The Veterans Sound Off Podcast
On each episode of the show we will travel across the State of Mississippi and visit each American Legion Post and discover how the members there are still serving America in their communities.
The Veterans Sound Off Podcast
From Combat Zones to Convention Centers: Where Veterans Connect
Nestled within the historic walls of the Natchez Convention Center, the Veterans Sound Off Podcast captures the essence of service and sacrifice at the American Legion Department of Mississippi's annual convention. Host Jerry Allhands, himself a veteran of both the Air Force and Army, brings listeners into intimate conversations with those who've worn the uniform and continue to serve their communities.
The episode features a powerful interview with Van Alford, a Marine Corps veteran and survivor of the 1983 Beirut bombing. "Every day I think about it," Alford shares, his words carrying the weight of that tragic moment in military history. As a fourth-generation combat veteran whose son also served as a combat medic in Afghanistan and Iraq, Alford embodies the legacy of service that runs through so many military families. Despite his experiences leaving him 90% disabled, his continued commitment to the American Legion as an incoming State Historian demonstrates how veterans channel their experiences into continued service.
The spotlight also falls on Soldiers Freedom Outdoors, a remarkable volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to "healing the hidden wounds of war." Army combat veteran Kevin Wittenberg and his wife Cindy explain how their organization provides free outdoor retreats and programs to all who've served, regardless of era or branch. Their inclusive approach – offering activities from blacksmithing to horseback riding, fishing to hunting – creates healing spaces where veterans reconnect with themselves and others through nature's therapeutic embrace.
Throughout the conversations, a powerful theme emerges: the profound sense of belonging that organizations like the American Legion provide. "I don't have family that lives in Anchorage, but the Legion is my family," one veteran shares. These communities become lifelines, especially when confronting challenges like veteran suicide – the "new war raging...in the hearts and minds of those who served."
Join us for this moving exploration of how veterans create meaning, find purpose, and build communities that understand their unique experiences. Subscribe to Veterans Sound Off Podcast to hear more stories of service, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds formed in and after uniform.
Don't forget to subscribe and share with your friends and family. Drop us a line today at JDAllhands@outlook.com. If you'd like to become a sponsor of our show or advertise with us please send an email to jdallhands@outlook.com or call us at 662-902-6658.
This is the Veterans Sound Off Podcast. I'm your host, jerry Allhands, a veteran of the US Air Force and US Army. I'm a past Department of Mississippi Commander of the American Legion and a paid-up-for-life member of the VFW. Each week, I invite you to join me as we visit with members of our veteran families and other groups and organizations that support military veterans. This week I attended the American Legion Department of Mississippi's annual convention, held in historic Natchez, mississippi. It was in the Natchez Convention Center, where the coffee was always hot and the people were great. Hey, speaking of coffee, this series is made possible by the generous gifts and sponsorships of people just like you. If you'd like to sponsor an ad in this series, please call 662-902-6658. Or you can become a sponsor simply by clicking on the Sponsor the Show button and you can make a donation on our page where it says Sponsor the Show. Hey, we really appreciate your help in making this program possible. I'm making the call.
Speaker 2:Hard work, work. It's a hard work manifest. Hard work, work, Hard work. We doing our best. Hard work, work, Hard work. That's what they say. Hard work, work, Hard work. I'm earning my pay. Hard work, work.
Jerry Allhands:It is my great pleasure to have sitting across from me today. Mr Van Alford and Mr Alford is a member of the American Legion has held many positions here in the Legion. And it is a pleasure to see you here today. If you would tell me what post you're with.
Van Alford:I'm with Post 24 down in Hattiesburg. We're the largest post in the state. Should be still, and I'm first by Isaac, not currently, but will be after this convention.
Jerry Allhands:So we're going to get you installed as first vice.
Van Alford:Yeah, All right For the post, and I'll also be installed as one of the state officers here at the convention too. I'll be serving under Mark Harrington, of course. Okay, I'll be the store director. Very proud to be a member, harrington, of course. Okay, very proud to be a member. I'm also a lifetime member of the VFW. Four generations of combat vets in my family. Wow, grandpa. In France, dad was in the 155. He served in Germany and I was in the Beirut bombing.
Jerry Allhands:Oh.
Van Alford:Yeah, that was my claim to fame so to speak, but anyway, survivor's Guild, I guess you might say Not too bad, but I have my moments.
Jerry Allhands:Beirut was. That was something.
Van Alford:Yeah, every day I think about it. I think, if I recall, I probably had some PTSD diagnosed. I don't remember, but I'm currently about 90% disabled. Va takes really good care of me.
Jerry Allhands:I like to hear that.
Van Alford:They do. I go to the Biloxi.
Jerry Allhands:Being a veteran of Beirut, I'm assuming you were a Marine. Yes, how long were you in the Marine Corps?
Van Alford:I was a junior officer at that time I was a second lieutenant. At that time, that was the bombing was October 23rd 83. Sometimes I might forget the date, but as far as thinking about the bombing, yeah, incidents you'll never forget, for sure, and I've talked to other veterans that witnessed, you know, monumental things.
Van Alford:I guess you might say that occurred during their active duty service. One of my uncles watched the USS Forrestal burn back there in Vietnam and he was on the USS Garishkini. And I'm very proud also to say I won't belabor the subject but I've got quite a few relatives that have been National Guard members also served on active duty. But most of my relative service time has been in the Navy on active duty the three uncles, some of my mother's brothers and then my dad.
Van Alford:And his next youngest brother. They served in Mississippi National Guard. Wow, keeping you in the family that served in Mississippi National Guard Wow.
Jerry Allhands:Keeping you in the family. That's what you're saying. Yeah, and my youngest son served.
Van Alford:He was a combat medic in Afghanistan and Iraq. Wow. He was with that 82nd. It's almost like being a doctor. Some of the things he told me they actually had to do an amputation. He had to assist with that.
Jerry Allhands:Well as a fellow paratrooper. I appreciate his service and I appreciate yours.
Van Alford:He's trying to get in med school right now. A little bit late, but better later than never.
Jerry Allhands:Okay, we're at the convention here in Natchez today, meeting for the annual convention, and if you would tell me what you think of the facilities here?
Van Alford:They're nice. One little negative. I'm not trying to bust their chops or whatever, but check-in time for the hotel is, like they said, try about 3 o'clock, and I'm not too happy with that.
Jerry Allhands:A little hard, a little difficult, sir. I said a little difficult there, I'm sure.
Van Alford:Yeah, and everybody's the same way, and they said maybe four. I'm like what? Well, I know they're doing a lot of construction over there there's plenty of room here in this first time I've been in it per se in the convention center here. It's real nice. What do you hope to experience here at the convention? Of course I'll be installed as state officer again, this time as a historian, and look forward to meeting other friends had seen for a while.
Jerry Allhands:What's the position of historian? What does that entail?
Van Alford:Basically travel with whoever's the commander of historian. What does that entail? Basically travel with whoever said commander at that time, which would be Mark Harrington, this time retired W4, the Mississippi Guard, and ride with him and take snaps, perhaps make notes, visits and whatever the notes that go with the photographs I take.
Jerry Allhands:Okay, so you're looking forward to the travel.
Cindy Wittenberg:Yeah, yeah.
Jerry Allhands:Because I know my year as commander. I travel a lot. Mark's already talked about what he plans on doing, so you're going to be busy.
Van Alford:Actually he's got. I think the current commander down at Petal also is Mike Wally, and Mike and myself and Mark know each other real well and I think Mike and myself are going to be switching out a little bit. I'm not sure, I don't know, but anyway I'm available to ride with Mark as much as I can.
Jerry Allhands:Anything that you'd like to share with us as far as the convention goes. Plans for the weekend.
Van Alford:Not this time. Can't think of anything. I probably will as soon as I get up and walk away.
Jerry Allhands:That's the way it works every time, Ben. I appreciate you so much.
Van Alford:You've done a good job as a podcaster and all that. I appreciate that.
Wreaths Across America:Well thank you, Thank you. Mission to remember our fallen heroes, honor those who currently serve in their families and teach younger generations about the value of freedom. A $17 donation to Wreaths Across America sponsors a fresh balsam remembrance wreath. These wreaths have become a symbol of America's respect for those who have served and no longer walk with us. Sponsor a wreath today. Visit wreaths across americaorg or call 877-385-9504 I'm kevin woodenberg with uh.
Kevin Wittenberg:I'm a veteran volunteer with soldiers freedom outdoors and I've been volunteering for a bit over four years now with uh, the organization kevin, tell me, uh, are you a veteran yourself?
Jerry Allhands:yes, yes, sir, okay.
Kevin Wittenberg:I'm a combat veteran Army artillery. I was in the National Guard prior, but I have almost 16 years combined with both of them.
Jerry Allhands:Well, thank you very much. I heard you say combat.
Kevin Wittenberg:Yes, sir.
Jerry Allhands:Where did you serve?
Kevin Wittenberg:So Afghanistan was twice. Two deployments there and then also Iraq. My first deployment was Kosovo and actually that's when 9-11 happened.
Jerry Allhands:Okay, so you got the real wake-up call.
Kevin Wittenberg:Yes, sir.
Jerry Allhands:Yeah, tell me if you would. Where are you from originally?
Kevin Wittenberg:Originally from South Florida. Doesn't sound like it? No.
Jerry Allhands:Sound like a northern South Florida.
Kevin Wittenberg:How does a South Floridian get this, this accent? Because a lot of people from up north come down to vacation down in south florida, the rich part of the country. Right, correct, there you go appreciate you very much.
Jerry Allhands:And who is this lovely young lady sitting beside you who will not get on the camera with us.
Kevin Wittenberg:Uh, the one sometimes that doesn't claim me is my wife, cindy wittenberg yes, I'm cindy wittenberg.
Cindy Wittenberg:We are. Our organization is Soldiers Freedom Outdoors and I've been volunteering with them for about six years.
Jerry Allhands:Are you a veteran yourself?
Cindy Wittenberg:I am not. But, I've served beside my husband for almost 23 years now. Oh wow.
Jerry Allhands:Thank you so much. Appreciate you Because sometimes the spousal service is sometimes harder than ours.
Kevin Wittenberg:Most of the time it is.
Cindy Wittenberg:Yeah.
Kevin Wittenberg:Because they don't get all of the information, and then you know, so we can only give them so much, and so they have to just basically just support us in everything that we're doing and keep the family together when we're over there trying to keep everything else together.
Jerry Allhands:Has he said how much he appreciates you?
Cindy Wittenberg:Yes, has he. Does he prove it?
Jerry Allhands:every year on wedding anniversaries and birthdays.
Cindy Wittenberg:He's got some work to do.
Jerry Allhands:No.
Cindy Wittenberg:I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding.
Jerry Allhands:That's quite all right. Tell me a little bit about your organization. How did you?
Cindy Wittenberg:get started. So Soldiers for the Mount Dores started in 2011. Our main location is Melrose, Florida. Daniel DeMarco is our founder. He was in the National Guard. He got injured outside of service and was not able to continue his career. So he wanted to do something to give back. So he started the organization. Our mission is to heal the hidden wounds of war. We are a nonprofit organization. We're all volunteers. We do weekend retreats monthly. We also have several programs that we offer for families and military children. So everything is for service members, veterans and their families.
Jerry Allhands:What kind of events are we talking about?
Cindy Wittenberg:So we have programs such as blacksmithing, we have a Horses 101 for Military Children program and then our weekend retreats are our main focus and that brings in the veterans to kind of start the healing process through nature. But we also do other activities like skeet shooting, hiking, fishing, hunting, pretty much anything that's outdoors.
Jerry Allhands:Wow, is this in a certain geographic area, or how does that?
Cindy Wittenberg:So we have a location in Florida and we also have our location in Meridian Mississippi. However, we are open to all service members and veterans. If they are out of state and they make it to one of our locations, then everything else is free.
Jerry Allhands:Okay. How does somebody become? That's what I'm looking for here. How do they prove their need for your services?
Cindy Wittenberg:So they would take a look at our website at soldiersfreedomoutdoorsorg and they would visit the events calendar. If they're interested in one of our events or programs, they would apply and you either have to be currently serving or honorably discharged. So they would send in their dd214 and a photo id and once we receive that those documents in the application we could do the approval. And it's pretty simple.
Jerry Allhands:Okay, and on the website again soldiersfreedomoutdoorsorg. Soldiersfreedomoutdoorsorg. I get that, yes, okay.
Kevin Wittenberg:And you were just saying about how do they prove their need. So this organization is open. We kind of don't have boundaries, which means that they don't have to show a need. It's whoever served our country. They raised their right hand that you know wants to serve us and basically, for our freedom, they are eligible for this organization.
Cindy Wittenberg:Yes, we are open to all service members and veterans, regardless of era, branch of service or time served. You do not have to be a Purple Heart, post-9-11, vietnam veteran. We don't have any stipulations on how you served or if you're injured or not injured. It's open to everyone.
Kevin Wittenberg:And we're nationwide. So, like we were saying earlier, once you make it to one of our locations and our locations are in three states right now, but we also have people that donate their land out of state or their fishing trips or on the coast, so it's completely open all over the United States wherever we have somebody that wants to support our military. So once you make it to one of our retreat locations or, excuse me, one of our locations, then everything else is free from then on.
Jerry Allhands:How did you become aware of our convention here today?
Kevin Wittenberg:So we actually were talking at a Yellow Ribbon event, if I remember correctly, and one of the ladies had spoke out Miss Debbie, I think it was.
Jerry Allhands:Deborah Shilder.
Kevin Wittenberg:Deborah correct Ladies spoke out Miss Debbie, I think it was Deborah Shulder, deborah correct. So we were at one of those and we were asked to come out and speak. And so we're like gladly, because we're trying to get our information out there. Most people don't know about who we are. We've been in Mississippi for over three years now and to this day we had probably over 20 people that said that they never heard about us, didn't know anything about us. We finally got the VA last month, I think it was, and they finally put us on their outreach program. So if you go to the VA website, you can look for anything for outdoors and you'll find our organization out there, okay, it is my first time hearing about you today too, so glad you're here and that's been our thing is trying to get out there, basically just trying to reach everybody, you know.
Jerry Allhands:Well, I know today is our first day. We're just probably half an hour or so away from starting the convention. How has the process been for you here today?
Kevin Wittenberg:It's been really great. So we've met a lot of service members and their spouses and supporters and it's great to see all of that come together.
Jerry Allhands:I wish that we can see that a lot more nationwide, so will y'all be here the rest of the day and tomorrow, or just?
Cindy Wittenberg:yes, we will be.
Jerry Allhands:Okay, all right. Well, I'll make sure we mentioned this inside there, and I'm sure Debra's probably invited you to come and speak for a moment. Introduce yourself, but we need to fix that.
Kevin Wittenberg:Come on around and join us over there.
Van Alford:It's like family when you were in the military. You form a bond and you all watch each other. That's the same with American Legion.
Jerry Allhands:Every time I come here I meet somebody different. I found the Legion to be welcoming from the time I walked in the door. You need something. That guy over there is the guy. That guy's an electrician, that guy's a plumber. Oh, you've been having troubles with the VA.
Speaker 2:That guy knows a good VSO. It's been fun.
Kevin Wittenberg:I mean we do a lot of stuff for the community, we do a lot of support, we give out a lot of money. I really like that we go out and do volunteer work when we can.
Wreaths Across America:We do Memorial Day ceremonies, the people that are involved are passionate about helping veterans helping their families and their communities. I don't have family that lives in Anchorage, but the Legion is my family.
Jerry Allhands:What better way to meet people when you're new to an area and also meet people who have a shared experience with you?
Wreaths Across America:I think it's an incredible organization and I'm proud to be a member of it and honored and happy because it really serves my joy to be here Thanksgiving and Christmas and doing walks I think it's a big impact Picnics in the summertime, fourth of July, memorial Day it's more family oriented now.
Cindy Wittenberg:It may sound cheesy but you know, I feel like it's a place to belong. I enjoy the company. I enjoy the mentorship that I get here.
Van Alford:Searching for that brotherhood and I found it here in the Legion and it gives me a sense of security that brotherhood can't be replaced anywhere else.
Jerry Allhands:There's a respect and there's an understanding that we are a group of people that are here for the community for our veterans and for their families.
Wreaths Across America:I want to come and get some peace and quiet. Oddly enough it's at the Legion. I'd say that for many others, it's given a fantastic face to this organization.
Van Alford:I learned some very valuable information about what family means to veterans and to each other.
Cindy Wittenberg:I feel, accepted and people want to know what's going on. I want to know what's going on with them. You feel like you're part of a family, part of a community, and it's really awesome to see the diversity in the room too.
Kevin Wittenberg:I believe we're the future of the American Legion. We want to be out there. We need to be out there. It's exciting.
Jerry Allhands:For more information on joining the American Legion, go to legionorg forward slash, join or call 601-352-4986. Again, that's 601-352-4986. 352-4986.
Speaker 2:When our nation's veterans came home from serving their country, the American Legion helped them with the GI Bill to get a head start. When they came home from Vietnam, we helped those affected with Agent Orange to get care and compensation. Now there is a new war raging. Unfortunately, it is being fought in the hearts and minds of those who served. Veteran suicide is the most important issue facing veterans today, and too many are battling it alone. So join us, make the pledge, be the one to help the American Legion end veteran suicide.
Jerry Allhands:Anything you'd like to add for today.
Kevin Wittenberg:Just thanks to all of our service members and everybody supporting our military. It's been really an honor, an eye-opener so, to be able to see you. As a matter of fact, yesterday we got to speak with one of the Marine Corps leagues and we actually got to meet one of the Iwo Jima survivors. So it brings me chills just talking about that.
Cindy Wittenberg:So he's turning 100 in September 100 years old in um September.
Kevin Wittenberg:They've done a lot of articles um and interviews with him as Mr uh William Bird so it's just, it's a, it's an awesome honor so to be able to meet, to meet people that actually grew up in that time frame and what they had to go through and that was mercy?
Jerry Allhands:Yes, Definitely. Well again. Thank you so much and before we wrap up here, if you would tell us how to contact you, Is there a phone number besides the website, or just the website?
Cindy Wittenberg:Yes, so you can. We have the website. It's soldiersfreedomoutdoorsorg and you can contact me 601-596-2406.
Jerry Allhands:Because I'm really slow my hands. You know I'm old, do it again yeah, give me your phone number again.
Cindy Wittenberg:Okay, 601-596-2406.
Jerry Allhands:I think I got that one.
Kevin Wittenberg:All right, and Kevin Wittenberg, 601-596-2588.
Jerry Allhands:Same thing. Do it again Because I'm slow I'm slow 601-596-2588.
Kevin Wittenberg:Thank you, and yeah, anybody can reach out to us, especially if the service members that are in a bad spot, you know they need somebody to talk to. Feel free to reach out to us.
Jerry Allhands:We've got follow-on resources that we can help with also Be sure to join me next week for more from the American Legion Department of Mississippi Convention right here in Natchez, mississippi. And don't forget to hit the follow button to subscribe to this podcast and drop us a text message and possible, please consider supporting this show. All the buttons are right here on our page, so don't forget to subscribe, sponsor and leave a text message. Hey, we'll see you next time. On the veterans sound off podcast, a production of all hands media llc. With offices in renal r, mississippi. All rights reserved. Of All Hands Media LLC. With offices in Rinalar, mississippi. All Rights Reserved.
