Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's Talk of the Town on news radio WOULD thirteen
hundred and one oh six nine FM. Steve Kelly and
Brett Pikita from West Michigan's Morning News back with us
once again with the Ottawa County Department of Veteran Services.
We will welcome for the first time Caleb Warpole, who
is the community Outreach specialist and Army OOPS and Air
Force veteran. Caleb, thanks for doing this today. Absolutely thanks
(00:20):
for having Usteve back with us. Jason Schenkl who is
the director and Army veteran. Thank you Jason for coming
in today.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Thank you, and thank you both for your service. We
should add as well and continued service. Right because you're
with the Ottawa County Department of Veteran Services, we're talking
about you and community partners throwing on another event. This
is a free event offering critical resources, services and support
for veterans in their families all in one place. It's
the Veterans Stand Down and Resource Fair, which is coming
(00:50):
up Thursday, September eighteenth. And I don't know which one
of you wants to take this, but you're spreading the
love around right. You were in Holland last time. This
time around, you're in Grand Haven.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
We we decided strategically that, you know, we wanted to
make sure that we were available to all veterans and
their families across the county. So we wanted to just
moving around be a little bit more proactive in building
relationships with other communities within the county. We're known for
being in Holland, you know, and we really want to
get the word out and you know, there's some of
(01:22):
our veterans that have transportation issues and we want to
make sure that we are we get close to them.
So that's one of the main reasons for doing that.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I love having Caleb with us too, because, as you know, Jason,
we had you in last year, and we love talking
about these events because they're so needed county by county,
and I love it when they pop up and success
in year one for you guys. But Caleb, this event
really brought you to why you're here today, right, I did.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Yeah, So ironically I went to the standown last year
that was held in Holland, and it was a terrific event.
They connected with a lot of veterans, including Jason and
the staff. And fast forward a few months later there
ended up being this job that opened up for this
depart doing community outreach. That's my background of the military,
and it was a good fit.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
And here we are.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Let me follow up with when you walked in what
you saw, because I think that's so important for us
to kind of paint that picture for veterans or veterans
spouses or families that might be taking of this event, yeah,
because they need help. What was it that caught your attention?
Speaker 4 (02:20):
Well, I mean, first off, you walk in and it's
full of veterans, right, and so just being with that community,
being with your brothers and sisters and arms that you
live with in your own community and outside of the service,
that alone is just a really magnificent experience. But outside
of that, I mean, there's over sixty vendors that were there,
tons of resources, whether it's the Department of Veterans Affairs,
(02:41):
a Secretary of State. There was Canine Companions, there was
a whole bunch of different resources, and just seeing all
of that in one spot is really convenient and really
really helpful for the veteran community.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Again. The event is coming up Thursday, September eighteenth at
Central Park Place at the event Center there for Columbus
Avenue in Grand Haven. Jason talked to us a little
bit more about who's right for this event and what
do I need to bring? Do I need my military
I D my DD two fourteen anything like that.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
So the first part of that question, it's for everybody,
so stand down and resource fair. Really, if we break
that in half, to stand down is more focused towards
veterans who are at risk of homelessness or who are
currently homeless. We have the ability to we have some
resources there. The VA gave us some surplus items to
hand out, you know, to kind of get them prep
(03:33):
for winter. Right. The other part is the resource fair,
and that's for any any veteran family member or an
ally that just wants to come and learn about what
veteran resources are available. Because we know knowledge is power,
and if I know of something and I run across
somebody that you know may need a resource, then I'm
educated to pass that information on. So really it's designed
(03:57):
for everybody that come. And the second part you got
to remind me of what the second question was.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
I don't remember it either. What do I need to bring?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Oh? Yeah, so if you have your military ID or
need two to fourteen, which is your discharge paperwork. Bring
that along, however, we will be on site and if
you don't have that documents with you, we have the
ability to get those. So that's one of the cool
things we have going on there as well.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Thursday, September eighteenth, is Steve mentioned the times ten am
to two pm. Veteran Services Atmiottawa dot Org is a
great resource and there's still time. There's vendor registration as
well as volunteer registration, right guys.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Correct, Yeah, we do still have a few spots leftfers,
some vendors. They are filling up quickly, so if you
do want to be a vendor, get in there fast.
We are looking for volunteers anyone that wants to assist
on the day of or help us do preparation ahead
of time.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
And Steve, one of the things I want to mention too,
if you're not familiar with Grand Haven, most of us
know the main drag along the channel right then you've
got Washington. This is that beautiful park that just east
of downtown, got a fountain and everything so great set up,
easy to park all around there and easy access for
the veterans of people that are coming to this.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
We are talking to Ottawa County Department of Veterans Services,
but also on hand the US Department of Veteran Services
and a bunch of nonprofits and housing and employment organizations.
And I want to super serve mental health for those
that are listening to the program, and like you said,
Jason may know someone who needs some help, there is
help out there, and finding the right stuff and especially
(05:29):
if you're having some problems paying for it is key,
and especially for those combat veterans that may be listening
to the program as well.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Yeah, I mean mental health is I mean, it's a
big one right now. You know, every generation of veteran
you kind of you have a certain flavor right of
you know, the Vietnam you know, working through Asian orange
and toxics exposure and all those things. And this generation
the veteran, you know, has a lot of hidden wounds
that we need to work through. We're the tip of
(06:02):
the spear. They need to come see us, and then
from there we can really put them in the right
direction for the resources that they could use, whether it's
through the federal VA or something locally. But yeah, it's
definitely something we need to work on and continue to
maintain the focus. So and there's some great nonprofits that
(06:25):
are going to be with us that are really focused
in that specific mental health realm.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
So I was blown away, guys. I went to my
first Armed Forces Thanksgiving and my partner here is the
MC of that event. And obviously with his dad, the
colonel who passed away, he always talks about military and
understanding different things when it comes to the military. I
get a kick out of it because I fall on line,
you know, after he tells me, Hey, this is what
this means, this is what this means. But I want
(06:52):
you guys to talk about stand down because there is
meaning for this and you're seeing more of this with
these events that I think has a cool tie. So
whoever wants to, you know, tell about that a little bit,
but stand down in the importance of it when it
comes to the military community.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, I'll kick that off. So stand down in the
military community usually is a specific time that you just
stop operations, you just just stop normal day to day
activities and you focus on one important task. It could
be safety, it could be summertimes coming and we want
to you know, pay close attention to water sports and
(07:29):
you know, grilling and you know pro pain, and it's
just you know, but it's it's I kind of make
it sound a little simpler than it is, but it's
really a day to just stop everything else and just
focus in on a key task and it's usually around
safety and that sort of thing, and that's where the
standdown comes in. We're going to stop for a day
(07:49):
and we're really just going to focus on that task
at hand, which is helping our veterans that are struggling
or at risk of struggling with with homelessness or or
food and security or something in that. So that's kind
of where that that kind of comes from. The Department
of Labor kind of jumped on that and we kind
(08:09):
of go with it.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
But yeah, you may find out more as we mentioned
through the Ottawa County website Amiotawa dot org. Thursday, September eighteenth,
it's ten to two at the Central Park Events Center.
Caleb Worpole is an Air Force veteran community outreach specialist.
Jason Schenkel, Army veteran, the director of the Department of
Veterans Services in Ottawa County. Thank you both for coming.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
In, Thank you for having us. Thank you This is
Talk
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Of the Town on news radio with thirteen hundred and
one oh six nine FM.
It's Talk of the Town on news radio WOULD thirteen
hundred and one oh six nine FM. Steve Kelly and
Brett Pikita from West Michigan's Morning News back with us
once again with the Ottawa County Department of Veteran Services.
We will welcome for the first time Caleb Warpole, who
is the community Outreach specialist and Army OOPS and Air
Force veteran. Caleb, thanks for doing this today. Absolutely thanks
(00:20):
for having Usteve back with us. Jason Schenkl who is
the director and Army veteran. Thank you Jason for coming
in today.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Thank you, and thank you both for your service. We
should add as well and continued service. Right because you're
with the Ottawa County Department of Veteran Services, we're talking
about you and community partners throwing on another event. This
is a free event offering critical resources, services and support
for veterans in their families all in one place. It's
the Veterans Stand Down and Resource Fair, which is coming
(00:50):
up Thursday, September eighteenth. And I don't know which one
of you wants to take this, but you're spreading the
love around right. You were in Holland last time. This
time around, you're in Grand Haven.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
We we decided strategically that, you know, we wanted to
make sure that we were available to all veterans and
their families across the county. So we wanted to just
moving around be a little bit more proactive in building
relationships with other communities within the county. We're known for
being in Holland, you know, and we really want to
get the word out and you know, there's some of
(01:22):
our veterans that have transportation issues and we want to
make sure that we are we get close to them.
So that's one of the main reasons for doing that.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I love having Caleb with us too, because, as you know, Jason,
we had you in last year, and we love talking
about these events because they're so needed county by county,
and I love it when they pop up and success
in year one for you guys. But Caleb, this event
really brought you to why you're here today, right, I did.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Yeah, So ironically I went to the standown last year
that was held in Holland, and it was a terrific event.
They connected with a lot of veterans, including Jason and
the staff. And fast forward a few months later there
ended up being this job that opened up for this
depart doing community outreach. That's my background of the military,
and it was a good fit.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
And here we are.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Let me follow up with when you walked in what
you saw, because I think that's so important for us
to kind of paint that picture for veterans or veterans
spouses or families that might be taking of this event, yeah,
because they need help. What was it that caught your attention?
Speaker 4 (02:20):
Well, I mean, first off, you walk in and it's
full of veterans, right, and so just being with that community,
being with your brothers and sisters and arms that you
live with in your own community and outside of the service,
that alone is just a really magnificent experience. But outside
of that, I mean, there's over sixty vendors that were there,
tons of resources, whether it's the Department of Veterans Affairs,
(02:41):
a Secretary of State. There was Canine Companions, there was
a whole bunch of different resources, and just seeing all
of that in one spot is really convenient and really
really helpful for the veteran community.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Again. The event is coming up Thursday, September eighteenth at
Central Park Place at the event Center there for Columbus
Avenue in Grand Haven. Jason talked to us a little
bit more about who's right for this event and what
do I need to bring? Do I need my military
I D my DD two fourteen anything like that.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
So the first part of that question, it's for everybody,
so stand down and resource fair. Really, if we break
that in half, to stand down is more focused towards
veterans who are at risk of homelessness or who are
currently homeless. We have the ability to we have some
resources there. The VA gave us some surplus items to
hand out, you know, to kind of get them prep
(03:33):
for winter. Right. The other part is the resource fair,
and that's for any any veteran family member or an
ally that just wants to come and learn about what
veteran resources are available. Because we know knowledge is power,
and if I know of something and I run across
somebody that you know may need a resource, then I'm
educated to pass that information on. So really it's designed
(03:57):
for everybody that come. And the second part you got
to remind me of what the second question was.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
I don't remember it either. What do I need to bring?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Oh? Yeah, so if you have your military ID or
need two to fourteen, which is your discharge paperwork. Bring
that along, however, we will be on site and if
you don't have that documents with you, we have the
ability to get those. So that's one of the cool
things we have going on there as well.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Thursday, September eighteenth, is Steve mentioned the times ten am
to two pm. Veteran Services Atmiottawa dot Org is a
great resource and there's still time. There's vendor registration as
well as volunteer registration, right guys.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Correct, Yeah, we do still have a few spots leftfers,
some vendors. They are filling up quickly, so if you
do want to be a vendor, get in there fast.
We are looking for volunteers anyone that wants to assist
on the day of or help us do preparation ahead
of time.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
And Steve, one of the things I want to mention too,
if you're not familiar with Grand Haven, most of us
know the main drag along the channel right then you've
got Washington. This is that beautiful park that just east
of downtown, got a fountain and everything so great set up,
easy to park all around there and easy access for
the veterans of people that are coming to this.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
We are talking to Ottawa County Department of Veterans Services,
but also on hand the US Department of Veteran Services
and a bunch of nonprofits and housing and employment organizations.
And I want to super serve mental health for those
that are listening to the program, and like you said,
Jason may know someone who needs some help, there is
help out there, and finding the right stuff and especially
(05:29):
if you're having some problems paying for it is key,
and especially for those combat veterans that may be listening
to the program as well.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Yeah, I mean mental health is I mean, it's a
big one right now. You know, every generation of veteran
you kind of you have a certain flavor right of
you know, the Vietnam you know, working through Asian orange
and toxics exposure and all those things. And this generation
the veteran, you know, has a lot of hidden wounds
that we need to work through. We're the tip of
(06:02):
the spear. They need to come see us, and then
from there we can really put them in the right
direction for the resources that they could use, whether it's
through the federal VA or something locally. But yeah, it's
definitely something we need to work on and continue to
maintain the focus. So and there's some great nonprofits that
(06:25):
are going to be with us that are really focused
in that specific mental health realm.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
So I was blown away, guys. I went to my
first Armed Forces Thanksgiving and my partner here is the
MC of that event. And obviously with his dad, the
colonel who passed away, he always talks about military and
understanding different things when it comes to the military. I
get a kick out of it because I fall on line,
you know, after he tells me, Hey, this is what
this means, this is what this means. But I want
(06:52):
you guys to talk about stand down because there is
meaning for this and you're seeing more of this with
these events that I think has a cool tie. So
whoever wants to, you know, tell about that a little bit,
but stand down in the importance of it when it
comes to the military community.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, I'll kick that off. So stand down in the
military community usually is a specific time that you just
stop operations, you just just stop normal day to day
activities and you focus on one important task. It could
be safety, it could be summertimes coming and we want
to you know, pay close attention to water sports and
(07:29):
you know, grilling and you know pro pain, and it's
just you know, but it's it's I kind of make
it sound a little simpler than it is, but it's
really a day to just stop everything else and just
focus in on a key task and it's usually around
safety and that sort of thing, and that's where the
standdown comes in. We're going to stop for a day
(07:49):
and we're really just going to focus on that task
at hand, which is helping our veterans that are struggling
or at risk of struggling with with homelessness or or
food and security or something in that. So that's kind
of where that that kind of comes from. The Department
of Labor kind of jumped on that and we kind
(08:09):
of go with it.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
But yeah, you may find out more as we mentioned
through the Ottawa County website Amiotawa dot org. Thursday, September eighteenth,
it's ten to two at the Central Park Events Center.
Caleb Worpole is an Air Force veteran community outreach specialist.
Jason Schenkel, Army veteran, the director of the Department of
Veterans Services in Ottawa County. Thank you both for coming.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
In, Thank you for having us. Thank you This is
Talk
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Of the Town on news radio with thirteen hundred and
one oh six nine FM.
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