Michigan
November/December 2021
Coast Guard Spotlight
David Johnson Tom Broderick
Army Veteran Featured Teacher
Carlos Castillo Serving - Evolving - Enduring
Photo by Mike Banno - Forward Exposure
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EDITOR Contributing Photographers
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Gather Veterans Team “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller
Hannah Bouwmeester Owner/Publisher Gather Veterans
Tom Dalluge Contributing Writer
Pamela McCormick Managing Editor Gather Veterans
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Honoring all our Northern Michigan Veterans, Warriors, and Heroes
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TABLE OF CONTENTS November/December 2021
08
Publisher’s Note
10
Carlos Castillo
14
Tom Broderick
17
Vet Center Update
18
Majestic Manistee
20
Forward Exposure
22
Honoring the Fallen
24
Michigan State Police
26
David Johnson
29
Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies
30
Raymond Davis
33
Veterans Day Celebration - OMPS
34
Suicide Walk Update
36
Coffee Table Coach
38
Becoming Human
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Publisher’s Note Two Years and Growing
M
y spirit animal is a turtle, according to some crazy online test. When I took the test for fun, I had to giggle. First off, I love turtles. I have turtle earrings, necklaces, blankets, notebooks, and I love to receive turtle gifts. Secondly, I am always the turtle in anything I do in life. Slow and steady, that is me. I don’t rush off at the starting line and peeter out midrace. No, I have people fly by me, making me look like I am standing still only to lope past them somewhere along the route of whatever path I am on in whatever race I am running. That’s me and my journey with GATHER Veterans-Warriors-Heroes. Here we are. Two years later. Already! I cannot believe that we survived COVID as a brand new magazine. I am fortunate to have enough income from my media company to keep the magazine going along with our few but faithful advertisers who came on board initially. Man, am I thankful for them and my loyal staff members! Over these last two years, we have morphed and created and grown into a magazine I am so proud to be a part of. It has touched lives, told stories, given answers, and spotlighted some pretty incredible organizations and people. I hope each issue has brought light and love into our readers’ lives. As we move into our third year, we have some exciting news. GATHER Veterans-Warriors-Heroes is launching a new non-profit foundation named GATHER Veterans-Warriors-Heroes Foundation. It is aimed at helping Veterans themselves, and widows and children of Veterans, Active-
Duty Military Members, and First Responders who have lost their lives serving our country and communities. GATHER Veterans-Warriors-Heroes Foundation will place 10% net profits in a fund to be dispersed as the board reviews different opportunities to lend a helping hand. You may wonder where our profits will originate? It will include magazine subscriptions, business partnerships through advertising, and generous donations made to our foundation. We hope to join the many others who are making a difference in the lives of our Michigan Veterans, Active-Duty Military, and First Responders. Our focus will be to fill the gaps other organizations cannot or do not fill. I hope you will consider joining the GATHER VWH Foundation Movement in one of three ways. 1. Invest your advertising & marketing dollars in our print magazine. 2. Subscribe to our print magazine. It’s not a lot, but every bit helps the turtle cross the finish line. 3. Donate to the foundation directly. So as I move slowly and steadily toward the goal of a legacy magazine and a life-changing movement, I hope you will join me in the slow and steady race toward making a lasting impact in the lives of so many who deserve so much for giving so sacrificially of themselves. Bonus, you get to read some pretty amazing stories about some pretty amazing people who have done some pretty amazing things! In the Trenches, Hannah Bouwmeester Publisher
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Featured Veteran
Carlos Castillo
Serving - Evolving - Enduring Written by Karen Rieser Featured photos by Mike Banno
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United States Marine Corps Veteran Carlos Castillo always sensed he had it in his heart to serve others. As with many young people, he spent a great deal of time contemplating how to serve and what path he would take to do so. As a young adult, Carlos found his interests leaning towards law enforcement. Earning a degree in Criminal Justice and then graduating basic police training. Unfortunately, at the time of Carlos’ graduation, law enforcement jobs were few and far between. Not wanting to stray from his dream of serving, Carlos looked for other ways to enhance his resume, so he decided to join the United States Marines Corps. However, with the events of 9/11, Carlos’ purpose for becoming a Marine changed quickly from beefing up his resume to wanting to serve his country and protect his family. In his words, “if not me, then who?” Carlos served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006 and 2007. He was deployed to Al Anbar Province, Fallujah, Iraq. The desert environment presented a unique set of circumstances; the heat, sand, winds, and scenery were new experiences. He began as an 0311 Infantry Rifleman and was later selected to serve with the Military Transition Team, MTT Brigade, as personal security for U.S. Military personnel and foreign leaders.
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During his service, Carlos experienced both positive and negative aspects of deployment. As with many service members, being away from home was very difficult; for Carlos leaving a newborn son behind was particularly painful. In addition, he endured losing brothers on the battlefield, one of whom was a very close friend. On the flip side, Carlos was honored to serve alongside noble men and women from the United States and Foreign Service. He was also fascinated by the Iraqi culture and traditions, many of which were like those of his Mexican culture. Carlos enjoyed learning Iraqi history and observing the country’s unique beauty still visible under the rubble left by war. A major challenge for Carlos came upon his return home. He came from an environment of battle, destruction, and tension. In Carlos’ words, this
took him “to a very dark place.” While experiencing this darkness, he arrived at a “pivot point moment” during which he realized he needed help. After some extensive searching, Carlos eventually started learning ways as to how to cope with his struggles. He became more and more familiar with Veteran resources and finally found his new purpose, his new mission. Carlos’ continuing desire to serve others next led him on a path to support other Veterans experiencing readjustment issues after their service. He has been serving the Veteran population since 2014 and continues to do so. In September of 2020, Carlos began working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Grand Rapids Vet Center, serving as their Veterans Outreach Program Specialist. In this position, he leads outreach efforts in his service area, covering 15 counties in Michigan. As a community-based readjustment counseling center, services are provided to those who served in a conflict, area of hostility, Guard, and Reserves. Carlos is honored to be able to serve his fellow service members and their family members. He remembers all
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too well his search to find resources or someone genuinely interested in helping him during his struggle and eventually helping find his path to getting back on his feet. Carlos feels that he still has work to do for himself; healing is a process. He has found what has been most helpful for himself and others is professional counseling and Veteran to Veteran support. The understanding of military experience is a huge aspect to serve today’s Veteran population. He puts it perfectly, “I enjoy being that pivot point and giving the Veteran and/ or family members hope. I enjoy working with Veterans and helping them navigate resources to get the help they need. (Giving)...that possible last chance effort and reaching (out) my hand to help that Veteran get up (is very rewarding).” Carlos’ advice to Veterans and their families is that for some, the war doesn’t end when they leave the battlefield. For some, it starts when they return home, and “it is one hell of a fight to fight alone.” He encourages anyone in this position to utilize community resources, find what works for you, connect with a support group, and stick with it. Carlos has experienced and knows what it was like to deal with the darkness alone. Today, Carlos promotes seeking help, researching what resources are in your area, connecting with other Veterans, and talking to a professional. In his words, “What can it hurt...” Carlos’ heart must be fulfilled as he is now playing a significant role in serving his military community, which in turn serves his country and continues his mission. Carlos dedicates his work to the men and women past, present, and future of the U.S. Military. He works for the warriors he has known and has served with who have paid the ultimate price... His message for them, “Fair Winds and Following Seas… and Semper Fidelis.”
Featured Veteran: Do you know a Veteran, Active-Duty Military, First Responder, etc. who you would like to nominate to be featured in an upcoming issue? Or would you be willing to share your story? Email pam@gatherveterans.com
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Featured Veteran
Tom Broderick Written by Amanda Renkiewicz Photo By Rachael Sherman
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Count the cost. Ask many questions and do your research. Go into it with a strong Jesuscentered foundation to keep you focused and grounded.
Meet Tom Broderick, a man with a passion for faith and our country. He served in the army from 1989-1992 after deciding to use the opportunity for his college fund and to see Europe. His grandfather was active during WWII in the Navy, and his father was in the army. Tom was a truck driver in the Infantry Unit, and played softball, which he says was a favorite pastime during his years of service. He met his wife Dana on the tennis court, and it was a game of love in more ways than one. They were partners in doubles, winning 6-4. “We met on her birthday and were engaged on Veterans Day on those same tennis courts in Traverse City,” Tom explains. “I had prayed about three weeks previous for a Christian girlfriend. Those prayers were answered later that summer of 1992.” The speedy response from God led to lifelong happiness, as the couple just celebrated their 25th anniversary on 24th May of this year. Growing up, Tom wanted to teach history, but put that profession on the back burner when he joined the military. After the service, he became a Christian (after having no religious affiliation growing up), and wanted to serve the Lord in ministry. “He opened up doors for me to combine my love of Him and history back in my hometown!” Tom exclaims. “That was and still is a great blessing from Jesus to me!” He attended Taylor University for his B.S. in Christian Ministries and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for M.A. in Religion. “I am finishing up my 22nd year at Traverse City Christian teaching Bible and Personal Finance. I also coached baseball for 16 years and softball for 3 years at TCCS.” What he loves most about his career is studying and researching in preparation for discussion and interaction with his students. He works to help students love God with their hearts and minds, critiquing worldviews and statements related to truth and religions. “I am preparing students to make a difference for Christ in this world,” he adds. During his military experience, Tom recalls the difficulty of going into combat in the Persian Gulf War. “I was quite nervous crossing the border to invade Iraq. I felt more at ease when
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I noticed our Army Engineers cleared the mines and obstacles providing safe lanes for us to drive through. Then I witnessed about 90 Iraqi POWs being guarded by our soldiers, which I viewed as a good sign for us depicting how the ground war was going to turn out.” While Tom felt his transition back to civilian life was not too challenging, his advocates for better PTSD counseling, health benefits and assistance, and a great support system of Veterans for Veterans. He believes exit counseling to prepare for life after the military would greatly ease Veterans’ return. When considering advice for those thinking of serving our country, Tom recommends, “Count the cost. Ask many questions and do your research. Go into it with a strong Jesuscentered foundation to keep you focused and grounded.” As a Veteran, Tom lives his life with greater patriotism, responsibility, and gratitude. “The United States is still the greatest country on the face of the Earth. We have done a tremendous amount to liberate and protect people around the world while acting as an agent of freedom more than any other country in history. I am proud to be an American! Thank you to all those who have sacrificed so much for so many!”
Featured Veteran: Do you know a Veteran, Active-Duty Military, First Responder, etc. who you would like to nominate to be featured in an upcoming issue? Or would you be willing to share your story? Email pam@gatherveterans.com
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Vet Center Grand Rapids Update
From the Desk of Carlos Castillo Services at the Grand Rapids Vet Center: Eligibility - Service members who served in the US Armed Forces, served in a conflict or area of hostility, operated unmanned aerial vehicles, mortuary affairs and medical personnel. Even if you do not meet eligibility criteria, call Carlos for additional information! Groups: Currently at GRVC we offer PTSD, Women Veteran groups and couples counseling groups. Soon we will offer an OIF/OEF peer support group to Vet Center clients, facilitated by an OIF Veteran and with support from combat counselors and community subject matter experts. Outreach: GRVC Outreach has been busy with attending events over the summer and continues to provide services in the community. If your organization is having an event and would like the GRVC to be there to talk about services for Veterans and their family members. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Carlos Castillo. VA Cell# 269-861-0852 or email Carlos. Castillo@va.gov - Carlos Castillo who is the Veterans Outreach Program Specialist can come out to your organization or event to meet and talk with your Veteran population about all the awesome services provided at the Vet Center. This is also super helpful in retaining your Veteran workforce as Carlos has a large Network of resources to share directly with Veterans and/or their family members. If you are interested in learning more about this program please go to www.vetcenter.va.gov or feel free to reach out to Carlos Castillo directly!
Carlos Castillo Veterans Outreach Program Specialist U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Grand Rapids Vet Center | 2050 Breton Road SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Office: 616.285.5795 | VA Cell: 269.861.0852 Email: Carlos.Castillo@va.gov For more information visit www.vetcenter.va.gov
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Great Outdoors
Majestic Manistee By Pete Lathrop Memorable events are usually formed with a combination of adversity, novelty, and wonderment. This was true of a weekend trek in September on the Manistee River Trail in northern Michigan. My son asked me to hike with him and camp out along the trail for a couple nights. Of course, I was thrilled by the invitation. The idea seemed right up my alley since I’ve had my
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share of adventures involving hiking, camping, and exploring throughout my life. I inherited this adventurousness from my father who was a dreamer and risk-taker. He and I shared experiences of hiking and canoeing on remote Canadian lakes and rivers, bivouacking on sandbars printed with fresh bear tracks and fighting clouds of mosquitoes and black flies. So, I thought a weekend trudge along a beautiful river forty minutes from home would be a nice jaunt. As I began to prepare for the hike, I realized I was ill-equipped to do any kind of overnight excursion.
So, I researched all the lightweight hiking equipment, beginning with a hiking pack, tent, then sleeping bag and mat and purchased them. All I needed were hiking boots. Instead of buying what I knew I needed, I settled for the well-used, almost worn-out boots I already had. Of course, my son was equipped to the teeth with the latest hiking gear. The day of our adventure came, and we parked the truck at a rustic campground south of Mesick where hikers could access the Manistee River trail, which is also part of the North Country Trail. The Manistee River watershed, one of the largest in Michigan, originates from seeps in a cedar swamp 6 mi southeast of the Village of Alba in Antrim County, at an elevation of 1,250 ft above sea level. The river then flows south and west, emptying into Lake Michigan at an elevation of 579 ft above sea level. (1) The higher topography along the river offers beautiful vistas on its northern end allowing hikers to see miles of beautiful forest and rolling hills.
a sense of excitement for the both of us and a confidence builder for myself that we were, indeed, on our way to an exciting and memorable adventure. Our goal was to hike the rest of the day till evening and set up camp. The weather was perfect. Not to cool; not too hot. The scenery along the trail was beautiful with waterfalls, serene forests, wildlife, and outlooks that presented miles of forest splendor with pockets of illuminating color. Enter the “well-used, almost worn-out boots.” Oh, and add to that the 50-plusyear-old body that “someone” forgot to exercise and prepare for the hike. At several points along the way I had to stop and catch my breath, which, if you were there, would look more like cardiac arrest. My feet were swollen and in pain and my back was aching. We were only 3 or 4 miles into the trek. After a few more hours of a strange mix of beauty and agony, we found a gorgeous overlook where we decided to camp. We set up our tents on the edge of a cliff that gave us a view of the river about 700 feet below with miles of northern Michigan forest laid out like a Persian carpet. After dinner, we sat around a fire and watched the sun set on one of the most picturesque scenes I’ve ever witnessed. The next day, we hiked halfway back and settled on a nice campsite right on the river.
Soon after we embarked on our quest, we came upon a long foot bridge crossing the river. Part of the 11-mile trail project to create the Manistee River Trail in 1992, the Suspension Bridge, or “Little Mac” Foot Bridge is a 245’ pedestrian foot bridge completed in 1996. It is the largest wooden suspension bridge in the Lower Peninsula. (2) Traversing the incredible bridge seemed to bring
The walk back to the truck seemed long the next morning, but it was only a small segment compared to the miles we hiked that weekend. After dropping Andrew off, I arrived at home and collapsed on my bed. Despite my aching body and my burning feet, I knew I had just completed a journey that I will forever be thankful for. Yes, memorable moments are usually accompanied with adversity, but I’ll never forget the bond I strengthened with my son and the beauty that could only be seen through the struggle. It’s worth it.
(1) https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/SR21_542283_7.pdf (2) https://www.visitmanisteecounty.com/web-2-0-directory/little-mac-foot-bridge
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Behind the Brand
Forward Exposure By Amanda Renkiewicz
When a picture is worth a thousand words, it’s important to have a photographer who approaches every job with an artist’s perspective to create a unique and interesting aesthetic that resonates. Enter Mike Banno, the owner and operator of Forward Exposure LLC, a professional photography and video production studio for both personal and business needs. “I started getting into photography around 2004,” Mike explains. “My origin story may not be as epic as the latest Marvel movie...however, it feels mighty to me! It started as a creative vent, but something else emerged: self-confidence. I never had any hobbies or did much outside of work and school, but all of a sudden I had this method of communication that was so much louder than my own words. Sharing images brought joy and excitement to me and those around me. Ultimately that’s what it’s all about: passion! I’ve always been an empathetic, passionate, and emotional person and this art has allowed me to share it with the world.” Mike began his business in 2014 and has been devoted to it ever since. “It’s a classic story of passion turned into a profession. I never played sports or music, and while growing up I never felt that I had a special talent. Honestly, I used to be pretty shy and awkward until I discovered photography. As I started creating artwork and meaningful portraits, my confidence grew tremendously. Finally I could say “Look - I created this!” and I started feeling like I fit in somewhere.” In his role as the owner and operator of the business, Mike wears a lot of hats. “I do everything! I shoot, edit, take calls, schedule, manage my website/social media, and troubleshoot. As a small business, I never had a budget to outsource anything, so maintaining a lean overhead is how I’ve been able to keep doing
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it all this time,” Mike says. He chose to be an entrepreneur due to the confidence he gained, and the freedom of the job. “The flexibility of doing what I love every day has been extremely rewarding. There are days I know I could have less hours logged, but I’m still inspired to keep going!” Mike laughs. When Mike isn’t on the job, he’s kept busy with his dog, Apollo, a flirtatious canine who gets a lot of love and attention. Mike spends his free time socializing with friends and family, and is a self-proclaimed nerd who enjoys video games, board games, and sci-fi movies. As advice to others, Mike says, “Don’t give up or talk yourself out of what you want to do! I wish I did this years ago. It’s going to be hard, and it will make you question your sanity sometimes... but it is 100% worth it! At least try to jump in headfirst. You can always get another job, but saying you work for yourself is something you can’t compare to.” www.forwardexposure.com
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Reynolds Jonkhoff
Honoring the Fallen
Be Adequately Prepared
Written by Brandon Lohr, Veteran Benefits Specialist
Like many men and women who serve in the military, my grandfather was always modest and humble when asked about his time in the Army. As a member of the 3rd Armored Division during the Korean War, Sergeant Robert Lohr spent a great deal of time on the front lines. He lost many friends yet still elected to return to the front lines to engage in the close combat that would earn him the points to be eligible to return home. When he eventually returned home in 1952, he never talked much about his time overseas in Korea. It seemed my grandfather didn’t feel that the praise given to him was necessarily warranted. Whenever someone thanked him for his service, he would graciously accept but would always follow with a statement to the effect of “the real heroes are the boys who never came back.” He was always an
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especially strong advocate for soldiers who died in Korea but were never identified and always stressed the importance of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. My grandfather’s passion for honoring his fallen comrades was one of the main factors that led me to become interested in helping veterans and their families in my own way. As a Veteran’s Benefit Coordinator for a local funeral home, I have the privilege of assisting veterans, and their families obtain the benefits they are entitled to when a veteran passes. Like my grandfather, many of these veterans were quietly proud of their service. Their families do not always know the details of their time in the armed forces or have the proper documentation
The DD-214 looks like this. The DD ‘certificate’ does NOT give all the information needed and is not an acceptable form for the VA.
needed in order to receive the benefits the veteran deserves. The honorable discharge papers required by the Veterans Administration are the main lynchpin in obtaining these benefits, yet a surprising number of families do not have access to these important documents. When my grandfather passed away last spring, our family was able to arrange with the funeral home all the benefits that he was eligible for quickly and seamlessly due to the fact that we had all of his discharge documents ready ahead of time. These benefits include a burial flag, choice from a variety of grave markers, a presidential memorial certificate, monetary benefits, and the presence of an Active-
Duty Military Funeral Honor guard from the veteran’s respective branch of service. All of these things are provided free of charge from the VA as long as the veteran’s family is able to provide adequate discharge documents. If you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran and you do not know where these discharge documents are located, they can usually be obtained from several different sources. However, the single most comprehensive archive is located in St. Louis at the National Personnel Records Center, where nearly all military service records are stored. For more information on how to obtain veteran service documents, please visit Archives.gov.
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Service Provider
Michigan State Police 57 Troopers Graduate, as 74 Recruits Prepare to Begin Next Academy; State Police Seek Applicants for Next Classes From Michigan State Police
M
ichigan communities will soon benefit from the addition of 57 troopers who graduated this afternoon from the 139th Trooper Recruit School.
During the ceremony in Lansing, in which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was the keynote speaker, Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police (MSP), administered the Oath of Office to 57
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individuals who begin their assignments at MSP posts across the state next week. “Public service is a noble calling and I’m proud of the 57 graduates who join the ranks of the Michigan State Police today to begin serving the people of Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “The Michigan State Police is one of the premier law enforcement agencies in our country, and I want every trooper to know that as a former prosecutor, I got your back and I recognize and appreciate the sacrifices you make to keep us safe.” The 139th Trooper Recruit School began on Sunday, March 7, 2021, with 75 prospective troopers, at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing. Recruits received training in patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, cultural diversity and implicit bias, decision making, leadership, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing, firearms, water safety, defensive tactics and precision driving. Tpr. Brock Bowers was elected Class Orator by his fellow recruits and spoke on behalf of the graduating class at their ceremony. Also recognized during the ceremony were Tpr. Charles Gutt who received the Team Building Award, Tpr. Joseph Milbocker who received the Outstanding Performance Award, Tpr. Aaron Tait who received the Academic Achievement Award and
Tpr. Shawn Cosgrove who received the Marksmanship Award. “Today as we celebrate adding these 57 individuals to the Michigan State Police family, their future is laid out in front of them, full of opportunity and excitement,” said Gasper. “At a time when solidifying and growing relationships with the communities we serve is critically important, I know these newest troopers will rise to challenge, helping us to continue to deliver the very best in law enforcement services.” Including the 57 graduates of the 139th Trooper Recruit School, there are approximately 1,215 troopers assigned statewide, and a total of 1,900 enlisted members in the MSP. The next recruit school, the 140th Trooper Recruit School, begins on Sunday, Aug. 22, at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing with 74 prospective troopers. They are expected to graduate on Feb. 17, 2022. With hundreds of trooper vacancies due to continued attrition, the MSP Recruiting and Selection Section and Training Division remain busy. The MSP is actively recruiting for future trooper recruit schools, including the 141st Trooper Recruit School, which is the department’s first recruit school for licensed law enforcement officers and the 142nd Trooper Recruit School. Persons interested in learning more should visit www.michigan.gov/MSPjobs for information on how to apply.
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Coast Guard Station
David Johnson By Amanda Renkiewicz
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The members of our community’s Coast Guard are tasked with keeping our maritime adventurers safe and smart. As heroes in our area, GATHER honors those who undertake this colossal task and delves into the stories of how these brave men and women became Coast Guards. Meet David Johnson, a native of Renton, Washington, a city just outside Seattle. Over his 16-year career, he’s been stationed in Bellingham, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle before moving to Traverse City in 2018. He and his wife have had a daycare in their house since 2015, with both as licensed daycare providers. They have one daughter and are kept busy through her sporting endeavors. GATHER interviewed David to learn about his active life and experience with his service.
When did you first become interested in the military? I was always interested in joining the Marine Corps until I was a freshman in high school and my older brother joined the Coast Guard. I didn’t do well in school (I think I graduated with a 2.5 GPA), and college was looking like a struggle for me. I wanted to do something meaningful with my life and serve our country. So, I decided to join the Coast Guard right after I graduated. What is your military background? Both of my grandfathers served in the Army. One served during WWII where he met my grandmother in her native country of Belgium. My other grandfather served during the Korean War. There was a whole generation gap of no one serving until my older brother and I decided to serve. Tell us about your experience with the Coast Guard. My journey in the Coast Guard has been all over the road and I can talk forever about it! Mostly, my career has been in law enforcement, with one unit being a deployable law enforcement unit. This unit sent me to Central and South America on numerous occasions, the Caribbean twice, and one tour in Iraq during the war in 2007 (Yes, the Coast Guard was in Iraq). When over in Iraq, my mission was to train Iraqi marines how to do law enforcement and inspections of oil tanker vessels. What do you hope for your fellow veterans? Our veterans need more support. Too many are forgotten about and seem to get lost in our system. Do you have any personal experience with PTSD, and what are some of the ways you’ve been able to overcome it? I can speak firsthand with people I have served with when I was stationed in San Francisco at Station Golden Gate. At this station, we were called many times to recover bodies from people committing suicide off the Golden Gate Bridge. The effects of this on some of my close friends are troubling and I have seen some of them go through some dark times. I don’t know what effects it has had on me, but I know making it external instead of trying to keep it in always helped me.
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am going to be her assistant coach for hockey! I’m not the best skater but the way she got excited when I told her I will coach her gave me no option but to do it. My daughter has been playing hockey since she was 5 and ice skating since she was 3. She loves the ice so much she made me put an ice rink in our backyard. I may have also wanted this, but we will blame it on her. Tell us about the Special Education degree that you are pursuing. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and found my calling when taking a Special Ed class at Central Michigan (Fire up Chips). I am a senior at Central by credits but have a long way to go to receive my degree. Children with disabilities are not given enough attention, and most of the time are forgotten, just like our veterans. Not long ago, children with disabilities were taken from their parents at birth and placed into hospitals where they were quickly forgotten (Geraldo Rivera did a documentary on PBS about it). Still to this day schools violate laws put in place protecting special needs children. The most vulnerable people always get taken advantage of and I hope one day I can help stop this.
What do you recommend for fellow veterans who suffer from PTSD? I think talking about your stress with people who have experienced similar tragedies is key. What is deemed a traumatic event varies from person to person, so it’s very relative. My point is simple: don’t let your own ego get in the way, because no matter how small the issue may seem if it’s causing problems or keeping you from doing your normal activities, you should address it. Tell us about your family and your involvement with your child’s sports. I have a nine-year-old daughter who I have coached in soccer. This year I
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What are some of your hobbies? I love to build and set up small firework displays because fireworks are legal here in Michigan, and who doesn’t love loud noise and pretty colors? Most of my neighbors love it but you can’t please everyone. I also do renovations to houses I buy. I’m a man who does not mind manual labor and hard work. For relaxing, I play soccer and hockey. Both games are awesome and never get enough love. One of my other favorite hobbies is running. Running clears my head and keeps me in good physical shape and health. What is your favorite quote? Since I love to joke around, I’ll give you two! First, “Bad decisions make great stories.” And second, Wayne Gretsky’s “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.”
In the Kitchen Fudgy brownies with rich cheesecake, chocolate frosting, and candy cane pieces make for a decadent dessert that looks like you spent all day making it. In reality, you’ll spend just over an hour, most of which is waiting for the brownies to bake. The not-so-secret is using a box brownie mix for the base layer, pouring the cheesecake filling over top, and baking the whole affair together at once. You heard me. No baking in stages to get the layers to set. These Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies components are layered and baked at the same time. How easy is that?
Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies By Kirsten Kubert (comfortablydomestic.com – Mother of an Active-Duty Military Son) Instructions
Peppermint Cheesecake Brownies are moist, fudgy brownies topped with rich cheesecake, chocolate icing, and a smattering of peppermint candies. 20 min Prep Time
45 min Cook Time
Yields 15 Brownies
Ingredients • 1 (21.5oz.) package brownie mix (enough for a 13 x 9 pan), plus ingredients necessary to make brownies according to package directions • 1 (8oz.) package cream cheese • 2 Tbs. unsalted butter, softened
• 1 Tbs. cornstarch • 1 (14oz.) can sweetened condensed milk • 1 egg • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 1 (16oz.) container prepared chocolate frosting • 2 to 3 candy canes, crushed (to taste)
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 13 x 9 pan with baking spray. 2. Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions. Spread the batter into the prepared pan; set the pan aside while preparing the cheesecake filling. 3. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with the butter and cornstarch until fluffy. Gradually blend in the sweetened condensed milk, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter, spreading to the edges. 4. Bake the cheesecake brownies at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Remove it from the oven and allow to cool. Once cool, refrigerate for 2 hours to set. 5. Once chilled, spread the frosting over the top of the cheesecake brownies. Cut the brownies into bars with a sharp knife. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes just prior to serving.
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Inspiration
Raymond Davis A Profile in Courage Written by Tom Dalluge
We exchanged pleasantries and spoke of destinations. Mine was Singapore. His name was Ray, and he softly told me he was headed to Tokyo and then on to Seoul. He seemed unassuming and quiet. I asked what he would be doing in Seoul, and Ray said he had volunteered to work on a committee that President Reagan had formed to help establish a Korean War Memorial. I was a history buff but had a profound blind spot when it came to Korea. I asked Ray if he was a veteran and if he had served in Korea. Both were answered in the affirmative. Having completed the required preflight formalities, I buried myself in work and my book for the 27-hour flight “Profiles in Courage”. We talked only intermittently through the trip and parted upon arriving at Narita. I didn’t think about this until two years later, in July 1995, when I nearly fell off the treadmill at lunchtime while watching the Korean War Memorial dedication live in the gym. My seatmate Ray was no lonely old veteran puttering around doing busy work. He was Lt. General Raymond Davis, a retired four-star Marine general. His career had stretched from Guadalcanal in 1942 to the command of a US Marine army in Vietnam in the early 1970s.
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Davis was chairman of the Korean War Memorial Foundation, a non-profit that had raised the money and shepherded the monument to completion through three administrations. He was standing between President Clinton and the President of South Korea. Ray Davis’ service in Korea, specifically in December 1950, would earn him a place in the pantheon of Marine Corps heroes. Davis was then a Lt. Colonel commanding the 7th Battalion, 1st Marines who escaped from the isolated and surrounded forces at the Chosin Reservoir hamlet of Yudam-ni and using primitive trails, endured minus 40 degree temperatures to surprise and knock out Chinese forces holding two commanding hilltops. The 7/1 then linked up with a nearly depleted rifle company to hold a key pass allowing the evacuation of two regiments from Yudamni to join up with more forces waiting at Hagru-ri. This breakout was one of the critical steps in the legendary Chosin Campaign. For this service to his country, Raymond G. Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman. After that, I read several books and articles on the man. A quote by an enlisted man under his command
Raymond Davis
seemed to describe the man I met on the plane – “From Georgia, soft-spoken. No gruff, no bluff. Never talked down to you and made you feel comfortable in his presence”. I never again met Ray Davis, but in 2015 my son and I visited the National Mall on an overcast day. We lingered at the Korean War Memorial, soaking it in. The memorial is filled with symbolism. The 19 steel soldiers represent a platoon coming out of the trees into a scrubby clearing. From a distance, it looks like the soldiers are framed against a wall of granite with mountain peaks jutting skyward. Korea was the first war with integrated forces, and the memorial depicts African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native-American, and Caucasian troops. For the first time, a member of the Air Force is shown as that service had been formed only a few years before. To one side is a small lifted area of granite known as the UN Curb. This curb commemorates the countries that provided troops and material support to the United Nations effort in Korea. At the front, there is a Pool of Remembrance dedicated to the more than three million who died, two million of whom were civilians. Behind the Pool of Remembrance is a granite wall with four, simple, powerful words. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. As one moves closer to those mountains behind the steel soldiers, a revelation occurs. These are actually smaller etchings of the faces of people;
Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home is honored to help care for fallen veterans and their families. We are proud to be the only funeral home in northern Michigan with a dedicated Veteran’s Benefits Specialist. Do you have Questions? Call Brandon at (231) 947 - 6347
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of support, logistics, medical, naval, aviation, maintenance, and engineering service members. Much like at the Vietnam Memorial, there have been many heart-rending moments where veterans or their families have discovered loved ones on the wall.
with its platoon on point, but it had a subtleness that seemed appropriate in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial. It seemed ‘soft-spoken, no gruff, no bluff, it didn’t talk down to you, and you felt comfortable in its presence’ just like Ray Davis, the guy in the next seat.
The steel soldiers reflect off the granite wall effectively doubling their number to 38. The number is purposeful. It reminds us that the war began with the Koreas divided at the 38th parallel, and it ended with the line of demarcation effectively unchanged.
The irony has occurred more times than I care to admit over the years. I sat for more than twelve hours next to an icon of American heroism, blithely reading Profiles in Courage. Regret is a terrible thing, for you have no idea whether those twelve hours would have provided an insight on courage that one could never find in a book. My guess is a man with Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Inchon, Chosinr, Vietnam, and Chesty Puller on his resume had much to teach.
When I visited with my son, I thought of my seatmate and how much the memorial seemed to embody him. It was alert and on the ready
Regret is a terrible thing, for you have no idea whether those twelve hours would have provided an insight on courage that one could never find in a book.
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Military Kids
Veterans Day Celebration - OMPS Written by Amanda Renkiewicz
Every year the elementary students at OMPS in Traverse City host a remarkable Veterans Day Celebration to show their appreciation for the men and women who served our country. However, because of COVID, things had to look a little different. Teacher in charge Mason Hopkins explained, “World Kindness Day and Veterans Day were only two days apart, so we tried to combine spreading kindness with showing our Veterans the appreciation they deserve! OMPS chose to give back to local Veterans and Military families in need.” She set up a sign-up page for each teacher to choose an item or items they’d like to gather donations for. A few of the items donated were food, hygiene supplies, games, school supplies, and more food! “The hope was that our school could fill 50 stockings to donate to local Veterans and Military families for the
holiday season,” Mason said. “However, our OMPS families went above and beyond. Our school filled all 50 stockings and filled an additional 10 bins full! The students were able to fill stockings themselves, and they also made kind cards for the Veterans thanking them for their service.” OMPS coordinated with John Lefler, the president of Grand Traverse Area Veterans Coalition, to make this holiday surprise a reality. “He gladly drove out to our school to pick up the donations,” Mason added. “Our donations filled the bed of his truck and the backseat of the cab. He was amazed with our community’s generosity.” Thank you to our local students and families for supporting our veteran community!
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Around The State (Last Day!) Pellston to Mackinaw City, MI 16 Miles Walked 220 Total Miles Walked.
Suicide Walk Update
Day 5 Complete! rt, MI y Maple Cit to Northpo 20 Miles Walked
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Day 9: MI a L Torch ke, Elk Rapids to ed lk a W s 15 Mile
Day 11: Petoskey, MI 20 miles walke d
Charlevoix to
“Our steps to day are dedicated to the 11 Marines, and Navy Brother that w ere lost today in Kabul, Afghanistan.”
Words from Travis:
Travis Snyder, Veteran Infantryman at U.S. Marine Corps, who also served in Afghanistan, walked 220 miles, along M-22, for the Mission 22 Organization and to commemorate the 22 veterans lost to suicide each day. His story was featured in the September/ October issue of GATHER Veterans, Warriors, Heroes. Mission 22 is dedicated to healing America’s veterans when they need it most — right now. They offer treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury and all of the issues veterans face today. Their motto, “It takes a community to heal a Warrior, and it takes a Warrior to heal a community.”#UnitedWeHeal Visit their website at www.mission22.com for more information.
Thank you for your support this year. Another walk is in the books, and I’m grateful for each and every one of you who offered a word of encouragement, support, a donation, a meal, a place to stay, or even shared any of our posts. To those who are struggling with mental health challenges, please know that resources are available to help you find healing. Feel free to reach me or any of the fine organizations around and ask about the programs available for support. No matter who you are, where you come from, or where you’re going, just know… You will never walk alone.
If you feel led to contribute to Travis’s venture personally, visit https://gofund.me/9821866d
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Inspiration
Coffee Table Coach
The Commander’s Intent By Hannah Bouwmeester
“Because emotion and logic will both reach their limitations. And when one fails, you need to rely on the other. When it just doesn’t make any logical sense to go on, that’s when you use your emotion, your anger, your frustration, your fear, to push further, to push you to say one thing: ‘I don’t stop.’” - Jocko Willink, Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual
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“When it just doesn’t make any logical sense to go on.” I can relate to that. Can you? Those moments in life when you feel beat down, depressed, disappointed. The circumstances or relational troubles you are experiencing just keep you wondering, “Why try?” Certain seasons seem to be an incubator for these kinds of troubling thoughts and overpowering emotions. The kind that makes you just want to quit. Stop. Give up. Even the toughest of tough seem to have a limit given the right environment. The Holiday Season is one such circumstance that can cause even the mentally strongest man or woman to break. Maybe you find yourself alone, with no family or friends close by. Perhaps you have lost loved ones this year and face the new norm of the holidays and
life moving forward. Maybe you have lost your job, or your finances are tight. Regardless of the circumstance, you are angry, frustrated, fearful, lonely, or whatever best describes your emotional state. The reality is your emotion has reached its limitation, and now you need to switch to logic.
vision and mission statement. Maybe you lost your job, and that was unforeseen. Now, what will you do to keep showing up as a husband and father or wife and mother to your family, so your original mission of providing and being the backbone of your family stays on track?
What exactly does that look like? Well, for you Veterans, you are familiar with The Commander’s Intent. For those readers who may not be, the Commander’s Intent is a clear definition and description of what the Commander envisioned as the desired end to the mission. It considers the unknowns and unforeseen circumstances that may arise while on task to complete said mission. The goal is to empower his subordinates to make decisions in keeping with the Commander’s Intent by helping guide their decision-making processes as they adapt and improvise. This overarching intent is absolutely vital to the accomplishment of the outlined mission and goal.
Look, we all have challenging times in life where we just want to say, “Forget it!” However, those individuals
who determine beforehand to take command of their life and decide their desired outcome will always land somewhere near the legacy lines they have drawn. So, take up the role of Commander in your own life today. Outline your mission. Stand firm in your desired goals. And never, ever, ever give up. Adapt, improvise, overcome and have a fantastic holiday season regardless.
So how do we apply this idea of “Commander’s Intent” to Jocko’s advice that says, regardless of how I am feeling, ‘I don’t stop’? It starts at the beginning of the mission. It’s a directive to see yourself as the Commander of your life’s mission and envision your desired end. You fully recognize the potential chaos, lack of information, changes in your situation, and other relevant factors that may make your original plan entirely or partially obsolete when it is executed. It’s your
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Health & Wellness
Becoming Human By Gordon Briley Welcome back to part two of “Becoming Human,” a limited glance at the incredible science of Epigenetics. In part one, we covered the basics of epigenetics and how our lives are influenced in many different ways or even altered before birth. For part two, I am sharing the “human” component of the story, and I will be divulging events I believe were a potential catalyst for my mental health struggles, many I have never shared until now. As a brief disclaimer, this is an opinion piece meant only to provide information to consider. Although I am a health and wellness professional, I am not a doctor, nor have my specific events been diagnosed by one. If you have further questions related to this article, please seek advice from a qualified professional. I am currently 42 years young and free of debilitating depression, self-doubt, and anxiety. A few years ago, I attempted to take my own life following a negative interaction with prescription anti-depressant drugs. I experienced
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years of feeling worthless, extreme lethargy, and worst of all, expending valuable energy hiding my true feelings. Throughout my life, I’ve always tried to forget my childhood. I innately knew this was likely contributing to my mental health struggles and wanted just to forget. Unfortunately, this only left me with a false sense of control. I needed to understand that I was human, and the people who impacted my life were also. In part one, I referenced that simple things like physical touch and genuine affirmation have a positive epigenetic influence on one’s health. On the flip side, negative experiences result in poor health and adverse developmental outcomes. However, as you’ll later discover, this is not the last word in my story, nor does it have to be in yours. My siblings and I learned about our earliest years through shared stories by family members. I was only
a few months old, my sister was 2, and my brother, the oldest, was 3. We were at the mercy of our parents’ decisions, good or bad. Our teenage mother didn’t want to give up her freedom to dependent children. So, she would set us in car seats in a dark basement or a spare bedroom far from her earshot. We remained there, locked in place for hours at a time. There was no cuddling, changing diapers, crawling, or walking; our essential nutrition requirements remained unmet. The results were devastating; diaper rash, chronic sickness, and many underlying issues developed. We were often locked in a tiny black crawlspace under our home, and she would rush us to hide there as the police were knocking on our door. My mother made it seem like it was all a game, but this was destructive to our emotional well-being and security. Constant disruption and erosion of our developmental milestones marked our young lives, such as extreme emotional highs and lows, chronic mental and emotional manipulation, and endless distorted behaviors witnessed by my siblings and me. These events have influenced who we have become as adults. So many of the traumas we experienced directly affected our gene expression, aka epigenetics. Being exposed to chronic stress, or what the scientific community calls ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), significantly influences
cognitive, emotional, and social behaviors. ACE’s are also critical predictors for future issues like anger, depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. These ACEs have an immediate effect. Experiencing adverse events in the first three years of life is the most destructive. When I dove headfirst into the study of epigenetics, I was able to frame things differently. I was able to interpret life from a new perspective. I stopped focusing on my pain and made understanding the goal. How did my mother’s upbringing influence who she became? Where did our family history of mental health issues begin? It was bigger than me. I needed to understand how to break this destructive cycle. The science of epigenetics has given me many of the answers I have sought. Through genetic testing, nutritional interventions, and a deeper understanding of how humans have evolved, I could quell my depressive symptoms completely. My constant fog finally lifted, and I began to live life positively again. Stay tuned for the next part in “Becoming Human,” where I will share how I could use the emerging science of epigenetics to start a potential customized plan based on my body’s specific genomic information. You won’t want to miss it.
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