September 11, 2001--A Day We Will Never Forget

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-Eight years ago today, thousands of Americans lost their lives as hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and as a hijacked plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field. First this week, we speak with David Paine, President and Founder of MyGoodDeed.org, a nonprofit group that was created to transform 9/11 into an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance. Paine discusses how they got this legislation passed, and why this is important.
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-Speaking of good deeds, next we talk to Gary DeHaan, Golf Committee Chairman for VFW Post 6444 out of Georgetown, S.C. This weekend they're holding their 8th Annual Golf Benefit, raising money for VFW's Operation Uplink, among other programs and organizations. DeHaan explains why they never hesitate to help our troops.
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-To finish up this week, Ellen Saracini joins us. Ellen is the wife of the late Victor Saracini, pilot of Flight 175 that flew into the south tower on September 11, 2001. Ellen talks about her late husband as a father, husband, and a United Airlines captain. She also talks about the Garden of Reflection in Bucks County, Pa. The memorial was created to remember and honor those killed on September 11, 2001. We also here from a listener about last week's discussion on health care reform.
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VFW National Commander Tommy Tradewell Returns from China

Newly elected VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. just returned from his first assignment, a fact-finding mission to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), continuing VFW’s long standing effort to obtain a full-accounting of U.S. POW/MIA’s. He sits down with us to talk about the importance of this long-standing mission, the importance of VFW membership and changing the outdated perception of the VFW.

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Blinded Veterans Association/Outstanding Post 3452

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-To start off this week, we talk about health care reform, reflect on the VFW National Convention, and discuss the new VFW National Commander, Tommy Tradewell's trip to China.
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-Next, we talk to Dr. Tom Zampieri, the Director of Government Relations for the Blinded Veterans Association, which was established specifically to help veterans and their families meet and overcome the challenges of blindness. We also have Army Staff Sergeant Sean Johnson, a blinded veteran who lost his vision as a result of traumatic brain injury from an explosion in Iraq. Army Major A.J. Tong also joins us, who lost his vision due to an explosively formed penetrator blast.
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-To finish up, we have Dale Potts, spokesman for VFW Post 3452, talking to us about the reinvention of their Post in Tualatin, Oregon. They re-opened their Post, naming it after a local high school football player, Marine Cpl. Matthew Lembke, who recently died from wounds sustained in Afghanistan. The Post hopes the reinvention will change the image of the Post, making it more family friendly and appealing to younger veterans.
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From the 110th VFW National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona

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-Rocky Sickmann depicts his life changing experience as one of 53 American hostages taken during the Iranian hostage crisis and explains how that’s impacted his role as the current Director of Military Sales for Anheuser-Busch.
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-How do the Vice President of Labor Relations for GM and the Vice President and Director of the United Auto Workers union work together to accomplish the goals of GM while maintaining what’s best for its employees? The best answer comes straight from that unlikely, yet extraordinary team, Cal Rapson and Diana Tremblay. We find out how they make it work, the future of GM, and their generous support of the VFW.
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-Colonel David Griffith of the Army’s new initiative, Freedom Team Salute, explains how the program recognizes the essential bond between Soldiers, family and community, and celebrates the sacrifices made by all those who support our soldiers.
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