Hope in the Trenches Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office

Chaplain Scott and Command Sgt. Maj. Smith speak with two Oregon National Guard Soldiers about the reasons and motivations that led them to join the Guard and why they continue to serve, as well as some of the many benefits service in the National Guard can provide.

In this episode, Chaplain (Col.) Jacob Scott and acting Oregon National Guard State Command Sergeant, Command Sgt. Maj. Lee Smith, talk with SGT Wyatt Walls, military Occupation Skill (MOS) 13 "Fox" Forward Observer with Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Regiment Field Artillery, in Salem, Oregon. In 2021, then-SPC Walls placed first in the Oregon Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition. He then went on to win the Regional Competition and advance to the Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition. He was also one of the top performers, earning him a spot on the Army National Guard's team for the Arm's "Best Squad" competition.

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with "Tip of the Spear," Author and retired Army Green Beret Special Forces Engineer Sergeant, Sgt. 1st. Class Ryan Hendrickson.

Hendrickson joined the Army in 2008 after completing enlistments in the Navy and Air Force. He served on multiple deployments, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and several South and Central American countries. His book, Tip of the Spear, is the inspiring true story of his incredible return to active duty—and subsequent combat deployments—after stepping on an IED.

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with Mr. Steven DeLuna and Ms. Vicki Farnsworth, of the Oregon National Guard’s Resiliency, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention program, part of the Service Member and Family Support (SMFS) directorate at the Joint Force Headquarters in Salem, Oregon. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Chaplain, Steven, and Vicki discuss resiliency, why it’s important to talk about suicide prevention, some of the training available to Service Members, and what’s happening for Suicide Prevention Month.

SHOW NOTES:

Oregon National Guard Service Member and Family Support (SMFS)—provides information and resources for our Service Members, their Families, and the communities in which they live: https://oregon.gov/omd/ONG/smfs, or 971-355-2389

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Call or text 988 or live chat at https://988lifeline.org

Military OneSource: www.militaryonesource.mil

giveanhour—free and confidential mental health support for military, Veterans, and Families: https://giveanhour.org/military/

Vet Centers—community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their Families: www.vetcenter.va.gov

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with John Ondrasik, the platinum-selling, Grammy®-nominated singer and songwriter known more broadly by his performance name, Five for Fighting. In the two decades since Five for Fighting's first major single, "Superman (It's Not Easy)," hit the stratosphere, Five For Fighting has released six studio L.P.s, including the platinum-certified "America Town" and "The Battle for Everything." The band also obtained the top-10 charting Two Lights, an E.P., and live albums. A post 9-11 anthem, Ondrasik performed "Superman (It's Not Easy)" at the 2001 Concert for New York, a benefit show at Madison Square Garden that honored first responders and the fallen about a month after the tragic September 11th attacks. In addition, Ondrasik has penned numerous significant hits, including the chart-topping "100 Years," "The Riddle," "Chances," "World," and "Easy Tonight," which have earned tens of millions of streams and placed him as a top-10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s. Five For Fighting's music has also been featured in more than 350 films, television shows, and commercials. Five For Fighting recently released a new version of the single "Can One Man Save the World?" and a powerful companion music video featuring the Ukrainian Orchestra. Special thanks to the Linn County Fair and Expo Center for hosting Hope in the Trenches with John Ondrasik.



(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

In this episode, Chaplain Scott talks with John Ondrasik, the platinum-selling, Grammy®-nominated singer and songwriter known more broadly by his performance name, Five for Fighting. In the two decades since Five for Fighting's first major single, "Superman (It's Not Easy)," hit the stratosphere, Five For Fighting has released six studio L.P.s, including the platinum-certified "America Town" and "The Battle for Everything." The band also obtained the top-10 charting Two Lights, an E.P., and live albums. A post 9-11 anthem, Ondrasik performed "Superman (It's Not Easy)" at the 2001 Concert for New York, a benefit show at Madison Square Garden that honored first responders and the fallen about a month after the tragic September 11 attacks. In addition, Ondrasik has penned numerous significant hits, including the chart-topping "100 Years," "The Riddle," "Chances," "World," and "Easy Tonight," which have earned tens of millions of streams and placed him as a top-10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s. Five For Fighting's music has also been featured in more than 350 films, television shows, and commercials. Five For Fighting recently released a new version of the single "Can One Man Save the World?" and a powerful companion music video featuring the Ukrainian Orchestra. Special thanks to the Linn County Fair and Expo Center for hosting Hope in the Trenches with John Ondrasik.

(U.S. Army National Guard audio engineering by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)