SportClips/Defense Commissary Agency/31 Stadiums Tour

Click here for the full show.

-We kick off this week with Gordon Logan, founder and CEO of SportClips Haircuts. SportClips is a long-time supporter of VFW's Operation Uplink, and this Veterans Day they're donating a dollar for every haircut given in their 660+ stores. SportClips hopes to raise $125,000 on "The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year."

Click here to listen.

-Next, we talk to Nate Thompson, friend of Joe Lusk. While training in Fort Rucker, Ala., they discussed how it would be amazing to travel the nation in an RV watching football. Unfortunately, Joe was killed in Kuwait when his helicopter crashed during a training mission. In memory of Joe, Nate is continuing with the dream, while raising money for a memorial fund set up in Joe's name. Nate, his brother Aaron, and friend Nolan Meyers will travel nearly 30,000 miles to see every NFL stadium during the 31 Stadiums Tour. This weekend, the VFW has given the trio tickets to watch the Kansas City Chiefs face-off against the San Diego Chargers.

Click here to listen.

-To finish up, we have the director of the Defense Commissary Agency, Philip Sakowitz, talking about their worldwide chain of commissaries that provide groceries to military personnel, retirees, and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Those eligible to shop at a commissary save about 30% compared to other retailers. A single service member who shops regularly at a commissary can save about $1,000 a year.

We also discuss President Barack Obama signing into law a bill that provides funding for the Veterans Affairs Department one year in advance, a victory for all veterans organizations.

Click here to listen.

Army Reserve Virtual Installation/Student Veterans of America

Click here for the full show.

-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.
Click here to listen.

-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.
Click here to listen.

"Let Freedom Ring"/The History Channel's "Take a Vet to School" Program

Click here for the full show.

-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.
Click here to listen.

-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.
Click here to listen.

Flag Burner Duct-Taped to Flag Pole/Run for the Fallen/Maid Brigade

Click here for the full show.

-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.
Click here to listen.

-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.
Click here to listen.

-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.
Click here to listen.