Army Reserve Virtual Installation/Student Veterans of America

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-First this week, we speak with Laura Stultz, the face of Army Reserve Families, and the wife of Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve, and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command. She talks with us about the Army Reserve Virtual Installation Program, providing families of all branches of service with information, services, and support via the Internet or at local centers. The program consists of three parts: the unit, community, and web. She says it is the synergy of these three parts that ensures the readiness of Army Reserve Families.
We also discuss what the VFW did for the family of the Laureldale girl made famous for holding her father's hand during his deployment formation.
Also, we have more on the VFW National Commander urging the president for decisive action in Afghanistan.
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-Next, we have the executive director of the Student Veterans of America, Derek Blumke. Derek talks to us about how the GI Bill has the ability to turn this generation of veterans into the "next greatest generation." He also talks about the delays in the VA's GI checks for student veterans, and how they fixed the problem by putting the application process online.
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"Let Freedom Ring"/The History Channel's "Take a Vet to School" Program

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-First this week, we speak with George Ciampa, a World War II Army veteran of five campaigns in the European Theater. Decades after returning home, Ciampa has embarked on yet another campaign--this time his mission is to chronicle the personal stories of civilians, freedom fighters and veterans whose personal wartime experiences are vividly related in his two documentaries, Let Freedom Ring...The Lesson is Priceless, and Let Freedom Ring...Memories of France. Ciampa talks about producing and directing these documentaries, that he says, convey the true meaning and value of freedom.
We also talk about Afghanistan ambassador Saif Jawad asking the United States to send thousands more U.S. troops to his country to help promote stability and train the domestic security forces.
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-Next, we speak with The History Channel's chief historian, Dr. Libby O'Connell, and Mike Stiller, executive producer for The History Channel's landmark series, WWII in HD. Dr. O'Connell talks about their "Take a Veteran to School" program, a national campaign linking veterans of all ages with young people in schools and communities across the country. Last year, more than 600 schools participated. Stiller discusses the coinciding premiere of WWII in HD, a series culled from 3,000 hours of lost color footage which features the epic accounts of ten real soldiers who experienced this defining conflict.
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Flag Burner Duct-Taped to Flag Pole/Run for the Fallen/Maid Brigade

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-First this week, we discuss a story that's been in the news since last week. In Valley Falls, W. Va., at VFW Post 1938, a young man, after being refused alcohol due to the lack of proper identification, burned the flag that flew over the Post. The flag the young man burned once flew over a fox hole in Iraq; a fox hole several U.S. soldiers never made it out of alive. We talk with Post 1938 Commander, Nick Normile, about why they chose this punishment, and why the young man completely agreed to go along with it.
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-Next, we talk with commander of VFW Post 7829, Tony Wolusky, out of Monument, Colo. Tony tells us about Cadet Malcolm Strong and the "Run for the Fallen." The Run for the Fallen's mission is "one mile for every service member killed in OIF and OEF," and in a few months, Cadet Strong will be running in the Disney marathon, in full fatigues, to bring awareness to those killed overseas, and to raise money for the VFW's National Military Service programs.
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-Lastly, we speak with Don Hay, founder and chairman of Maid Brigade, a residential cleaning service with more than 420 locations in the U.S. and Canada. More than 10% of Maid Brigade franchise owners are veterans, and right now, Maid Brigade is awarding 100 qualified veterans with their own businesses by waiving the franchise fees and providing working capital. The contest winners will be announced on Veterans Day.
We also discuss the issues surrounding the GI Bill, and the VA's emergency check authorizations.
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Missouri Veterans Story Program/Mojave Desert Memorial/Post 56

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-First off this week, we speak with Dewey Riehn, VFW Department of Missouri Legislative Coordinator. Riehn is also involved with the Missouri Veterans Stories Program. With more than 500,000 veterans in Missouri, the goal of the program is to record and preserve the stories of veterans for Posterity. The state legislature appropriated $1 million in 2005 to launch the project, and currently there are 1,000 veterans on the wait list.
We also speak with VFW Post Commander 56, Lynn Rolf. Rolf talks about his Post's strong relationship with Ft. Leavenwroth MWR and the Adopt-A-Unit Program. We talk about his Family Readiness Group, and the recent Oktoberfest they held for deploying troops at Ft. Leavenworth.
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-Next, we speak with VFW Director of Public Affairs out of the Washington, D.C. office, Joe Davis. He talks about the recent press event the ACLU held, discussing the court case regarding the controversy surrounding the Mojave Desert Memorial. The ACLU is in favor of tearing the memorial cross down, since it is on federal land. The VFW is fighting to let it stand, and by doing so, save many other memorials around the country. Joe also discusses the new GI Bill, and the health care debate.
We also talk about Obama's suggestions on Middle East peace.
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