Veterans SITREP

Veterans SITREP welcomes Major General James (Jim) D. Turinetti IV , the 18th Commander of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command and Senior Commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG).  He arrived in our community last summer.   Major General Turinetti grew up outside of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.  After graduating from The Ohio State University as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army Signal Corps in June 1994.  We’re going to learn more about how he grew up in the military and what he has learned from veterans through his travels in the community.

We are joined on Veterans SITREP by Paula Davis and Theresa Karlson, of Maryland Gold Star Mothers Chapter.  The Maryland Gold Star Mothers Chapter was formed in the 1940s, to support families of those in the military during WW II, Korea, and Vietnam Wars. Maryland and Delaware then combined to work with those who were grieving.   Their mission is finding strength in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memory of our sons and daughters alive by working to help veterans, those currently serving in the military, their families and our community. 

Veterans SITREP hosted its first town hall recording on June 13 in front of a live audience at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Joining us in this Town Hall is Colonel Lewis Patrick Hawkins, representing the Maryland Adjutant General, Major General Janeen L Birckhead.  Colonel Hawkins serves as the Chief of Joint Staff, Maryland Joint Forces Headquarters.   Ross Cohen, serves as the Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families.  A US Army veteran, Acting Secretary Cohen previously served as the DVMF’s Deputy Secretary.  In this two-part episode, we’re going to explore how the Maryland National Guard and Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families work together to support each other. 

Veterans SITREP hosted its first town hall recording on June 13 in front of a live audience at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.   Joining us in this Town Hall is Colonel Lewis Patrick Hawkins, representing the Maryland Adjutant General, Major General Janeen L Birckhead.  Colonel Hawkins serves as the Chief of Joint Staff, Maryland Joint Forces Headquarters.   Ross Cohen, serves as the Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families.  A US Army veteran, Acting Secretary Cohen previously served as the DVMF’s Deputy Secretary.  In this two-part episode, we’re going to explore how the Maryland National Guard and Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families work together to support each other. 

We welcome Anne Hall, Program Manager and John Blakely, Transition Patient Advocate, for the VA’s Post 9/11 Military2VA Case Management Program to Veterans SITREP.  This program assists veterans, their families and caregivers in navigating the VA health care system and supports them in achieving their health and wellness goals. Often when service members leave the military, they find difficulty with sense of identity, financial strain, employment/education barriers, relationship changes, mental/emotional wellness, and physical limitations as a result of their time in the military. 

Joining me today on Veterans SITREP is Captain Sean Gobin, Board Member with Warrior Expeditions, a veteran nonprofit outdoor therapy program that helps veterans transition from their wartime experiences through long distance outdoor expeditions. Today, we’re going to learn more about this program and what the Warrior Expeditions organization offers veterans recognizing the therapeutic value of long distance outdoor expeditions to help veterans transition from their wartime experiences.

Joining me today on Veterans SITREP is Yolanda Rayford, Executive Director for the Baltimore/ Chesapeake Region of Blue Star Families.  Most people have heard of Gold Star families, but Blue Star Families may not be as familiar.   This is our second time sitting down with Yolanda and we’re going to explore some updates on what they have been doing serving all military members, veterans and their families.  And more importantly resources that Blue Star Families have that can make a difference

Joining me today on Veterans SITREP is Heather Geraldes, Executive Director of the Department of Veterans and Military Families, Veterans Trust Fund.  Heather joined the Department in July 2024 and has been tasked with leading the expansion of the services to increase the impact of the Veterans Trust Fund.  The Trust Fund was created to provide once-in-a-lifetime temporary financial assistance and referral services to support our veterans and their families.  We’re going to learn more about this Fund and how veterans and their families can take advantage of this resource.  

Diane Sancilio, Director of Counseling and Support at Gilchrist Hospice Services is our guest today on Veterans SITREP.  For many Vietnam veterans, the long-overdue recognition of their service has been a powerful and healing experience. Unlike veterans of other wars, many who returned home from Vietnam were met with silence—or worse, hostility—rather than gratitude.   To change that narrative, our guest along with an attorney and volunteer at another hospice, led to the passage of a Maryland state bill officially recognizing March 30th as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day but also established an annual community celebration that has grown larger every year.   We’re going to explore her journey how the idea began and how it led to honoring local Vietnam Veterans through a special day.

Joining me today on Veterans SITREP is Colonel Retired Ivan Montanez, a retired Army Colonel, combat and disabled veteran. who recently through hiked the Appalachian Trail.  Ivan retired in 2018 after over 28 years of service.  He continued to serve as an JROTC Senior Army Instructor at Mount Pleasant High School in Delaware.  Today we’re going to hear his story of navigating and completing the Appalachian Trail, a 2190 mile long public foot path from Georgia to Maine.