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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.
Kevin Krall 0:00
You're listening to special programming sponsored by making moves life coaching services. The content of Veterans Affairs plus does not reflect the views or opinions of public radio K, u and v, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Unknown Speaker 0:28
Come on, you can save
Unknown Speaker 0:37
town
Unknown Speaker 0:44
Good morning. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your hosts got a guest who is a longtime friend and colleague that we'll get to in a moment. However, at this time, I'll do what I normally do. And that is give a few announcements, as well as expressing condolences. So to the family of Doug McCain, who was a longtime member of this community, and he was a good friend and a business partner, Mr. Sammy Armstrong have ran Ross bus company so we will miss the he was a good guy in our community and well known. Another family that we'd like to express condolences to is that of Mr. Booker, Bernie. he transitioned recently in his service will be held this month at Second Baptist Church. Booker was the owner, co owner of the barbershop hair unlimited on Martin Luther King. And another interesting thing that I like to share about Booker is he along with a semicolon window P Williams. They helped to get Martin Luther King, which was at the time Highland Drive, they got to change to Martin Luther King. So just an interesting tidbit about Mr. Booker Bernie that we should all remember this the work that this gentleman did. Then another family member, a friend of the family, I should say this Mr. Eddie Bryan, while he was such a good friend to both Marsha and I. And I can tell you that and I've kid Marsha all the time about a couple of my friends that she actually stole from me. And Eddie, Brian was one of them. And I served with the Community Food Bank, many, many years ago. In fact, I think we started together on the Food Bank board of directors in 1984, if I remember correctly, and Eddie was our secretary, and I can tell you he was a real character then. And this was long before three squared. In fact, you guys may remember Betsy Bragg's who ran that program for many, many years. So those folks we will will truly miss and one of their condolences to the duck and family. Good friend of ours, the family of Fe duck and Daniel. She lost her sister. Just yesterday morning. So condolences to that family. A few other announcements, hoh birthdays in the month of December. Boy do we have so my sister Alma Hewitt. Her birthday is this month and alum is a good, good sister. She's always cooking me some chicken noodle soup. When I get Yes, Brian Brian Sydney, a saint who is just rubbing his tummy. But look, always looking out for our big brother. And then we have our grand son. Kyson case his birthday is on the 14th as was my fire service mentor Monroe Williams who's deceased and also my youngest brother. They both were on December 14. And then we have our granddaughter Nyla. Washington. Nyla is less than 11 months old now and she's already walking. And her father Ray Ray as we call him, Vernon Washington was just in a hurry Brian, for this young lady to start walking and we say you better look out you leave her alone because you know when they start walking in they start getting into cabinets and who knows what So happy birthday to all those folks. And and then the final one I mentioned condolences about her sisters fe, duck and Daniel her birthday is this month as well. So Fay we wish you well and all the other folks who are celebrating birthdays in the month of December. The next announcement is Ciara snow gliders, they will host their holiday party at Classic jewels. December 9 at 6pm. Contact Jeanne Campbell for tickets, and I can tell you Marsha and I used to be members of the and I'll say this to you, Brian. As the New Yorker that You are, you know, March and I, when our godmother died, Miss Ella Turner. In Detroit, we went back and it was right before Christmas. I forget what year it was. But it was so cold. And it's snow. And we don't have them goulash is that people who are prepared for this type of weather. I got sick. And I was sick for about two weeks. Marcia was sick for over a month. And we all know the song that's very popular. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. No, I'm not. Nope. Brian. In fact, I don't even like that song after that. I mean, we were just miserable. Those can be brutal. Yes, yes. But we had to go back again and express condolences and be with be with the family there in Detroit. One other thing that must be said to the to our listening audience. And that is, I hope you were able to and I just learned today that they're going to stretch it out to I think around the seventh of December. Please, please make a donation to the endowment. I think the general manager has done a tremendous job with the with the work that he's doing here. And having that endowment it's going to allow for funds to to be utilized. Not immediately but down the road. And I think that's a wonderful thing that he's done. Of course, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, happy holidays to each of you and your families, because it is that time of the season. And of course, we just got past Thanksgiving with lots of food, lots of family at the house. And everybody is grateful to God for allowing us to all still be moving around this earth. So thank God for that. And then the final thing I want to mention is, and we'll get him on the show next next month, and that is Wendell P. Williams of the Martin Luther King committee. He's the president of course and former assemblyman. They will have a lot of activities to include the largest parade in the state of Nevada. And that's the Martin Luther, Dr. Martin Luther King parade to occur in January.
Unknown Speaker 7:24
Once again, good morning, this Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host. We will shortly get into the first guest of today is a longtime friend and colleague, Mr. Brian and Brian, I believe you were captain in the Air Force.
Unknown Speaker 7:42
I left as a captain I started as a lieutenant. I'm a very lucky man. I had a even an 11 years storied career. So
Unknown Speaker 7:50
as an officer, did you go to Officer Candidate School? Did you go to college and go to one of the the academies thank God
Unknown Speaker 7:57
for ROTC. Okay, they paid for the last two years of my college education. And even while I was in the Air Force, they liked their officer corps to be smart. So thanks to the Air Force, I got an MA in Psych. Okay,
Unknown Speaker 8:13
what was your primary job when you first went in? When
Unknown Speaker 8:16
I first went in, I was a motion picture production officer. After a year at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, I volunteered and I went over to Vietnam. And a lot of people don't realize that. Some if you watch the military channel, a lot of those images are coming from military units. And if there was a good time to be in Vietnam, I was there at a very good time. Because I arrived in August, the Peace Treaty of Paris was signed in January. And then we had 60 days to get out. So I was there at the end of the war, not the fall of Saigon, but the end of the war. But I was there when we were trading POWs. I was there for some of the political meetings. Before the peace treaty was signed, I flew a any number of combat missions. So I got to see war, I got to see peace. We used to have a joke in our unit that the last person to leave Vietnam was going to be a photographer taking a picture of the last person to leave Vietnam.
Unknown Speaker 9:19
So when you were there, you were actually doing photography, video and etc.
Unknown Speaker 9:23
Not video, motion pictures and still photography. When I came back, the military was transitioning from film into television, television is a lot more versatile format, a lot cheaper, and you can do a lot more with it. And you can you can tape over things that you don't like.
Unknown Speaker 9:45
Oh, so I'm sure that had to be quite an experience to be over there, like you say, at the end of the war, and then when peace took its place. Well,
Unknown Speaker 9:54
you know, it's like, thinking on back. I don't have PTSD But when I watched the news now from Ukraine, the images of what is happening in Ukraine are very familiar. I will never forget the sights, the sounds, the smells, of even after treaty was signed. I was there when we were trading POWs and walking around the streets of way, which used to be a capital of Vietnam, social capital, intellectual capital, and it's just a mess. But to see all that destruction, to be party to that it's sobers you,
Unknown Speaker 10:42
I bet you in fact, I recall watching a couple of years ago, a documentary, where they were interviewing a lot of the soldiers who were actually in the war zone. And a lot of them said, they didn't appreciate Believe it or not people coming up saying, you know, thank you for your service.
Unknown Speaker 11:01
Exactly.
Unknown Speaker 11:01
These guys said, you don't know who I kill, why I had to kill. And I don't need you thanking me. Because I had to do some some wild stuff that I'm not happy with in my own soul. And I'm like, wow. So I don't I don't say that to. So even though I was I was a service member. I served from 71 to 73. And I still think God that I didn't go into war, because I can see that it still affects you to this day. And you talk about the sights, the sounds, the smells. And I don't think that people really realize, and that's why we have this show. And there's a gentleman that we encourage people to call. And that's Tony Marshall, he's a service officer. And what he does is he gets people hooked up who need help with various needs as it relates to their military service. I'll announce his name and number, again, before the show was over today, because I think it's very important. And I don't think that a lot of people realize what happens in a war because it has a tremendous effect. And I'm and I'm only doing it as an assumption, because I was not there, you know, but
Unknown Speaker 12:08
war isn't a movie. It's the real thing. And, you know, I flew in two different mainly in two different types of aircraft, battle damage assessment, reconnaissance, and actual, you know, combat and you know, they're, they're shooting bullets at us, and I'm shooting film at them. I flew with all different kinds of pilots. And some of the pilots said, Okay, you want to be part of this? And, you know, I'm 23. So, sure, for a long while, I made fun of myself that, you know, my aim was so bad that I've been trained in shooting missiles, I probably killed more palm trees. But the good news is that I don't know who I killed. The bad news is that I don't know who I may have killed and what blood is on my soul, right? In some ways, it took me a long while once I cut back. I've done a lot of work on behalf of the mentally ill and the dying. And,
Unknown Speaker 13:10
and I definitely want to force to talk a little bit about that. But before we go there, Brian, when you left the military, you joined Las Vegas Fire and Rescue I did. Let's talk a little bit about that. And some of the, maybe one or two of your favorite videos that you did.
Unknown Speaker 13:26
Well, you did a lot, I did a lot. One series of favorite videos was the we would do a video covering the entire Fire Academy. And the idea of learning this is what it takes to be a firefighter, right. I think the single best video I've ever done was the hardest one I've ever done. And it's thanks to you. Thanks. Thanks to you. We were celebrating our 65th anniversary. And we were hosting a an international conference. And you said if you send an email out to the world, if you have any line of duty deaths, whatever imagery you have, send it to Brian. And I got a ton of information, everything from a single portrait with no information, two hours at the cemetery hours at the church hours at the memorial, and being exposed to the stories and trying to put that together in a way that told a story that didn't overwhelm but still was very honest, authentic about. Okay, the Fire Academy will tell you what it takes to be a firefighter. This is what it's sometimes cost right firefighter. I mean there was one video of fire captain who's being given a flag from his chief because his son 18 year old son Huh, after two weeks on the service was killed in a fire and the editing this it's like, I could edit for about 20 minutes. Okay, I need to step away from this right. But the end I was very proud of that piece of work.
Unknown Speaker 15:16
Yeah, I recall that was the Metro chiefs that we exactly that we hosted? Yes. Okay. You know, Brian, we worked together at the training center. And that was one of the best times of my 33 year career because I felt we were all so close. Me, you, Jr, John Ryan, who was the chief Arlene Jackson, we had a great time in terms of us the camaraderie. And one of the things that you did, as we roll into your thoughts about volunteering, I remember group you got me involved in and I was like, I wanted to cuss you out. Copy, as you remember, copy,
Unknown Speaker 15:57
I remember copy? Well,
Unknown Speaker 15:58
I had I had two different very young men and then also had an older person. And when that older person didn't take their medication, they would go crazy on you. And I'm like, What am I doing here, but it was still valuable to me in my life and trying to help someone else. But you got me involved in copy.
Unknown Speaker 16:18
Computer was a program where you would train volunteers to be a friend to someone who was mentally ill. The therapists and the social workers had to take a certain stance, a friend could just you take your damn medicine, just take the pill, right? You know, and you could be more forceful, more direct, more social. And as opposed to being a social worker or a therapist. They would have people assigned to them. The compare volunteer would pick his That's right. His person. Yes. And he was able to eat would be able to say to that mentally ill stabilized. Right, for the most part. He was able to stay. I wasn't you weren't assigned to me. I picked you. I think you're interesting. I think you're valuable. It's very different message from the officials who would be dealing with these people. I have since led programs since dissipated during one of the recessions that we had. Right. But I was recruited then to work for Nathan Adelson hospice. Yeah. And
Unknown Speaker 17:23
you did that for an I'm still doing that. So
Unknown Speaker 17:25
I'm 40 years, okay. You know, end of life issues. I teach a course and listening skills. How do you? What do you say? What don't you say? You mentioned earlier about don't wish military guys thank you for your service. If you're if you want to, I want you to tell me how it was, you know, tell me a story. That kind of works better.
Unknown Speaker 17:47
Nathan Adelson hospice. That was, in fact, you say you still working there. I know John, Chief, John Ryan, Jr. as we affectionately call him. He did a lot of volunteering up at the old military home up in Boulder City. And when we when we had, and something we do to the listening audience, we get together well, we hadn't gotten together in a in a couple of years due to the pandemic. But we get together and talk about different issues tell the same old lies. This year, we told some some some new stories, new memories were affected by bias all by just continue to live life. And Ryan told me that he had to fill out some documents to continue on after the pennant pandemic. He said, You know what, I don't need all this aggravation. And he said, I'm I'm 75 years old. Why do I want to fill out some forms? See you.
Unknown Speaker 18:47
I can't let this end at all in any way, shape or form without saying that working for you was one of the best experiences I had in the fire department. You always reminded me there was an interview with Ed Sullivan, longest running variety show in CBS history. And the interviewer asked, What's the secret of your longevity? And he said, it's simple. I buy the best talent I can afford. And then I step out of their way. You were masterful in the way that you corralled all the different skills and talents of the of the staff of the training center?
Unknown Speaker 19:26
Well, let me say this, and you know, this was something that was very touching to me. You know, the black firefighters, we had a complaint filed against the city for discrimination. And myself and Larry Powell was the leading force behind the group. And as such, and one of the things that we were interested in was getting someone black down at the training center. I'm not and Brian was selected. And I remember I don't know if you came up to me and You introduce yourself. And I would even shake this man's hand. And God beat me down so bad. I went back to Brian with tears in my eyes. I said, Brian, I'm so sorry, we, we shook hands and hug. But the point to that is, Brian did such a tremendous job, even though he wasn't a woman, we wanted the black guys. But, Brian, the way he carried himself as a former officer, I think, probably had a lot to do with it. But you wouldn't, you weren't afraid of nobody. You guys, you may not, I may not be the one you want. But I'm the one you get. And let me show you. And you brought a number of great things. As far as well, I forget the name of that program. But it had to do with dealing with the evaluating the employees, and what was the name of this positive discipline, positive discipline, and you train us all in how to properly administer that program. So I know that, and I believe that all the folks who you had dealings with Las Vegas, with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue really, really, really appreciate and have nothing but honor and good words to say about you. And I'm glad to have you as a friend.
Unknown Speaker 21:11
I'm honored by your friendship, I pay tribute to the Air Force, and also my mom. My mom always taught, she was adamant about good manners. When she moved away from Pennsylvania to New York City, all of her family said, You're gonna stay in New York and your children will grow up to be gangsters. And she was going to prove them wrong. And my brother and I were going to die in the attempt. But the business of how do you treat people? You know, how do you treat people? Good manners, good management. One of my enlisted guys in Vietnam basically saved my life. He said, If you're going to fly in this plane, where your flak vest, if you're going to fly in that plane, sit on it, don't wear it. Because there's ammunition that can come up through this ordinance that can come up through the bottom of the plane, and you do not want to be injured. So treating treating people well, that's just regular, you know, and that was that was part of the Air Force. But it was also my mom.
Unknown Speaker 22:12
Yeah. And, you know, you would think that it would be easy to treat people with dignity and respect. But a lot of people as you know, they don't in any jelly get in trouble as a result?
Unknown Speaker 22:23
Well, I mean, some people don't make it easy, right? I mean, I remember when I was teaching the management class. There was this one captain, an old dinosaur, I won't say who I won't say his name is I don't need to talk to Mike the guys. They get paid every two weeks. You know, what do I need to talk to them for? And I said, Hey, do you ever go to a concert? Yeah, all the time? What do you do at the end of it? I applaud my cheer. Why are you giving to strangers? What you won't give to the people upon whom the success of our organization depends? Oh,
Unknown Speaker 22:56
Brian, it's been a pleasure to have you as a guest. Any closing remarks,
Unknown Speaker 23:00
I am honored. I'm a very lucky man, as I look, as I'm aging, and as I've aged, as I'm able to look back, and the things that I've done, the places that I've been, the people I've known, the wonderful people I have worked for, especially one of them, I'm looking across the table at, I'm a very lucky guy. I mean, I've done a lot of things. And I've been able to use all the different parts of me the artistic part, the intellectual part, the Compassionate part, the psychological part. I'm a very lucky guy. Alright,
Unknown Speaker 23:31
we appreciate your time. And we'll get you back on the show again, sometime in the future, because I think you have a lot to offer. And as people can see in here, I hope that you will understand guys who come out of the military, they can become very valuable citizens in our community. So thank you, Brian.
Unknown Speaker 23:56
Once again, good morning. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your hosts. Our next guest is Mr. Brent Taylor, who was not only an a vet, but he's an inventor. Brent, tell us what branch Did you serve in?
Unknown Speaker 24:11
I served in the army. My dad served in the Navy and my brothers served in the Marine Corps.
Unknown Speaker 24:18
How long were you? How long did you serve? I served seven
Unknown Speaker 24:22
years. Okay. And I'm so grateful for that seven years actually got us a house our first house
Unknown Speaker 24:28
right. So where are you from?
Unknown Speaker 24:31
I'm from Erie, Pennsylvania. And we moved right outside Atlanta, Georgia called Dallas, Georgia.
Unknown Speaker 24:38
As I mentioned in the introduction of you that you are an inventor, can you tell our listening audience how they came about?
Unknown Speaker 24:47
My dad was retired in the VA nursing home and basically, he stated that he was like an old car needing a bunch of new parts. He had prostate cancer, diabetes. We cart. I mean, and basically the doctor said that they didn't want to jeopardize his health by having him do any physical therapy. So I just thought that that was crazy that we needed to do something for my dad. I mean, he was a good spirit man. He was a funeral director. And, you know, he stayed busy until he retired into the nursing home. And I wanted to help him. I mean, I love my dad were the youngest of seven kids. And so I was familiar with bungee being a CDL driver. And I cut an old seatbelt out of my car, I took a foam grip handle and made it adjustable for him, so he could easily do stretching and strengthening in bed.
Unknown Speaker 25:47
So what is this that that you put together? What is it actually called? And what does it do? Well,
Unknown Speaker 25:57
it actually stretches and strengthening by the footstraps, he could actually stretch one of his, you know, foot by his ankle, he could actually bend his knee with his wrist. And he could do it simultaneously. So he could actually stick one foot in the foot strap and then transfer from the other without having to bend over. And the nicest thing about it is it's adjustable from zero to 25 pounds. So he could just adjust the tension control so he could get a little bit more resistance as a couple of days gone on. Right. So it was it was very cold. And he did it in bed. So my wife, Kathy called it bed B Ed. Er, er sizer, better sizer, you know, get better in bed.
Unknown Speaker 26:47
So is do you have someone manufacturing your equipment?
Unknown Speaker 26:53
Well, yes, we do. We, we found a manufacturer, we've been producing our products ourselves, but we found some help. We're looking to take this, you know, national, I thought I was eight a certified, I'm trying to get GSA certified. So we're definitely looking for help. Right. There's a lot of vets out there that you know, are sedentary, you know, they're in bed and wheelchairs, you know, can benefit. But I mean, this is not just geared to people that are in bed, right? I mean, people that are sitting in a chair, people that are standing, I mean, we showed this to colleges, high schools, activities, you know, as far as some folks, we show partnership, there's exercises that we created that never been seen before. Okay, so I mean, we're so excited. I'm sorry. So
Unknown Speaker 27:42
how are you marketing your device?
Unknown Speaker 27:48
We go, we we've been trying to get a little bit we want to get on television. That's it. I mean, bottom line, we want to do a commercial. I don't believe anybody has seen anybody stretching and strengthening in bed as far as a commercial goes. And we want to be the first one because, you know, there's a lot of people that are at home, you know, that don't have health care and things of this nature. But just to help a healthy blood flow to the extremities and things of that nature. That's what our product offers. You know, it helps you stretch and strengthen. And that's a key to staying healthy today.
Unknown Speaker 28:22
Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, I'm assuming there's a way for people who are in the Las Vegas area as well as around the country who can listen to this show. How would they go about making contact if they want to purchase this type of equipment?
Unknown Speaker 28:42
Again, the name of the product is called bed, or sizer ve D E R. S I zer. And it's dot com better? psijic.com better sizer.com? Yes, sir. And if they would like they can actually Brent Taylor 921 at gmail.com. And I'd be more than happy to help you I'd be more than happy to do demonstrations for you. And it's my I mean, I love my dad, he's a great man. I mean, he did a lot for the community, but he helped me receive a united states patent on the product too. So I mean, you know what I mean, I, I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I could be the first black American that has a patent on an exercise product. So I'm grateful. All
Unknown Speaker 29:29
right, well, I will be in touch with you. Rent soon as we get off the line. And we can discuss more and I'll tell you how you'll be able to, to listen to the program. Thank you for your time and thank you for what you put together. That's going to be helpful to people.
Unknown Speaker 29:45
Thank you, Mr. Washington. And God bless you. All right, take care.
Unknown Speaker 29:50
All right. Once again, to you vets out there. I encourage you to call Tony marshal our Service Officer at 3015379 465 Everyone please be safe and enjoy your family and friends during the holiday season as we thank God for His grace and mercy. God willing and the creek don't rise. I'll be back on 91.5 Jazz and more in January take care.
Unknown Speaker 30:46
Smoking
Unknown Speaker 30:47
weed
Transcribed by https://otter.ai