The VFW Fights For Our Nation's Veterans

Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the VFW helped establish the Veterans Administration and has been fighting for the rights of our nation's veterans since the Spanish American War.  Joe Davis, Public Affairs Director for the National VFW, explains the many functions of the VFW, and discusses the scandal now embroiling the VA, and ways in which the VFW thinks the system should be fixed.

Landing Ship Tanks Carried Troops to Normandy

No one who sees the film "Saving Private Ryan" can forget the opening scenes of the movie, when the invasion at Normandy is depicted so graphically.  It starts with a shot inside a Landing Craft Vehicle, which drew close enough to the beach for the troops to swim to dry land...those who weren't shot in the water.  LCVs and trops were transported by LSTs...Landing Ship Tanks.

Andrew Zimmerman's grandfather served on the most highly-decorated Landing Ship Tank operated by the U. S. Coast Guard during WWII.  His book offers an in-depth examination of what one Navy historian called "the most useful all-around craft invented by the Navy."

We Got Each Other Home also explores the lives of many of the men who served on LST 66, and the duties they performed in service to our country, when our country needed them most.

Raising Funds on Two Wheels for Welcome House and Cancer Research

Have you ever ridden a bicycle 230 miles?  That's what Tony Thomas, executive director of Welcome House will be doing on July 19th and 20th for the VeloSano fundraiser.  This two-day bike ride will help raise money for cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic and Welcome House, an organization determined to help individuals with developmental disabilities live a full life.

Alex Hale's "I'mPossible Dream" Campaign Kicks Off With the Help of a Heavy Hitter

Singer-songwriter Alex Hale, a champion for autism awareness launches his "My I'mPossible Dream" campaign next week in the Heavy Hitters room at Progressive Field, where Indians President Mark Shapiro is expected to endorse the effort. Alex is hoping to raise the funds to help record a CD.  The proceeds would benefit Autism Speaks. 

Jam For Justice Raises Funds For Legal Aid Society

The Jam for Justice, a fundraiser for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland takes place on June 11 at the House of Blues Cleveland.  Cuyahoga County Common Please Court Judge Michael Donnelly is a guitar player and singer in Faith and Whiskey, one of six bands scheduled to perform.  The bands are comprised mostly of musicians who have day jobs in the legal profession.

Judge Donnelly is joined in this interview by attorney Melanie Shakarian, Development Director for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

Fighting For A Fisher House to Benefit Veterans' Families

Tom Sweeney, Doug Harvey and Rick DeChant/photo credit: whkradio

Despite problems plaguing the Department of Veterans Affairs, efforts to benefit our nation's veterans and their families continue with the push to build a Greater Cleveland Fisher House on the campus of the Louis Stokes VA medical Center at Wade Park in Cleveland.

Tom Sweeney, President of the Greater Cleveland Fisher House outlines the effort, along with board member Doug Harvey and Rick DeChant, Executive Director of  Tri-C Veterans Service at Cuyahoga Community College.

Recording A Day In The Life Of A Cleveland Chef

Michael Nowak is the executive chef and owner of The Black Pig, one of the restaurants that makes Ohio City such a desirable destination in Cleveland.  Despite being an established chef, he is the subject of the first of the Emerging Chefs documentary film series, Rustbelt Rebels.

Chef Nowak discusses Cleveland's culinary scene, and how he was the target of movie cameras recording his every move.  He also explains how you can help ensure the movie gets a red carpet premiere in Cleveland, by contributing to the movie's kickstarter campaign.