American Warrior Radio

Nate Boyer – Renaissance Man

Nate Boyer is the embodiment of the idea that anything can be achieved with the proper dedication and focused effort.Nate Boyer [https://americanwarriorradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Nate-Seahawks-300x222.jpg] After high school, Nate decided to give a Hollywood a try but he didn’t feel like he really belonged.  When he read about the tragedies associated with the civil war in Sudan, he offered to volunteer. However, without a special skill set, none of the organizations working with refugees wanted him. So Nate bought a ticket anyway and faked his way onto a United Nations flight to Darfur. He volunteered in the refugee camps for two months when he contracted malaria. While recovering he listened to a lot BBC radio. Upon hearing about what was happening in Iraq, he decided he wanted to help people in a different way. He joined the Army under the 18 X-Ray program, eventually earning the coveted Green Beret. Nate Boyer was an athlete in high school but never played football. While deployed he decided it was time to address that regret. Despite never having played a down of organized football, he walked on at the University of Texas and earned a starting spot for three years. He transferred to the National Guard, playing football during the school year and deploying with the Green Berets in the summer. He even played one game in the NFL as the oldest rookie in the modern era. Having worn both cleats and combat boots, Nate recognized the common challenges that military members and high level athletes face when they can no longer practice their craft. He co-founded Merging Vets and Players [https://vetsandplayers.org/] to bring the two communities together to help each other. Nate returned to Hollywood, acting in several major motion pictures and even producing and directing the film “MVP” [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13701404/] which depicts the founding of Merging Vets and Players. TAKEAWAY: “I have been in both locker rooms. We both experience that loss of team when we transition out of uniform. It’s tough to transition forward.”

Forever Young Veterans – Diane Hight

Diane Hight didn’t know why her father had become an alcoholic. It wasn’t until much later in life she realized that he was suffering silently from his experiences in World War II. This discovery and her abiding respect for the generation that fought in WWII and Korea led her to found Forever Young Veterans.Forever Young [https://americanwarriorradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Foreveryoungcover-300x300.jpg] [https://foreveryoungvets.org/] “They are a generation that has never asked for anything. I thought at the very least I could grant some special wishes for them.”  Since 2006 Forever Young has honored more than 2500 Veterans 65 years and older with “Trips of Honor” to nine countries and granted more than 300 special wishes. Diane emphasizes that traveling with older Veterans can have some logistical challenges – each trip includes a medical team. Some of the wishes were small, like a pilot who wanted to sit in the cockpit of a modern aircraft. Some turned into something larger. One WWII soldier was reunited with his first love [https://foreveryoungvets.org/woh-love-story/] in a small French town seventy five years later. While it may seem counterintuitive to return Veterans to the scene of some of their worst days, doing so with their fellow Veterans has a profound healing effect. Family members of some Veterans say they never talked about their war experiences but opened up after a Trip of Honor. The burden of their silent suffering had been lifted. One Veteran said “Who would have ever thought that the best days of my life would be at the very end of my life.” Diane has compiled 22 of their stories in a new book titled “Forever Young Veterans; Stories of Sacrifice, Healing and Hope.” [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLB35WSN?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_C5Z70V52FNKQKGAEQ7GR] Proceeds from the book will help fund future trips. Listeners who are interested in helping grant a wish or be an escort on one of the trips are encouraged to contact Forever Young Veterans. TAKEAWAY: “It doesn’t take a lot to make a difference in the lives of these guys.”

Central Intelligence Agency – Joe Goldberg

Central Intelligence Agency covert action officer Joe Goldberg [https://www.joegoldbergbooks.com/about] has seen a lot of changes since his time with the agency. The advent of the digital age has made managing “propaganda” a whole new business. Central Intelligence [https://americanwarriorradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Goldberg.jpg] Joe always had a desire to be in public service and the opportunity to interview with the CIA matched his dual degrees in political science and communications. His role with the agency also allowed him to feed his creative side. During his time with the Central Intelligence Agency, the Soviets were number one on his list. His philosophy was “the truth usually works”. The means may be covert but the information was accurate. “Back in my day we were using videotape and mailing or otherwise delivering packages to people in a good old fashioned covert intelligence manner.  Now you have digital, speed and anonymity. You don’t need a source anymore; the internet is your source. You just have to figure out how to fill it.” Joe also served Leader of Corporate Intelligence for Motorola where he received meritorious award recognizing one who has made significant contributions to the intelligence profession. He emphasizes that his role was an ethical one. They were not there to steal technology but rather study market trends and forecast technology. Joe has since moved onto a quieter life as a college professor and self-published author.  His first book “Secret Wars” was literally in envelopes ready to be mailed to potential publishers when the 9/11 attacks occurred.  He chose instead to follow the arduous path of self-publishing. His third thriller “Rebellious Son” [https://www.joegoldbergbooks.com/rebellious-son]was just released. Of course, the Central Intelligence Agency has to review all his books before they can be published. He feels like they give him a little more flexibility because he is writing fiction. TAKEAWAY:  “It’s kind of interesting in world where we are connected instantaneously, we are all by ourselves.  What is truth – that is the big question.”

Fisher House CEO Ken Fisher

Fisher House [https://americanwarriorradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ken-Fisher-200x300.jpg]Fisher House Chairman & CEO Ken Fisher is carrying on the wonderful program first created by his great uncle Zachary Fisher.  To date, the Fisher House has provided support to over 430,000 military and Veteran families in the form of free lodging and travel. [https://fisherhouse.org/] Neither Ken nor Zachary served in the military. But when Zach heard the USS Intrepid was going to be scrapped he led an initiative to have the ship preserved and converted to a museum that hosts over 1 million guests a year. Shortly thereafter he received a phone call from Pauline Trost, wife of the then Chief of Naval Operations. She witnessed a family arriving at Bethesda Naval Medical Center and, knowing the average cost of hotel rooms in the area, wondered where this family was going to stay while visiting their injured loved one. As a very successful builder, Zach had the solution. He and his wife dedicated more than $20 million to the construction of the first Fisher House. The foundation is now “on the road” to building their 100th home. The homes provide no cost lodging to families of ill or injured Veterans and are built with easy access to Veterans Administration hospitals. Homes can be as large as 21 suites and provide both privacy and communal spaces. A very powerful element of these homes is that every family understands what the other is going through and provides a natural support system. Other Fisher House programs include “Hero Miles” which provide free airfare using donated frequent flyer miles and “Hotels for Heroes” which provides free hotel rooms in areas where no Fisher House has been built. Listeners are encouraged to donate their frequent traveler bonuses in support of these families. TAKEAWAY: “There are sacrifices being made on our behalf and behind every person in uniform there is a family. The American people should never think that just saying thank you is enough.”

Transition – Havok Journal Editor Scott Faith

The transition from military to civilian life is the principle focus of our regular Havok Journal update with Editor Scott Faith.  The transition can be more difficult for some than it is for others. Scott himself is retiring from the Army soon after 28 years in service.transition [https://americanwarriorradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/havok-square-jpg-291x300.jpg] Several articles on the topic have been published on Havok Journal and we discuss highlights of each. “Observations of a Transitioning Officer – Time to Go” [https://havokjournal.com/culture/military/transitioning-officer/] by Josh McKaskill “A Green Beret Leaves the Service – How to Ruin Your Transition in Five Ways” [https://havokjournal.com/culture/life/how-to-ruin-your-transition-in-five-ways/] by Marshall McGurk [https://americanwarriorradio.com/2016/09/494/] “Veteran Nonprofits: The Backbone of Military Transition to Civilian Life” [https://havokjournal.com/culture/veteran-nonprofits-the-backbone-of-military-transition-to-civilian-life/] by Megan Thatford The Havok Journal started the 2nd Mission Foundation specifically to help members of the military or first responder communities to make their transition. “A lot of time Vets think they have to do it alone and that is absolutely not true..there is a lot of support out there.” We also talk about a recent article by Ayman Kafel [https://americanwarriorradio.com/2022/03/project-sapient-ayman-kafel/] called “Fellow Police Officers ..It’s OK to Die in Defense of Others.”  [https://havokjournal.com/law-enforcement/fellow-police-officers-its-ok-to-die-in-defense-of-others/] May seem controversial but once one gets passed the headline Ayman is really discussing a mindset that is important for police officers. “If you aren’t willing or mentally prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, then find another line of work because people’s lives depend on you.”  He proposes that a mission first attitude needs to be adopted by more police agencies. Anyone interested in potentially writing to Havok Journal is encouraged to contact them through their website. TAKEAWAY: “A retirement ceremony is the professional equivalent of a funeral because your career is officially dead at that point.”