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May 25: Memorial Park Presbyterian Church
June 14: McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center
June 21: Christ United Methodist Church
June 29: Christ Church at Grove Farm
July 8: Comfort Inn & Conference Center
July 26: Christ United Methodist Church
August 3: Seven Oaks Country Club
August 31: Christ Church at Grove Farm
September 9: Comfort Inn & Conference Center
September 27: Christ United Methodist Church
October 5: Seven Oaks Country Club
October 11: McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center
October 25: Christ United Methodist Church
November 18: Comfort Inn & Conference Center
November 30: Christ Church at Grove Farm
December 7: Seven Oaks Country Club
December 17: Christ United Methodist Church
Details at veteransbreakfastclub.org/in-person-events
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MONDAY, MAY 16 AT 7PM ET:
LIFE UNDER SOVIET OCCUPATION
Gunter Nitsch grew up in that peculiar part of Europe now called Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. When Gunter was born in 1937, it was known as Königsberg, East Prussia, and Gunter’s father was a member of the Nazi Party. The end of the war meant Gunter and his family were now under Soviet occupation, clinging to a bare existence. Gunter will share his harrowing story of survival and escape to the West. You can read Gunter’s story in his memoir, Weeds Like Us. Sponsored by D&D Auto Salvage and Tobacco Free Adagio Health. JOIN ON ZOOM
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MONDAY, MAY 23 AT 7PM ET:
OPEN CONVERSATION
Open Talk on VBC Happy Hour: we supply the platform, you supply the topics. What’s salt water soap? How is the Marine Corps changing? What’s the war in Ukraine all about? Was the M-16 really that bad? What sank the USS Thresher? The conversation is free flowing and always interesting. Sponsored by D&D Auto Salvage and Tobacco Free Adagio Health. JOIN ON ZOOM
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TUESDAY, MAY 24 AT 7PM ET:
NEW NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM
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IN-PERSON EVENT: WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 AT 8:30AM ET:
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MONDAY, MAY 30 AT 7PM ET:
MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM ON VIETNAM POWs
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MONDAY, JUNE 6 AT 7PM ET:
D-DAY ANNIVERSARY
We commemorate the the 78th anniversary of D-Day with Lisa Petitta and Mike Kraus from Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, which holds thousands of artifacts from WWII. They will present the history of D-Day through select one-of-a-kind objects from the vault, telling the stories of those who landed in Normandy to liberate Europe from tyranny. Sponsored by D&D Auto Salvage and Tobacco Free Adagio Health. JOIN ON ZOOM
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Thank you to our sponsor Tobacco Free Adagio Health! TFAH is dedicated to preventing and reducing tobacco use and increasing education about tobacco hazards and secondhand smoke. Learn more at tobaccofree.adagiohealth.org
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We’re excited to welcome a new sponsor,
Robert Morris University! Learn more at rmu.edu.
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TAPS Across America
In honor of Memorial Day, Air Force veteran and Director of Taps for Veterans & Taps Across America, Juri Villanueva joins The Scuttlebutt. Juri spent 23 years as an Air Force bugler. One of his duties was playing TAPS at Arlington National Cemetery for the Fallen. We discuss the history of TAPS and how his organization brings together Americans from across the country to play TAPS on Memorial Day.
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What Photos Capture Your Military Experience?
Task & Purpose is asking veterans to submit photos that best capture their military experience. They're looking for humor, of course, but also "an unfiltered, unvarnished look at what it’s like to serve." Email photos and the stories behind them to max.hauptman@recurrent.io.
SEE IN TASK & PURPOSE→
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23 Things Veterans Carry for Life
Military Times has a list of 23 things veterans carry over from their service. The list is geared toward Post-9/11 veterans. For example, anyone serving before 1980 might carry a P-38. My father-in-law still carries his draft card (the instructions say "carry with you at all times"). I wonder if older veterans have their own list and, if so, what would be on it?
READ ON MILITARY TIMES→
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Guy Prestia Turns 100 and is "Caked Out"
Thanks to Joe Boscia for passing along this article about our own Guy Prestia, who received unexpected 100th birthday greetings from President Biden. He opened his mailbox to find a big envelope, which he thought was a political advertisement. Guy says he's done with celebrations for a while. "I'm caked out," he said.
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BECOME A MEMBER
For $36/year, you can become a member of the Veterans Breakfast Club and help support our mission of sharing veterans’ stories. Check out membership benefits and sign up on our website!
LEARN MORE →
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We’re proud to announce a new VBC Veterans History Project that pairs volunteer interviewers with military veterans for one-on-one oral history interviews over Zoom. There’s no charge for an interview, and the recording is the veteran’s to keep. Sign up to interview or be interviewed!
SIGN UP →
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Show your support for our veterans by sponsoring a virtual program, an in-person event, or our podcast, the Scuttlebutt! Virtual event sponsors receive program branding, speaking time, and more. Check out in-person and Scuttlebutt sponsorship details on our website.
SPONSORSHIP INFO →
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DONATE TO THE VBC
Help ensure we can continue to bring you veterans storytelling programs and content like this by donating today!
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We're always looking for guests, program ideas, and sponsors. Please let us know if you have any ideas to share!
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