WEBVTT 00:24.710 --> 00:26.190 Hi, my name is Wayne Connell 00:26.190 --> 00:27.023 and I'm the founder 00:27.023 --> 00:29.950 and CEO of the Invisible Disabilities Association. 00:29.950 --> 00:31.740 IDA's just mission is to encourage educate 00:31.740 --> 00:33.510 and connect people in organizations 00:33.510 --> 00:36.580 touched by illness, pain, and disability around the globe. 00:36.580 --> 00:39.160 Thank you for joining me while we explore the heart 00:39.160 --> 00:41.740 of relationships at the Love IDEAS Summit. 00:41.740 --> 00:44.280 Now I'm joined today by five incredible people 00:44.280 --> 00:48.520 who represent five top class veteran support organizations 00:48.520 --> 00:50.423 for the Veterans Round Table. 00:51.359 --> 00:52.270 And I wanna introduce them first to you today. 00:52.270 --> 00:54.630 So we have Major Bonnie Carroll. 00:54.630 --> 00:56.270 She's president and founder of TAPS. 00:56.270 --> 00:58.613 That's the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 00:58.613 --> 01:01.980 and a presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. 01:01.980 --> 01:03.840 We also have Colonel Mikel Burroughs. 01:03.840 --> 01:05.740 He's the chairman of Victory for Veterans. 01:05.740 --> 01:08.400 He's a director of Military Debt Acquisitions 01:08.400 --> 01:10.457 and Aelief for RIP Medical Debt. 01:10.457 --> 01:12.690 And he also runs special phone calls 01:12.690 --> 01:15.320 for veterans dealing with PTSD. 01:15.320 --> 01:18.033 We have Tom Spooner, Delta force, Green beret, 01:18.033 --> 01:19.080 82nd airborne. 01:19.080 --> 01:20.460 Oh my goodness. 01:20.460 --> 01:22.230 Being in country, more than you can imagine. 01:22.230 --> 01:24.090 He's also the co-founder of the Warriors 01:24.090 --> 01:27.990 Heart Treatment Center out of Texas. 01:27.990 --> 01:29.220 And then Heather Ehle. 01:29.220 --> 01:30.800 Who's a nurse 01:30.800 --> 01:34.163 but her passion is really for helping people and veterans. 01:34.163 --> 01:38.700 And she's the CEO and founder of Project Sanctuary. 01:38.700 --> 01:41.570 Then we also have BC Reed. 01:41.570 --> 01:43.580 He's a former US Navy submariner 01:43.580 --> 01:46.440 and co-founder of US for Warriors Foundation 01:46.440 --> 01:48.930 as well as a New York times bestselling author. 01:48.930 --> 01:51.140 We're thrilled to have all five of you together today 01:51.140 --> 01:55.070 on our Love IDEAS, veterans relationship round table. 01:55.070 --> 01:57.770 Thank you so much for being here today. 01:57.770 --> 01:59.510 So I will kind wanna start off with 01:59.510 --> 02:02.060 and I'm gonna have you just kind of introduce yourselves. 02:02.060 --> 02:04.454 So Tom, share with us a little bit about you 02:04.454 --> 02:07.690 and share with us a little bit about 02:07.690 --> 02:09.840 the passion organization that you work for. 02:11.140 --> 02:11.973 Thanks, Wayne. 02:11.973 --> 02:15.780 Yeah, so a little bit about myself is I was in the military 02:15.780 --> 02:18.640 from 1990 to 2011. 02:18.640 --> 02:20.470 Like you said, I was in the 82nd. 02:20.470 --> 02:21.840 I was in special forces. 02:21.840 --> 02:24.640 And then I was in Delta as an operator. 02:24.640 --> 02:29.640 From 2001 to 2011, I did 40 months time in combat, 02:30.047 --> 02:34.098 got to look my fair share of PTs TBI. 02:34.098 --> 02:37.520 And for me, a big passion of mine is sobriety 02:37.520 --> 02:40.130 and helping guys recover from chemical dependencies, 02:40.130 --> 02:43.350 which is one of the biggest killers that we have out there. 02:43.350 --> 02:46.720 And got out in 2011 02:46.720 --> 02:51.650 and did the tactical training business there for a while 02:51.650 --> 02:54.490 to pay the bills until I got everything set up 02:54.490 --> 02:57.960 with the right partners and that we have at Warrior's Heart. 02:57.960 --> 03:01.254 And I'm a creative warrior heart in 2016, 03:01.254 --> 03:05.120 April of 2016 in Bandera Texas. 03:05.120 --> 03:10.120 It's a healing center for active duty military veterans 03:10.290 --> 03:12.671 first responders, law enforcement 03:12.671 --> 03:15.280 to recover from chemical dependencies 03:15.280 --> 03:17.060 and co-occurring conditions 03:17.060 --> 03:19.380 which we all call the invisible wounds of war, 03:19.380 --> 03:24.380 which is PTS, traumatic brain injury, moral grief 03:24.380 --> 03:27.080 and injury and everything that goes along with it. 03:27.080 --> 03:30.190 And that's the short version of me 03:30.190 --> 03:34.440 and the incredible organization that I'm super proud 03:34.440 --> 03:36.040 of called warrior's heart. 03:36.040 --> 03:37.800 Well, it's great to have you. 03:37.800 --> 03:40.000 BC Reed, tell us a little bit about yourself 03:42.160 --> 03:43.323 Great to be here. 03:44.530 --> 03:46.460 Former submariner, Navy diver. 03:46.460 --> 03:48.570 My team did some joint ops 03:48.570 --> 03:50.880 with seal team one back in the day 03:50.880 --> 03:55.570 and having become a veteran understand very clearly 03:55.570 --> 03:57.100 what struggles veterans have. 03:57.100 --> 03:59.360 And so a couple of us got together 03:59.360 --> 04:01.930 and we started what we call us for warriors. 04:01.930 --> 04:05.850 That's US the number for warriors.org. 04:05.850 --> 04:07.320 And we're really passionate 04:07.320 --> 04:09.490 about helping the entire veteran. 04:09.490 --> 04:11.530 A lot of organizations do wonderful work, 04:11.530 --> 04:13.790 but usually for a small percentage of veterans 04:13.790 --> 04:16.130 or for certain type of veteran, 04:16.130 --> 04:19.460 we decided to help the entire community. 04:19.460 --> 04:20.500 And most especially 04:20.500 --> 04:23.980 we spend a lot of time with families of veterans. 04:23.980 --> 04:26.469 They sacrifice as much if not more, 04:26.469 --> 04:28.279 in many cases, the veteran. 04:28.279 --> 04:31.120 So some of the programs 04:31.120 --> 04:34.580 or the usual things helping veterans in need 04:34.580 --> 04:37.610 and so forth, but also we do food for warriors drive. 04:37.610 --> 04:40.970 We work with San Diego County for example, 04:40.970 --> 04:45.820 the veterans community there but also homeless shelters, 04:45.820 --> 04:48.940 as well as the food bank program 04:48.940 --> 04:53.400 you know every month we help veterans in need in that way, 04:53.400 --> 04:55.620 but in almost every way imaginable. 04:55.620 --> 04:57.460 So really passionate about that 04:57.460 --> 05:00.380 and just something that's been wonderful 05:00.380 --> 05:01.970 for us to be able to help. 05:01.970 --> 05:04.310 Well, tell us a little bit about your writing as well. 05:04.310 --> 05:06.520 And by the way, my brother was a submariner. 05:06.520 --> 05:07.760 He was actually on the Queen Fish 05:07.760 --> 05:09.370 and was a nuclear power engineer. 05:09.370 --> 05:11.028 So I have some a little bit ideas 05:11.028 --> 05:12.850 and we got to actually go visit one of them 05:12.850 --> 05:13.700 down in San Diego. 05:13.700 --> 05:15.990 And that was quite a tight quarters. 05:15.990 --> 05:16.910 I can tell you that. 05:16.910 --> 05:19.134 So talk about relationship issues 05:19.134 --> 05:23.370 you know, being on a submarine for six months underwater, 05:23.370 --> 05:25.763 that'll really try any relationship. 05:26.740 --> 05:28.050 You know there were those moments 05:28.050 --> 05:30.660 where it was hard to have a relationship 05:30.660 --> 05:33.516 with the people you spend 90 days under water with. 05:33.516 --> 05:37.310 I mostly write nonfiction writing, occasional novels 05:37.310 --> 05:39.960 but I'm also passionate about 05:39.960 --> 05:43.200 not having these incredible things that veterans 05:43.200 --> 05:47.630 did in many respects, be lost to history. 05:47.630 --> 05:51.203 I'm a historian and just wanted to make sure, 05:52.685 --> 05:54.990 that we didn't reveal anything we shouldn't 05:54.990 --> 05:58.230 but at the same time, not losing these incredible stories. 05:58.230 --> 06:00.640 And so that's what I've been writing about 06:00.640 --> 06:03.947 so that people can understand what veterans did 06:03.947 --> 06:06.370 during the cold war and beyond, 06:06.370 --> 06:08.853 and how important that was to all of us. 06:10.940 --> 06:13.220 Wow, thank you so much for sharing. 06:13.220 --> 06:16.623 Bonnie Carroll share a little bit about the great work 06:16.623 --> 06:19.170 that you're doing with TAPS and yourself. 06:19.170 --> 06:20.003 Well great Wayne. 06:20.003 --> 06:21.240 Thank you so much. 06:21.240 --> 06:22.073 As you said 06:22.073 --> 06:26.360 I'm retired air force, reserve logistics officer 06:26.360 --> 06:29.020 and my husband very tragically died 06:29.020 --> 06:30.610 in the United States army. 06:30.610 --> 06:32.440 He was killed in an army plane crash 06:32.440 --> 06:37.370 along with seven other soldiers that happened back in 1992. 06:37.370 --> 06:41.430 And I very quickly realized back that in the early nineties 06:41.430 --> 06:45.558 there was no organization providing support, comfort, 06:45.558 --> 06:48.390 care for all those grieving the death 06:48.390 --> 06:49.970 of a military Loved one. 06:49.970 --> 06:54.524 So in 1994, now 27 years ago, TAPS was established 06:54.524 --> 06:58.864 to be that direct handoff or military casualty. 06:58.864 --> 07:01.800 Once final honors have been rendered 07:01.800 --> 07:04.530 military government benefits, Abbott administered 07:04.530 --> 07:08.199 to all those who were dependent on that service member 07:08.199 --> 07:11.140 and a Loved one has been laid to rest. 07:11.140 --> 07:15.940 So TAPS is now the program that cares for thousands. 07:15.940 --> 07:20.880 Last year, we had over 7,000 newly bereaved military 07:20.880 --> 07:23.940 surviving family members who came to us for care. 07:23.940 --> 07:26.040 But on a personal note, 07:26.040 --> 07:29.360 I had the chance to spend a year serving in Iraq, 07:29.360 --> 07:32.470 and that was not in my military capacity 07:32.470 --> 07:35.430 but as a department of the army civilian 07:35.430 --> 07:39.230 out of that experience early on in the war 07:39.230 --> 07:41.810 we've expanded now our connections around the world. 07:41.810 --> 07:45.660 So TAPS gives American surviving military families 07:45.660 --> 07:48.430 the opportunity to connect with others, 07:48.430 --> 07:51.170 widows and orphans of war around the world, 07:51.170 --> 07:54.190 and really build bridges and find healing. 07:54.190 --> 07:56.170 So that's what our organization does. 07:56.170 --> 07:58.440 It provides a safe space for the families 07:58.440 --> 08:00.517 of all those grading of laws to come together 08:00.517 --> 08:04.420 to find the resources they need, to grow and to heal 08:04.420 --> 08:07.440 and to most importantly honor their Loved one. 08:07.440 --> 08:09.890 So thanks for having me part of the group today. 08:09.890 --> 08:11.050 Well, we're thrilled to have you Bonnie, 08:11.050 --> 08:12.270 thank you so much. 08:12.270 --> 08:13.413 Colonel Burroughs. 08:15.160 --> 08:16.260 A little background. 08:17.220 --> 08:20.100 I spent 37 years in the military, 08:20.100 --> 08:22.510 Started as a private 1975 08:22.510 --> 08:25.243 and retired as a full bird Colonel in 2012. 08:26.280 --> 08:31.280 Served in Iraq and after I retired in 2012, 08:31.509 --> 08:34.010 we had a tragic event in our family 08:34.010 --> 08:37.870 where my father-in-law, my wife's father died from suicide, 08:37.870 --> 08:39.640 who was a Vietnam veteran. 08:39.640 --> 08:41.830 And at that time I said, you know, 08:41.830 --> 08:44.620 I'm gonna take all of my military experience 08:44.620 --> 08:47.730 and everything that the military has given to me 08:47.730 --> 08:49.440 and try to give it back. 08:49.440 --> 08:53.270 And so four years ago I created Warriors for Life. 08:53.270 --> 08:56.480 It's a virtual online peer to peer support. 08:56.480 --> 08:58.160 We've been doing it for four years now, 08:58.160 --> 08:59.490 we meet five days a week 08:59.490 --> 09:03.870 with veterans that have PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma 09:03.870 --> 09:06.570 any of the other invisible wounds are visible 09:06.570 --> 09:09.780 the invisible disabilities as well as addictions. 09:09.780 --> 09:11.177 And that's going really, really well. 09:11.177 --> 09:14.134 And we're hoping to take it to the next level. 09:14.134 --> 09:16.310 And we connect with veterans all over the United States 09:16.310 --> 09:17.620 and the world. 09:17.620 --> 09:20.230 So we have veterans dialing in from the Philippines, 09:20.230 --> 09:22.265 England, Australia 09:22.265 --> 09:25.304 and we found it to be a really great healing experience. 09:25.304 --> 09:28.370 Tuesday nights, we do healing through faith. 09:28.370 --> 09:30.294 So we have a faith-based night as well 09:30.294 --> 09:33.610 for those that truly believe that their faith 09:33.610 --> 09:36.680 as part of their healing process, which is very important. 09:36.680 --> 09:39.140 And I've also been part of the national veterans 09:39.140 --> 09:41.970 transition service AK reboot out of San Diego. 09:41.970 --> 09:45.550 I've been on that board of directors for five years now, 09:45.550 --> 09:48.000 the chairman of the board for victory, for veterans, 09:48.000 --> 09:50.500 we're going into our fifth year 09:50.500 --> 09:53.547 and warriors for life belongs to victory for veterans. 09:53.547 --> 09:55.210 So, I gifted it to them. 09:55.210 --> 09:58.860 And so it falls under their tutelage. 09:58.860 --> 10:03.340 And I'm also the vice president of acquisitions 10:03.340 --> 10:06.520 for military and civilian debt for our RIP Medical Debt. 10:06.520 --> 10:09.948 And we've abolished a little over $80 million so far 10:09.948 --> 10:12.120 for veterans and their families 10:12.120 --> 10:15.050 that have been under water and healthcare debt. 10:15.050 --> 10:17.813 And we plan on doing a lot more. 10:18.830 --> 10:21.986 The total amount abolished to date is 2.7 billion 10:21.986 --> 10:24.770 across the nation. 10:24.770 --> 10:27.060 So it's been awesome. 10:27.060 --> 10:30.730 And I just Love being a part of what you're doing Wayne 10:30.730 --> 10:32.175 and what Jess is doing. 10:32.175 --> 10:37.175 You know, invisible disabilities reaches so many 10:37.520 --> 10:40.950 of our wounded warriors out there that 10:40.950 --> 10:43.390 you know, where the wounds are here 10:43.390 --> 10:47.100 you know, and it's so important. 10:47.100 --> 10:50.823 And again, you know, thanks for what you do-- 10:50.823 --> 10:51.656 Thanks Mikel. 10:51.656 --> 10:52.540 Thanks for having me. 10:52.540 --> 10:53.710 Thank you very much, Mikel 10:53.710 --> 10:57.260 Heather Ehle, share with us a little bit about yourself. 10:57.260 --> 10:58.860 Why obviously you're passionate 10:58.860 --> 11:02.560 of what you got involved in and about project sanctuary. 11:02.560 --> 11:04.560 Okay, thank you for having us Wayne. 11:04.560 --> 11:08.670 And I'm always honored to be among some truly amazing people 11:08.670 --> 11:10.750 in other organizations. 11:10.750 --> 11:14.116 I'm just humbled to be here and grateful. 11:14.116 --> 11:18.330 I started project sanctuary back in 2007 11:18.330 --> 11:21.880 as a registered nurse operating out of a small clinic 11:21.880 --> 11:23.390 in Estes Park Colorado 11:24.340 --> 11:27.770 military family started showing up with Gulf war illness 11:27.770 --> 11:30.380 and they were searching for support and answers, 11:30.380 --> 11:32.200 and they didn't know why they were sick. 11:32.200 --> 11:34.660 And you typically at a spouse taking notes 11:34.660 --> 11:36.640 and two kids in my waiting room 11:36.640 --> 11:38.920 and they were traveling from states away. 11:38.920 --> 11:40.022 And as a civilian, I was shocked. 11:40.022 --> 11:43.740 I didn't understand why they were seeking care 11:43.740 --> 11:45.280 in our free clinic 11:45.280 --> 11:48.120 and why as a nation, we weren't doing a better job 11:48.120 --> 11:50.360 in supporting our military families 11:50.360 --> 11:53.683 who had obviously sacrificed so much on our behalf. 11:54.960 --> 11:56.650 You fast forward through 911. 11:56.650 --> 11:59.700 And I kept reading statistics and studies 11:59.700 --> 12:02.910 about child abuse and neglect and parents deploying. 12:02.910 --> 12:05.250 And I'm like, Oh my gosh, all those kids in my waiting room, 12:05.250 --> 12:07.380 somebody has got to do something. 12:07.380 --> 12:09.930 Honestly, I just wanted to write a big check. 12:09.930 --> 12:12.260 So I Googled who's helping military family. 12:12.260 --> 12:13.810 So I can just write a good big check 12:13.810 --> 12:15.580 and, you know, have that off my conscience. 12:15.580 --> 12:18.143 And no one was doing anything back then. 12:19.317 --> 12:22.230 We live in the beautiful state of Colorado 12:22.230 --> 12:25.530 and I wanted to take the families up to the mountains 12:25.530 --> 12:27.980 and offer them some respite and tools. 12:27.980 --> 12:28.930 I'm a nurse. 12:28.930 --> 12:31.059 I wanna teach them things 12:31.059 --> 12:33.990 to make sure that the whole family was empowered. 12:33.990 --> 12:36.340 Another part of my background was home care and hospice. 12:36.340 --> 12:39.524 I know that you've got to empower the family 12:39.524 --> 12:40.650 to help them move on. 12:40.650 --> 12:43.340 And I really thought we would just ride horses 12:43.340 --> 12:45.730 and do a couple of classes and not offer support. 12:45.730 --> 12:46.563 And that would be it. 12:46.563 --> 12:48.536 But now we're in eight states 12:48.536 --> 12:53.070 typically offering 30 therapeutic retreats 12:53.070 --> 12:54.910 led by licensed counselors, 12:54.910 --> 12:57.963 social workers, certified rec therapist. 12:59.230 --> 13:01.630 And we're honored to be able to do that for six days, 13:01.630 --> 13:02.953 but then that doesn't stop there 13:02.953 --> 13:04.627 because they kept calling me going 13:04.627 --> 13:07.550 "Miss Heather, but I need gas for my car. 13:07.550 --> 13:08.980 Miss Heather, I need groceries 13:08.980 --> 13:11.257 Miss Heather, we need mental health help." 13:12.670 --> 13:15.597 And we put together a family support program 13:15.597 --> 13:19.009 to make sure that these families could continue 13:19.009 --> 13:20.910 on their journey of healing 13:20.910 --> 13:23.390 because they are living with post traumatic stress 13:23.390 --> 13:24.980 and traumatic brain injury 13:24.980 --> 13:28.110 and military sexual trauma and moral injury. 13:28.110 --> 13:30.220 And a lot of that filters down through the family 13:30.220 --> 13:33.460 so that you're seeing a lot of that with the spouses 13:33.460 --> 13:36.980 and the kiddos to, with secondary post trauma. 13:36.980 --> 13:39.000 And now I'm watching my kids 13:39.000 --> 13:43.951 for my therapeutic groups grow up, get married and deploy. 13:43.951 --> 13:45.100 They're enlisting. 13:45.100 --> 13:47.050 I'm watching a second generation. 13:47.050 --> 13:48.650 So no pressure for any of us, 13:48.650 --> 13:51.130 but we're actually having an effect on 13:51.130 --> 13:52.430 a whole nother generation 13:52.430 --> 13:54.830 because we've been doing this a long 13:54.830 --> 13:58.380 but I'm happy to say my kiddos seem to be doing pretty well. 13:58.380 --> 14:02.010 They're resilient because their families address 14:02.010 --> 14:03.510 their mental health 14:03.510 --> 14:06.933 and they took the necessary steps to be a healthier family. 14:07.820 --> 14:11.140 So I've actually got an optimistic outlook 14:11.140 --> 14:12.750 on our next generation 14:12.750 --> 14:15.205 and where they're headed and their resilience. 14:15.205 --> 14:17.080 Well, thank you so much Ehle, that's awesome. 14:17.080 --> 14:19.130 I really want to kind of dive into some of our questions 14:19.130 --> 14:20.760 and anybody can take this first. 14:20.760 --> 14:21.593 You know, 14:21.593 --> 14:24.750 what is the impact of social distancing and isolation 14:24.750 --> 14:27.460 on that veteran and family relationship right now? 14:27.460 --> 14:28.430 Whoever wants to dive in, 14:28.430 --> 14:31.223 make sure you unmute yourself and jump right in. 14:33.680 --> 14:35.485 Well, since I'm already unmuted. 14:35.485 --> 14:39.790 Yeah, it's, you can't tell a veteran to go at home 14:39.790 --> 14:43.660 sit in the basement and not interact with anybody 14:43.660 --> 14:45.440 that is a recipe for disaster. 14:45.440 --> 14:47.870 And then adding the children into the mix 14:47.870 --> 14:51.660 and homeschooling and the lack of interaction 14:51.660 --> 14:54.210 they need people they're so, 14:54.210 --> 14:58.180 it's so easy for them to retreat back into the basement 14:58.180 --> 15:01.000 that that's the wrong direction for any of them. 15:01.000 --> 15:03.380 So we immediately ramped up programs 15:03.380 --> 15:05.480 as I'm sure everyone here on this call 15:05.480 --> 15:08.260 did to make sure that there was some connection 15:08.260 --> 15:10.390 and there was some human interface 15:10.390 --> 15:11.870 whether that was a phone call 15:11.870 --> 15:15.350 or zoom meetings or whatever we could do 15:15.350 --> 15:17.570 to make sure that they didn't feel trapped 15:17.570 --> 15:20.060 and that they had other options. 15:20.060 --> 15:21.740 Yeah, somebody else. 15:21.740 --> 15:23.930 Yeah and Heather, thank you for that. 15:23.930 --> 15:25.640 And you're exactly right. 15:25.640 --> 15:27.390 For our surviving families being there 15:27.390 --> 15:29.530 kind of on the, you know, on the other end of it. 15:29.530 --> 15:34.060 And in many cases we're already living in isolation 15:34.060 --> 15:35.210 through their grief 15:35.210 --> 15:38.210 and have experienced a very complicated loss. 15:38.210 --> 15:41.860 In many cases, they were with cases, they were caregivers 15:41.860 --> 15:44.820 to those who were ill or injured 15:44.820 --> 15:47.210 or living with post traumatic stress. 15:47.210 --> 15:51.020 And now that world has become even more isolated. 15:51.020 --> 15:55.060 So since COVID, we have really ramped up outreach efforts, 15:55.060 --> 15:57.510 really trying to get to folks in their homes 15:57.510 --> 15:59.420 to find out what the needs are, 15:59.420 --> 16:01.090 so that we can be there for them 16:01.090 --> 16:03.160 and walk this journey of right alongside them, 16:03.160 --> 16:05.910 whether it's some kind of new financial need 16:05.910 --> 16:10.530 or it's emotional support, however, we can lessen that, 16:10.530 --> 16:13.258 that burden of the anxiety and the depression 16:13.258 --> 16:15.743 but recognize also the military families 16:15.743 --> 16:20.060 as you just said, you know, can be resilient. 16:20.060 --> 16:22.580 And that the rest of the population now may be dealing 16:22.580 --> 16:24.140 with this for the first time 16:24.140 --> 16:27.960 has a lot to learn from the military experience. 16:27.960 --> 16:29.840 So a lot that we can offer 16:29.840 --> 16:34.580 and a lot of care that actually has been stepped up 16:34.580 --> 16:38.880 at a time when everybody else is kind of stepping back. 16:38.880 --> 16:39.790 Hey Tom you, 16:39.790 --> 16:42.040 I know you have an inpatient treatment facility. 16:42.040 --> 16:42.873 Does that also, 16:42.873 --> 16:44.870 do you have an external piece of that as well? 16:44.870 --> 16:47.550 So what does that look like from your aspect? 16:47.550 --> 16:49.040 Yeah, thanks Wayne. 16:49.040 --> 16:52.260 And you know, the big deal with the folks that come, 16:52.260 --> 16:54.880 the warriors that come here is, you know 16:54.880 --> 16:55.750 they were in a position, 16:55.750 --> 16:58.800 they can't self recover, you know, I mean all the wonderful 16:58.800 --> 17:00.680 the retreats and all this stuff, that's right. 17:00.680 --> 17:02.040 There a lot of folks need, 17:02.040 --> 17:05.010 there's a category of them that can't self recover. 17:05.010 --> 17:05.843 You know 17:05.843 --> 17:09.670 they need a 42 day inpatient treatment to clean them up, 17:09.670 --> 17:11.940 train them up, get them back to their families, 17:11.940 --> 17:13.860 back into what's going on. 17:13.860 --> 17:16.246 And as it relates to COVID, you know, 17:16.246 --> 17:18.791 a lot of places shut down. 17:18.791 --> 17:20.397 They absolutely did. 17:20.397 --> 17:22.264 We stayed open. 17:22.264 --> 17:25.810 We consider ourselves obviously an essential service 17:25.810 --> 17:28.564 because our warriors 17:28.564 --> 17:30.560 and their family members don't seek our kind of help 17:30.560 --> 17:31.850 that everyone on here is getting, 17:31.850 --> 17:33.840 because they just wanna feel better. 17:33.840 --> 17:35.620 A lot of times they're fighting for their lives. 17:35.620 --> 17:37.740 They're fighting for their families, their mental health, 17:37.740 --> 17:41.370 their emotional health, financial, every piece about it. 17:41.370 --> 17:42.570 And so, you know, 17:42.570 --> 17:44.635 we noticed with all the other facilities 17:44.635 --> 17:48.173 to include some VA facilities you know, closing down, 17:49.210 --> 17:50.770 the folks just had nowhere to go. 17:50.770 --> 17:51.870 And like everyone said 17:51.870 --> 17:54.680 we're, they're already in a position of isolation. 17:54.680 --> 17:55.690 And now when you tell them 17:55.690 --> 17:58.720 that, okay, the answer to these problems is to isolate 17:58.720 --> 18:00.980 you know, that never just works out good at all. 18:00.980 --> 18:04.230 So, we were very proud that we stayed open. 18:04.230 --> 18:07.170 We've had to deal with COVID here at our facility. 18:07.170 --> 18:09.460 In the past, we adjusted, we adapted 18:09.460 --> 18:12.560 and we created a wing for that was COVID positive. 18:12.560 --> 18:13.393 You know what I mean, 18:13.393 --> 18:14.970 we just kept adapting and moving on 18:14.970 --> 18:17.870 because there is, we can not stop the mission 18:17.870 --> 18:20.260 just like everyone that's on this panel 18:20.260 --> 18:22.440 and everything that you do Wayne is, you know, 18:22.440 --> 18:26.160 no matter what's going on in the world we adapt 18:26.160 --> 18:29.114 and we figure it out and we keep pushing. 18:29.114 --> 18:32.210 And we really noticed, 18:32.210 --> 18:33.943 I mean now we have just an example is, 18:33.943 --> 18:36.880 I mean, we have 55 warriors in house 18:36.880 --> 18:38.480 with 30 on the waiting list. 18:38.480 --> 18:39.765 You know what I mean, 18:39.765 --> 18:41.240 it's just a one hand. 18:41.240 --> 18:42.073 That's great. 18:42.073 --> 18:43.620 Hey, that means we're doing the right thing. 18:43.620 --> 18:46.910 And everyone is wanting to come here for that type 18:46.910 --> 18:47.920 of treatment. 18:47.920 --> 18:51.530 And at the same time, you know, it's just, you know, 18:51.530 --> 18:54.730 the folks that we have here are the ones that end up 18:54.730 --> 18:57.430 potentially becoming that veteran suicide rate. 18:57.430 --> 19:01.700 You know, when you mix alcohol and drugs to TBI and PTS 19:01.700 --> 19:04.038 then that's the combo that, you know 19:04.038 --> 19:06.630 that usually it usually takes them. 19:06.630 --> 19:10.980 But anyway, but we're strong, we're moving forward 19:10.980 --> 19:14.740 we're open, we're central and we're not going anywhere. 19:14.740 --> 19:15.650 And yeah. 19:16.923 --> 19:18.590 And we're very proud of that. 19:18.590 --> 19:19.423 All right. 19:19.423 --> 19:20.256 Awesome, Tom 19:20.256 --> 19:21.483 Mikel or BC. 19:22.760 --> 19:24.940 Yeah, I mean, I guess, 19:24.940 --> 19:28.680 we were just lucky four years ago to create something online 19:28.680 --> 19:32.600 because it's really kind of fit well 19:32.600 --> 19:34.170 with the current situation 19:34.170 --> 19:36.020 you know, with COVID and everything like that. 19:36.020 --> 19:39.560 And especially with a lot of the VA centers, you know, 19:39.560 --> 19:43.996 we advise all of our veterans 19:43.996 --> 19:45.610 and our first responders and caretakers. 19:45.610 --> 19:47.300 We're just not open to veterans. 19:47.300 --> 19:50.840 We're open to a whole plethora of individuals 19:50.840 --> 19:53.380 that are suffering from a traumatic brain injury 19:53.380 --> 19:54.400 or from PTS. 19:54.400 --> 19:58.327 And, you know, a lot of the VA centers were closed down. 19:58.327 --> 20:01.790 And so for people to come in 20:01.790 --> 20:04.126 and be able to get on their phone or on their PC, 20:04.126 --> 20:07.628 on their laptop and from the comfort of their home 20:07.628 --> 20:10.100 and connect with other individuals that are going 20:10.100 --> 20:13.270 through the same thing that peer to peer bonding 20:13.270 --> 20:15.080 is so strong. 20:15.080 --> 20:20.080 And I just wanna tell all everybody on the call here 20:20.100 --> 20:24.200 you know, you are more than welcome to send people our way. 20:24.200 --> 20:26.230 We Love to connect with new veterans. 20:26.230 --> 20:31.230 And just like the program that, you know, we've got going on 20:32.457 --> 20:35.295 with Tom down here in Texas, 20:35.295 --> 20:38.220 we're getting ready to open up a wellness center 20:38.220 --> 20:39.950 in Costa Rica. 20:39.950 --> 20:43.755 We just finished purchasing 166 acres down there 20:43.755 --> 20:46.250 along the Pacific ocean 20:46.250 --> 20:48.663 and the Southern part on the OSA peninsula. 20:48.663 --> 20:53.130 And we wanna be able to treat the veterans 20:53.130 --> 20:58.130 for the addiction, alcohol and drug, as well as PTS and TBI 20:58.560 --> 21:00.200 and the invisible disability. 21:00.200 --> 21:04.810 So I find these kinds of calls great, because you, you know 21:04.810 --> 21:08.210 you can collaborate and I'd Love to see what Tom's doing 21:08.210 --> 21:09.800 and if Tom's doing something great 21:09.800 --> 21:11.560 you know, we don't wanna reinvent the wheel. 21:11.560 --> 21:14.970 You know maybe we can partner and, you know 21:14.970 --> 21:17.160 set that program up down there in Costa Rica 21:17.160 --> 21:19.479 but we wanna be able to fly veterans in free. 21:19.479 --> 21:21.920 And we wanna be able to put them through the program 21:21.920 --> 21:25.100 either six weeks or 12 weeks, however long, 21:25.100 --> 21:27.880 you know, at no charge, you know, 21:27.880 --> 21:31.640 and that's a big thing to bite off, but, you know, 21:31.640 --> 21:33.900 that's the direction that we're headed in. 21:33.900 --> 21:37.950 And we call it the learning training readiness center. 21:37.950 --> 21:39.140 So when they come down, 21:39.140 --> 21:41.740 not only will be working on the addictions 21:41.740 --> 21:45.460 and the drug addiction programs and all that 21:45.460 --> 21:47.150 but we're gonna be training them 21:47.150 --> 21:49.190 in the trades and we're gonna have them working 21:49.190 --> 21:50.710 as they're going through treatment. 21:50.710 --> 21:52.980 You know, you put those two things together 21:52.980 --> 21:55.995 and I think that builds a successful program. 21:55.995 --> 21:58.470 And, you know, so-- 21:58.470 --> 21:59.719 That sounds great, Mikel. 21:59.719 --> 22:02.440 I appreciate that, you know, that passion that you have 22:02.440 --> 22:05.500 obviously that the day, you know, I always liked to. 22:05.500 --> 22:07.700 I liked like your term, you always talk about that. 22:07.700 --> 22:08.560 This is your passion. 22:08.560 --> 22:11.346 Tell you, fold your flag, and that's a big deal. 22:11.346 --> 22:12.810 And I appreciate that. 22:12.810 --> 22:14.290 So, BC, what are your thoughts 22:14.290 --> 22:17.269 and how is a US for working in this area 22:17.269 --> 22:19.630 and about the isolation, right? 22:19.630 --> 22:22.030 Because I can tell you, you know, even my 22:22.030 --> 22:25.010 you know, my wife being chronically ill for 30 years 22:25.010 --> 22:28.370 you know, she has been social, we've been social isolating 22:28.370 --> 22:31.290 for, you know, social distancing for 20+ years. 22:31.290 --> 22:32.510 And what we don't wanna do 22:32.510 --> 22:33.990 is we get through this as you're right. 22:33.990 --> 22:36.043 Everybody's experiencing it 22:36.043 --> 22:38.180 is that when we get on the backside of it, 22:38.180 --> 22:39.240 that when we come out of this 22:39.240 --> 22:41.570 that we don't forget the people that are still doing it 22:41.570 --> 22:44.130 because they don't have a choice, or they're still dealing 22:44.130 --> 22:47.920 with PTS or depression or anxiety, or those fears. 22:47.920 --> 22:49.300 And we'll have a new group of people 22:49.300 --> 22:50.940 that have never experienced it before. 22:50.940 --> 22:52.110 That will be continuing on, 22:52.110 --> 22:54.980 including in the veterans and their families. 22:54.980 --> 22:56.080 No question. 22:56.080 --> 22:59.980 We were implementing programs years prior 22:59.980 --> 23:04.000 to the pandemic to deal with stress and anxiety 23:04.000 --> 23:09.000 and also believe it or not a lot of poverty level shortages 23:09.180 --> 23:11.250 not only active military 23:11.250 --> 23:14.960 but veterans are at the poverty level or below. 23:14.960 --> 23:17.550 And we're struggling to even put food on the table 23:17.550 --> 23:20.690 which is where our food for warriors program came from. 23:20.690 --> 23:23.410 But when the pandemic started 23:23.410 --> 23:26.070 of course, we've seen a dramatic escalation 23:26.070 --> 23:28.272 in the stress and anxiety levels. 23:28.272 --> 23:31.770 So we have to look at how we can help with that. 23:31.770 --> 23:36.770 But also we had shortages in trying to help those 23:37.310 --> 23:41.240 with shortages, just getting staples, like toilet paper 23:41.240 --> 23:44.630 et cetera, in those early days were really quite a struggle. 23:44.630 --> 23:49.630 So adapting to that was a difficult challenge. 23:50.340 --> 23:52.510 And also the way we implemented 23:52.510 --> 23:56.150 it was we had a large table set up 23:56.150 --> 24:00.397 in various different locations and veterans 24:00.397 --> 24:04.950 and their families would come to those locations in person. 24:04.950 --> 24:07.330 Well, how do you deal with that when you're in a pandemic? 24:07.330 --> 24:10.540 So we had to figure out how to get creative 24:10.540 --> 24:14.850 to maintain social distancing and safety 24:14.850 --> 24:18.960 as a real key issue, to be able to help these veterans. 24:18.960 --> 24:20.737 So it was quite a challenge, but we figured it out 24:20.737 --> 24:23.700 and today doing just fine with these programs. 24:23.700 --> 24:25.500 Well that's fantastic. 24:25.500 --> 24:26.870 So I wanna kinda go onto the next one 24:26.870 --> 24:29.323 which is really talking about the increased risk of PTSD, 24:29.323 --> 24:32.480 fear, anxiety, addiction, and suicide. 24:32.480 --> 24:34.606 We kind of all kind of touched on that. 24:34.606 --> 24:38.540 You know, I saw a recent statistic that 31% of couples 24:38.540 --> 24:42.650 feel that due to COVID, that there's been irreparable damage 24:42.650 --> 24:44.150 to their relationships. 24:44.150 --> 24:46.240 And, you know, I think about, you know 24:46.240 --> 24:48.470 as I think Heather mentioned about the whole aspect 24:48.470 --> 24:51.790 of now, all of a sudden you're together all the time. 24:51.790 --> 24:53.660 And, that everybody was like 24:53.660 --> 24:55.650 Oh, that's so exciting for the first couple of weeks, 24:55.650 --> 24:56.840 our whole family is eating together. 24:56.840 --> 24:58.903 We're all excited and everything. 24:58.903 --> 25:00.101 And next thing, you know 25:00.101 --> 25:01.737 it's like, Oh my goodness, we're all stuck together. 25:01.737 --> 25:02.710 And now it becomes the opposite, right? 25:02.710 --> 25:04.650 And how do you get away 25:04.650 --> 25:07.440 and, you know, go for the drive or whatever that is 25:07.440 --> 25:12.340 but they increased impact of suicide and on this anxiety. 25:12.340 --> 25:13.173 And I mean 25:13.173 --> 25:16.015 it was difficult enough before what's that impact? 25:16.015 --> 25:19.940 And what is your thoughts in you know, ex you know, 25:19.940 --> 25:21.030 I consider you guys experts 25:21.030 --> 25:23.387 and really dealing with this whole area. 25:23.387 --> 25:24.810 So, you know, somebody wants to jump in 25:25.969 --> 25:27.673 and please, you know, kind of start talking about that. 25:32.025 --> 25:34.520 Wayne, just from a survivor perspective 25:34.520 --> 25:37.490 that we are seeing, you know, at the backend of that, 25:37.490 --> 25:40.300 an explosive rate of the number of suicide losses 25:40.300 --> 25:43.330 in the military, and it is absolutely devastating. 25:43.330 --> 25:45.550 We just wrapped up last week 25:45.550 --> 25:49.170 and our 12th annual national gathering of suicide, 25:49.170 --> 25:50.480 surviving family members. 25:50.480 --> 25:52.960 We now have over 16,000, 25:52.960 --> 25:56.053 but then the cops who are grieving the death of a Loved one 25:56.053 --> 25:57.430 in the military to suicide. 25:57.430 --> 26:01.190 I currently serve on the prevents task force 26:01.190 --> 26:05.430 which is the VA's roadmap to end the tragedy of suicide. 26:05.430 --> 26:08.290 So, what we're doing, that's a little bit unique 26:08.290 --> 26:11.180 that may be of interest is we're taking the insights 26:11.180 --> 26:12.490 of those surviving families 26:12.490 --> 26:14.624 who've lost a Loved one to suicide 26:14.624 --> 26:17.340 and asking them to look back 26:17.340 --> 26:19.730 at their Loved one's entire experience. 26:19.730 --> 26:22.459 All of the factors that may have come into play 26:22.459 --> 26:27.120 that may have contributed in some way to their suicide. 26:27.120 --> 26:30.640 And we're using that to inform the military 26:30.640 --> 26:33.560 and the veterans community on prevention efforts 26:33.560 --> 26:36.510 ways that really can get to the root of the problem. 26:36.510 --> 26:38.600 And then there are wonderful programs 26:38.600 --> 26:40.720 like what Heather is doing for families 26:40.720 --> 26:42.490 to heal the whole family 26:42.490 --> 26:44.760 to bring it all back around. 26:44.760 --> 26:48.300 But what that does for our survivors is it empowers them. 26:48.300 --> 26:51.510 It gives them the feeling that I couldn't say my Loved one 26:51.510 --> 26:54.480 but maybe I can save someone else. 26:54.480 --> 26:56.498 So we do this as a community. 26:56.498 --> 26:57.773 We, you know 26:57.773 --> 27:01.790 just hope and pray that we can save lives every day. 27:01.790 --> 27:05.850 And thank you for shedding light on this and awareness. 27:05.850 --> 27:07.333 It's so important. 27:09.209 --> 27:10.333 Thank you, Bonnie. 27:11.490 --> 27:12.450 Yeah, thank you Bonnie. 27:12.450 --> 27:15.342 I would Love to have that data too. 27:15.342 --> 27:18.640 What important and crucial work 27:18.640 --> 27:21.390 that you're doing in any insights 27:22.547 --> 27:25.060 and we're seeing families is Wayne said 27:25.060 --> 27:26.673 just begging for help. 27:27.520 --> 27:28.770 We also are essential. 27:28.770 --> 27:30.070 We did not take time off. 27:30.070 --> 27:32.580 We took, I think, four weeks off simply 27:32.580 --> 27:36.170 because we had to, and then Georgia called our bluff 27:36.170 --> 27:38.903 and we were immediately hosting retreats in May. 27:39.830 --> 27:40.850 We do them smaller. 27:40.850 --> 27:42.720 We keep it safe. 27:42.720 --> 27:45.330 We've posted 13 more retreats. 27:45.330 --> 27:47.360 Families are jockeying for position. 27:47.360 --> 27:48.193 They're like 27:48.193 --> 27:50.040 I don't care if you're full, already bought my tickets. 27:50.040 --> 27:51.970 I'm gonna be there. 27:51.970 --> 27:53.120 We're critical. 27:53.120 --> 27:54.710 We've got to be there. 27:54.710 --> 27:58.270 We've had people call up with, we just attempted suicide, 27:58.270 --> 27:59.103 last week. 27:59.103 --> 27:59.936 You have to get us in. 27:59.936 --> 28:01.610 Nobody understands. 28:01.610 --> 28:05.010 So there's also that isolation of people don't understand. 28:05.010 --> 28:07.860 And I think there's always that roadblock 28:07.860 --> 28:10.096 also within the military community 28:10.096 --> 28:13.082 that civilians won't understand. 28:13.082 --> 28:16.760 So overcoming those feelings 28:16.760 --> 28:19.380 and being a place in and opening the door 28:19.380 --> 28:20.930 Tom, we Love your program. 28:20.930 --> 28:24.690 I wish I could run through about half of my participants 28:24.690 --> 28:27.210 because a lot of times they come to us in crisis 28:27.210 --> 28:29.703 and we're like, we're not the only ones helping 28:29.703 --> 28:32.510 there's Tom and his warrior's heart. 28:32.510 --> 28:35.040 Here's another amazing organization. 28:35.040 --> 28:38.981 And we tag team with Bonnie and TAPS as well 28:38.981 --> 28:41.720 just to make sure these families understand 28:41.720 --> 28:43.440 during this critical time 28:43.440 --> 28:46.962 that there are many organizations doing wonderful work 28:46.962 --> 28:50.500 and it is stressful, but they're not alone. 28:50.500 --> 28:52.050 And I think that's the message that 28:52.050 --> 28:55.700 we really need to get out there is that anxiety 28:55.700 --> 28:58.910 and depression, social isolization, 28:58.910 --> 29:00.600 post-traumatic stress from mi. 29:00.600 --> 29:04.270 It's all okay and people understand. 29:04.270 --> 29:07.186 Well, you know, Heather, something is happening right 29:07.186 --> 29:08.019 in today because of this. 29:08.019 --> 29:10.170 There's a lot of PTSD happening across the board, 29:10.170 --> 29:11.720 not just in the veteran space, right? 29:11.720 --> 29:15.973 So hopefully that'll bring some additional understanding 29:15.973 --> 29:19.270 you know, with everything everybody's going through 29:19.270 --> 29:20.270 right now. 29:20.270 --> 29:22.140 So, Tom, I mean, you know, obviously 29:22.140 --> 29:23.910 that's gotta be an area you talked about 29:23.910 --> 29:26.450 and the impact is these, these veterans are coming in 29:26.450 --> 29:29.900 this is a last ditch effort for some of them, I would guess. 29:29.900 --> 29:33.390 Yeah, it is when there's a, you know, we have 29:33.390 --> 29:35.930 we meet every client that comes here 29:35.930 --> 29:39.010 where they're at that includes, you know 29:39.010 --> 29:41.090 got to come in off the streets, you know 29:41.090 --> 29:43.200 all the way to someone who's on active duty. 29:43.200 --> 29:45.360 That's just having struggles that, you know 29:45.360 --> 29:48.000 had no that burned it all in yet, you know. 29:48.000 --> 29:50.440 So meet them where they're at. 29:50.440 --> 29:53.090 And back to that part that you said 29:53.090 --> 29:55.700 know with everyone's struggling with the isolation 29:55.700 --> 29:59.340 but also be in a lack of a better word step together 29:59.340 --> 30:01.140 you know, so much family time that 30:01.140 --> 30:02.737 they don't know really know what to do with it. 30:02.737 --> 30:04.830 You know, the thing that comes up 30:04.830 --> 30:08.980 for me and that we see is that it just exposes 30:08.980 --> 30:11.840 the need for the tools that these families 30:11.840 --> 30:16.622 and these individuals need an emotional and mental 30:16.622 --> 30:18.570 and even spiritual health. 30:18.570 --> 30:19.480 If that's, 30:19.480 --> 30:21.590 if, you know, I mean, if that's what they're into 30:21.590 --> 30:24.390 you know, whatever we'll always come back to the thing, 30:24.390 --> 30:26.140 if they is what you're doing is working 30:26.140 --> 30:29.550 then keep on going, you know, and if it's not working 30:29.550 --> 30:31.360 then Hey, let's look at something else. 30:31.360 --> 30:33.283 You know, and it's again, 30:34.117 --> 30:35.620 the benefit is that, you know, we've been dealing 30:35.620 --> 30:39.410 with these topics that COVID brought up, 30:39.410 --> 30:42.140 you know, we've been doing that for decades, 30:42.140 --> 30:44.280 you know, within these populations. 30:44.280 --> 30:47.210 So we do have a lot to offer to the community. 30:47.210 --> 30:50.744 We do share, you know, outside of the realms 30:50.744 --> 30:54.460 of the warrior population and those families 30:54.460 --> 30:56.170 with our communities and everything else 30:56.170 --> 30:59.980 but online, like what Mikel was saying, they have going on. 30:59.980 --> 31:04.980 You know, it was a, that's really where all these assets 31:05.060 --> 31:05.893 are available 31:05.893 --> 31:08.008 and all these other amazing organizations 31:08.008 --> 31:10.840 the only online thing that we have going on, 31:10.840 --> 31:13.450 we created warriors anonymous. 31:13.450 --> 31:17.010 Again our specialty is in the chemical dependency department 31:17.010 --> 31:19.340 but it bleeds over into everything else. 31:19.340 --> 31:22.252 And there's a lot of online meetings again, 31:22.252 --> 31:25.620 back to the importance of the peer to peer network 31:25.620 --> 31:29.050 which then we know once healing occurs with our folks 31:29.050 --> 31:31.805 that we're treating, whoever all of us on here are doing it, 31:31.805 --> 31:34.640 it compounds into the community 31:34.640 --> 31:37.040 because they've become better community members. 31:37.040 --> 31:40.280 They, you know, it's just, it's not rocket science, you know 31:40.280 --> 31:42.512 it's like, Hey, let's just help each other out 31:42.512 --> 31:45.484 and continue to do that along the way 31:45.484 --> 31:47.980 in our whole communities end up getting better. 31:47.980 --> 31:50.760 You know, and I personally believe that, 31:50.760 --> 31:54.580 you know as veterans law enforcement, first responders, 31:54.580 --> 31:58.330 all of over EMT, hospital workers, all of that, you know 31:58.330 --> 32:01.020 we're situated to deal with this kind of stress. 32:01.020 --> 32:04.250 And therefore we are in the position to take lead 32:05.740 --> 32:06.573 on pay. 32:06.573 --> 32:10.120 How do we, as we begin to solve these problems, you know 32:10.120 --> 32:10.983 and a lot of it, 32:10.983 --> 32:14.640 it goes right back to all the wonderful stuff that's online, 32:14.640 --> 32:17.377 you know with just a click, you can get involved. 32:17.377 --> 32:19.640 It kinda, is it the best? 32:19.640 --> 32:21.600 No face-to-face is always best. 32:21.600 --> 32:23.780 You know, it was really aggravating for me at first 32:23.780 --> 32:25.790 when they started closing down all kinds of meetings, 32:25.790 --> 32:29.400 but Hey, I have to it's way better than nothing, 32:29.400 --> 32:31.020 you know, and-- 32:31.020 --> 32:32.800 Right, well, I think it, Tom 32:32.800 --> 32:35.940 you know, I've actually, I've reached out to more friends 32:35.940 --> 32:37.560 and seeing them face to face 32:37.560 --> 32:40.490 than I have in a long time, right on zoom. 32:40.490 --> 32:41.990 I mean, people that I haven't talked to in years, 32:41.990 --> 32:43.780 and also now we're meeting on a regular basis. 32:43.780 --> 32:44.970 So I get that. 32:44.970 --> 32:47.530 And I do Love the fact that when you guys are talking about, 32:47.530 --> 32:50.930 you do have experience with things like trauma and PTSD 32:50.930 --> 32:54.517 and anxiety and fear that the general public does not. 32:54.517 --> 32:58.360 And so what a great opportunity as leaders, 32:58.360 --> 33:01.430 which, you know, I always have looked up to people 33:01.430 --> 33:02.990 that are veterans to say, Oh my goodness. 33:02.990 --> 33:04.950 I mean, they are taught how to be leader 33:04.950 --> 33:07.830 from the moment they step in the first day, right? 33:07.830 --> 33:09.150 Do you use that leadership 33:09.150 --> 33:11.570 as an impact in our society to look at and say, 33:11.570 --> 33:13.410 Hey, you know what you're doing? 33:13.410 --> 33:14.243 I mean, I think of it. 33:14.243 --> 33:16.760 Our nonprofit is we're not here to reinvent any wheels. 33:16.760 --> 33:19.020 We're saying these are great organizations. 33:19.020 --> 33:21.390 That's what we Love to do is honor what you're doing. 33:21.390 --> 33:22.230 And I remember Tom 33:22.230 --> 33:24.090 even when you received our invisible heroes award 33:24.090 --> 33:26.530 you said you were so excited about getting the award 33:26.530 --> 33:28.713 because it was the first time you got an award 33:28.713 --> 33:30.350 from a non-veteran organization. 33:30.350 --> 33:31.270 It was a big deal. 33:31.270 --> 33:33.598 And it really is because for us 33:33.598 --> 33:37.080 there's a common human experience of anxiety and fear 33:37.080 --> 33:40.290 and PTSD and things like that, that people don't understand 33:40.290 --> 33:42.880 but you guys are on the front lines every day 33:42.880 --> 33:45.440 helping people to work through that. 33:45.440 --> 33:48.510 So Mikel or BC, what do you think about that whole aspect 33:48.510 --> 33:50.230 of the impact of, you know, obviously 33:50.230 --> 33:53.480 on the, when it comes to the suicide rates and those things 33:53.480 --> 33:55.562 and what you can do as an organization? 33:55.562 --> 33:58.250 Yeah, Wayne, I think you hit it right on the head. 33:58.250 --> 34:03.250 It's the leadership aspect that virtually all the veterans 34:03.577 --> 34:07.270 and their families that we interface with 34:07.270 --> 34:09.320 like you said, they've been taught to be leaders. 34:09.320 --> 34:11.260 And so it's difficult. 34:11.260 --> 34:12.420 It's humbling for them. 34:12.420 --> 34:14.720 It's hard for them to reach out and ask for help 34:14.720 --> 34:18.550 because that's not the way that they were trained 34:18.550 --> 34:20.120 in the military. 34:20.120 --> 34:24.140 And so, yes, a lot of our programs are designed 34:24.140 --> 34:26.620 for the handout when they are in need 34:26.620 --> 34:29.580 and help them through that difficult time. 34:29.580 --> 34:34.400 But most of our programs are designed for a hand up 34:34.400 --> 34:36.602 helping them to get back to where 34:36.602 --> 34:40.122 they feel they are leaders, 34:40.122 --> 34:42.090 not only of their own lives, 34:42.090 --> 34:45.210 but within their families, within their community, 34:45.210 --> 34:48.100 our jobs for warriors program, for example, 34:48.100 --> 34:50.450 to help them to get back on their own two feet. 34:51.780 --> 34:52.998 Ever since COVID hit 34:52.998 --> 34:56.540 a number of our facilitators, by the way, 34:56.540 --> 34:59.748 Christopher st. John part of your program there 34:59.748 --> 35:03.168 is one of my facilitators on Sunday night. 35:03.168 --> 35:05.110 We've just 35:05.110 --> 35:09.470 we've covered a lot of things that families can do 35:09.470 --> 35:11.800 you know, during this pandemic right? 35:11.800 --> 35:13.440 And just educational things 35:13.440 --> 35:15.470 you know, what can you do as far as, you know, 35:15.470 --> 35:17.330 getting out of the house, you know 35:17.330 --> 35:19.486 getting involved with nature, you know, 35:19.486 --> 35:22.540 whatever it takes, you know 35:22.540 --> 35:27.151 and we've had a number of those sessions, you know 35:27.151 --> 35:29.920 five days a week to really kind of get that information 35:29.920 --> 35:33.120 out and educate and keep people connected with the fact 35:33.120 --> 35:36.155 that, Hey, there are things that you can do okay? 35:36.155 --> 35:37.530 As a family 35:37.530 --> 35:42.170 or by yourself, or with one or two members, you know 35:42.170 --> 35:44.860 and, you know, we just got to work together on this. 35:44.860 --> 35:46.610 We got to continue to work together on this. 35:46.610 --> 35:51.332 And I and it's that we all knew, you know, 35:51.332 --> 35:53.410 when we were a tribe, right? 35:53.410 --> 35:55.070 When we were serving on active duty, 35:55.070 --> 35:57.270 we were part of a tribe, you know, 35:57.270 --> 36:01.036 and I've studied a lot of that, you know, the tribal stuff. 36:01.036 --> 36:04.530 And what we're trying to do with warriors for life 36:04.530 --> 36:06.940 is say, Hey, look, the tribe doesn't have to end 36:06.940 --> 36:09.670 when you get that DD form 214, right? 36:09.670 --> 36:11.700 We can continue the tribe. 36:11.700 --> 36:13.220 And that's what we're trying to do 36:13.220 --> 36:15.938 is just keep those people, keep them connected 36:15.938 --> 36:18.596 all walks of life, all different experiences. 36:18.596 --> 36:21.913 And when they share their stories man, 36:22.940 --> 36:24.360 you could feel the healing. 36:24.360 --> 36:26.820 I mean, I, when I get off those calls on a Saturday night 36:26.820 --> 36:30.003 and I do every Saturday night for the last four years. 36:30.970 --> 36:35.970 I am so moved, you know, by what people have gone through 36:38.200 --> 36:41.010 what they're doing today to manage 36:41.010 --> 36:43.260 you know, and how they're fighting. 36:43.260 --> 36:45.760 So our warriors out there they fight 36:45.760 --> 36:47.930 and just like Tom said 36:47.930 --> 36:48.980 there might be some crippling 36:48.980 --> 36:51.812 things out there that are holding them back, you know 36:51.812 --> 36:53.030 with the addiction and the alcohol and stuff like that. 36:53.030 --> 36:56.050 But deep down, deep inside they're fighters. 36:56.050 --> 36:57.950 Okay, Love it. 36:57.950 --> 36:59.290 You know, I think Mikel, you know 36:59.290 --> 37:00.730 one of the things about Invisible Disabilities 37:00.730 --> 37:02.730 is we're about believing people, right? 37:02.730 --> 37:04.930 And believing when people say I can do this 37:04.930 --> 37:06.040 or I can't do that. 37:06.040 --> 37:07.500 And we're about validating, right? 37:07.500 --> 37:08.990 I hear all the time that well, 37:08.990 --> 37:10.850 people only want to talk about their illness. 37:10.850 --> 37:12.940 You know, they're just wanting attention. 37:12.940 --> 37:15.400 And I always say, no, the reason why they're talking 37:15.400 --> 37:17.710 about us, 'cause you're not listening. 37:17.710 --> 37:18.543 And you know, 37:18.543 --> 37:21.210 one of our speakers at our, one of the main presenters 37:21.210 --> 37:23.040 for this Love IDEAS wrote a book called 37:23.040 --> 37:25.300 you know, Oh, now I'm gonna forget what the name 37:25.300 --> 37:27.510 of the book is, but it's all about validation. 37:27.510 --> 37:30.140 And it's called, "I Hear You by Mikel Sorenson". 37:30.140 --> 37:31.910 And it really is about listening. 37:31.910 --> 37:33.900 And as you mentioned, one of the great things that you're 37:33.900 --> 37:35.400 when you can recreate these communities 37:35.400 --> 37:36.980 is that the community, it's what Heather's doing 37:36.980 --> 37:40.570 with bringing together the whole family and extended family. 37:40.570 --> 37:43.710 You know, it's the grace of the Bonnie you're talking about 37:43.710 --> 37:47.310 how do you reach out and get them involved in their tragedy? 37:47.310 --> 37:49.516 Do you use that for something for good, right? 37:49.516 --> 37:50.670 But it is. 37:50.670 --> 37:51.530 It's about listening. 37:51.530 --> 37:52.670 It's about coming together. 37:52.670 --> 37:55.140 It's about building a relationship. 37:55.140 --> 37:56.790 And I think a big part of what we do 37:56.790 --> 37:58.630 is we've been separated is, 37:58.630 --> 38:01.660 is that one of the things that people are clamoring at home? 38:01.660 --> 38:03.530 How do I get involved, right? 38:03.530 --> 38:04.440 I wanna get involved. 38:04.440 --> 38:06.290 I don't wanna be sitting around doing nothing. 38:06.290 --> 38:09.120 You know, you talked about the warrior aspect, you know 38:09.120 --> 38:12.410 they were, they it's ingrained to do something 38:12.410 --> 38:15.120 and to do something for good, right? 38:15.120 --> 38:17.930 To do something for good and to not allow, 38:17.930 --> 38:20.240 talk about the fix it mentality, right? 38:20.240 --> 38:21.960 It's really about what can I do? 38:21.960 --> 38:25.520 So what I want you to do is as we kind of get cold culture 38:25.520 --> 38:28.150 a little wrapping this up here is easily to go around 38:28.150 --> 38:29.870 and say, you know, tell us about 38:29.870 --> 38:31.790 how do we find out about your organization? 38:31.790 --> 38:34.655 You know, what's your website, what's those, you know 38:34.655 --> 38:37.085 what are a couple of great programs you're doing 38:37.085 --> 38:39.100 and how can people get involved in your program 38:39.100 --> 38:41.100 to help your people that you're helping? 38:41.100 --> 38:43.483 So Bonnie, if you wanna just lead off with that, 38:43.483 --> 38:44.900 that would be great. 38:44.900 --> 38:46.393 Sure, glad to Wayne, 38:46.393 --> 38:48.339 you can easily find TAPS. 38:48.339 --> 38:50.664 Our website is taps.org, 38:50.664 --> 38:53.120 social media @tapsorg. 38:53.120 --> 38:54.770 And we have a whole page 38:54.770 --> 38:57.790 that is really been a wonderful resource. 38:57.790 --> 39:00.443 Even outside the military it's taps.org/covid. 39:00.443 --> 39:03.159 It's got an awful lot of resources there 39:03.159 --> 39:06.920 for all those who are struggling with the isolation 39:06.920 --> 39:07.960 and anxiety. 39:07.960 --> 39:09.610 And also with the losses 39:09.610 --> 39:14.610 that haven't occurred by 220,000+ American families. 39:14.910 --> 39:19.840 We have a fantastic resource at taps.org/suicide 39:19.840 --> 39:23.480 wonderful support available for all those who are struggling 39:23.480 --> 39:24.912 with suicidal ideation attempt 39:24.912 --> 39:28.680 or who have lost a Loved one to suicide. 39:28.680 --> 39:29.950 You know, right now 39:29.950 --> 39:32.450 we are doing a lot of our programming virtually, 39:32.450 --> 39:34.649 and we've learned that it actually is opened 39:34.649 --> 39:39.649 our availability for so many more families to attend. 39:40.030 --> 39:41.760 You know, when we do regional seminars 39:41.760 --> 39:43.940 we now have people from around the country 39:43.940 --> 39:46.550 who are coming into these zoom safe spaces 39:46.550 --> 39:49.383 and being there as others have said 39:49.383 --> 39:53.140 to share their experiences, to pour their hearts out, 39:53.140 --> 39:55.570 to find out that they're not alone. 39:55.570 --> 39:58.550 We even have sessions for kids, family programs 39:58.550 --> 40:01.610 where we're teaching the parent, the coping strategies 40:01.610 --> 40:04.650 while the kids are having a chance to connect with others 40:04.650 --> 40:08.165 who speak their language at their age appropriate group. 40:08.165 --> 40:12.190 Our helpline is 24/7 and (800) 959-8277. 40:14.095 --> 40:17.610 That's 80959 TAPS. 40:17.610 --> 40:21.747 And again, lots of resources online@taps.org. 40:21.747 --> 40:23.410 Oh, thank you so much, Bonnie. 40:23.410 --> 40:24.610 Hey, Tom, you wanna share a little bit 40:24.610 --> 40:27.514 about how we can find out more about where you're sorry. 40:27.514 --> 40:29.810 Now, people in support your organization. 40:29.810 --> 40:32.520 Now, how people can find out about Warrior's Heart is 40:32.520 --> 40:36.140 at warriorsheart.com is the easiest way. 40:36.140 --> 40:38.350 There's a phone number that'll be on there also. 40:38.350 --> 40:41.980 But the biggest thing about calling that number 40:41.980 --> 40:45.720 and checking out the site is just seeing what's going on. 40:45.720 --> 40:47.530 And if anyone has any questions 40:47.530 --> 40:51.030 you know, our admissions advocates are just that 40:51.030 --> 40:53.270 they advocate for our folks. 40:53.270 --> 40:54.940 You know, so even 40:54.940 --> 40:57.607 if it's a question, if a family member has a question 40:57.607 --> 40:59.680 obviously if someone needs help 40:59.680 --> 41:00.770 and they want to get enrolled 41:00.770 --> 41:02.560 or whatever they wanna do 41:02.560 --> 41:05.290 just go to warriorsheart.com and check that out. 41:05.290 --> 41:07.780 And just always remember that it's a, you know, 41:07.780 --> 41:09.930 we get stronger by healing, you know 41:09.930 --> 41:11.663 strength through healing. 41:11.663 --> 41:13.388 And we don't do that alone. 41:13.388 --> 41:16.900 It takes, like I said, I always said it takes a village 41:16.900 --> 41:17.733 it takes a tribe. 41:17.733 --> 41:19.740 And it takes all of us that are on this call 41:19.740 --> 41:21.990 and countless others, you know. 41:21.990 --> 41:24.667 And yeah. 41:24.667 --> 41:27.168 And that's how you can find out about us. 41:27.168 --> 41:29.760 (indistinct) 41:29.760 --> 41:31.760 Hey, Colonel, share a little bit about 41:32.706 --> 41:34.680 a couple of the organizations that you're involved in 41:34.680 --> 41:37.170 and how people can support them. 41:37.170 --> 41:41.407 Well, the National Veterans Transition Service, AKA Reboot 41:41.407 --> 41:45.020 you know, pretty much you can get out on the web. 41:45.020 --> 41:46.890 They've been around for 11 years, 41:46.890 --> 41:50.480 they're doing a great job of bringing in veterans off 41:50.480 --> 41:53.380 active duty, veterans off the street, transitioning them, 41:53.380 --> 41:56.597 getting them back to work, fantastic organization. 41:56.597 --> 42:00.050 And honestly, you know, the face-to-face was great. 42:00.050 --> 42:02.570 The three week boot camp program was great. 42:02.570 --> 42:04.470 But now with the zoom, 42:04.470 --> 42:06.640 we're reaching everybody, you know, all over the nation 42:06.640 --> 42:08.450 you know, people are coming in into the workshop. 42:08.450 --> 42:09.922 So that's really awesome. 42:09.922 --> 42:13.010 Victory for veterans.org. 42:13.010 --> 42:15.070 Just the way it sounds all spelled out 42:15.070 --> 42:16.903 victoryforveterans.org. 42:17.890 --> 42:20.760 We've got a page on there where 42:20.760 --> 42:22.930 if people want to get involved with Warriors for Life 42:22.930 --> 42:26.009 they can just click on and it sends a private message. 42:26.009 --> 42:28.540 We get in contact with them and we, 42:28.540 --> 42:31.340 you know, start introducing them to the various nights 42:31.340 --> 42:33.330 and what we have going on. 42:33.330 --> 42:37.040 And of course, you know, I talked about Costa Rica. 42:37.040 --> 42:38.990 We also have got a PR 42:38.990 --> 42:41.830 we're working on trying to open up 30 wellness centers 42:41.830 --> 42:42.810 across the country 42:42.810 --> 42:45.710 and all the wellness centers that we wanna open up 42:45.710 --> 42:50.100 across the country will be in high veteran population areas. 42:50.100 --> 42:52.630 And we wanna just provide holistic services. 42:52.630 --> 42:55.960 Okay, so we've got a lot of really cool things happening. 42:55.960 --> 43:00.127 And then the last one is coursed RIP medical debt. 43:00.127 --> 43:02.396 You can look it up on the website. 43:02.396 --> 43:07.280 We have literally thousands and thousands and thousands 43:07.280 --> 43:09.530 of people that are donating every day 43:09.530 --> 43:12.060 to abolish healthcare debt in this country. 43:12.060 --> 43:13.750 And we know that's a problem. 43:13.750 --> 43:14.740 You know, that's a problem 43:14.740 --> 43:18.500 but a lot of people didn't realize it is really struggling 43:18.500 --> 43:20.390 for some of our veterans, you know 43:20.390 --> 43:22.961 especially our disabled veterans that have a family 43:22.961 --> 43:25.690 of one or two or three or four people, 43:25.690 --> 43:28.230 the veterans covered by the VA, but the family's not 43:28.230 --> 43:30.570 and they're under water, you know, with this healthcare. 43:30.570 --> 43:33.140 So it's just amazing. 43:33.140 --> 43:35.250 Those are the cool things that we've got going on. 43:35.250 --> 43:38.760 And I just Love the fact that I got to connect 43:38.760 --> 43:40.890 with all these other heroes on here. 43:40.890 --> 43:41.775 Thank you. 43:41.775 --> 43:42.608 Awesome, so a BC 43:42.608 --> 43:43.590 you wanna share some about 43:43.590 --> 43:46.470 how we can find out more about your organization. 43:46.470 --> 43:50.123 Us for warriors.org, that's US the number 43:50.123 --> 43:53.872 4warriors.org, that's 4warriors.org. 43:53.872 --> 43:57.420 And you can donate there and all proceeds 43:57.420 --> 44:01.070 from my books actually go to veterans and their families. 44:01.070 --> 44:03.610 We have a number of ways that you can help out 44:03.610 --> 44:05.140 our jobs for warriors. 44:05.140 --> 44:07.750 If you know of any jobs that are available, 44:07.750 --> 44:08.870 that would be wonderful. 44:08.870 --> 44:09.990 And also the food for warriors 44:09.990 --> 44:11.720 would look for donations there. 44:11.720 --> 44:15.500 So contribute as best you can, 44:15.500 --> 44:17.270 because we're trying to help lawyers 44:17.270 --> 44:19.890 in every aspect and in especially families. 44:19.890 --> 44:20.780 Thanks. 44:20.780 --> 44:22.373 Awesome, and Heather. 44:23.840 --> 44:28.840 Yes, so we are still actively hosting retreats 44:29.970 --> 44:32.650 across the country except for Washington State 44:32.650 --> 44:34.880 in California, because they're special. 44:34.880 --> 44:37.024 They're working out their stuff, 44:37.024 --> 44:39.260 we're making it work. 44:39.260 --> 44:42.070 We also launched a Facebook page 44:42.070 --> 44:45.060 PS Wellness Matters and open that up 44:45.060 --> 44:47.833 to not just our families, that any military family 44:47.833 --> 44:51.220 we do things like meditation Monday 44:51.220 --> 44:53.800 twisty Tuesday, which is yoga, 44:53.800 --> 44:57.097 wellness. Wednesday, we bring in spirituality 44:57.097 --> 45:01.890 nutrition because healing should be for everyone 45:01.890 --> 45:04.740 and encompass all aspects. 45:04.740 --> 45:06.900 We also have a caregiver support group. 45:06.900 --> 45:08.610 And then through our family support, 45:08.610 --> 45:11.038 we've actually launched a couple of 45:11.038 --> 45:13.180 destination resource weekends 45:13.180 --> 45:15.720 and have successfully hosted those as well. 45:15.720 --> 45:17.600 Or you bring in partner organizations 45:17.600 --> 45:19.230 and we do goal setting with families. 45:19.230 --> 45:20.320 What are your roadblocks? 45:20.320 --> 45:21.760 What are your barriers? 45:21.760 --> 45:23.770 All right, these are the people that you can work 45:23.770 --> 45:27.830 with tomorrow and meet with them and move forward. 45:27.830 --> 45:29.943 Because being stuck is not an option. 45:30.840 --> 45:33.374 People can reach out to us through projectsanctuary.us. 45:33.374 --> 45:36.320 If you do a quick Google search project 45:36.320 --> 45:37.800 sanctuary military families 45:37.800 --> 45:39.870 anything like that, that's gonna come up. 45:39.870 --> 45:42.200 We're always looking for volunteers. 45:42.200 --> 45:45.210 I believe everybody has an ability 45:45.210 --> 45:49.442 wherever they are to give back, help do more. 45:49.442 --> 45:51.680 And it's a win-win situation. 45:51.680 --> 45:55.340 When people show up at our retreats to wash some dishes 45:55.340 --> 45:57.380 or read a book to a kid, 45:57.380 --> 45:59.210 then that sends a really strong message back 45:59.210 --> 46:01.690 to our military families that they're not forgotten 46:01.690 --> 46:04.880 and that people care. 46:04.880 --> 46:08.091 And I think that's what they need to know right now 46:08.091 --> 46:09.760 more than anything. 46:09.760 --> 46:12.300 So there's lots of ways to volunteer, 46:12.300 --> 46:13.870 get involved and give back. 46:13.870 --> 46:15.846 And it's projectsanctuary.us. 46:15.846 --> 46:18.630 And let's all send a clear message that it's 46:18.630 --> 46:21.383 about the ability and that people aren't forgotten. 46:22.260 --> 46:23.782 Well, thank you so much, everybody. 46:23.782 --> 46:25.990 By the way, you know, you're all upon 46:25.990 --> 46:28.212 obviously the Love IDEAS that website, 46:28.212 --> 46:31.350 there's a links to all of your social media, 46:31.350 --> 46:32.183 to your websites. 46:32.183 --> 46:33.016 (soft background music) 46:33.016 --> 46:35.030 You know, 'cause what we want to do is really highlight 46:35.030 --> 46:35.940 in invisible this suppose. 46:35.940 --> 46:38.340 We want to really highlight all the great work you're doing 46:38.340 --> 46:41.670 and I'm so thrilled to have you as part of this, you know 46:41.670 --> 46:43.760 one of the questions I was gonna ask is, 46:43.760 --> 46:45.770 why are you passionate about helping veterans? 46:45.770 --> 46:47.340 Well, that's been answered. 46:47.340 --> 46:48.540 I don't know how many times. 46:48.540 --> 46:50.492 I mean, the reality is that 46:50.492 --> 46:53.280 you know, if you've been there yourself, you get it 46:53.280 --> 46:54.900 and you understand that 46:54.900 --> 46:58.490 how important valuable people are, right? 46:58.490 --> 46:59.690 That's one of the things we talk about 46:59.690 --> 47:00.700 Invisible Disabilities. 47:00.700 --> 47:04.260 People have value and their value is not based upon, 47:04.260 --> 47:07.210 how productive they are or what mountain they're climbing 47:07.210 --> 47:08.838 or any of those things, 47:08.838 --> 47:10.250 because they're part of this amazing human race 47:10.250 --> 47:12.000 and they just have value. 47:12.000 --> 47:13.810 I always say spend 30 minutes with somebody 47:13.810 --> 47:15.107 who's been chronically ill for 30 years 47:15.107 --> 47:17.180 and your life will be transformed. 47:17.180 --> 47:20.123 I mean, they are like the most amazing project managers 47:20.123 --> 47:22.070 and warriors you've ever met. 47:22.070 --> 47:23.150 And I get that. 47:23.150 --> 47:23.983 And so I, 47:23.983 --> 47:26.640 we're just thrilled at Invisible Disabilities to partner 47:26.640 --> 47:29.084 with your great organizations. 47:29.084 --> 47:32.370 You know, we really hope that this Love IDEAS Summit 47:32.370 --> 47:34.740 and the relationships 47:34.740 --> 47:36.660 people have an opportunity to glean something 47:36.660 --> 47:39.020 from what we just talked about and those things to say, 47:39.020 --> 47:40.580 Hey, you're not alone, right? 47:40.580 --> 47:43.590 In this whole journey, your relationships are important. 47:43.590 --> 47:45.810 Not only with you, but with the community 47:45.810 --> 47:47.710 but with you and with your families. 47:47.710 --> 47:50.544 And I really appreciate all of you being part of this. 47:50.544 --> 47:54.516 And it's just great to be part of the relationship, 47:54.516 --> 47:57.280 one of the Veterans Relationship Roundtable. 47:57.280 --> 47:58.300 And thank you very much 47:58.300 --> 48:00.832 so much for everybody being part of this. 48:00.832 --> 48:05.082 ( soft background music continues)