Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Veteran's Affairs Plus discusses the issues that veterans in Las Vegas deal with on a daily basis. Your host, David L. Washington connects listeners with relevant community resources and information that they need to help veterans or themselves.
Unknown Speaker 0:00
You're listening to locally produced programming created in KU NBC Studios on public radio K, u and v 91.5.
Unknown Speaker 0:11
You're listening to special programming sponsored by making moves life coaching services, the content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 jobs and more the University of Nevada Las Vegas or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Outro Song 0:41
You can see what's going on what's going on? What's going on?
Unknown Speaker 0:54
Good morning, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host. As usual, I'll give a few announcements and I got two very special guests that will be on the line with us today. And we certainly appreciate them. To Denise Rogers, one of the staffers here at 91.5, jazz and more happy birthday. And then we have condolences again to the Kota Semmens family. His daughter, Stacy and son Chris, they did a phenomenal job with his services this past weekend. I can tell you that. No, codice wasn't perfect. But he did serve in the military and also did a number of years. I think around 30 With Las Vegas fire and rescue his children. They did a phenomenal job again, they had honor guard from the United States Army as well as the Las Vegas Fire Department Honor Guard. And it was a well done service. So thank you to you to young people. And I know it's going to be hard because we will all miss go to see with such a tremendous person in our community. So condolences once again to that family. And oh my goodness, on the level of personalities within our community. We lost John Nash and John Nash and is a radio personality here on 91.5. Jazz and more he does a morning show where he did do a morning show. And when I heard the news, man, you talk about just when you see someone and I've only actually known John for about two years, I knew of him as a radio personality. But I would sit with him for the membership drive and pledge drive. And he was the guy I wanted to sit with to help to raise money for for the radio station. And I came from another radio station where I worked under, at the time Commissioner, Dr. Lawrence weakly and also another young lady who helped me so much in preparing myself to be a radio host. And that was Patricia Cunningham. But one thing John told me was because I said, John, I have to have a script. He said, That's okay. I use a script. But he also told me, you find your own way You be you on your show, you don't have to try to be someone else. You'd be who you are. So I am going to miss John. And fact today later today, I should say, at 1pm at St. Timothy church 43 West Pacific Avenue in Henderson. They will have a celebration of John's life there. And in lieu of flowers. He'd asked folks to make a donation to the radio station at 1.55, jazz and more, or St. Timothy's church. So, again, I plan to be there. And again, what a great guy. He's a guy that when you meet him, you think that you've known him for a number of years. And like I say, I actually knew him about two years. What a great guy and condolences again to his family. He always talked about his son and his his fiancee and so we know you will miss him as we will and and to Dr. Really in the staff here. They've done a wonderful job and honoring this man. So thank you for that. With that. I have two as I said wonderful guests that are colleagues of mine in the fire service as we conduct what we call the Carl Holmes executive development institute out of Dillard University. Good morning, gentlemen. Good morning.
Unknown Speaker 4:34
Good morning, Dave. Hey, we
Unknown Speaker 4:36
got chief Cassie Peters and Mr. Adrian relish. First of all, gentlemen, I know that you both are veteran so I got a few questions for you. Cassie, would you start please just give us an idea of what branch and how many years did you serve in the military?
Unknown Speaker 4:56
Well, good morning again, Dave. And just appreciate you inviting me to the So I served in the United States Marine Corps, and I actually enlisted in 1972. And it was during the Vietnam War and served for two years in the Marine Corps and discharge two years later, after the war ended in 1973. That ceasefire was called and that ended my tour of duty. Two years in Marine Corps and I served in the headquarters battalion, the Third Marine Division. So
Unknown Speaker 5:30
what was your job? What was your MOS?
Unknown Speaker 5:34
My MOS was the old 351, anti tank assault man. But I did serve I went over to that was my MOS out of boot camp. And then I went over I took an assignment in a classified base with Mack that team that's the Marine Corps Air Wing 15. And they were at a classified base right out of Laos, Cambodia, and I served there as unclassified now, but at an airstrip there, and provided guard support there until the ceasefire, and then I came back to the United States.
Unknown Speaker 6:10
So what was your rank when you discharge?
Unknown Speaker 6:13
I was just started sales and e4. I picked up rank pretty fast. In two years, I was an e4 and had time and gravy five if I had read up, but it was time for me to get out. They wanted to send me to di school Dave and I didn't want any part of that.
Unknown Speaker 6:28
drillmaster Amen. That Yeah. Oh, no. Yeah, don't seem to fit your personality. You're more laid back than them guys who's screaming in your face constantly. Kind of like I was as a training officer.
Unknown Speaker 6:43
Back in that day, you know, they could actually do some physical things to you as well. Right. Right. Like no take part in that.
Unknown Speaker 6:50
Mr. Agent Rutledge. Yes, sir. Branch and how long?
Unknown Speaker 6:57
Well, thank you, Dave, for inviting me on your show. I was in the army. When in March of 1964. I ETS in March of 66. I was a military police I was 951.
Unknown Speaker 7:18
With gene count.
Unknown Speaker 7:21
Yeah. Station, most of the time here down at Fort Hood, Texas. And toward the Matterport. For the last probably nine months that I was in. I was in the fourth on the color guard. And that was during the time that LBJ was president and every time he would come home, we would have to be on alert and go and post colors that sometime it was in San Antonio, sometimes it was Waco and sometimes it was in El Paso but other built up the intense dislike for Texas because I didn't get I didn't get a chance to really enjoy the weekends because that's what he normally came home. But as God would have it I ended up moving back here 10 years later and been here ever since.
Unknown Speaker 8:24
Okay. All right.
Unknown Speaker 8:27
So also was I was I was a corporal when I ETS, I'm a corporal in Luverne Luverne lives rake was pretty easy to make in, in the military police if you did your job.
Unknown Speaker 8:49
So what did you do once you discharge agent
Unknown Speaker 8:55
book before I went in, I was a tailor. My mother was a professional seamstress and Taylor and so I grew up in that world, okay. And before I went in military, I was a tailor. And when I got out of the military, I went back to work at the same mid store that I was at, that I was working at before I went in and just really wasn't feeling that I've been working in this atmosphere around all guys outside. Now I'm in the basement of a man store in a room with three or four ladies first week ladies, but that being confined, just didn't fit me anymore. And I joined the fire department in in June of June the first of 66 Three months after I got out of the military.
Unknown Speaker 9:58
So Dr. Holmes is already there, right?
Unknown Speaker 10:02
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I work with calls all the time I bought them for almost nine years.
Unknown Speaker 10:10
Okay. And recently you did name with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. And from there you when were
Unknown Speaker 10:19
were into the insurance business I went to work for a major all lands insurance company on Rovio good idea for me to name the name of the company.
Unknown Speaker 10:35
But I was I was with that company for eight years, they promoted me to manage you and move me to Texas and 74. And then I've owned my own brokerage ever since which kind of brings me to something that says we're talking military and we're talking the insurance business, a lot of military individuals who are on Medicare may not be aware that there are Medicare plans designed specifically for them, that has a zero monthly premium. And it actually puts some, some or all of the pot be Medicare premium, which is 164 90. And there are plants out there that will put some of that back on your check, and then some plants out there that will put it all back on your Social Security check. And it would really be rude. Any individuals who have Medicare a&b Right? To look into that, because it's just said no, the call Patriot plan, Patriot
Unknown Speaker 12:02
plan. Okay, so you can just Google it. I'm assuming. I'm assuming you can Google it. Patriot plan.
Unknown Speaker 12:09
I'm pretty sure. One of the carriers is there's plenty United Humana yet plenty other carriers out there Patriot plan, and it'll probably pop up. Great.
Unknown Speaker 12:19
We certainly appreciate that. And let me say this to you veterans out there, it can save you a few bucks. Now, Cassie, what did you do upon your departure from the military?
Unknown Speaker 12:32
That's sir. Well, it was kind of hard for me to find my way. I'd stumbled around a couple of years. I was poor before I went into the military, and I was poor when I got what I was trying to do is find all our jobs and things like that. And it was we weren't received very well, because come back from Vietnam. Oh, yeah. It was one of those things that was almost you know, it's kind of a nobody really applauded us, you know, coming back. And so I had a hard time adjusting and actually went down and almost signs up again, to re enlist. Okay, very close to that. But what happened is, God's will is done. So I've what happened. I ended up with the Phoenix fire department I was trying to pursue become a police officer that I got selected to become a firefighter. They weren't accepting police officers at the time, and signed up for that and ended up serving 31 years with Phoenix fire department. I started in 1976 and retired in 2007, with 31 years as an assistant chief writer, so I was totally blessed.
Unknown Speaker 13:34
Absolutely. You know, I met Kizzy. The first time we met I was in Phoenix for an affirmative action conference. And that's been many, many moons ago. We've been friends ever since. And then to find out later we went up he Dr. Holmes, Carl Holmes and Cassie. boss at the time, Ellen Bruna Seanie chi buena Seanie. We're good friends. And and next thing you know, Cassie hooked up with DACA we all got got involved with EDI, which is where I want to go to next gentleman because you guys are integral parts of that organization. In fact, both of you are my bosses. I report two to five directors and a Chairwoman who happens to be Dr. Holmes, his daughter, Karla Holmes, which he's been on the show before, as well. Look, let's talk a little bit about EDI and your involvement in Why do you stay involved?
Unknown Speaker 14:27
Was that to me? Either one.
Unknown Speaker 14:30
Okay, well, I'll start off. Well, Edi to me is is really given back. Currently, I serve as the State Fire Marshal here in Arizona. And so I'm in or I'm involved with a lot of fire departments, career, volunteering, combination fire departments. But regarding EDI, it's just there's a need their you know, for our sisters and brothers in the fire service and sharing the leadership and some of the things that I picked up in my career to be able to pass that on as building blocks for some of are younger, aspiring firefighters, they want to become captains, supervisors, battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs and then actually end up the ultimate is to become fire chief for the fire department. And so there's more fire chief positions out there than really qualified individuals. So my commitment has been over the years I've been involved with EDI now for over 25 years. But it's just a pleasure to go out there and give back my class that I host there as HR class, you know, human resources, and just some of the things that we do involve with human resources, hiring and federal laws, compliance and all the other things that I've learned and been able to help, you know, individuals with promoting and testing and all the other things involved. It's just a way of me giving back and then actively involved. Excellent,
Unknown Speaker 15:50
excellent. So Mr. Rutledge, what you got Adrian? Yes.
Unknown Speaker 16:00
I've been involved with EDI that EDI now about 21 years. Paul and Nova very good friend of mine, Sherman cough and had been recruited me for probably two or three years before I ever decided to come. They wanted me to come and be the photographer for EDI. And once I came, I think my first year was in around 299. And experienced that, that that fellowship that brotherhood and sisterhood. That spirit really of EDI EDI has a very, very sweet spirit. A spirit of like Cassie said, of reaching back, and assisting those that are coming along behind you with a motto all I am out Oh, I live eternally in the red. It comes full circle. And you really feel that particular motto. And to just be there and be involved with those youngsters as they're making their way and being able to be in a position to offer legal advice or legal counsel from time to time. Just reaching back and helping those that are coming along behind us. And knowing that there's a tremendous, tremendous need for what Ed is about, right.
Unknown Speaker 17:49
Once again, Las Vegas this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5 Jazz and more. We have two wonderful guests, good friends and colleagues of mine. Chief, Cassie Peters and Mr. Adrian Rutledge. And these guys are they're very humble, very modest. But I can tell you that we do a a service, a religious type service on Sundays, and these guys collaborate. They get it all done. Agent was our speaker this year, and jelly. And we know how God works man. He sets the tone. Generally what happens in that service, whether it's full or not full of people. There's a tone that is set that will carry us for the week. And also Kaz he is a is a great singer and musician. He has done the service and helped to run the graduation services. And I love Cassie as easygoing as he is Las Vegas I can take and to the world I should say, because you can't hear this program anywhere in the world with the just pick up the app. A free app in fact, but Cassie and Miss joy. Now we have Cynthia Heron who's running the program now. But I can tell you while assisting pretty much Cassie I can tell you that they have fine tune this thing and to see the graduation service. Because I remember as I told Carla, when she was on a couple of months ago, when our youngest daughter Amber was at the time going to Southern University Baton Rouge campus. She came down for the graduate she just cried like a baby. Because she said this is so wonderful to see all you guys together. And for these students to go through the five year program and graduate. It is it is wonderful. And again, the service both the cert the religious service and the graduation service are things that these students take with them for life and I can tell you the camaraderie, as has been mentioned is phenomenal. For the comments, gentlemen.
Unknown Speaker 19:59
I just want to kind of expand on what you just mentioned there as far as the commitment and the feeling and, and what we do there at EDI really is a family kind of atmosphere. And it's one where you develop friendships and networking for life, too. And so regardless, you know, what you're facing, if there's some something that you're facing in your personal life, or in your professional life, or a challenge or something that you're preparing yourself for, you always have the ability to reach out. I mean, and you have these relationships and friendships that are lifelong. Very
Unknown Speaker 20:35
true, very true. In fact, I can tell you that as I was working on getting well actually, I call myself preparing to, to achieve a rank of Assistant Chief, I didn't make it I was highly upset. So much so that I wanted to just say, you know, I had 25 years I say, You know what, I'm getting out here. So I call some individuals. Carl Holmes, Bob Damon's friend, Al Niro and Herschel Clady. And all them basically told me you know, you know how you call people look for sympathy. You sniffling in your wine? And they all told me versus say, Get off your knees, you're better bed. And, and not only that, be better prepared the next day. In fact, Herschel say come back to house next time we're down, down, you're down in Southern Cal. And we will, we'll show you some stuff. He showed me this three ring binder. You know, Herschel was a cool dude and Herschel. And I couldn't do it. I ain't doing it Herschel got this three ring binder with all letters of recommendations, all his certifications, this that any other and he had his picture on the front, so I'm not doing it. So I put this old plain cover on Matt and Marcia say, Who do you think's gonna look at that thing. So she went online and found one of our big red fairings one of the new Pierce's. And she put that on a cover, man. And when I walked into that interview room, it just jumped off the page. But yeah, those friendships really helped me along the way as you guys do as, as, as directors of the Carl Holmes executive development institute, I can tell you folks that for those who know me, sometimes I have a short fuse. And these guys both along with the other directors have called me it just when God thinks you need some direction, or somebody to pull the reins on you, because you can do some totally stupid. So I appreciate you guys, for sure. As you got anything else you'd like to add?
Unknown Speaker 22:33
A little shout out to you, Dave. Because you you do a very good job for EDI. And you respected you admire. As you've heard me say many times before, stay the course. As I do appreciate the invite to your radio show and listening audience and be looking forward to Sunday, you may invite me back. It's been a real pleasure. And I kind of get over what Cassie was saying that there's relationships that we develop in EDI that I mean, you're really among the best of the best. And it's just very fruitful. Now, I do appreciate the invite.
Unknown Speaker 23:29
Oh, for sure. And give that information again on the Medicare item. Would you please because I think that's important for veterans out there to hear and hopefully take some action in regards to
Unknown Speaker 23:43
Yes, but any veteran who has Medicare A and B, there is a Medicare Advantage plan some as some refer to it as a Part C but it's the plan that covers Doctor hospital and prescription drugs all in one plan. And those plans, the ones that are designed for veterans do not conflict with either your VA benefits, or it doesn't conflict with TRICARE for life. They work right hand in hand. But what it does in most cases, and in some cases, it does put back into your Social Security check that 164 90 On large part of it. And I can testify because that's the plan that I have for myself. Which Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 24:39
Well, I just had one of the things I wanted to echo what what Adrian mentioned about you is that I appreciate your hard work, Dave and your commitment because truly we're there for that reason we're there and I want to also since we're talking about EDI is just thank the staff out there at Dillard university because they try and make Because feel at home when we're there. And then all of the officers, all of the instructors that come out, this is all volunteer, no one's getting paid for this. And like myself, they've been there many, many years supporting this program. And most of all, I want to acknowledge those students who come out there and make that commitment, and go through the program go through all the modules in graduate. So I just want to acknowledge that effort, because it's a collective effort. And it's beneficial. It's not only benefiting those individuals, but it benefits all of our individual communities, because they go back and they give that service to the community. And that's what it's all about. It's about service. So just thank you for this opportunity. Look forward to doing this again. Sure.
Unknown Speaker 25:39
And you know, what, to your point, you know, a lot of people, you know, they assume that we come down, and we're paid staffers, but I always try to reiterate that as well, that we're all volunteer staff, we come down out of our love and appreciation for wanting to do something to help to grow those other folks who have taken the reins within the fire service and, and go back and do good things within your respective communities. And I know that it rubs off. In fact, I recalled Kaz when we were revamping, and I know we got to get it back. Online again. And that's the mod six, it's more of a, it's considered more like a graduate level program in the in the coursework that is done and, and Cassie did a tremendous job in terms of preparing some items that these students would have to do more writing. And we're not trying to be like the National Fire Academy, or any other institute of higher learning, if you will, we have our own identity. And as agency, one of our mottos all I am i Oh, I live eternally in the red. So you guys are greatly appreciated, because again, this work that we're doing is going to continue to, to fulfill the goals of us as people within this service. And I can tell you that we had three that we scholarship from Ghana this year. So we will continue to do the good work. And I appreciate the support that you guys have given me over time, because I tell folks all the time, you can't do this alone. And also know that for me. And I used to tell Dr. Holmes, I said, you know, long as you're doing not asking me to do anything that's law breaking our ride with you to the end. And certainly we know he passed a few years back and turn the reins over to me. But again, the way it's structured, I report to you guys, and we set policy will you set policy, as well as approve any spending that we may do and then the officer level? Folks, we actually do the work we make it happen. So but but collectively is how it's done. And the work done to include those photos. A lot of people don't realize when they say a picture's worth 1000 words. And you can see the joy in their eyes when because I know agents sometimes you guys go from classroom to classroom, getting some of those extra shots of people in action and doing things. So once again, appreciate you gentlemen, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. And I will certainly have you guys back on again as guests. And as we close out I want to say to to our listening audience out there. Saturday, July 29 at 1pm at St. Timothy church 43 West Pacific Avenue in Henderson. In lieu of flowers, make donation to the radio station you in any 1.5 Jazz and more or st Timothy's church in honor of our friend, Mr. John Nash and thanks gentlemen. Thank you, my brother.
Outro Song 29:21
smokin the tilde Hey, when they stay all the way
Transcribed by https://otter.ai