Cloth of the Nation

Ep 14 | Duty, Devotion, and Recovery: One Veterans Story Beyond the Uniform

Fleet Master Chief(ret) Brad LeVault is a Pennsylvania native who, in 1982, when fresh out of Spring Grove High School, joined the US Navy for an adventure. Along the way he got sidetracked with his high school sweetheart, now wife of 43 years, into a 30-year Navy career. Together with their four children, they explored 14 duty stations around the world. In 2012, he returned home to focus on his family and address the PTSD that manifested from a challenging tour in JTF GUANTANAMO. Brad is now active in his community as the President of the Jefferson Carnival Association, his church and the VFW. His favorite jobs are being Pops to his grandchildren, children and sweetheart to his wife.

Ep 13 | How Poetry Brings Healing to Veterans

TRIGGER WARNING: Talks of suicide, MST, and mental illness. The WriteFace process encourages attendees to slow down, clarify, and better understand their thinking. Thoughts that remain unwritten can feel scattered or temporary, but writing gives them structure and staying power. As participants revise their words to express exactly what they mean, they gain insight into their own responses and can more thoughtfully engage with life’s challenges. The Need — WriteFace [https://www.writeface.org/the-need] Writeface Workshops For Veterans - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@WritefaceForVets] Scott Hower is a co-founder of the Writeface program which conducts creative, expressive, journal writing workshops for veterans experiencing readjustment issues  .  He is an Air Force veteran from the Vietnam War era and a graduate of Millersville University's Fine Arts program. Audra King participated in the Writeface program and has since become a member of its board. She is an Army veteran who served in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom as a Counterintelligence Agent. She has her B.S. in Psychology and is a Relaxation Coach in Willow Street.

Ep 12 | Inside Veterans Affairs: A Breakdown About the Lebanon VA

Colonel (Ret.) Douglas A. Etter serves as Chief Communications Officer for VA Lebanon Healthcare System, where he helps veterans and their families access critical health care services and support with professionalism and understanding. A decorated Army chaplain and Bronze Star recipient with two combat tours in Iraq, he brings decades of leadership in crisis communication, veteran care, and public service. An ordained minister and paramedic, Doug has humbly dedicated his entire career to strengthening resilience, connection, and support for those who have served. His writings focus on helping service members reintegrate into civilian life.

Ep 11 | The Next Mission: Advocacy After Service

Founded in 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) was established to advocate for the post-9/11 generation of veterans. Since its founding, IAVA has worked to elevate the voices and experiences of veterans, while advancing for policies and programs that support veterans and their families. Today, IAVA focuses its efforts on research, education, and direct advocacy to identify policy gaps, inform the public, and drive meaningful change on behalf of all veterans and the country they served. Our guests include: Kyleanne Hunter Chief Executive Officer A native of the Bay Area, California, Dr. Kyleanne Hunter is CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and a dedicated and lifelong servant leader. In this role, she is responsible for strategic direction of IAVA, ensuring that the post-9/11 generation of veterans continues to have a voice in the most pressing issues of our day. A Marine Corps veteran of the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, she has been dedicated to inspiring all veterans to ascend to their potential and ensuring that the policies and practices are there to allow them to do so. Jerritt Lynn Director, Membership A U.S. Army veteran with over 20 years of service, including 14 years in Special Operations and nine overseas deployments across the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, Jerritt Lynn joined the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America team in July of 2025. As the Director of Membership Services, Jerritt serves the organizational mission by leading the Membership team with building, recruiting, and training the IAVA Cavalry. Jerritt believes that those of us who have served in conflict regions, particularly during the Global War on Terrorism, have unique experiences and an obligation to advocate for policies that address the challenges affecting both veteran and civilian communities. By shaping public policy, we can improve the lives of veterans and ensure their sacrifices are honored.

Ep 10| From Soldier to Farmer: How Military Discipline Built a Purpose‑Driven Farm

My military service also played an important role in shaping the farmer I’ve become. I spent my early career as an infantryman and later as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, serving both on Active Duty and in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Those years taught me discipline, resilience, problem‑solving, and the ability to stay calm under pressure — all skills that translate directly into farming. Agriculture demands patience, adaptability, and a willingness to tackle challenges head‑on, often with limited resources. Those are the same qualities the military instilled in me.  But beyond the skills, my service gave me a strong sense of purpose and a desire to continue contributing to my community. After retiring as a 100% disabled veteran, I knew I needed a mission that aligned with my abilities while still allowing me to serve others. Farming became that mission. It gives me a way to stay active, work with my hands, and build something meaningful — not just for myself, but for the people around me. Spruce Hill Acres is now more than a farm. It’s a place where education, service, and community come together. We host students, support local FFA programs, and create opportunities for young people to learn skills they may never encounter elsewhere. We also stay committed to supporting the veteran community, offering a welcoming space where fellow veterans can connect with agriculture, find purpose, or simply enjoy the quiet of the land.  In many ways, agriculture has become a bridge between my past and my future. My military service taught me to serve, to lead, and to persevere. My daughter, Maggie, taught me to see the beauty and potential in agriculture. And together, those experiences led my family to build a farm that reflects who we are: a family committed to learning, teaching, and giving back