WJFF - Let's Talk Vets
SSgt.(Ret.) Doug Sandberg
SSgt.(Ret.) Doug Sandberg with news and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families
Episodes
Final Broadcast - Summer Break
Let's Talk Vets will be taking a break for the summer and will return at a new time and new format on Radio Chatskill. Stay tuned to WJFF Radio Catskill for more information.
John Gallina — CEO at Purple Heart Homes Inc
We'll have news and events of interest to the Hudson Valley veterans community, and some new music and we'll catch up with John Gallina, co-founder and CEO of Purple Heart Homes. A 501 C three corporation that improves the quality of life for our wounded and homeless veterans.
Black History Month
Join me, SSgt. Doug Sandberg for a special Black History Month broadcast. We’ll review the role Black Americans have played in the US military, some news and events of interest to the Hudson Valley Veteran Community, and a conversation with Alyssa Carion of Dutchess County Vet 2 Vet.
What’s new at the VA
Join us for a special Let’s Talk Vets. Find out what’s new at the VA Then hear our in depth conversation with Matt Healy Orange County ADA & Carl Lo Faro Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, Hudson Valley VA to finds out how the newly formed Orange County Coalition to Prevent Veteran Suicide is working to reduce the number of our heroes who take their own lives each day.
A Special Holiday Edition
Join me, SSgt. Doug Sandberg for a special holiday edition of Let’s Talk Vets. Christmas is over but we found some audio presents which were overlooked. Music, Veteran’s News, a Hudson Valley VA update from the director, Dawn Schaal and good wishes are the order of the day. The uniform of the day includes something comfy, a smile and the libation of your choice.
Pearl Harbor — 81st Anniversary
Join me SSgt. Doug Sandberg for our next edition of Let’s TalkVets. December 7 th was the 81 st anniversary of the unprovokedattack on Pearl Harbor. We attended a special ceremony atWayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, tonight we’ll bring youthe highlights. We also stopped by the Pike County office ofVeterans Affairs for an update from Director Jessiah Schrader.
Change
This program centered on change.We chatted with Steve Walsh, the new Director of the SullivanCounty Veteran’s Service Agency in Monticello about their missionand his vision for the future of this important group.We met with the new manager of the Joseph P. Dwyer Vet2Vet PeerCounseling Service in Middletown NY, Thomas Bauer about thisessential group and how vets can best help other vets in crisis.We also spoke with Donna Ramalow, Executive Director of DisputeResolution Centers. This group of professional and volunteermediators help folks settle their disputes out of court.
Special Veteran’s Day Edition of Let’s Talk Vets - 2022
Join SSgt. Doug Sandberg for a special Veteran’s Day edition of Let’s Talk Vets.Hear vets tell their stories, learn about events celebrating Hudson Valley Vets, and some great music to complete our mission.
Are you familiar with equine assisted therapy?
Are you familiar with equine-assisted therapy? Well, tune in and learnhow these gentle giants help to heal a wide range of psychological and physical challenges. We’ll also update you on the latest news of interest to our military community.
September 28 - Jessica Brooks, Amy Amoroso and Dawn Schaal
Jessica Brooks, Owner / Chef of the Cacklin Hen in Youngsville, will share her struggle to secure seed money for her business. Amy Amoroso, Director of Veteran’s Outreach for the Small Business Administration, tells us the facts about funding businesses for veterans.Dawn Schaal with the latest news from the VA
September 14 - USN Veteran / Small Business Owner Ryan Terracciano
Catch up on the latest news of interest to the Hudson Valley MilitaryCommunity, we’ll chat with USN Veteran / Small business owner Ryan Terraciano about his service, life and struggles to open the Catskill Outdoorsman in Jeffersonville and we’ll remember the 13 heroes who gave their last full measure during the chaotic retreat from Afghanistan.
August 24 - Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System Director, Dawn Schaal
SSgt. Doug Sandberg for the latest news from the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System with Director Dawn Schaal, news of interest to area vets and take a virtual tour of the extensively renovated National Purple Heart Hall of Honor with Director of Programs, Peter Bedrosian.
August 10, 2022 - How is Tunnel 2 Towers helping homeless vets?
Brad Blakeman, Senior Advisor at Tunnel 2 Towers, will stop by to tell us about a great new program to help homeless vets regain their lives and their dignity. Then Master Instructor Jane Morris. Will tell us how the yoga-based holistic practice of Kripalu can help veterans.
July 13, 2022 - Why the 4th of July is our preeminent day of celebration?
SSgt. Doug Sandberg for Let's Talk Vets. We’ll explore why the 4th of July is our preeminent day of celebration. Joining us are author/historian, Patrick McDonnell, Program Director Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Peter Bedrosian, Purple Heart recipients Specialist Lisa Kelly Lt. Robert Montarro recount their experiences in their own words.
June 22, 2022 - Director of the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System
SSgt, Doug Sandberg for a very special edition of Let’s TalkVets. Dawn Schaal, Director of the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare Systemwill discuss tremendous employment opportunities throughout theHudson Valley VA.And, we visit with John Crotty and Steve Walsh at the Sullivan CountyVeteran’s Service Agency to dispel some of the most commonmisconceptions area veterans have.
June 8, 2022 - Port Jervis Memorial Day Ceremonies
Join me SSgt. Doug Sandberg for our next Let’s Talk Vets. We’ll visit the Port Jervis Memorial Day Ceremonies, check out some area veterans’ news, and hear some great music.
May 25, 2022 - Memorial Day Special
Join SSgt. Doug Sandberg for a special Memorial Day edition of Let’s Talk Vets. We hear the latest news from the VA,tell you about some area events and feature some original content from our veterans.
May 11, 2022 - Clear Path for Veterans
We visited Clear Path for Veterans headquarters in Chittenango NY.for a Vietnam Veteran's Day recognition on March 29th, We chatted with co-founder, Melissa Spicer, and executive director Alex Behm. The keynote speakers were Tom and Nellie Coakley. Tomsaw combat in the Army and lost part of his left leg and Nellie an Army Nurse. They met at Walter Reed Hospital, married, and have spent their lives since teaching and fostering the true story of the Vietnam war and the men and women who fought it.
April 27, 2022 - VA Director, Dawn Schaal, Chris Meyer, founder and artistic director Veterans Repertory Theater
Guest: VA Director, Dawn Schaal, Chris Meyer, founder and artistic director Veterans Repertory Theater.
April 13, 2022 - BRAVE Adaptive Sports for Veterans Program
Meet the team behind the new BRAVE Adaptive Sports for Veterans Program at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains.Dr. Beatrice Kraus explains how her project To Calm & Command seeks to identify what music is most effective when veterans are preparing for their final deployment in hospice, and we'll learn about the famous WWII North Platte Nebraska Canteen.
March 23, 2022 - “Voices of Vets”
SSgt. Doug Sandberg for a very special edition of Let’s Talk Vets. We’ll listen to some of my favorite “voices of vets” from the last four years. We’ll also get an update from Dawn Schaal, Director of VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System.
March 9, 2022 - Veteran Suicide
How important is community outreach in the battle against Veteran suicide? How can understanding what those with mental illness experience from their point of view help save veterans’ lives? How has the Ukraine invasion awakened the internal demons of a Vietnam Vet?
Feb 23, 2022 - Tribute to Black History Month, The Buffalo Soldiers
We continue our tribute to Black History Month with a history lesson on The Buffalo Soldiers, black veterans of the civil war organized into cavalry units to help tame the western frontier. We'll also air a portion of the Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers Award ceremony held on the 16th. Dawn Schaal, Director of VA's Hudson Valley Healthcare System will provide the latest news from the VA.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, December 8, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - Thanksgiving Edition of Lets Talk Vets.
Guest: SSgt Doug Sandberg Join SSgt Doug Sandberg for a special Thanksgiving editionof Lets Talk Vets. The civilian / military divide plays a key role in veterans reintegration. But why wait until theyre discharged? Rick Walls of Towns $ Troops thinks there is a lot more we can do. And Director Dawn Schaal will stop by with your VA updates.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - Special Veterans Day Edition
Guest: SSgt Doug Sandberg Join SSgt Doug Sandberg for a special Veterans Day editionof Lets Talk Vets. Well hear vets talk about their experiences and about what it means to be a veteran in their own words.Were in the midst of our fall fund drive so please visit our show page at https://wjffradio.kindful.com/fall-favorites-fund-drive-2021/program-lets-talk-vets to show your support for this program.
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 - VA updates – Walk a Mile in my Shoes – Life story and written stories
Guest: Dawn Schaal VA updates with Dawn Schaal, Director VA Hudson Valley HealthcareSystem. – Guest: Gavin Walters, Mgr. Ulster Gavin Walters, Mgr. Ulster County Vet 2 Vet updates on their recentWalk a Mile in my Shoes event to raise awareness of Veteranssuicide – Guest: Tom Brennan Tom Brennan, Vietnam Vet shares his life story and written stories.
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - Discussion of new forensic data mining techniques to develop early warning criteria for practitioners and clinicians. – Guardian Revival discuss
Guest: Chuck Eastman Stop Soldiers Suicide Discussion of new forensicdata mining techniques to develop early warning criteria forpractitioners and clinicians.Alex Othemer and Aaron Leonard of Guardian Revival discuss howcross training first responders saves lives and the benefits of outdooradventure for veterans – Guest: Alex Othemer and Aaron Leonard Alex Othemer and Aaron Leonard of Guardian Revival discuss howcross training first responders saves lives and the benefits of outdooradventure for veterans
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, August 25, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, August 11, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, June 23, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - SAGEVETS – Deputy Commissioner NYS Veterans Affairs – Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Exit 12 Dance Company
Guest: Ashton Stewart Ashton Stewart, Program manager updates us on SAGEVETS, aNew York organization providing advocacy, outreach andservices to elder NY LGBTQ Veterans. – Guest: Ben Pomerance Ben Pomerance, DeputyCommissioner NYS Veterans Affairs discusses legislativechanges affecting NYS veterans – Guest: Roman Baca Roman Baca, ArtisticDirector and Co-Founder of Exit 12 Dance Company explainshow the creative arts can be a key to healing veterans sufferingfrom PTS.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, May 26, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, May 12, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, April 28, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Guest: Jamie Ackerly, President of the New Hudson Valley Chapter of Military Mothers of America – Guest: Al Potter, a career military chopper pilot
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Guest: VA with the director Dawn Schaal Know what a burn pit is? Tune in to find out how the unrestricted burning of refuse in Iraq & Afghanistan is affecting our service members. Also, catch the latest news from the VA with the director Dawn Schaal.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 - Reviews her career and opinions on many subjects
Guest: Admiral Ret Nancy Lescavage
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 - Celebrate the role of Black Americans in the military
Guest: SSgt. Doug Sandberg SSgt. Doug Sandberg inviting you to a very special edition of Lets Talk vets. Well, celebrate the role Black Americans have played in the US military, the deep political divide in our country, and how unity is the key to moving our nation forward. Well even through in some great music to compliment the message. Thats Lets Talk Vets, Wednesday, February 24th, 7 PM right here on Radio Catskill, WJFF.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, January 27, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, January 13, 2021
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, December 23, 2020
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, December 9, 2020
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Fiaz Ali Founder and CEO of Ali Adaptive Sports i.e. wheelchair basketball, tennis etc. all about the amazing world of adaptive sports. Chat with veteran Navy Seal Milt Hoos of Dingmans Ferry Update on the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare system for Director Dawn Schall.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, September 9, 2020
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Guest: Vet 2 Vet Ulster County, Gavin discusses the new office Vet 2 Vet Ulster County, Gavin discusses the new office and services available to vets. Also reviews their fundraiser, Walk a Mile in My Shoes to raise public awareness to veterans suicide and the issues each vet carries. 58 Miles, Kingston to Albany, 22 Hours. – Guest: United Through Reading, Tonya Woods United Through Reading, Tonya Woods explains how recording books read by deployed loved ones helps preserve family bonds
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 - Why Cant we Serve? Movement questions why veterans who sustain physical injuries cannot continue to serve in some capacity. Parallels made to the ADA laws which must be followed in all public and private industry. – MBV supplies furniture, cookware, bedding and other essenti
Guest: Marty Klein – Guest: My Brother Vinnie, Paula Miritello
Let's Talk Vets - Wednesday, August 12, 2020
News and entertainment of relevance to area veterans, active service members and their families.
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 - Janelle Mendez, Founder & CEO MST Military Sexual Trauma Movement Ben Pomerance, Deputy Director Program Development, NYS Veterans Affairs
Guest: Janelle Mendez, Founder & CEO MST Military Sexual Trauma Movement & Ben Pomerance, Deputy Director Program Development, NYS Veterans Affairs
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 - Ashton Stewart, SAGEVETS discusses how members of the LGBT community have been discriminated against in the US military. Benjamin Pomerance, Deputy Director Program Development thoughts on NYS Restoration of Honor Act
Guest: Ashton Stewart, Benjamin Pomerance