Despite less than half of Americans (43%) understanding the true meaning of Memorial Day, and many confusing it with Veterans Day, the majority of Americans (83%) do believe it’s important to do something to commemorate Memorial Day. This Memorial Day weekend, USAA is bringing back its virtual Poppy Wall of Honor to give all Americans a unique opportunity to pause and remember military servicemembers who’ve given their lives for our country.

USAA, a financial services provider founded nearly 99 years ago by military members and continues to serve the military community and their families, created the digital Poppy Wall of Honor to offer Americans a chance to honor and remember the fallen. The experience, found at PoppyInMemory.com, offers visitors the opportunity to dedicate a virtual poppy in honor of loved ones that they’ve lost in service to our country. Additionally, the website includes information about why the poppy has become a symbol of remembrance, the ability to learn about each military conflict and the losses suffered, and several other ways Americans can #HonorThroughAction this year.

 This is the second consecutive year that USAA has held the virtual experience which, due to the pandemic, replaced the physical Poppy Wall of Honor that was installed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 2018 and 2019.

Topics Covered:

• Poppy and Remembrance
• Serving and connecting with Family
• The meaning of Memorial Day
• Coming home to your family after deployment
•  Knowing when it’s time to leave

Connect with Guest:

• Website

Thank you for Listening to the Episode!

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at ben@militaryveterandad.com 

Follow Ben on Social Media to stay up to date on – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

For help, resources, and community support, please join the Military Veteran Dad Facebook Group.

Be sure to check out all the free courses available to help come home to a better tomorrow.

Heads Up: My posts may contain affiliate links!  If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commissionds, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

Are you ready for the truth?

Most people aren’t and today’s episode with Virginia Cruse is an example of the no-BS truth about PTSD from the view of someone who helps people through it and recovers from it. 

This episode is the longest and includes the most profanity in a single episode and I am proud that this is the topic that those two records were broken on. 

Virginia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor specializing in Military Issues and Combat-Related Trauma. She provides crisis intervention and evidence-based treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Moral Injury, Depression, Combat Operational Stress, and other diagnoses.

Virginia is a certified clinician in Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy and has 20+ years of experience serving Active Duty Military, Veterans, Military retirees, and family members.

She is a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) and active American Group Psychotherapy Association member. Virginia is an Army Reserve Officer, Combat Veteran, and published re-searcher.

Topics Covered:

• Moral Injury
• What is PTSD and what is it not
• War Crimes
• Evidence-based treatments
• Trusting ourselves
• Soul damage
• Thinking about suicide
• Abusing drugs
• It happens so fast

Connect with Guest:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesoldiersguide/
• Website: https://militarycounselingsa.com/soldiers-guide-to-ptsd

Thank you for Listening to the Episode!

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at ben@militaryveterandad.com 

Follow Ben on Social Media to stay up to date on – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

For help, resources, and community support, please join the Military Veteran Dad Facebook Group.

Be sure to check out all the free courses available to help come home to a better tomorrow.

Heads Up: My posts may contain affiliate links!  If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commissionds, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

Are you ready?

Today’s episode focuses on preparing for transition and not letting it sneak up on you.  Far too many Veterans not taking it seriously while they serve to prepare a solid foundation on the other side. 

Scott McCarthy is an officer in the Canadian Army and has been preparing for his transition through podcasting for the last ten years.  He took his lessons learned in Afghanistan and decided to dig deeper and see where it could take him.

He has prepared a business on what he has learned and is ready for when that day comes.  All while doing this he grew his connection to his wife, kids, and himself.

Topics Covered:

• How are you preparing for your transition
• Using a podcast to prepare for transitioning
• Achieving peak performance
• Creating a high function organization 
• Getting clear on your thoughts for the future
• You can’t just expect life to happen
• Take control and be deliberate with your life

Connect with Guest:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcmccarthy/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/leaddontboss
• Twitter: https://instagram.com/leaddontboss
• Website:
  • Peak Performance Leadership Podcast: https://movingforwardleadership.com/
  • Podcasting For Your Business: https://scottmccarthy.co/pfyb

Thank you for Listening to the Episode!

Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at ben@militaryveterandad.com 

Follow Ben on Social Media to stay up to date on – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

For help, resources, and community support, please join the Military Veteran Dad Facebook Group.

Be sure to check out all the free courses available to help come home to a better tomorrow.

Heads Up: My posts may contain affiliate links!  If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commissionds, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!