An incredible experience and the lessons I learned

Over the course of this semester, I have worked as a journalist covering news stories that dealt with issues related to the United States military. I’ll admit, at first I was a little unsure of how I would handle working as a journalist. Part of the doubt came from the fact that I had previously never functioned in a reporter capacity. The other part of my uncertainty came from the fact that I wasn’t sure just how well we would be able to cover issues connected to the military. As the semester progressed and I became more experienced in interviewing people, I could start to feel the doubt fade away. What started out at the beginning of the semester as just a class, turned into a wonderful experience that allowed me to get a different perspective of not just human nature, but also learn more about military issues that people in the general public may not be unaware of. Such things as the struggles that military families go through while their love ones serve overseas and a need for unwavering support for the troops and their families. There were also the issues that my classmates shared through their assignments that put things in a different light as well. Some of those issues shared were PTSD, jobs for veterans, and even organizations like Operation We Care. 

As I made contact with people that were in some form or another connected to the story I was working on they became more than just a name, they became somebody with a voice that was just waiting to be heard. These incredible people shared with me their time, their knowledge, their passion and their memories as I eagerly listened and learned from them. The selflessness of those I interviewed spoke volumes as they welcomed me into their world without hesitation as they shared their connection to the military. The spouses of the Vietnam Veterans shared a side of the war that isn’t found in the history books. They shared different kinds of struggles that those waiting here at home went through while our brave men fought in the jungles of Vietnam.  Then there are the men and women of the Hogs and Heroes Foundation, a biker foundation that support and do fund raisers for not only current and past military members but also for emergency personal to help in with public safety. They even provide escorts to our troops returning home or for funerals of those that gave their lives for their country. During my final story I was comparing families of veterans from the wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan. While both families had their similarities they also had their differences in areas of support and communications.

Each person I interviewed had something different to contribute to my stories. It was as fascinating as it was educating to meet and learn from everyone. Throughout all my interviews, the one person that seemed to be the most helpful was Major Jon Black in Salisbury, Maryland as he was also willing to do what he could to provide support and information with the stories. It’s also fitting that while seeking people at the Operation We Care event in Sharptown, Maryland that I was able to see just about every person that took the time to talk to me over the course of the semester. Given the fact that they all remembered me, left me feeling professional and respected as I couldn’t help but think maybe they felt my respect towards them too. 

Some of the things I learned why working on my military stories and talking to military personal  and their families are:

11.)    The troops and their families should always have the support from the members of their communities (not that I didn’t before but this semester reinforced this concept).

22.)    There seems to be not enough public exposure or attention given to issues that the men and women of the military and their families experience on a daily basis.

33.)    Taking the time to allow people to talk to you and really listen to them can make a big difference in their lives.

44.)    Take the time to give a voice to the voiceless, they will appreciate the help and deserve it.

55.)    Find a way to give back to the troops and make a difference in their lives as well as their families.

66.)    Take the time to step outside of you comfort zone and take a chance to engage in meeting new people, especially those in the military or connected to it and it just might change your life.

77.)    Make a difference and volunteer at events for the military.

88.) Everyone has a story to tell, its up to you to listen and learn.

If it wasn’t for doing these stories I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet these extraordinary people that are connected to the military. I have decided to take a leave of absence from this blog for an undetermined about of time. I’m confident I’ll return sometime soon when I have more that I can contribute to help the military, help the families, and help the public gain a better understanding of things surrounding our military. I thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you have gotten something positive out of it. 

As a final request I ask that you please watch the show “Delmarva Salutes”(see the links below) that my classmates and my teacher put together and that you share it with everyone you know. We all worked hard on it and it should be shared with the world.

Delmarva Salutes Show 1 

Delmarva Salutes Show 2 

Hogs and Heroes Foundation

Every once and a while we all need help or support during our lifetime. For some it can be simple things and for others it can be more complex things. Members of our military are no different and deserve just as much, if not, more support than the rest of us. Our military members willingly put their lives on the line in order to protect our freedom and liberties. Without them we may not have certain freedoms, or at least not as much freedom. Luckily for those soldiers living in Delaware and parts of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, they have a group of bikers that are willing to help them and support them.

This biker group are not a club but are known as the Hogs and Heroes Foundation. I recently had the privilege to interview members of the board of the group as they informed me on what they are all about. They support all kinds of events that honor soldiers, especially escorts for funerals and when troops return home from serving overseas. It’s not just the military they support, they also support police, firefighters, and emergency medical workers. They also participate in rides and other events to help promote awareness or even raise money for various fundraisers. For example last year they participated in helping with packaging boxes for Operation We Care. Another kind of event they hold are fundraisers on certain weekends at Hooters in West Ocean City, Maryland. Recently they held fundraisers for wounded warriors and another for two fallen police officers. The Hogs and Heroes Foundation are a non-profit 501 (C) (3) tax exempt organization, so donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.

The Hogs and Heroes Foundation take a lot of pride in the work they are doing in the community. They are serious about public safety and things involving our military. Not all members are former military but they still have respect for them. As their missions expand the need for new members has expanded as well. They have a list of things they require to be a member of their Foundation.

• 1.      Attend Three Chapter Meetings, Rides, or Events per year.
• 2.      Be a United States Citizen.
• 3.      Support their causes.

Full members must own a motorcycle that has a motor that is at least 600cc. But they are also looking for associate members that have regular vehicles for helping to transport things.

This group seemed to be a good group of down to Earth people that hope to make a difference in the community they serve. Previous to doing this story I had no idea that this group existed but I’m glad that I now do. They are inspiration to the community and I hope that the community around them will support them and the things they do. For more information you can check them out at Hogs and Heroes Foundation. To talk to the guys I did, from the lower Delaware area then check Delaware Chapter 1.

Check out this video!