The following shows aired in April 2012. Click on the show date in the left column to listen to that show. Files are in MP3 format.
4/7/12 Encore Presentation: Surviving Typhoon Cobra–1944 (first broadcast 19 June 2010). This was one of our late partner, Gary Lillie’s, favorite programs. Hosted by Gary with his guests, Charles Raymond Calhoun, the captain of the Dewey, and sailor Murl Eastman, who worked below-decks. During the typhoon the captain gripped a vertical pipe that became horizontal as the ship rolled, looking between his feet at the ocean below, while down below, Eastman and his fellow crew members walked on the bulkheads (walls), as the deck became vertical
 
Typhoon Cobra in WWII sunk three United States Destroyers, the Hull, Monaghan and Spence. It took the lives of more than 800 sailors. Only the heroics of the commanders and crew of ships such as the destroyer Dewey, which rescued men in the water despite the darkness of night and the worst typhoon to ever hit a fleet. The Dewey recorded possibly the lowest barometric pressure ever, 27.30 inches, and rolled close to 90-degrees, more than any other ship known to history that still recovered.
4/14/12 The Untold Story of America’s Canine Heroes. In her new book, Soldier Dogs: The Untold Story of America’s Canine Heroes (Dutton Penguin), Maria Goodavage opens up a whole new world for dog lovers in her intrepidly reported, richly illustrated, heartwarming account of the dogs who play an increasingly vital role in our military efforts.
 
“[A] highly recommended book if you have the slightest interest in military working dogs. A must read—I say again must read—book if you have ever served anywhere they’ve had paws on the ground. I’m not sure who to thank more…Maria Goodavage for her book or Blek, Lucy, Buck, Ajax, Davy, Tina, Patrick, Fenji, Rex, Cinte, Lex, Ben, Lars, Duc and the other dogs and their handlers for helping her write it…” – David Reeder, Military​.com
 
“The capability they bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine.” David Patraeus, Former Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan.
4/21/12 PTSD, TBI and Suicide. How Can We Help?
 
“An American soldier dies every day and a half, on average, in Iraq or Afghanistan. Veterans kill themselves at a rate of one every 80 minutes. More than 6500 veteran suicides are logged every year-more than the total number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq combined since those wars began.” New York Times 15 April 2012
 
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs says it’s increasing its staff of mental health workers by roughly 1,900.
 
“VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced the plan Thursday, saying the government must make sure all veterans have adequate access to health care.
 
The department plans to add about 1,600 clinicians and about 300 support staff to an existing mental health staff of roughly 20,590. The department says it’ll begin recruiting immediately”. Military.com 19 April 2012.
 
Join us this week on Veterans Radio as we discuss this continuing problem with our returning troops. Our guests include: Eric C Amberg, Ph.d, who practices neuropsychology in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For 12 years he treated traumatized veterans at the Ann Arbor VA hospital. Now, alarmed at the growing numbers, Dr. Amberg has an especially strong interest in suicide intervention. We also have Jerry Yellin, World War II fighter pilot who fought his own demons for over 30 years until he learned Transcendental Meditation. It changed his life. “We have thousands of young veterans coming back from war today suffering from what I suffered and now known as PTSD. It is important for me that they do not wander for a good portion of their lives as I did. TM is available to all veterans and their families through Operation Warrior Wellness”.
4/28/12 AT EASE. “At Ease” Goes Nautical on April 28 piping aboard distinguished authors Craig L. Symonds and Larry Bond who will discuss their books The Battle of Midway and Exit Plan, and more. AT EASE is hosted by award-winning author and newest member of the Veterans Radio Crew Dwight Jon Zimmerman.