Episode 004: History Repeating Itself: Exposure to Burn Pits and the Legacy of Agent Orange with Rosie Torres, Executive Director of Burn Pits 360.
Release Date: 10/16/2020
Episode 28: Seeking Innovative Approaches to Veteran Mental Health and Wellness: A conversation with Adam Marr, co-host of the Tango Alpha Lima Podcast
Service Before Self Podcast
Episode 28 is a conversation with Adam Marr, co-host of The American Legion's podcast, Tango Alpha Lima, (https://tangoalphalima.fireside.fm/episodes) and Director of Operations for the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition (https://vmhlc.org/). Adam will share his personal journey of transition and reintegration and his work in promoting research and increasing access to innovative approaches to enhancing the mental health and wellness of veterans.
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Episode 27: Driven by Equity: Maximizing Opportunities for Veterans in New Jersey
Service Before Self Podcast
As we look toward Veterans' Day, this is an opportunity to showcase the work of Dixon Center and our partners in creating opportunities for veterans and their families. We are also introducing the newest member of Dixon Center's team and highlighting how, on this Veterans' Day, you can go beyond just thanking veterans for their service.
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Episode 26, A Conversation with Danielle Applegate from National Coalition of Homeless Veterans
Service Before Self Podcast
Today we tackle the challenges of veteran homelessness with our guest, Danielle Applegate, chairperson of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV). Danielle will share a personal story of how homelessness impacts both veterans and non-veterans alike but also how there are resources and strategies available that can provide a way out. She will also share the work of NCHV and if you are part of an organization that may be tackling homelessness in your community, how NCHV can help. You can connect with NCHV at their website, NCHV.ORG.
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Episode 25, A Conversation with Jennifer Grubb
Service Before Self Podcast
Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosts a conversation with Jennifer Grubb--combat veteran, veteran advocate, registered nurse, wife, and mother. Jennifer shares her candid, raw, and thought-provoking experience of reintegration following military service. She pulls no punches but also demonstrates her resiliency and the potential of our military-connected community. Listen more than once and encourage others to listen as well.
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A Conversation with Secretary Patrick J. Murphy
Service Before Self Podcast
A conversation with Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, former Under Secretary of the Army and a leading advocate for veterans and their families. Secretary Murphy is the Chairman of Task Force Movement, www.taskforcemovement.org, an organization that is creating successful careers for the military-connected community in transportation, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
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Episode 23, A Conversation with Robin Kelleher, CEO of HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS
Service Before Self Podcast
A conversation with Robin Kelleher, Co-Founder and CEO of HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, recipient of the 2023 Eugene and Ruth Freedman Leadership Award.
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Episode 022: Connecting to the Military and Veteran Community
Service Before Self Podcast
Psych/Armor educates and trains organizations on how to better understand and connect with military-connected individuals: transitioning service members, military spouses, veterans, and their families. Listen to Tina explain how her family’s history of military service and her experiences as a military spouse created opportunities to ensure that veterans and their families reach their full potential. Key Takeaways: [3:30] Tina shares what motivated her to assist and support veterans and their families. [9:51] Tina explains how she started Psych/Armor, a nonprofit organization. [11:17]...
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Episode 021: K9 for Warriors with Carl Cricco and John Tappan
Service Before Self Podcast
In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by , the CEO of , and , a Navy veteran who has directly felt the impact of K9 for Warriors in supporting veterans and their families. K9 for Warriors is the largest provider of service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma. Carl shares K9’s history, approach, and impact, and John, as someone who has a service dog from K9s for warriors, shares his inspiring story and how his dog, Henry, made all the difference in the world for him on his journey of healing...
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Episode 020: A Story of Healing Emotional and Physical Trauma
Service Before Self Podcast
In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by and . Joshua and Stephen are the director and writer of the new film . Joshua and Stephen discuss their new movie, which will be launched in theaters on June 9th, 2023. Mending the Line is the story of a marine who’s been wounded in Afghanistan and has now been sent to a VA facility in Montana, where he meets a Vietnam veteran who teaches him how to fly fish to deal with his emotional and physical trauma. Key Takeaways: [5:23] What brought Stephen to this particular subject? [7:42] Joshua shares his motivation...
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Episode 19: Veterans helping Veterans become Entrepreneurs with Colonel Scott Jensen, National Veteran Small Business Coalition
Service Before Self Podcast
In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is continuing a conversation that was started several months ago regarding the opportunities that are available for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses who want to become entrepreneurs and small businesses owners. This time, Col. Sam welcomes to talk about the opportunities for Federal Contracting, which has the amount of $30 billion a year set aside in contracting for veterans to own small businesses. Key Takeaways: [3:45] Col. Scott shares his story. [7:07] Col. Scott talks about who he...
info_outlineColonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst, your host, is joined today by Rosie Torres, the executive director of Burn Pits 360, a nonprofit organization that gives voice to veterans and their families that are dealing with the effects of exposure to burn pits while deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Rosie, and her husband, Captain (Ret.) Le Roy Torres, know firsthand the effects of burn pits to your health and they also know the challenges of trying to find treatment and support from the VA. Le Roy deployed to Balad, Iraq from 2007-2008 where he was daily exposed to the toxic, noxious smoke produced by one of the largest burn pits in Iraq. He began showing symptoms of respiratory disease while deployed and subsequently has been diagnosed with Constrictive Bronchiolitis and Toxic Brain Injury. After experiencing delay, denial of benefits, and ineffective treatment from his physicians, Le Roy alongside his wife, Rosie, founded Burn Pits 360.
Veterans across the country are struggling to get the VA to recognize that the debilitating and sometimes deadly illnesses caused by their exposure to burn pits is connected to their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just like our Vietnam Veterans, who were denied benefits from their exposure to Agent Orange, history, unfortunately, is repeating itself.
Rosie shares her and her husband’s struggle to get the VA to recognize and treat his illnesses and the illnesses and diseases of other veterans who were exposed to the smoke produced by burn pits. She also discusses and shares key advice on starting a nonprofit to support veterans and provides information on how you can help Congress and the VA to finally address this very serious and pressing issue.
Key Takeaways:
[1:09] The terrible consequences of the exposure to Agent Orange for veterans in service during the Vietnam War.
[4:11] History is about to repeat itself: Burn pits used in Iraq and Afghanistan created a smoked filled with dioxin.
[6:45] Rosie shares about creating Burn Pits 360.
[10:58] Rosie talks about the challenges that her husband and her encounter in this process with the VA after his return from Iraq.
[14:26] Rosie talks about the process of proving that her husband’s lung disease was connected to exposure.
[19:05] The scientific evidence vs the VA’s will to grant presumption.
[22:35] Rosie talks about the effects of combustion burning.
[25:13] Rosie shares about the work she was doing with Jon Stewart
[27:44] How can you help in moving the legislation along?
[30:07] Rosie shares the lessons learned just by standing up with Burn Pits 360.
[34:01] Burn Pits 360: A passion and purpose-driven organization.
[35:30] Meet veterans on November 11th at Washington to encourage the members of Congress to hold accountable and support their constituency.
Mentioned in this episode:
Dixon Center: Reaching America
At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live.
Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership.
Jon Stewart, Kirsten Gillibrand Press Conference Transcript: Burn Pit Relief for Veterans
Tweetables and quotes:
“There is no way that we can look away and allow this to happen”
“Access to specialized healthcare in regard to toxic exposure continues to be the biggest challenge for veterans:”
“The smell and look of the smoke that was produced by the burn pits was enough to know it was not right, not normal.”
“Burn Pits 360 Is a passion-driven organization, led by personal experience.”