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This week’s Borne the Battle episode features Marine Corps Veteran Scott Stump, who discusses his military career to becoming President and CEO of the National Desert Storm Memorial Association. Stump became intrigued with joining the military while in college and soon decided to follow in the footsteps of several family members who served before him. Stump discusses serving 4 1/2 years in the Marine Corps Reserve, being activated for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, learning valuable lessons in the military, and transitioning into civilian life.While on active duty, Stump was so dedicated to finish his college degree that he would complete assignments right in the fighting hole. In the episode, he shares an interesting story about the conversation he had with the dean of his school on a field phone while serving overseas. Stump also provides a surprising fact about how Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield reshaped the relationship between the American public and those who serve in the military. Later on, Stump talks about how the air campaign's effectiveness helped save his life and many American soldiers' lives in Desert Storm also referred to as the 100-hour ground war. Also, Stump discusses how he got the idea for building the memorial in 2010, after actively serving in Kuwait for six months and working in business for many years. He would soon begin devoting his time to lead the project and in its 11th year, became the CEO and president. He shares the importance of selecting the right board members for the project, honoring Desert Storm Veterans with a memorial, and the process for getting the memorial approved and funded.The memorial is set to break ground this year and will be near the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. Stump explains that the goal of the memorial is to encourage visitors to educate themselves about the events of Desert Storm and Desert Shield, support the nearly 700,000 Desert Storm Veterans and honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to their country.Finally, Stump shares advice on how Veteran volunteers can become actively involved in the project, how larger Veteran Service Organizations have been major contributors in its funding, and how potential donors can have public recognition on-site at the memorial.Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Marine Corps Veteran General Walter Boomer Additional Links: VA expands access to telehealth services during COVID-19 pandemic for older, rural, and homeless Veterans VA, Fitbit help support Veteran health and wellness during COVID-19 pandemic Op-Ed by Scott Stump https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-man-heads-up-efforts-to-build-desert-storm-memorial https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2020/02/26/desert-storm-memorial-receives-10-million-pledge-from-kuwait/ https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=62216 https://www.military.com/history/operation-desert-storm-6-things-know   

This week's Borne the Battle episode features Navy Veteran and New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr. He discusses his dreams of becoming a Navy SEAL and author. Through his enthusiasm for reading and on military-science novels, Carr's dreams became a reality.Carr's two career goals were inspired by two people. The first person was his grandfather, a Marine who fought and died during World War II. The second person was his mother, a librarian who instilled in him a love of reading. It was this love that helped him on his path to reading about and eventually joining Navy SEAL teams.During his Navy SEAL career, Carr led special operations teams as a team leader, platoon commander, troop commander, task unit commander, operations officer and executive officer. In the interview, he shares how his military experience and travels allowed him to develop and share realistic stories for his novels.Additionally, he shares his mindset about his military transition, tips for entering the publishing world and how combining all his previous experiences led him to publish three political thrillers. His fourth novel is scheduled to be released in April.In addition, he supports Veterans through his own unique merchandise, where 100% of the profits go to Veteran-related charities. He is also an ambassador for the Rescue 22 Foundation. A SEAL teammate who trained a service dog for Jack's special needs child introduced him to the foundation.Finally, he shared the story and business behind Chris Pratt optioning his book for an upcoming series on Amazon Prime.Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:All Desert Storm and Desert Shield VeteransMentioned in this Episode: VA updates welcome kit for Veterans and families VA resumes overpayment notifications while continuing relief options for Veterans VA administers over 146,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to date 

As we say hello to 2021, we look back and see who made the list for Tanner's Top 10 of 2020.

Every five weeks Borne the Battle goes internal and breaks down a VA benefit, program, or office. These are the most downloaded Benefits Breakdown episodes of 2020. 

Snippets of Borne the Battle's most downloaded interviews of 2020. The list may surprise you.

Vietnam War Navy Veteran Dave Hume suffered a major stroke while admitted to James Haley Veterans’ Hospital on Feb. 2, 2017. Nurses and doctors rushed to Hume’s side and managed to stabilize his condition. But when the doctors came the next morning to check his condition, Hume realized that he could not speak.After his stroke, Hume was diagnosed with Global Aphasia, a communication disorder which impairs a patient’s ability to process language. Unable to express any words or ideas, Hume thought his life was over. Yet, three days after his stroke, he met the person who would prove him wrong.On this week’s episode of Borne the Battle, Navy Veteran and stroke survivor Dave Hume shares the journey of how he went from only expressing three words after his stroke to writing his own blog and becoming a motivational speaker. Pathologist Karyn Pingel, who joins him on this episode, is at the center of his rehabilitative journey.Pingel works closely with Hume to help him relearn how to speak and read. Under her guidance, Hume has made impressive progress. He actively writes a blog and talks to doctors and medical students interested in speech therapy.The two developed a close relationship and Hume happily calls Pingel a close friend. Even with COVID-19 keeping them apart, Pingel utilizes VA Telehealth Services to continue Hume’s therapy routine.Pingel notes that any Veteran enrolled for healthcare with the Veterans Health Administration is eligible to receive VA speech language pathology services if they need help in any of the following areas: Speech Language Swallowing Voice Cognitive-communication disorders Hume and Pingel hope his story will inspire other Veterans eligible for pathology services to begin talking with their primary or specialty care providers to get a referral.Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Air Force Veteran Chuck Yeager Additional Links: Borne the Battle episode 160: Benefits Breakdown, Assistive Technology Program  82.6% of people have never heard the term “Aphasia” An interview Dave Hume gave alongside his wife, Kathy Hume, in 2018

US Army and Delta Force Veteran Tom Satterly and his spouse Jen Satterly are the co-founders and co-CEOs of All Secure Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on helping Special Operations soldiers, Veterans and their significant others who are struggling on the home front from the effects of war.Tom served in the Army for 25 years, including 20 years in Delta Force. He served in the Battle of Mogadishu – which was portrayed in the 2001 Oscar-winning film, Black Hawk Down – and Operation Red Dawn, which led to the capture of Saddam Hussein. December 13 marks the 17th anniversary of Operation Red Dawn.Jen is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker who spent three years embedded with an elite Special Operations training company as director of film and photography. She became a Certified Health Coach in the course of her research into Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).When Tom retired from military service, he felt like a burden to society. Early on in Tom and Jen's relationship, he was on the verge of ending his life. Then he received a text from Jen. That text snapped him back to reality, saving his life.Tom's mental health struggles resulted in court-mandated therapy. In therapy, he discovered the root of his issues: Post Traumatic Stress. Relieved to have something to focus on treating, the Satterlys began a journey toward healing themselves, as well as other couples suffering from the effects of war.The Satterlys’ experience with PTS pushed them to establish the All Secure Foundation (ASF) in 2017, which helps warrior couples heal from trauma caused by disconnection and war. They decided to bring their passion for service to the Special Operations community by supporting their fellow warrior families at home.The ASF seeks to foster understanding of trauma and PTS as natural, biological responses to war that cannot be willed away. If the warrior is the only one who receives help, the home will still have issues; therefore, they offer support and treatment for spouses who suffer secondary PTS. The foundation offers retreats and therapy to aid warrior couples through learning, practice and community.In this episode, the Satterlys discuss Tom’s unique military career, Jen’s filmmaking career, writing a book as an untrained writer, their journey with PTS, and the founding of the All Secure Foundation.Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Army Veteran Herman L. AdamsMentioned in this episode: VA Connected Care Warrior’s Heart Recent Benefits Breakdown Episodes BtB Episode #220: Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act BtB Episode #215: Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program BtB Episode #211: VA Debt Management Center

Army Reservist and National Guard Veteran, Ja'net Bishop Ed.D, shares how the sudden loss of her husband compelled her to reflect on what the next transition in her life would be, and how she transformed her pain into purpose and became a volunteer with the American Red Cross. She breaks down the This is Freedom resiliency training workshop and how she helps Veteran inmates in Ridgeville, South Carolina. Bishop shares how these Veterans open up and trust her in order to accept help. She continues to work as a volunteer, to help guide incarcerated Veterans toward a successful and purposeful civilian life.The American Red Cross resiliency training program for inmate Veterans is unique. Bishop shares advice to individuals and volunteers interested in implementing the same program and how they can begin the process of helping inmate Veterans navigate their lives as civilians.Starting out as the oldest and only girl in her family, Bishop joined the military to blaze a trail for herself and develop leadership skills. She discusses her experience of serving 18 years in the Army Reserve and National Guard, being activated in support of Operation Desert Storm, and transitioning into civilian life.After the military, Bishop had the opportunity to earn her Master of Education degree in guidance and counseling from Campbell University. She shares why she became inspired to work in community and mental health counseling and how she was recruited to work in the school system—forever changing her life.Borne the Battle Veteran of the WeekMarine Corps Veteran Bill WoodsAdditional Links American Red Cross Hero Care Center In South Carolina, Red Cross Hosting Stress-Management Virtual Resiliency Workshop for Coping During COVID-19 for the Military Community Vantage Point Foundation Op-Ed by Ja’net Bishop, PhD

Air Force Veteran Mark Harper found his niche as a content creator for combat camera. After leaving service, he leveraged his military experience for a career in the entertainment industry. He now leads a media company that publishes military stories.The son of a green beret, Harper earned his undergraduate degree and commission through Air Force ROTC at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. The 9/11 attacks prompted his deployment to Iraq as part of a communication squadron. In 2004, his animations, cartoons and videos received recognition, and he was referred to and joined combat camera. For most of his Air Force career, Captain Harper was the video flight commander for the 1st Combat Camera Squadron.In combat camera, Harper led combat-ready documentary teams that showed the world a glimpse into military operations, contingencies, exercises, weapons tests, and humanitarian relief operations. He used his position and leadership to teach Air Force commanders how useful media is for missions and how it can change and even save lives. Additionally, he led teams of trained visual information professionals in global deployments to provide the Department of Defense (DoD) footage of wartime and peacetime activities.Due to a 2007 reduction of forces, Harper left the Air Force and headed to Los Angeles to look for work in Hollywood.Although he entered the entertainment industry at an inopportune time, Harper persevered. He eventually found work at companies like Paramount and Technicolor before moving into entrepreneurship, where he co-founded Audeze LLCand landed $4 million in startup costs in a pitch to Atlantic Records.After leaving Audeze, Harper met with David Gale, who offered him a position as a content producer for a new media company that focuses on telling the military’s story. Instead of accepting, he decided to give his own personal pitch on his skills, experience, and accomplishments to rebrand himself for a better job – and it worked. Gale offered Harper a co-founder title with We Are the Mighty.We Are the Mighty is a multi-platform media brand dedicated exclusively to creating genuine and impactful content for the armed services community. As the company moves into 2021, Harper hopes to expand the company’s current intellectual property and move into longer form content.Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Air Force Veteran Kenneth Bottoms Mentioned in this Episode: VA confirms authority for its health care professionals to practice across state lines America Salutes You partners with VA to bring attention to suicide prevention resources  VA recruiting volunteers for COVID-19 clinical trials VA report lists 71 top customer experience improvements and initiatives Federal partners plan with VA for COVID-19 vaccination distribution  VA chief research officer receives award for advancing prostate cancer research for Veterans

While serving as an electrics technician aboard USS Davis during the Vietnam War, Blue Water Navy (BWN) Veteran John Burns said he never felt like his life was in danger. He appreciated the experience because he was able to visit parts of the world he had never seen before. The last thing he expected was to have been exposed to Agent Orange while off the coast of Vietnam.In this episode of Borne the Battle, two Veterans from two very different generations come to talk about the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. Burns, a Vietnam War Veteran spoke about: His unanticipated participation in the Vietnam War The symptoms he had after Agent Orange exposure His experience filing a BWN claim How the BWN Act benefits improved his life David Eckert, an Iraq War Veteran and lead policy analyst for VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, also joined this episode. Eckert leveraged his background working with the BWN Act to share: How Veterans can file a claim  The criteria VA uses to evaluate applicants What benefits eligible Veterans can expect to receive Burns never regretted serving in Vietnam. Nor does Burns believe he suffered too badly from Agent Orange.  However, he still encouraged all Navy Veterans who believed they were exposed to the chemical in Vietnam to apply for benefits. He argued BWN Veterans deserve the compensation and that the application process was easy enough to justify simply trying.Eckert and Burns emphasized BWN Vietnam Veterans should try and submit a claim even if they submitted a claim before the BWN Act passed, never filed one or received a denial but want to try filing again. In some cases, their surviving family members may also be eligible for benefits. There are countless ways to file a claim: File themselves through VA Receive assistance from Veteran Service professionals recognized by VA Filing through a VA regional office and receive VA employee assistance Though from two different generations of the U.S. Armed Forces, Burns and Eckert said they hope BWN Vietnam Veterans will file a claim and get the compensation they deserve.Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Navy Veteran Regis Philbin Mentioned in this Episode: VA releases 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report VA releases COVID-19 Response Report  New nursing research and training collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Foundation VA, American Kidney Fund join efforts to help Veterans diagnosed with kidney disease 

This week’s Marine Corps Birthday episode of Borne the Battle features Marine Corps Veteran, former police officer, MMA champion, bestselling author and founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, Chad Robichaux. He turned his passion and greatest struggles into a foundation that helps his fellow Veterans who suffer from PTSD.Robichaux grew up in a dysfunctional home and turned to the Marine Corps to escape it. By 15, he was living alone. He entered the Corps without graduating high school and earned his GED while he served. As a Force Recon Marine, he served eight deployments in Afghanistan as part of a Joint Special Operations Command Task Force. Now, he is a board-certified pastoral counselor with an MBA.When PTSD ended his military career, Robichaux fell back on his skills as a martial artist. He fought in Strikeforce and Bellator, won HDNet’s Legacy FC belt and became a world champion MMA fighter. However, his fighting career consumed him, worsening his PTSD and delivering a reckoning to face his serious issues.At the height of his MMA career, Robichaux was on the verge of suicide. After realizing that he needed a holistic approach to self-care instead of drowning himself in fights, he made the choice to seek help from his wife and found support in faith. Now, he strives to help other Veterans discover the strength of a multifaceted approach to treating PTSD before they become statistics.In this episode, Robichaux discusses: His life-altering experience as a police officer. His struggles with PTSD, self-esteem, and family issues during and after his military service. His MMA career and how it helped and harmed him. How family, faith, martial arts and counseling help him in his daily battle with PTSD. What the Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs are and how they help soldiers and Veterans learn to take care of their minds, bodies, souls, and spirits. Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Marine Corps Veteran Foster L. Harrington Mentioned in this Episode: Chad Robichaux – White Chair Film – I Am Second BtB #42: Brian Stann BtB #154: Conrad Washington, VA Center of Faith and Opportunities Initiative BtB #170: Dale Dye, Marine Corps Birthday Episode

Army Veteran David Muir is the Senior Vice President of the Veterans Staffing Network, a social enterprise project of Easterseals DC, MD and VA.Muir was sold on joining the Army National Guard the moment his friend’s sergeant showed him a video of soldiers rappelling out of helicopters. He was just 17-years old when he joined the Virginia Army National Guard through the Split Training Option program in 1989. He served as an infantryman and M-60 gunner while studying to be a teacher.Following his service, Muir worked in staffing and went to a Department of Labor Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Employment Workshop in 2009, where he discovered that the program needed updating. In 2011, he won the bid to revamp the TAP curriculum.After he finished the TAP redesign, Muir joined a nonprofit organization named Easterseals. The organization was looking for someone to start a new program called the Veterans Staffing Network.The Veterans Staffing Network was created to catch the people who fell through the cracks of other programs. Because it is a nonprofit, the organization offers courses and coaching that help build job seeking skills at no cost to the participant.In this episode, Muir discusses: His journey from infantryman to life skills teacher. America’s need for better job search skills. Civilian versus Veteran perspectives on life. How the Veteran Staffing Network empowers Veterans and their families to get their own jobs. Additional Veteran programs within Easterseals. Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Marine Corps Veteran Kevin ElderAdditional Links: Find an Easterseals near you Veteran Staffing Network in U.S. Veterans Magazine David Muir on effective interview structure to hire Veterans Homefront: Easterseals opens doors for Veterans

This is not your typical episode of Borne the Battle. It’s a Halloween Special with returning guest and Navy Veteran, Jennifer Marshall. Marshall is an actress and a trained private investigator. In “Mysteries Decoded,” an ongoing paranormal series on the CW television network, she gets to put those skills to work on paranormal activity, like vampires, Bigfoot, Area 51, The Mothman and many others.In the podcast, Marshall shares some of her theories on Bigfoot, based on her interviews with academics and observations while spending time in British Columbia.CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MYSTERIES DECODEDMarshall switches to talking about temporarily shutting the show down, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and how being flexible in switching to Zoom interviews allowed her team to be creative in making episode updates.Later, she shares her personal investigations into Area 51, as well as other alien evidence that marries up to new revelations from the government, in reference to recently confirmed naval UAP (AKA UFO) footage.Marshall then reveals her laundry list of dream mystery investigations, including other paranormal mysteries over international waters; the Australian Bigfoot, Yowie; a Titanic conspiracy, and the haunted Waverly Sanitarium in the United Kingdom. Eventually, she would like produce a true crime program that delves into military true crime cases and mysteries.Borne the Battle Veteran of the Day:Navy Veteran Hildreth Walker Jr. Additional Links:  jennifermarshall.com VA, Blue Star Families to support Veterans impacted by COVID-19 VA creates National Women Veterans Oncology System of Excellence in fight against breast cancer Formation of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Find a flu shot VA location or in-network community care provider.

Doctors Molly Klote and Chad Kessler join this bonus episode of Borne the Battle to discuss the various ways VA is helping with the national effort to combat COVID-19. The two doctors are fighting it in very different, but equally important ways.Dr. Klote, VA’s director of Office Research Protections, Policy, and Education, oversees all the research VA conducts, including many of the vaccine trials for COVID-19. She goes into specifics on the following topics: In what ways VA is helping with developing a vaccine Types of treatments the public might expect to be used to treat COVID-19 What happens when a vaccine is approved by the FDA Dr. Klote also calls for anyone able to participate in a COVID-19 clinical trial to think about signing up. She particularly encourages Black and Hispanic populations to volunteer. A strong minority turnout to vaccine trials ensures the vaccine gets the broadest exposure possible, increasing the likelihood that a finalized product can be successfully used among all groups of people to treat COVID-19.Dr. Kessler fights against COVID-19 through the emergency department. As VA’s national director for Emergency Care, he oversees 141 emergency departments and urgent care centers. He goes in depth about the successful procedure emergency departments adopted to sort COVID-19 patients and mitigate the possibility of transmission.During the earlier months of the pandemic, Dr. Kessler noticed VA medical centers across the country needed to quickly communicate with one another about successful treatments and therapeutics.He solved the communication problem in a unique way. He began hosting livestreams in a series he called COVID in 20. The series was a resounding success among frontline workers and medical staff. Dr. Kessler also talked about the different strategies he used to add a bit of fun and humanity to his livestreams because he knew how stressed frontline workers were.Though coming from different parts of the pandemic battle, the two doctors stressed the importance of getting a flu shot. In the episode, they explain how a flu shot would not only protect the recipient, but also help them along with their COVID-19 work.Additional Links: Research is always voluntary. The Army will never force anyone to participate. More reading on the steps researchers must take to protect clinical trial volunteers. VA’s digital COVID-19 screening tool to streamline Veteran access to medical care.

This week's Borne the Battle features Air Force Veteran David Tenenbaum, the creator of Honor Media and Heroes Linked.From a young age, Tenenbaum wanted to help others in need. Inspired by his father, a Holocaust survivor liberated by US forces, he grew up with the stories of seeing good people standing against great injustice. Like the men who freed his father, he wanted to follow in their footsteps, to do good for others.His journey began in 2001, at Officer Candidate School a month before 9/11.Tenenbaum served in the Air Force for six years as an Aircraft Instructor Navigator, leading stateside and overseas operations for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft. He left the service during a downsizing period to begin a new journey, but the Great Recession made it a rough transition.Moving to Los Angeles, Tenenbaum pursued a new profession direction: media production. He created Honor Media, a nonprofit that supports other Veteran nonprofits with media production, distribution, photography and social media support. He is also the director of Heroes Linked, an online platform that pairs Veterans with mentors to help them get to the next step in their post-military journey.Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Navy Veteran Barton "Buddy" KesslerAdditional Links: Borne the Battle #204: Air Force Veteran Blake Stilwell, Military.com Staff Writer VA resumes in-person benefits services halted by the COVID-19 response VA awards contract for Region 5 of Community Care Network to increase Veteran access to health care in Alaska VA dedicates Cheyenne National Cemetery in Wyoming Federal electronic health record connects with more community partners 

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience intimate partner violence (IPV) during their lifetime. Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries are at an even greater risk for IPV. Yet, both victims and perpetrators of IPV oftentimes don't seek help. They are instead motivated by feelings of shame, guilt, embarrassment, or fear to keep quiet and accept the violence around them.Dr. LeAnn Bruce, National Program Manager for the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP), joins this week’s episode of Borne the Battle to share why no one should ever feel ashamed to seek IPV support and describes what services VA offers to help Veterans in need. Among the issues Dr. Bruce discussed include: What IPV means The many forms IPV can take Where to get immediate IPV help With COVID-19 and natural disasters disrupting lives across the country, promoting IPV awareness will be more crucial than ever during this October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Moments of crisis or long periods of isolation can amplify violence in relationship conflicts or abusive situations. IPVAP coordinators remain ready at every VA Medical Center to guide any Veteran or their partner in the right direction.VHA also encourages everyone to make the White Ribbon VA Pledge to stop violence against others. In acknowledging the ways violence and harassment can manifest, the world can become a safer place for everyone.If in need of 24/7 support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 (SAFE) or TTY 1−800−787−3224.Additional Links: VA is ready to help women Veterans during COVID-19 Intimate partner violence associated with women Veterans’ experience of housing instability How lockdowns due to COVID-19 can cause a spike in IPV Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:Army Veteran Randall ShughartAdditional Links: VA is ready to help women Veterans during COVID-19 Intimate partner violence associated with women Veterans’ experience of housing instability How lockdowns due to COVID-19 can cause a spike in IPV

This week’s Borne the Battle features Marine Veteran Stephen Kupryk, also known as the WWE Smackdown superstar and Forgotten Sons member, Steve Cutler. In this episode, Kupryk talks about how his participation in high school athletics and the influence of 9/11 took him down a road which would ultimately land him in the country’s premier wrestling promotion.As a Marine infantryman, Kupryk was assigned to the Second Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment and deployed twice to Helmand province in Afghanistan. He talks about finding inspiration and thanking those who mentored him while serving from 2007 through 2011.Kupryk spoke of using VA's GI Bill benefits to attend Rowan University, where a chance encounter with a WWE contact at a local bar would set him upon a career of WWE superstardom, including the early days when he trained at the Monster Factory Wrestling School before being called up in 2013 to the WWE’s NXT division. He also talks about forming the The Forgotten Sons, which Stephen takes a nuanced approach to by using military symbolism and his experiences to flesh out his character's role and persona.The team attained instant success and it helped Kupryk break into the SmackDown roster with a win over the then-Smackdown tag-team champions, The New Day.Kupryk also shares his enthusiasm behind WWE’s collaboration with Hire Heroes USA, an organization which aims to help Veterans and their families secure lifelong careers. As for his return to the ring, everyone stand by - targets will appear. 

This week's Borne the Battle features Army Veteran Erika Land, who shares the story of how she changed her suicide letter into “War Song.”Before 9/11, Erika joined the Army as a pharmacy technician. Her job was to dispense medications in the emergency department. At work, she experienced pain, sorrow, anger, anxiety, depression and helplessness. After leaving service, she believed the only way out from feeling those emotions was to take her life – until she found poetry.VA’s Art Therapy Program allowed Land to express herself. She wrote about the trials and tribulations she experienced while being deployed to Iraq. But in Poetry, Land felt she could speak from the soul, to express to others on the same path that they, too, could find healing. "Poetry is the window into the soul and a reflection of life," she says, in the podcast.After service is when Land realized she wasn't alone. As she found poetry, she found passion for life and began touring and making arrangements for theaters and venues to market her shows. On Borne the Battle, she talks about how her performances not only allowed her to heal, but how it enabled her to connect with others to answer the deep questions she never asked herself.PTSD Hotline Phone Number855-698-4677National Suicide Prevention Hotline Phone Number1-800-273-8255#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:Marine Veteran Cecil "Steve" StibbensAdditional Links Helping Veterans and Their Families Make it Back to Better. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline VA offers debt relief to Veterans impacted by natural disasters  

For many Veterans, readjusting to civilian life after leaving the military can be difficult. That's what Aaron Quinonez found when he left the Marine Corps, as he soon faced divorce, homelessness and the inability to secure a long-term job. Over time, his mental health steadily deteriorated as PTSD ravaged his mind. For Quinonez, life seemed to always get worse, and on one July 4th afternoon, he parked in an empty lot, pulled out his SIG Sauer and prepared to end his life.In this week’s episode of Borne the Battle, Quinonez shares his journey from being on the brink of committing suicide to becoming an entrepreneur, sharing how he developed new programs and technologies to help Veterans suffering from PTSD and suicidal thoughts.Quinonez credits his faith as the reason for much of his climbing back up, out of despair. He talks about attending church and being surrounded by supportive people who embraced him. He felt called to help, and was encouraged by church-mates, to build housing for a family in Mexico. Quinonez was so inspired by the experience that he founded the organization, Q Missions, to bring Veterans together to construct buildings around the world.Quinonez also describes the arduous journey he took to launch his most recent project, Operation Pop Smoke, a mobile app which aims to prevent Veteran suicide. The app also brings a sense of military camaraderie to those who've transitioned into civilian life.In 2019, VA reported an average of 17 Veterans die from suicide each day. Borne the Battle (BtB) stands by Veterans grappling with mental health challenges. As part of this September’s Suicide Prevention Month, BtB hopes Quinonez’s story sparks a conversation that inspires people to support Veterans suffering from emotional distress.#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:Army Veteran Duane FranceAdditional Links: VA assistance with the transition to civilian life during COVID-19 VA resources for Veterans in a mental health crisis Recognize the warning signs that indicate risk of self-harm VA’s REACH campaign to save Veteran lives VA notifies Veterans of compromised personal information VA awards $1.3 million to support Veterans at elevated risk of suicide from experiencing or being at risk of homelessness  VA expands Veteran access to telehealth with iPad services

This week's episode of Borne the Battle is a Benefits Breakdown on the VA Debt Management Center (DMC). It features DMC's National Finance Director Joe Schimitt and DMC Director of Operations Jason Hoge. Schmitt and Hoge explain how the DMC helps Veterans with financial relief, how the debt repayment process works, and how the DMC actually assists Veterans by helping to improve their financial planning.Schmitt and Hoge explain the DMC mission, how it guides Veterans' debt repayments, and some recent changes. Those changes include: Technology updates. An oath for employees must take to serve the Veterans in their care. Required 13.5 week debt counselors training. Schimitt, a former Marine, advocates for “compassionate service.” That mission not only comes from his military service, but also from a personal history of having to repay medical debt. His son was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis. The needed surgery, cranial vault remodeling, corrected his son's head shape, enabling the brain, skull, and head to grow. But the treatment put him in serious debt, and one that helps him empathize with those in similar binds.DMC UPDATESDue to the pandemic, Hurricane Laura and the recent wildfires there have recent changes to DMC's operations, including financial relief options: VA has suspended all actions on Veteran debts under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department. VA has suspended collection action and repayment terms on existing VA debts, as the Veteran prefers. For benefit-based debts, Veterans can contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 to make debt repayment arrangements.For health care debts, Veterans can contact the Health Resource Center at 1-888-827-4817 to make debt repayment arrangements.For more info on the DMC, visit https://www.va.gov/debtman/.#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:Navy Veteran Louis G. PalmerAdditional Links: VA’s digital COVID-19 screening for Veterans, employees, aids in low infection rate VA’s Board of Veterans’ Appeals reaches appeal decisions goal early VA announces new clinical trial for Veterans with COVID-19 VA dedicates Acadia National Cemetery in Maine VA offers electronic virtual assistant for Veterans VA offers electronic virtual assistant for Veterans to connect faster with counselors  During Suicide Prevention Month VA encourages supporters to “Be There” for Veterans and help connect them with resources Forbes ranks VA as one of the best employers in 17 states