Veteran's Affairs Plus W/ David L. Washington

Kevin Krall 0:00
You're listening to special programming sponsored by making moves life coaching services. The content of Veterans Affairs plus does not reflect the views or opinions of public radio K, u and v. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

Unknown Speaker 0:20
Good morning. This is Veterans Affairs Plus, I'm Dave Washington, your host

Unknown Speaker 0:31
you can say that small town once. The show is sponsored by making moves life coaching service. Today we have several guests service officer Tony Marshall, his lovely wife, Sandra Marsha, who is the president of Veterans of Foreign Wars auxilary of Nevada, so we'll be talking with them shortly. Also we have on the line later will be Mr. Mujahid Ramadan host of police promoting unity. And additionally On the plus side we will have Mr. Ickes Hodges of the black achievement fund, to give us a status on that organization. Before we begin, I'd like to always express condolences, particularly for those family members of the soldiers we lost most recently in Afghanistan. And then I got to express condolences to brother George Turner, Yvonne Gates who lost his son most recently. Brian, Michael and Renee Janelle lost their brother recently, brother Joseph Sampson, well known in the neighborhood and transitioning as well as his daughter this past week. So may those families find peace in their hearts, particularly with those losses? belated birthday, well wishes to my daughter, April, who turned five one, and happy birthday to retired fire chief Eugene Campbell, on this day, the sixth of June. And believe it or not my mother in law, had she been still alive, she would have been 100. Today she died when she was 97. Brother Marshall, we'll start with you, my man. Give us an update. It's been a minute since you've been here. And you've always brought valuable information to our veterans who listen to our show. Right?

Unknown Speaker 2:18
First of all, let me just introduce myself say good morning, Tony Marshall, he served as Officer Representative for VFW and American Legion Post 10. There has been a lot going on. As you know, guys coming out of Afghanistan. We have to take care of them. And being your Service Officer Representative please let me let me just give you a minute to get yourself a pencil and paper while I go over some other information here. We have coming up 911 And the pow Mia Remembrance Day, which is September 17, third Friday of September every year. And there's going to be two programs going on one is going to be at the Nellis Air Force Base. And it'll be at eight o'clock in the morning at the Red Horse building. On days. There'll be a loose table ceremony and there'll be a reception following. Also my post VFW Steven gives me Morial post 12198, we'll be doing a similar table ceremony at the American Legion Post 10 s 1905. H St. 89106. And we'll be doing that program at one o'clock public is welcome. Come on out. Again, just a little love information here we have this month as the Suicide Prevention Month, particularly interested in you guys reaching out to your friends to you comrades, and making sure that they're in good health. And otherwise, you can reference them to the suicide prevention line to reach that number at any time. Just about everywhere online. So I just wanted to bring you up to date. And I'll give you a little more information in just about

Unknown Speaker 3:54
and Tony is great. In fact, I can only imagine you guys will have to upscale with respect to those military men and women coming back from Afghanistan. That is going to be a burden that I trust that you guys certainly want to involve yourself because it's important that we take care of those and I and I love the fact that you talk about the suicide hotline,

Unknown Speaker 4:16
all of the posts all of the photos of American Legion VFW DAV, we're all reaching out and asking you Afghanistan veterans and those coming home that there's always a place for you. Right now we're we're situated with the leather neck club up on the west Spring Mountain Road that's 4360 West Spring Mountain Road just stopped by there'll be somebody there that you could talk with and share your feelings and just get a good feeling of camaraderie. Don't hesitate to call us oh come on by. I'm gonna give you my numbers. Now. Hopefully you got that pen and paper 301-537-9465 Call me anytime day or night. I'm available. And as I said I I'm also the Service Officer Representative. I can help you with your disability claims, any type benefit situations that you have. I'm available there for you. Free.

Unknown Speaker 5:09
Appreciate that. Now for Ms. Sandra, tell us a little bit about yourself and then about your organization if you would. Good

Unknown Speaker 5:16
morning, I would like to say thank you for the invitation. I am Sandra Marshall. Currently I am the junior pass department President 2020 2021 for the VFW Auxiliary in the state of Nevada. Our organization has been established for over 107 years, and we are the oldest VFW Auxiliary. Serving Veterans in the nation are members of the VFW Auxiliary are the relatives of those who have served in overseas combat. They are nearly a half million members representing all 50 states. We have 1721 members in our state. Currently, we have 23 auxiliaries. And presently I am a member of auxilary 10,047 located in North Las Vegas, and we have 193 members, we volunteer members millions of hours and fundraise millions of dollars for charitable projects. We serve the veterans of this country and our communities in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform. Our mission is to assist the VFW and any in any way we can. We share a common goal of serving veterans, their families and our communities. During the last year program gear auxiliaries have provided a total of $2 million dollars in aid to veterans, military service members and their families. Some of the ways that our members support the VFW and our veterans is by being a voice for veterans locally and on Capitol Hill. We are instrumental in assisting the VFW to pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families by assembling and mailing care packages to active duty troops. We hold send off and welcome home events for troops. We spread the word about pts and military veteran suicide awareness. We participate in stand downs, and assisting homeless veterans which is one which has been one of my special projects for my year as my presidents

Unknown Speaker 7:32
so so tell me what inspired you to become a member of this organization and then to lead because leading is is no easy chore. I don't care what organization you're involved in dealing with people. That

Unknown Speaker 7:43
is true. That's true. You have to be a people person. And I got involved because my husband is a veteran. Several of my family members are veterans. My father is a war war two veteran, two brothers that served in the Army nephews, row many family members. So I had to get involved because I've always been around military folks in that situation. Exactly. So I love it. I just love it. I can't do enough for our veterans.

Unknown Speaker 8:16
Just let me say this, if she hadn't gotten involved, she would never see me.

Unknown Speaker 8:22
But I can tell you this on behalf of all the veterans, and the people who live with love veterans, as family members, etc, etc. We appreciate the work that you guys are doing. And you got some wonderful stats, you guys. Don't leave no stone unturned, it appears in terms of the various projects that you're involved in. So once again, we appreciate you for sure. Thank you, Tony, you got some more that to share with us this morning.

Unknown Speaker 8:48
Yeah, I just wanted to put out a couple of notes here. The Veterans Appeal Board has just announced that they may or they probably did make a lot of mistakes with the appeal claims that were recently submitted. In fact, they do denied or rejected quite a few of them. But they have announced that they're going to review those claims. And that was all the claims formed on form 10812 And if you did file a change and had it rejected if they don't reach out to you reach out to them or like I said you can give me a call 301-537-9465 We'll get together and make sure that claim is revisited. Great. Okay, Tony, as

Unknown Speaker 9:33
we wrap up this segment, you do stop over by the posts from time to time Oh, it was strictly by appointment. i Okay. I'm trying to refresh my home and

Unknown Speaker 9:43
I was trying to save that for the last and that is I do claims and benefit advisement every Wednesday and Saturday by appointment. For me you must have an appointment because I need you to bring the things that you're going to need to get that done And again, that's every Wednesday and Saturday. Now if you have a special situation, situation, circumstances, whatever, I can work that out with

Unknown Speaker 10:07
you. Okay? But that number again, because they gotta call you to set up that appointment, right? You

Unknown Speaker 10:12
have to call me and like I said, I'm available pretty much 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And you can reach me at 301-537-9465. Miss

Unknown Speaker 10:22
Marshall, Sandra, give us some closing remarks. From your perspective as an auxilary member.

Unknown Speaker 10:27
We have more than 3600 auxiliaries nationwide. So we are always working here in the state of Nevada and nationwide to recruit new members. So I can be reached at VFW department Dept, Pres. PR easy 20 twenty@gmail.com For anyone who is interested in joining our auxilary

Unknown Speaker 10:55
Great. Well, once again, on behalf of the veterans in the families, we appreciate both of you for coming in today to share some information and background. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5 Jazz and more. Thank you guys and we look forward to having you back on the program again. Particularly Tony because people asked me about when you're gonna have Tony. Tony is here y'all. So thank you both very kind.

Unknown Speaker 11:20
Thank you for being here and we'll see you next time.

Unknown Speaker 11:34
Morning once again this day Washington Veterans Affairs plus. We're going to have this next segment with a good friend longtime resident of Las Vegas. We call him friend, brother Mujahid Ramadan. Ramadan, give a please give us a little bit of background on yourself. And then then we'll talk a little bit about the program that you host for the Metropolitan Police Department.

Unknown Speaker 11:56
Okay, look, thank you, Dave. Well, I say chief because we knew you for such a long time. And that Rowville. Again, mucha, he's Ramadan. They say longtime, longtime enough, we had days, Robin, buddy and I went to high school together Valley has learned quite a few things from buddy. As a matter of fact, the institution worked for a while in boys club. That was one of my best experiences. Now I look back on it and life. It was a probation officer for a number of years, worked for a number of years, which was in the area we zone staff for Governor Bob Miller as a cabinet member and took part in shepherding and being a part of piloting the first stage of the building of adequate now one of the things I

Unknown Speaker 12:43
just want to say, I wouldn't have that role is the drugs are what would fare today with all just aside Oh,

Unknown Speaker 12:51
man. I don't have any hair down. But I tell you what, if the person had some hair, they wouldn't have any way things are going on. Now. In particular with the inclusion of like, you know, like I just saw today that and on the East Coast or in New York, they have this claim that will settle about pharma drugs and $42 billion or 10 B and they have to pay out and you know, you weren't dealing with things most of them were trying to illegal drugs banned. legal drugs. So yeah, the situation

Unknown Speaker 13:21
was And real quickly speed up my brother buddy. He just retired he gave it up. 71 years old. He said he's done with dealing craps. But anyway, tell us a little bit about Patrick. By the program that you weren't that you host that radio show. Police

Unknown Speaker 13:36
promote unity. Oh, that's every Wednesday on KCP from 930 to 10. I know some of you people yells listen to it, of course. But at any rate, and it's been we've been involved in it for a number of years now. Rod Jett, and he was the UnderSheriff and you're in ROSS grew up in the same neighborhood.

Unknown Speaker 13:52
Oh, we did not. But I know rod and I think Rob was a great UnderSheriff. We served together. I was a deputy chief and then ultimately fire chief and Rod really ran a tight ship as the UnderSheriff great guy. Oh,

Unknown Speaker 14:05
he did. He did. And Rod actually, when he was going under Sheriff she asked me Well, can I miss the program? I told him it was mostly about cops. Yeah, no, he's I get that I listen to everything about cops, too. So he asked me to sit down one day and just talk about community issues. And we did. And then he asked me if I would invite some community members on to do good. And so that's back when Rod was the UnderSheriff doesn't build the list with the sheriff. And so we've been hosting and co host in the program since then. And it what it is that it's an infusion of information about community and Metro, not so much Metro in the community. But what's the relationship? So

Unknown Speaker 14:44
wait a minute, so this show was started and then you got involved? You didn't bring the show?

Unknown Speaker 14:50
No, no, I didn't as a matter of fact. Minor,

Unknown Speaker 14:55
I assume

Unknown Speaker 14:55
tenant he may have been the one who initiated I've heard several people inside of Metro claim originating the program but but as our but we'll minor was the one that was several people that co host they had not did not originate it. I just joined in and we modified the program to be more community related instead of just law enforced.

Unknown Speaker 15:17
You brought it to a better level in my perspective, you know as as one who listen to the program from time to time, but wow, I always assume that you started the program paint. That's something I'm learning something today. Go ahead brother.

Unknown Speaker 15:32
It's always will look David look, I have to appreciate persons like yourself really because another thing that you and I both involved in is the metros multicultural advisory council called the NMAT committee and that that is kind of part of the overall development of metros, establishment of metros effort towards community engagement. So it's either media or as leaders like yourself and if he ACLU at ADL, Latin Chamber of Commerce, Hispanics and politics, and who meet with the sheriff on a monthly basis and hammer out issues around people of color, and other people in the valley because Jews and Christians and Buddhists involved we have six that are involved. Gay, lesbian, transgender. So that's really what part of that bigger picture of the community being engaged in metro stop and thank you just sit in on that captain's the new captain's review panel that has been formed, where the community now makes up part of the story for who becomes captains around the valley. I think it says the community is engaged with decision making and policies around hiring Durrell Agron and the committee that she's hitting up with recruiting, right, those things wouldn't happen unless we have the leadership of persons like yourself like dorks like Peter Guzman, like Tony Witten from the Gay, Lesbian transgender community, but even like the US Attorney, Chris choice, right? Oh, people like that benefits. Steve. Steve Wilson, you know, Dora gets a chance to talk to him. I'm not sure if I have my Steve, appreciate it, but door gives him some very direct conversation. So I think that type of interaction allows us to have a greater and greater certainly engagement impact on hills, the MPD. You know, throughout the valley, it helps us to thank you.

Unknown Speaker 17:16
Yeah, to include our man, Fernando, because Fernando, he stirs the pot sometime soon. But you know what? One thing that I've always I've always told people about that committee, there are some times we have some very heated discussions. But nobody leaves that room that I've ever seen angry. No, we always kind of work it out and keep it moving. Because we're there for the good of the community and not for our own personal aggrandizement. But for the people. And that's where she that is it. But you do want a friend.

Unknown Speaker 17:47
All but the sheriff has listened to it. I know, he doesn't always want to hear when we say we want to open up the policy or look at in custody procedures to lead the use of force, but he listens to and he's going to take on those issues here. This new committee that's dealing now with violence and homicide reduction, those type things are community driven at that point in time. And so I think the community and acquired way really benefits from it, which, you know, looking at trying to make sure that the police department looks like the community, you know, the community, you know, we have to have percentages based on what the community looks like. We need to have officers, men and women that's right to to a sister just got promoted to Lieutenant one of the first African American Lieutenant corrections just recently, to her promotion, and I see there's a new one and the Academy. So think is constantly evolving. It's a constantly changing picture. I think in Southern Nevada, we're doing some interesting and unique things that they say this is like 21st century policing, but you live in a 21st century town, there's a very diverse town we live in. That's

Unknown Speaker 18:51
right. Well, again, you're doing a fine job in hearing it up as well as for the radio program. And we appreciate it because I think it's important for the community get some kind of as close as what what I would call an inside look at the organization. I think we do have a fine Police Department in spite of some of the problems that that we all have in life. But I tell people all the time, I believe that 85 95% of the police officers are good people and the bad ones, the ones who we know are doing bad things they need to be ratted out. And I know that ratting out is a word that most folks don't want to hear. But we certainly appreciate we got about a minute left. Why don't you just give us a quick wrap up of of some of the things you plan to do and you have done and we appreciate again your time this morning.

Unknown Speaker 19:37
Well, you know one thing we're looking at, we know for sure now based on national and local research and homicides, that mainly happened within communities. So you start looking at who kills who more African Americans killed African Americans, will Caucasians kill Caucasians, Hispanics, Hispanics, boys and kill Asians. Sometimes the African American out numbers are the highest so the one thing that we milliliters do is help the applaud of bringing those numbers down. We want to get the rate of young African Americans taking the lives of other young African Americans to go down. Another big thing that Durer LeBron, I can't think of enough for hitting up this initiative here on recruitment. I know we want to see the number of African Americans coming through Metro coming out of the Academy, we want to see those numbers increase App Store is driving that whole process. He's doing a great job with it. I'm seeing more now coming into the academy, we want to see more graduates. And of course, there's always going to be issue. I know you were there, when somebody just brought up to the sheriff that the organizational chart does not reflect the complexity of the community. So it's always going to be more of an issue and more work towards getting more African American to one apply for and promote for Sergeant for Lieutenant for Captain, we want to see you we want to see that process going on. Keep moving forward. But we want to see that across all ethnic groups.

Unknown Speaker 20:53
Absolutely. Well, once again, Miss Ramadan, my friend, we appreciate your time and effort and continue the great work that you're doing. Not only with leading the Mac community, but also with the radio program, police and community. I mean, you uni unifying. Yes.

Unknown Speaker 21:09
Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate you, David, thank you for giving us a few moments. And look, thank you, and all the military people for all the contributions and dedications. And thank all those who have served, but also reach back and try to say, Hey, we got to help those who may be struggling with suicide or help those who are dealing with drugs, or help those who are dealing with homelessness. Please thank all of you for doing that. Right. Yeah. All

Unknown Speaker 21:31
right. Thanks. Take care now. Have a great day, everyone.

Unknown Speaker 21:49
We're back. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm your host, Dave Washington. Our next guest is Mr. Aki Hodges of the black Achievement Plan. Good morning, my friend.

Aki 22:03
Good morning. How are you today?

Unknown Speaker 22:06
I um, well, you know, I know there's a lot been going on in your world. So if you would give our Las Vegas audience an update on what's going on in the organization if you would?

Aki 22:18
Okay, well, for those of you who don't know what our organization is all about, we are the black achievement fun. We are a national black economic, and community development corporation with an amazingly simple solution for black economic independence. And that is 10 million black people, plus $9 A month equals 90 million a month, and over a billion dollars a year for us to begin to create an economic platform to finance the grand development of black America. So far, oh, the black achievement fund is open to anyone who believes in our mission and our guiding principles, regardless of race, religion, political preference, or sexual orientation. All of our programs are free, are free or at cost to members. And all of our assets are collectively owned by our members. And because we are five of us CPE organization, all of your contributions to the black achievement been a 100% tax. Right now, we have a little over 2000 members in 47 states. We also have international members on the continent of Africa and South Africa in the Gambia. We also have multiple members in Canada, as well as the UK and Australia.

Unknown Speaker 23:34
Would you happen to have off in the ethnic breakdown of who you have as members? And you said just over 2000 Now, right? Yes,

Aki 23:42
I would say approximately 95% of all of our members are black. And we have maybe 1%, who I'll say well, actually probably 98%, black, maybe 1%. White, and then we have Latinos, white, around, we have about 30 members who are white 40 members who are white, and then we have just as many Latinos and then we have about five Asian members. So that's where we are right now with our members. Now

Unknown Speaker 24:21
you own what I believe is was our first show, tell me what some of the achievements or the accomplishments that have been done over the past few months, in terms of the movement of the organization, projects, programs, etc.

Aki 24:37
Well, one of the things we have launched the black achievement funds very own Toastmasters Club. But those of you aren't familiar with Toastmasters is an international organization that helps individuals become better communicators, better speakers, and better leaders. So we started our own program and we Have all of our own members as club members. So that has been a very, very exciting new initiative. We also recently launched our rites of passage program and the black achievement fund. As opposed to just having the youth component of the rites of passage, we're going to be honoring all five rites of passage from the right of birth, through adolescence, adulthood, slash marriage, becoming an elder and a transition to becoming an ancestor. So we have recently launched our adult component, which began two weeks ago, and it's all Mondays at 7pm, from seven to 10. And then we are going to be launching our youth component on Thursday, September 16, at 8pm. In addition to that, the black achievement fund has also launched an internship program for college and high school students. So if you guys know any bright high school, college students who are looking to hone their craft, to meet new bright college and high school students from around the country, and to engage us in this movement, then please refer them to the black achievement fund, you'll be able to see that application on our web page under Get involved. So those are just three of the initiatives that we've launched in the past month. In addition to that, we continue to provide scholarships for black achievement by members for educational professional or personal development, as well as for our nonprofit organization. So we just ordered a nonprofit grant to I forgot the name of the nonprofit organization.

Unknown Speaker 26:39
But what you do so doing a lot of good stuff. That's great. Lots of good stuff. Now, I know that if you're a member, you have access to various lesson plans on history, is that correct?

Aki 26:52
Correct. Excellent. We so through the education for life Academy, we have an online Black History curriculum that begins with the origins of humanity and Africa over 200,000 years ago, as opposed to beginning with slavery. And this is this is a critical, critical, critical component of our liberation movement. Because if we are truly to embrace our identity, and who we are, and our history and all of those things, we have to broaden our understanding about where we started in the world, and it wasn't at slavery. So we offer that. And this will also be a core component of our rites of passage programs for all of the different components of the program. So on Thursday, September 16, we invite all members from the community to come aboard because I will personally be chairing the education component. And this is something for like I said, all members of

Unknown Speaker 27:47
the community, will we certainly thank you for the update and we will have you back on in another couple of months because I think it's important for people to know what the black achievement fund is achieving in our name. So we appreciate you as well as the previous guests. Mr. Marshall, and his wife Sandra, also moved you heed Ramadan, thank you so much. Brother Aki, we appreciate the information that you're sharing with us so wish you will and we will be in touch. Again this is Veteran Affairs

Aki 28:18
www.da F dot solutions not.com not.org. But that solutions because that's what we're all about just solution WWW dot B A F as in black achievement fund dot solutions not.com or not that or like that solutions because that's what our organization is all

Unknown Speaker 28:40
about. Great. All right. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5 Jazz and more. I'm your host Dave Washington our engineer brother Kevin has done a great job keeping me on track so we'll see you next month have a great day.

Unknown Speaker 29:29
Hey, what's going on the payment we all you know, all we got is it was on last night.

Unknown Speaker 29:50
Fan or just

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