 The addition of Y in uniform, I'm the host Calvin Griffin, and for those of you who may not have seen the program in the past, we do talk about military and veterans issues and try to enlighten you to what's happening and also get some responses from some of the issues of the day. Today, I have a special guest, Mr. Scott Bryan, who is a former, there's no such thing as a former Marine. No such thing as a former Marine. Okay. What's a Marine always a Marine? Okay. What would you like to be addressed, sir? Scotty. Scotty? Okay. Scotty, welcome to the program. Thank you for having me. Good. I just got to make a comment on the hat, are you part of the rodeo or anything like that? No, no. I'm just a little old redneck. I used to be one myself. I ran it to a lot of problems. Anyhow, one thing I want to talk about, a little bit about your background before we start off. What's your military experience? I was in the Marine Corps for four years, 1977 to 81, stationed right here at Coney Oy. Okay. All right. And where are you originally from? Actually, moving on from here, but I did a lot of traveling in the mainland and I just came back in 2010. I know that also you're part of a lot of different organizations. We had members of the Fleet Reserve, which I know that you're a member of also, but also know that you're heavily involved in a lot of things involving the veterans in the military community. And could you tell us what are some of the things that's going on there that we may not be aware of because even with all the different organizations over here and efforts to help veterans in the military, a lot of, there's a lot of disconnect and sometimes you have an organization that's doing great things that other people may not be aware of. But with your experience and what you see out there, what's happening in that we could share with our audience? Well, I'm also part of the Marine Corps League and I just had the fortunate being elected as the commandant for the Marine Corps League of the Haughty Attachment 363. As you said, I'm with the Fleet Reserve Association for the Haughty Haughty Loop Branch 46. One of the biggest disconnects I see is just getting information out to the veterans. Social media is a good thing, but I also think it kind of hinders because it puts people in a different spotlight where I think it's more individual. People aren't passing the information out like they should. It used to be had a big membership in some of these organizations and I think that organizations, that membership has dwindled due to social media. Why is that? I mean, because I know you hear some negative things that come out recently. There's something about what was happening with the wounded warriors and maybe misappropriation of funds at some level or another. And I think that's one of the things that does, that sticks in a lot of people's mind. Really, what is going on with these organizations? Are they staying true to mission or what's going on? But how is that working? I think that you lose, when people do social media, they just get so wrapped up in themselves. Looking at that phone, looking at that computer and doing things, you're not involved one on one face to face or in a group face to face with people talking about issues. And I think with the wounded warriors project, I think, you know, I don't know a whole bunch about it other than what I've heard as you said. But I think anytime you get upside down where most of your money's going to support an organization, I think that really does start to tick people off. I think they lose focus when you're putting more money into the organization than into what it should be going into. You mentioned the, excuse me, the Nguyen Lien membership, not only with, I guess, with your organization, but also with some of the other major known organizations. Again, is there some sort of disconnect between, I know we have with all the veterans we have out there, people that served in Iraq and Afghanistan and numerous other places around, that they're not really actively involved in these different organizations? Can you give me a, you have a guess onto why that may be happening? Social media, I think that, you know, a lot of people, it's hard when you're meeting an organization with a whole bunch of people, meetings take a little bit longer. Social media, you know, Facebook, Twitter, you know, just talk it on the phone. You can hit people, lickety-split, and get to them, and people have that attention span, I guess, I hate to say it, not when they don't last as long as they used to be. You know, you're getting involved in a meeting sometimes, you've got to be involved in a meeting and be part of it. And a lot of people like that, instant gratification of sitting on a tweet or a text and getting that back and not having to deal with it, so I think that has caused to it. And the younger generation, they're into that social media, they're not into sitting in a meeting that might last two hours. An hour you might get them, but two hours, an hour and a half, forget it. And I think with the, you mentioned the beans and, you know, of course, social media with, yeah, the instantaneous communications and everything else. But there's something to be said for, you know, face-to-face communications and that camaraderie that, you know, that you get when you're in a room with another group of people who can empathize with some of the situations you may be going through anyhow. But I know that with some of the back, you know, a little back when, when Vietnam, whether some of the veterans weren't really welcomed with open arms into a lot of the organizations, is that still the case nowadays or is that, say, there's a different dynamic? I think finally, my father's a Vietnam veteran, and what you said's correct, they weren't welcomed with open arms. So I've seen it first time with my father and other veterans from Vietnam. But I do think that tide has changed. And I think the reason why it's changed is because of, you know, going into, you know, Afghanistan and Iraq, those wars made us think about what we did to the Vietnam veterans. And I think we're now finally starting to recognize, which by all rights there do, that recognition for serving in Vietnam. So I think it's starting to come full circle where they're starting to get that recognition and, you know, hope to keep doing it because they do deserve it. Yeah, one of the important things with the, with the military in general or even with the veterans is the support system that they have in place. And this is with friends and family. All right, what's in place right now as far as with the different organizations for spouses, because nowadays you have, of course, females serving in the military, so they may be going off and their husbands at home. What's in place right now that helps to support or gives them the opportunity to get involved or to be appreciated more by the community because they're behind the scenes or in the shadows, so to speak. I will honestly tell you from my experience of growing up as a military brat, my father being a Marine Corps, there wasn't that support. I think it's gotten a heck of a lot better than what it used to be. There are, you know, maybe it's the MWR, if I'm not mistaken, they are doing a lot better recognizing the spouse, whether it's male or female, the husband or the wife, they are doing a better job recognizing that and getting them involved with different functions where before you really didn't have that, it was, you know, the the wife, you know, getting together and taking care of each other. And I think out of that, we now got something that is a lot better and each with the Marine Corps, you got different, at the battalion level, they got different organizations that, you know, the wife or the husbands can get together and do things to recognize and help out and make it easier for that transition when they're going overseas or coming back. All right. Again, with the different organizations you went, what are some of the things that the general public may not be aware of that is being done by, you know, not only the groups because I know there's a lot of people out there, we have a lot of, I mentioned before, a lot of unsung heroes who are veterans who don't, they're not in front of the camera all the time, they don't see spotlight, they're out there giving back to the community because one of the things that we mentioned before is the fact that in the, with most people in the military, they do have that spirit of giving back wanting to, you know, to be there, you know, because they've seen a lot of cases of what happens in far other countries where the lack of social support or whatever, you know, and here in our country, we, you know, it's paying it forward a lot of times, you know. So do you see that? I mean, as far as there's more involvement or people could. I think it's both ways. I think there is a lot more involvement for someone to get involved, but I also think we can't forget the guys that didn't get that help. I think the biggest thing that the civilian population needs to understand is PTSD can affect anybody on any different level. It doesn't mean you have to be a combat veteran. It could have been anything that causes that. So I just, you know, I think when you have a person who has served in the military, retired from the military, my hat's off to them because they did something that a lot of people don't do, there's only a certain percentage that go into military. So a guy who does a four-year hitch and gets out, I'll shake his hand. A guy who does 20 years or longer, I'll double shake his hand because that's, it's a whole different ball game. And I think that they deserve a little bit more because it's built in them to give back, like you said. They have that organizational skill that sometimes you won't get in the civilian world, taking care of men, doing certain things that a lot of people will never understand, that camaraderie and that brotherhood. Yeah, because as you mentioned, like the PTSD issue that, of course, that's been a big thing we've been talking about, they're addressing the issues of suicides, you know, the pressure that, of course, a lot of our troops have been under. You know, it's not all doom and gloom, but there are things that need to be addressed and talked about. And on the previous program, as I mentioned, someone questioned why the military personnel don't be, aren't more active as far as addressing a lot of issues that concern them and even some of the issues concerning our government policies or whatever. And again, what we try to point out here is that there's a protocol that is called for. And the military personnel, they do have the opportunity when they do take off the uniform to still get involved with what's happening out there. But the support system, again, where, you know, if the civilian populace is aware of what's going on, I think we have an obligation or say they have an obligation in a way to go ahead and when the certain things cannot be addressed within the military confinement, you know, the system, then I think it's up to the population or the citizens who are benefiting from their servicemen service, you know, to address these issues for them, you know, call your congressman, keep abreast of what's happening as far as with the benefits, things of that nature. You know, if there's not programs in place, like say to help alleviate some of the stress, then what we need to do is, you know, it does help when you do get that civilian support. Yeah, well, like what you just said, there's a lot, you know, think the guy who does one, two, three tours overseas or not even in a combat zone but has to take off for deployment for whatever reason it might be. You know, he's facing something that, you know, most people in their civilian world aren't going to face, you know, you get up, go to work, it's the same thing every day, Monday through Friday. The military man is working seven days a week, 24-7. He's not, you know, he's not taking off that day, he might get that 96, that 72 but he still in the uniform, we're in the military, you know, we're in the uniform. But I think a lot of it, yeah, as time goes by, you know, we're all gung ho at the beginning of anything that we do, but as time goes by, it starts to slow down and we forget about it. And it's like what you said, you've got to reach out to your politician, you know, pick up that phone call. And it's tough when a lot of the population, there's so many places out there that there is no military population, so they have no clue other than what they might see on TV, whatever news program they're watching. And I think that's part of it too, but it is getting the politicians, because I honestly think civilians can do a lot, but I think the politicians are the ones that got to step up to the plate, because they're ultimately the ones that are, you know, making these issues, they're behind these issues, voting on what might happen and not happen. Yeah, sometimes you wonder where they're coming from, you know, like where their heart lies, you know, and... Exactly. And like I say, it's really, you know, that's a whole different subject matter there, which I think is a whole, that's a whole new ball, and that's a whole new kind of worms right there. Yeah, yeah, that's one of the things, it's, you know, like I say, with social media and everything else, you know, it helps to keep on top of things, you know, and again, with only like 1% of the population that's serving, you know, it's, yeah, you wonder sometimes like I say, what is really going on. Getting back, like I say, because in the past couple of programs I had representatives from the fleet to come on, it's not that it's the only organization on Island, you know, but I'm more familiar with it than be, you know, for the sake of full disclosure. I remember I go there a lot anyhow, you know. Thank you. At least I get to do anyhow, you know. So a lot of people, I've been going there for a while, you know, and I know there's an effort at foot to go ahead and try to buy the land from the government, you know, to continue the operations there. How is it coming with that? Because I know that there was some sort of initiative by the politicians to go ahead and grant certain monies. What how was the standing on that now and what's the future? Well, actually we we went forward with the grant and we were approved for the grant, but there are things that just because you were approved doesn't mean you're going to get the grant. So we are as a as a person on the committee, I'm actually the committee chairman, we are in the process of working with one of the state representatives to put all the paperwork together to get that grant. So, you know, the committee has been doing a fantastic job with fundraisers coming up with ideas to make money to save the place. Yeah. So, you know, we are moving forward and we'll you know, we'll save the place, but that doesn't mean don't give donations. Please, we need we need that help. But, you know, we are working forward, but like I said, we did put the grant in. We've been approved. It's just a matter of taking the next step to get that money. Okay. Speaking of taking a break, what we're going to do that right now let's say we can identify ourselves and all that, but we'll come back and continue our conversation. And you're here with the uniform and a wife. Alrighty. What big eyes you have. She's sad. All the better to see you with my dear. What are you doing? Okay. Research says reading from birth accelerates the baby's brain development. And you're doing that now. Oh, yeah. This is the starting line. Push. This is over. You're dead. Read aloud 15 minutes. Every child, every parent, every day. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. But I have a story and I don't know where to start. I feel alone in the crowd. I can't sleep. I feel overwhelmed. I don't even know who I am anymore. I still have nightmares. I can't live like this anymore. I'm really not so good. But are you ready to listen? Yeah, okay. And you're back with Uniform. I keep forgetting to name my own program. But anyhow, we're back. I forget my own name, too. That's why I carry an ID card, you know? But anyhow, we're talking with Scottie. And again, you were mentioned like, what was happening with the fleet reserve. I know that it's not only like, say with the fleet, but there's other organizations out there that are struggling, you know, because of the lack of support. You mentioned the dwindling membership and things of that nature anyhow. But again, to go back to the fleet right now, there is situation because it may be negative. I think that's a word. Anyhow, what's going on with some of the other organizations anyhow with some of the lack of support. But again, what are you guys doing? You mentioned about the grant that was tentatively, you know, approved. But now it has to go to the governor. What is the process that you have to go through now to secure the funds? Well, the first thing we have to do is, like I said, we approve of the grant. We're going to meet with representatives, Ken and I, Butcher's last name, so I won't say it. And get with him and put together the questionnaire that he has for us, answer the questions. And then it gets submitted and goes from there, goes on to the governor for the budget to be signed. And if we're in that budget, we get the money. I know there's somebody sitting there and I want to ask this question. The fact is, okay, if the grant was granted, okay, but you still have to jump through hoops to go ahead and actually get the money or? Yeah, it's more or less, I guess from in the previous past, they've had, you know, where people, you know, they want to make sure that you're going to be, what are you doing on your end to make sure that the doors are going to stay open. Because the grant is there to help us. But we still got to raise more money, you know, to save the place. It's part of it. So, you know, we, as a committee, we've looked at other avenues, you know, to get the rest of the money so that we save it. Because this face that nobody wants to give you money, you are going to close the door months later. And that was a waste of taxpayering dollars. Right. But one thing with the location over there. There's some ads catering to the military active and, you know, the veterans, of course, it's mainly Navy retirees that go in there. But of course, all ranks retirees welcome. What, there are a lot of things that people may not be aware of. Not only does it, you know, take care of certain needs of the veterans, but it also plays a part in the community. Because one of the things that we hear with the beautiful sunshine and people hitting the roads all the time, there's a lot of the motorcycle organizations, you know, that frequent the place also. So I know that with that and also the Boy Scouts and some other people where the location is of import to a lot of people out there in the community and all which also gives them access to learn more about the veterans by, you know, close proximity. So. Yeah. We've got a lot of organizations that do meet at the FRA and our halls, the Marine Corps League being one of them and a lot of biker clubs that are veterans, a lot of veteran biker clubs that actually do runs that actually do raise a lot of money that go to support organizations and fundraising to support other organizations and other various causes. We did one for the Coast Guard for Jacobs Quest a couple years back to raise money for one of our members that their child was facing a difficult time. Right. Help get the van for this person. So I mean, you know, we're actually in a very good spot where we're located. The Navy's right there, Pearl Harbor, Hickam's right there. But as you said, we also welcome, you know, the Army and Air Force can become members as a lounge member. Right. And we do help them out as well. I mean, we do various that organization do fund raisers through our organizations that help them raise money for what they need to do. So that's one of the things we do too. It's not just, yeah, for RA, we do help out other organizations do things too. Yeah. I'd be remiss if I didn't ask this question. The thing is when you put out a public call for support, you know, financial support and everything else, I guess you guys have something in place of very far as transparency where actually you mentioned that before you get the grant, you have to show that why, you know, the doors are going to stay open, which you're going to do it and all that. For those, somebody who really wanted to make a substantial donation, even the smaller one anyhow. Is there something in place again that would alleviate any reservations they may have as far as donating to the cause? Actually, we're, you know, we are transparent. Anybody's welcome to come down and talk to anybody on the committee, myself, Glenn, the branch president, John Eipert, other committee members, Dan Del Monte, Sandy Gaston. And, you know, we can always give them any information they want to know how much we've raised so far and what we are doing. We don't put it out there, you know, because it would just be too much time consuming, but we're always transparent with, you know, where monies have come in and where monies are going to keep the, you know, to keep the branch going. So what's the new one that arises with you in general? Because I know, again, you attend the meetings for the Oahu Veterans Council, which represents the... Everybody? Supposedly everybody over here. Yeah, okay. Yeah. But that's another story. That's another story. That's another story. But anyhow, what's out there like, say, that hasn't hit the spotlight yet, that's me, you may be aware of this being planned, either collectively with the organizations or individual groups or individuals. Is there anything that you're aware of that would have, you know, an impact on our community? Well, I think that me personally, there's, you know, social media, as we discussed has taken off. So a lot of people are getting on social media. There's a lot of pages out there that people belong to for organizations. But I would like to see people get hands-on come to a meeting. And that's what we've been trying to do, OVC doing the same thing, the Marine Corps League. We're doing the same thing, trying to bring people in to do that hands-on. And I think when you do something like that, you can get more people involved. Unfortunately, like I said, it has to be that quick spurt where you're not taking their whole day or something. Yeah. Well, with the fleet, do they have a webpage or something like that? Yes, we have. And we are in the process of changing that. So I don't know what it is off the top of my head. Yeah. But there is a webpage that you can go to. Fleet Reserve Association of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Branch 46. I know. You can look it up on E-mail and it'll take you there to it on the Internet. And then we do have a Facebook page. Yeah. And we post, you know, everything that we got going on that. Yeah. I usually do posting myself. Yeah. The FRA puts out what we call the news bites of a lot of things that are happening on the legislative side nationally called the FRA news bites. And we post that on there as well. And it's actually pretty good because you can see what's coming down the pike. All right. You know, and what they're fighting for just recently with the new retirement. You know, the FRA was involved in that, trying to change, not change it, keep it the way it is. And we, we know that change. Yeah. So. Let's get back to Marine Corps League. What are they doing? Okay. Of course, you, as they say, there's no such thing as a former Marine. No such thing as a former Marine. What's the meaning of always a Marine? Okay. I do it in the wrong branch. But. Oh, no, no. Yeah. But what else are they doing? I mean, this is open to all ranks. Well, the Marine Corps League because Corman, you know, that's Doc. He's the guy that was there with you. So, you know, it's open to the active duty, reservist, veterans, and of course, Navy Corman, FMF. And, and we're, we're involved with, you know, we have a scholarship fund that we try to work with the young Marines. Great organization over there at Coney Oy. John D. Giovanni, a retired Marine is, you know, running that organization over there. With the young Marines and, you know, we're involved with them. They're involved with us. Over at Coney Oy, we're, there's a wounded warrior, the Windward friends, you know, wounded warrior. That guy over there, CHAPS, is doing a great job and we're getting involved with that. We're also, I'm a 3-3 Marine, so I'm involved with the, the Lieutenant Colonel over there in charge of the battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Easton, working with him to, you know, the battalion, you know, because a lot of things have changed now where they got to do their own fundraising. That's one thing that's changed in the military. That tax dollar's not there like it used to be. A lot of organizations, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, they have to go out and do their own fundraising to do events that they want to participate in. Speaking of which, with the cutbacks and everything else, I know that it seems like whenever there's a major problem as far as with the budget in Washington, there's something that affects the veterans or retirees. You know, is there anything that's being put in place? I know of a couple efforts that's trying to grounds gain some traction anyhow where if there is a situation where there are cutbacks and you have a veteran for a retiree that needs assistance, are you aware of any programs right now where like say, you know, as far as referencing them to a source that could help augment any losses they may have financially as far as with the cutbacks or even now one thing we're looking at is the treatment program, okay? We've got some pretty good treatment up in the VA but still and all, you know, there may be something in place that the veteran may be going through that's not covered in the VA that may be an alternative, you know, type of medical treatment thing anyhow. Well, I do know that, believe it or not, the FRA is a big, we're a big lobbyist, we're up there fighting to keep what we do have and to hold on what we have still in place. But you're right, everything's cut, it's always the veteran that gets cut but I would suggest to anybody out there is, you know, come on down to the FRA. You know, my name's Scotty Brian, come see me. I'll get you in touch with whoever I need to you know, at least try to get the ball rolling to get you who you need to talk to. Yeah. Marine Corps League, same thing. But there are organizations out there and if I can't help you, I'll find the person who can. Okay. We're getting down to the wire, you know, but one thing we need to encourage, you know, is to connect the dots. You know, if you're part of an organization or you're doing something that's worthwhile, you know, that benefits you. But, you know, Scotty, thanks for joining us. Like I said, we'll come down and check things out and, you know, keep on top of it but know you're doing a great job anyhow. But right now I want to say thank you to the viewers and keep in touch. Stay tuned. God bless and until that time.