Military Reunion Network Radio: Recent Episodes
mrnradio@militaryreunionnetwork.com
Military Reunion Network President Sharon Danitschek shares tips, tricks, trends, and travel topics related to planning military reunions. Learn about cool destinations, hotel industry terminology, contract language, and most of all amazing Veteran stories. We share it here so that you will have the confidence to plan your next reunion. You are not alone! Our goal is to cure "reunionitus" or the uncertainty of planning a military reunion. We share these tips in an effort to make reunion planning a breeze and as a result reduce veteran suicide. Close to 25 Veterans a day take their lives by their own hand. It has been proven by the Veterans Administration that connection through military reunions keeps Veterans off this path. The Military Reunion Network is committed to reducing Veteran Suicide one podcast at a time. You can help! Subscribe below and help share the stories. Visit militaryreunionnetwork.com to learn more.
We were honored to spend time with Three Star General Ret. Gary Volesky. His passion not only for serving our Country for 36 years but also for continuing to support the Veteran Community is inspiring.
He is a "must book" keynote speaker!
Lt General Ret. Gary Volesky Bio:
Gary is a passionate leader with thirty-six years of service to our Nation. He has extensive experience leading Soldiers in the accomplishment of critical, time sensitive and high-risk operations at home and abroad.
He spent five years in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan leading Soldiers at every level from company through division command. Most notably, a book and National Geographic mini-series entitled “The Long Road Home,” detailed his unit’s fight with the Mahdi Army and rescue of an isolated platoon in Sadr City Iraq in 2004.
Gary led the Department of Defense’s military effort to contain the Ebola Virus outbreak in Liberia, in which he developed the US military’s support plan for the US Ambassador, the US Agency for International Development and the Government of Liberia. As the Commanding General for all ground operations in Iraq, he led a multi-national coalition of 10,000 military professionals from 10 different countries enabling Iraqi and special operations forces to seize Mosul and defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
As the Army’s Chief of Public Affairs, Gary advised both the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army for all strategic communications and public affairs messaging, as well as being the Army’s chief communicator for a global 1.5-million-person force during a dynamic wartime period.
Gary retired from the Army as a 3-star General after having led the Army’s First Corps, where he was responsible for the combat readiness of 100,000 Soldiers in units in Washington State, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as running the fourth largest military installation in the Department of Defense. He is happily married to his wife LeAnn and they have a son named Alex who is a Soldier in the US Army
We sat down with Jessica Settje about bringing military reunions to her city. Her enthusiasm for military reunions AND Omaha is infectious! Wait until you hear about the cool attractions!
Want more information? Visit the Military Reunion Network website.
Helpers are everywhere especially those that want to help our Veteran Community. In our series, Look for the Helpers, we will introduce you to the missions of those supporting Veterans locally and across the Country.
Today, we visited with Sonia Jorgenson, Founder of Hooves and Heroes located in Stanwood WA, about 40 miles north of Seattle. Hooves and Heroes provides equine therapy to Veterans and First Responders. hoovesandheroes.org
Jonathan Neis with Go Providence shares why the smallest state in the union is one of the most popular places to hold your reunion.
More information about GO Providence
It is hard to miss the enthusiasm Leanne Calderwood has for the LinkedIn platform. She shares how she mastered the art of building an online community and why it is so important for organizations of all industries to have a presence.
If you want to elevate your profile or just better understand how to connect and build your own network, Leanne can get you started.
Visit her website: LeanneCalderwood.com or better yet reach out directly on LinkedIn
Mallari Ackerman with the Fargo-Moorehead Convention Visitor Bureau shares how her team helps military reunion planners have a great reunion! Click Here for More information
Dan Miller Best Western Multi Property Sales Manager shares his personal views of what is happening in the hotel industry. Please note, our conversation represents his views only. He is not speaking for Best Western Hotels.
We sat down with Joan Eisenstodt an industry expert with hotel contracts, to talk about the importance of a dual cancellation clause. (Disclaimer, Joan and host Sharon Danitschek are sharing their opinion regarding contract language. They comment and conversation should not be considered legal advice. Military Reunion Planners should always seek the advice of an attorney before signing a contract) Reference Links MRN Resources https://militaryreunionnetwork.com/reunion-locations/#!directory/map (Destinations/Hotels committed to supporting military reunions)
Teina Woodburn Veterans Affairs Director for Historic Programs joins us to talk about a very special annual event. Click the link for more information https://www.vietnamveteransparade.org/vetspage (National Vietnam Veterans Day Event)
Diane Goodman with Goodman Speaker Management shares her thoughts on booking the right speaker for your next military reunion.
We sat down with Anthony Anton, CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, for a conversation about how the industry is dealing with staffing, and supply chain issues. He also shared some best practices for Military Reunion Planners too!
Uncle Mike passed away while serving in Vietnam in the late 60's. His niece Jenny and her son Jake were curious to know more about him. Their research lead them to the 6994 Security Squadron Reunion
Buried when the first tower came down, Joe made a promise to keep the memories alive of the 343 firefighters that lost their lives that day
Paulette Stuart joins us to share a really cool story of how the residents of Pueblo came together. https://militaryreunionnetwork.com/reunion-locations/#!biz/id/5e14ecefe79c69516f14c360 (Learn more about holding your reunion there!)
A simple Facebook post from a 91 year old started it all. Award winning film producer, http://www.kylecolson.com/ (Kyle Olson) shares what happened when two World War II Veterans reunited for the first time in 70 years after their inaugural voyage on Navy ship LST-218. Visit http://www.lastsignalmovie.com/ (www.lastsignalmovie.com) for more information then get the popcorn and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZHMQDC1 (download the movie!)
The Military Reunion Network is a community of Veterans interested in, curious about, tasked with, or actively planning their military reunion as well as destinations, hotels, and attractions that understand what they need. Military Reunions are important because the connections made help to reduce Veteran Suicide. We lose an estimated 25 Veterans every day. MRN is committed to helping Veterans stay connected and as a result reducing that statistic
It is possible to plan a virtual military reunion! Suzanne Tyler, Owner of VMA Global Events, shares her tips on making virtual reunions easy and fun. About Suzanne: Suzanne has been in the events industry for close to 40 years. She has been the Owner/President of https://www.vmaglobalevents.com/ (VMA Global Events) since 2016 and recently received her Digital Event Strategist Certification from the Professional Convention Management Association. The Military Reunion Network is a community of Veterans interested in, curious about, tasked with, or actively planning their military reunion as well as destinations, hotels, and attractions that understand what they need. Military Reunions are important because the connections made help to reduce Veteran Suicide. We lose an estimated 25 Veterans every day. MRN is committed to helping Veterans stay connected and as a result reducing that statistic
Military Reunions use buses! Are you contracting with a Broker or Motor Coach Company. Know who you are dealing with and why that is important! About our Guest: Richard Schweitzer is a transportation lawyer with a private practice based in Washington, DC. Since the mid-1990s he has served as General Counsel to the American Bus Association, a trade association representing some 800 companies that provide charter, tour and scheduled bus service throughout the United States. He regularly advises ABA and its member companies on regulatory, commercial and legal issues involving the bus industry.
We visit the MRN Radio Archives to share a conversation with Michelle Lenz. If you are planning a Military Reunion, Church Retreat, Conference, Workshop or Family Reunion This show is a MUST! Thanks to our show sponsor https://radioactivebroadcasting.net/military-first-responder-channel (Military Appreciation Channel). If you love stories about Military Life and the Veteran Community visit the MAC website! You will love it!
This show is for anyone and everyone involved with Military Reunions! Specifically Veterans that are curious about, interested in, or involved with planning one. For more information visit www.militaryreunionnetwork.com