledging the lost graves. The following steps for the potential grave sites are unclear, with additional survey work planned and discussions ongoing with the local community on how to respectfully memorialize the burial ground
(link).

📜 Policy Updates

The Brandon Act, recently implemented within the Defense Department and military services, allows service members to request a mental health evaluation by simply informing their supervisor. The act aims to streamline the process, ensuring prompt evaluations without needing detailed explanations. Privacy is prioritized to reduce stigma, treating mental health as a confidential medical matter. 

Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, emphasizes the leadership role in addressing mental health concerns and the importance of training for both service members and supervisors. The act is named after Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta, whose suicide motivated its passage. The goal is to diminish stigma, improve mental health outcomes, and prevent suicides. Caserta's parents were crucial in advocating for better mental health care access, leading to the Brandon Act's enactment in December 2021. Training initiatives are underway to ensure effective implementation and promptly address mental health concerns (link).

💡 Resources & Tips

Camp Corral offers recreational programs for America's military children, focusing on building connections, coping skills, and self-confidence. As a national leader in supporting children of wounded, ill, and fallen military service members, Camp Corral provides educational resources and advocacy. The organization is currently accepting applications for its 2024 Summer Camps. The camps partner with highly regarded facilities, meeting strict standards and holding American Camp Association accreditation. 

The programs include traditional camp activities, Hero Day, and military components, fostering adventure, skills development, and friendships. Summer Camp is available to children (ages 8-15) of wounded, ill, and fallen military service members and veterans, with no minimum disability rating required. The camps are offered at no charge to families, with a refundable deposit. Applications open in January, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Camp Corral aims to empower strong, resilient, and independent individuals through these summer programs (link).

Benefits of The Week

• Warrior-Scholar Project: This non-profit organization provides access to academic programs for military veterans to help them transition from service to the realm of higher education. It is designed to empower veterans with the academic skills and confidence needed to succeed in higher education through educational boot camps, simulated college experiences, mentorship programs, and career development. 

  Warrior-Scholar project recognizes the challenges veterans may face when approaching higer education and uses their unique strengths and experiences to help them overcome those challenges.

• The Mission Continues: The Mission Continues is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military veterans in extending their service beyond the military and into civilian communities. While veterans may have retired their uniforms, they remain heroes with valuable skills and experiences that can contribute to community service. 

  The organization facilitates veterans' involvement in community service, leadership development, and personal growth, leveraging their military background to make a positive impact. Through initiatives such as community engagement and fellowship programs, The Mission Continues empowers veterans to enhance local communities actively.

• Traeger - 15% Off Select Accessories, Up to 20% Off Select Grills, and up to 4% Cash Back: Traeger is a brand of wood pellet grills known for their convenience, versatility, and quality and ability to impart a wood-fired flavor to food. They are a leading manufacturer that has been credited with popularizing pellet grills. 

  Their auger system automatically feeds wood pellets into the fire pot, maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process and making them extremely user-friendly. They also incorporate cutting-edge technology, including digital controllers and Wi-Fi connectivity. These features simplify precise temperature control and enable remote monitoring via a smartphone app, enhancing the overall grilling experience and making it suitable for novices and experts.

The Best of The Week

• Hooten Young American Whiskey: This whiskey brand was started by former Special Mission Unit members Norm Hooten and Tim Young after sharing tales and enjoying pulls from cigars and sips of whiskey. They decided one way to honor their fallen comrades, crafting a high-quality spirit reminiscent of those they enjoyed with their friends.

  Hooten Young is a premium sipping whiskey featuring a distinctive, medium-bodied blend of maple, vanilla, and ripe apple notes. Crafted with a mash bill of 99% corn and 1% barley, it delivers a long and smooth finish with each sip. In addition to offering a top-notch whiskey experience, Hooten Young contributes a portion of its proceeds to support veteran-aid charities. The company collaborates directly with organizations such as Folds of Honor, JSSOF, JSOA, and the Unit Scholarship Fund.

  Hooten Young maintains a spot in my collection as a whiskey enthusiast, and I can vouch for its endearing quality.

• Austen Alexander: Austen Alexander, a Navy veteran, is committed to delivering diverse content that covers daily firearms, military insights, and outdoor activities. His dedication to bodybuilding is evident through his website, which focuses on lifting, dieting, and nutrition. Going beyond fitness, he provides valuable financial and dating advice. One of the highlights of his channel is the creation of entertaining "challenges," featuring diverse groups such as soldiers from different branches or countries, state troopers versus firefighters, and military personnel alongside cross-fitters engaging in fitness contests. Austen Alexander's multifaceted approach makes his channel both entertaining and informative.

Meme of the Week

Hero of the Week: Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy was in a small rural community in Hunt County, TX, on June 20, 1925. The seventh of twelve children born to a family of sharecroppers, he was a loner who was noted as having a volatile temper. After his father abandoned his family, he quit going to school in the fifth grade and started picking cotton for the equivalent of $21 a day. 

He hunted animals to help put food on the table and became a proficient marksman. His mother died of illness in 1941, leaving his three younger siblings under foster care. He had always dreamed of serving his country and attempted to enlist after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but was turned down due to his lack of size and being underage. 

In response to his denial, he had his sister falsify his birthdate and put on some weight, and the US Army finally accepted him in June of 1942. He attended basic training at Camp Wolters, obtaining the Marksman Badge before being sent to Fort Meade for infantry training. 

Murphy would be shipped to the Mediterranean Theater during World War II and assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He would quickly make a name for himself as a valuable frontlines fighter. 

He took part in Operation Avalanche in September 1943 and was ambushed by Nazi forces along with two other men while on a scouting expedition near the Volturno River. Murphy and the other soldier returned fire, killing five Nazis after one of the men was killed by Nazi machine gun fire. He was later promoted to sergeant after taking part in the Allied assault on the Volturno Line and assisting his company in repelling an attack by several Nazi soldiers, which resulted in the deaths of three and the capture of four.

He would continue to serve valiantly in the Mediterranean Theater and was eventually promoted to Staff Sergeant. He would then be sent to the European Theater to assist in the Allied invasion of southern France and reach the rank of second lieutenant. 

On January 24, Audie Murphy and his unit relocated to the town of Holtzwihr. Just two days after their arrival, they faced a formidable Nazi counterattack. Murphy exhibited remarkable leadership despite being severely outnumbered and sustaining heavy casualties from enemy fire. When a Nazi attack damaged one of the M10 tank destroyers, forcing its crew to abandon it, Murphy directed his men to retreat to a safer position within the woods they occupied.

In an act of extraordinary bravery, Murphy chose to stay behind alone. Armed with his M1 carbine, he engaged the enemy, simultaneously coordinating artillery fire via his field radio to cover his men as they made their escape to safety. Murphy then ran atop the abandoned M10 and began using its .50 caliber machine gun turret to fire at the advancing Nazis, killing an entire squad. 

For more than an hour, he used the remains of the M10 to return fire and eliminate Nazi foot soldiers, killing or wounding an estimated 50. He would only stop when the M10 ran out of ammunition, even after sustaining a severe leg wound from Nazi counterfire. 

He would then take a break in the advance to regroup with his men. Disregarding his injury, he led them back to repel the remaining Nazis. 

Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest award in the US Military, for his actions on that day. During that intense battle, his courageous and selfless action exemplified Murphy's commitment to protecting his unit and showcased exceptional leadership under dire circumstances.

Despite his small stature, Murphy quickly proved himself to be an invaluable US soldier and is widely recognized today as one of World War II's most decorated combat soldiers. After the war, Murphy struggled with PTSD and wrote a book titled “To Hell and Back,” which detailed his experiences during World War II. He became an advocate for the rights and well-being of veterans, brought attention to the challenges faced by returning soldiers, and raised awareness about PTSD.

Murphy briefly ventured into Hollywood as a professional actor, making notable appearances in films like "The Red Badge of Courage" and "The Quiet American." Regrettably, Murphy's life was tragically cut short at the age of 45 when the aircraft he was traveling in crashed into the side of a mountain near Roanoke, VA. The accident was attributed to poor visibility caused by rain, clouds, and fog.

On June 7, 1971, he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors. After President John F. Kennedy, his burial is the second most visited in the nation.

Murphy's legacy transcends his military service, as he is commemorated as a symbol of courage, heroism, and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite humble beginnings and being entrusted with significant responsibilities from a young age, Murphy never backed away from challenges; instead, he confronted them with determination. His noteworthy contributions to literature, film, and veterans' advocacy firmly establish his position in American history and portray him as an exemplary illustration of the essence of being a soldier.

Thank You For Your Service!

Not every servicemember may receive the Medal of Honor or garner widespread recognition, but that doesn't diminish the invaluable contributions each one has made to the sanctity and security of our great nation. 

The saying "freedom isn't free" holds profound truth – it resonates because every individual in the United States relies on the dedication of its military to safeguard the freedoms they enjoy. Each veteran has consciously chosen to defend these liberties, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation's well-being.

Whether you fought on the front lines or provided crucial support from behind the scenes, thank you!

Top Resources For Veterans

1. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

   • Overview: An organization that offers various services to veterans, including assistance with benefits claims, scholarships, and community service opportunities.

   • Website: VFW

2. K9s for Warriors

   • Overview: This organization is committed to supplying highly-trained service dogs, primarily rescues, to military veterans dealing with PTSD, TBIs, or other service-related traumas, effectively saving two lives in the process.

   • Website: K9s for Warriors

3. Hire Heroes USA

   • Overview: An organization dedicated to helping veterans find employment through personalized job search training and assistance.

   • Website: Hire Heroes USA

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Until Next Time!

Stay tuned for next week's edition, where we'll discuss more top stories and the latest policy updates!

The Veteran's Newsletter