[music] >> hi. thanks for coming today. really appreciate you coming out. this idea of a round table actually i have been wanting to do for many years especially it talk with fellow veterans. i'm excited for today.

we get into it. if you guyings could introduce yourself to the group. and how you came to which finds that recruiter or you know how to finds that dotted line and put up your hand for the oath. alex. >> i'm alex, u.s. army, i joined the military because i came from a heritage my family in the military it was just normal for me to. i enjoy it serving in the military. that was a reason why to keep it in the family >> how long du serve. >> 11 years. >> nice. you are in now. >> still active duty. >> great. >> thank you. how about you, tanner. >> i'm tanner, i was at the marines and i did 5 years

2013-2717. i always knew i uponed to be in the military. like alec we have family members navy, army and all the above. i figured i would go in this one. and yea i did 5 years. and it was amazing. iel >> you were take being pictures or video? for when i was there triple circumstance forefronting i marine corp tv serious. we were doing like documentary work, right. so -- we would cover like the first female infant real marines covered on the east and first female assault [inaudible] as well. where they work on the big man

escaping my. the triple aman b. covered the training they did, being able it deadweight lift, 168 pounds out of the av. everything that we did. [laughter]. so. it was incredible y. when i was in the navy my last 2 years in, i was electronic technician i worked on radar and gps stuff. and you know they called me twijet, tweak and adjust it. i actually [laughter] was interested in film make thanksgiving was in 99 in 2000. my last deployment i wanted to make videos. and so i started my friend and i the other guys, mo japanese and

chinese guy started a show on the ship. mtv, tom green. and going making people answer stupid questions. and like, um. ... something like that. and that's how i learned everything and within our own ship and love and you make a montage of the ship's prescription and like that. it is how i started other than being a kid and filming stuff that's how i became a film maker. opposite of when my job was. [laughter]. that is awesome. keep the ship's entertainment with young -- >> we would do like mtv cribs style. on the ship. and so people would be this is

where i sleep on the missile and stuff like that. and the air dents the guy who is flew the helos found a smoke machine and smoked it out and come out of it. [laughter] stuff like that. [laughter]. tax dollars. [laughter]. awesome. cool. jimmie how about yourself. i'm jim and he how i got enters old union square soldiers and joes ping. this is neat. and i gay man this is cool. next year i'm at the national guard unit signing up and taking my oath. when i got to the fortmy first night i said what have i gotten myself in. i joined because i love my country and i will serve and survived i'm proud of being a

vet republican serving my counsel row. how long du serve. >> national guard 83-89. quarter master and i took a leave in 83 due to illness. >> chris how about yourself. >> my father was in the korean war, had a bronze star and purple heart. my uncle in vietnam. he was aef missile maintenance worked on the hawk missiles. and so, i decided to follow the tradition and i went in the u.s. army. from 1982 to 2002. spent 20 years. and my time was over in bosnia. that was an eye opener for mow. i seen children wound in the combat from the mines and all

that stuff placed is there. it is it affected me. in a way of what are we dog in this world. and but i enjoyed serving my counsel row like my father and uncle and -- and -- it was a good tour. >> nice. >> myself, i think i have a different story. i actually just did not get long with my dad at all. you know all through high school he was kicking me out and staying with friends and stuff like this. i had this mentor from like the boys and girl's club in china town in san francisco. he was in the navy and got out. and for some reason, i thought that was my only out to get oust house or whatever. you know not really well off as a family.

did not have the opportunity to go to a 4 year school. and did not understand school, either. the grants and what not. when i heard like college fund g. i. bill and this stuff. that is interesting. and obviously i think my friend he was like, if you want to be safe don't go marine or army and if you want adventure take navy. you seat world. i went in served from 97-03. stationed uss [inaudible] the destroyer and did my time we did 3 and one south pack got to see a lot of the world. on the ship a lot. and -- so -- just much different life than all my friends had. i wanted to ask how was like

that first moment few days of boot camp. for me, i admit i was by the time i got in bed may be 72 hours later i get off the bus i started crying. and like saying what the hell did i do here? even getting off the bus and everyone was shouting out numbers. real iegz everybody telling social security number and i was trying to mem rise mine on the bus. getting used to that atmosphere of yelled at a lot. how was this first few moments of boot camp am >> so traveling from san francisco is where i signed up to san diego, i done think about it we went occupy and stabilized and down and straight in the

unfortunately the group i was we were late for the drill destructors we got yelling off the bat. the first couple of moments. after that first week you know it basement new normal. it was great. >> and remoinldz me when did you join. 2013. >> okay. i want to gauge era was 97 they were able to touch you and, yea. >> and stuff like that. and [laughter] i heard 2013 did they toucher or yell. they were in the supposed to touch you. a little crazy. but you know it was all nothing was done maliciously it was done

for actual training. >> how about yourself >> boot camp for me -- it was too difficult but had hard times but i within down [inaudible] i enjoy today. i learned, lot about myself as a person going down there. but it was a good time. >> nice. chris? >> well when i went in it was they were allowed to work you over for pushups and sit ups and all this stuff sxf dropping you and -- i was my dad went through it i was like, i know i can do this.

i rarely b dw pushups when i left i was doing 40 pushups. >> they were allowed reach out and touch you but in the time frame they were adjusting to getting away from that. and they did in the do it in a way to be malicious. they did it as a training thing. and i enjoyed it. i liked it. >> yea. >> it it is like a -- if everyone is suffering together it created a bond. you know. the command. there was a thing called ricky lane. ricky short for recruit and upon then stoims when we get in trouble everyone have to pull out their bunks out to the side

and we valid to exercise until the ceiling drips from condensation. you hear or see coming in yelling ricky rain! ricky rain! everyone is no. running trying to get water in them they know they will sweat it out and stuff like that. that was something i remember. >> how about you jimmie. >> i rhode to oklahoma in 83. we get in the camp and the gentlemen gets on the bas likes like lou from officer and gentlemen. says y'all got 30 seconds to get on my bus. i'm sitting there. everyone jumped up. what are you waiting for. i thought. no that was my big mistake. i thought. >> i said it was scary. the first night. what in the hell have i done?

i'm a gay man in the united states. they could not mess with you perform i said god give me my strength you will make it and it was a unique experience i was 32 when i went in called me grand pa. and thanks to discipline of the old school they grab you by the shirt. this one was good there. and it was unique experience. at 32 i learned how to grow up to survive. and reach out to your comrades to help each other that was the best responsiblesful knowing i'm serving my country when i go hope i still will by helping my fellow veterans. >> what were highlights or challenges you faced during. >> challenge was i was 32 years old most were 18. i'm thinking how will i make it. the first time we did a drill you gate the knapsack and 500

pounds of stuff you don't need and marching and said, mac. you owled hound you are doing it see that man up there. he said if i thought they would kick my tail he will not i will keep up. and it was young pep that encouraged me and i was able to encourage them saying that you guys are young and i'm older we need to work together. to me that was the idea of joining the service is making good friends and knowing you are look out for your country to have our freedom and go accomplices and do things. and -- when i put my uniform on i was a proud soldier. i had to take leave. u neefk experience i dolled it gwen if i had the chance to. >> one of the obvious challenge for me was coming from san

francisco as chinese-american and in the bubble. and going serving in the military and being exposed to everything new. my ship of 400 i was the only chinese guy there were 12-15 asian people in general. trying new things. seeing and trying new things. pig in a blanket the random normal things, meat loaf i never tried it until i was in the service. it was a hard adjustment at first. but i think as i got to the ship upon then you know you start creating the core friendships with people. whether in the trenches with you know your you know realistic

like i think -- somehow it got past the point of like whether you are black or white or brown or yellow and stuff like that. we are part of the same team and fighting for our country. it felt strong especially like a few moments where our ship was one of the first notoriety uss cole when they got bombed and when 911 happened. that was my 4 yearn verse row in the navy on that day, 911. it was like this everything changed at the moment but the same time everyone left and always got each other's back. felt like we can do anything. how about you alex? most challenging thing i had in the service was being in the navy air bourn.

[inaudible]. and for people who would not know what that means or what is this? so. the 82nd air bourn can deploy around the world in 18 hours or less. so with this type of you know background requires training and things like that. you know. a lot of operations and involved and just take a toll on the body but it is rewarding. which is cool. >> yea. that was the hardest in my career. >> wow >> that is awesome. >> chris? >> my first [inaudible] which a it was 16 weeks. went to school for electronics. and from there you how to fix missiles. and bradleys [inaudible] came out later.

from there i went to 101st airbourn and assault they had similar mission as 82nd they had to deploy within 18 hours. and we had just forces that were -- part of 101st. our group was stationed there. and it was eye opener. they have an incident in africa that jumped up and sent one of our teeps out in the africa with the infantry. and went out on this mission. >> dang, that's crazy. crazy how there is so much. other than seeing the movies how much like stuff we don't know upon what happened.

you know behind the scenes and like -- and -- obviously we are here. and we are here living our life and enjoying a cup of coffee on there is like so much crazy stuff going on. you know. it is amazing. tanner. >> the most challenging things that challenged mow in the mentally in the marines my last unit i was stationed combat service support schools. and we had i very small combat team. as a video. there are 3 of us. and out of the 3 we had we over the course of a little over a year and change, we covered every school in the marine, army

and anywhere the marines would train we would travel and do all that. and i think i put in like 14 or 1500 hours after work to get everything done for editting. you know always driving and moving. like that last year i did not have a life. but you know we got it done. [laughter] and -- yea. i money i loved the fieldoms. i don't know how you live on the navy ships. [laughter]. like ape mont and i was like never again. please. get me off this ship. but yea. i think working with the triple s was the hardest thing we had to do. everybody with the normal job you get off and you are done with us behind the scenes is

always editting and working. yea. it instilled really good what it is called? discipline. [laughter]. yea. >> key word. >> yea. >> i think even just some people are like discipline wise, some are surprised like to me like when i show up early to things. and not like on time but early. like today you showed up early they are like. of course. he is a veteran. for some reason most people it is like you know being late is okay or on time is okay but in our mind set being on time is not okay. have you to be early to everything. so you can see that. jimmie can i ask if you as a gay

man, did you have challenges being in the military? i know like that whole era of when don't ask don't tell was happening. >> i say when i went in there, it was tough. but i said i made my choice. nobody else. i said if i become out it would be the biggest embarrassment my grant father was navy and brother was vietnam vet republican. i can't do that. i will dot best i can. one thing helped break the ice. will somebody finds out. back then they could beat your ass or the commander will walk up and say you are out we don't want your kind. one experience we did camouflage. we had a drill sergeant. your best friends and times you wanted run the other way when they locked at you. and this one said, we am do

camouflage i had the perfect person who will help us out i said, oh , shit, he said mr. san francisco, i said hum. you have something to sigh. no, sir i don't want to go to the brig. i said no , i can't out of respect to let you know because people come from san francisco okay -- when i within to another i did schooling a guy come over and said you know we need to have a talk. i said did i do something. be open with me. okay. yes , sir. cool. that's all i want to know. i thought but i feel the tension i want you to know i admired and respect you. when you put your uniform on you took pride and being a gay man. that is amazing. i said it is sad this people judge because of what you do

behind closed doors they judge when you do in public that's when they did they judged mow in public doing good. and when i was in my national guard unit i took pride the minute i put this uniform on. the commander recognize today and appreciated when they needed somebodieen though i was quarter master they need me the kitchen i was there. and share this last store. i was on weekend maneuvers in san francisco during fleet week the commander said i need you. using stainless steel trace. i'm getting red it scoop potato a blue angel flew under the golden gate bridge. that was unique experience and i got sick with hiv and commander said if anything in my powers to

change things i would. excuse me i get emotional you were one of the best quarter masters this unit had. you respected soldiers before than i grab things. you taught them respect and dignity. that was part of the training i got from the military. respect. respect all your fellow americans. that's why i'm proud to be a veteran. >> amazing >> thank you. >> thank you. >> i got a story. there is in 85 when beirut was bombed. they called 101st out. we lost in the infantry unit when the plane went down when the alert came up, we were all jumping around and getting gear and stuff ready. and they looked and like, where

is tex. tex was the soldiers that was with us. worked [inaudible]. [inaudible]. and like where is tex? and opened up and found tex in the [inaudible] and -- [laughter]. hello. come on. the locker that is i good one >> [laughter]. >> so i asked everyone if you could bring something to share with the group and share why it has significance to you. what is special and share a store beit and stuff. how about we start with alex? can you share with us when you brought today. >> so i receive third degree coin [inaudible] my commander

because i was playing an important role in the operation we did. in 2019-2020. wow. got this for if will a great role there. >> how does this make you foal. >> i felt great because it was not expected. and you know it made mow feel i was a part of the 82nd at that time. it felt great to receive this coin. >> cool. >> wow >> amazing. >> can you describe what is on there. >> it is basically it is our panters this is the panther logo here. you got [inaudible] 2p... and the operations we have been on. >> that is neat.

amation perform awe some. thank you. tanner? how about yourself? >> i have my camera. cool. the reason why i like have this and it is always reminds me of my service. when i joined for cam bat camera they never gave me the photo video roll. if the military if they finds out you are good at something they don't teach you the rest of it. [laughter]. i was actually i work in the the first year in change a print master. i would take all the other photographer's photos and print them up and almost nay and that other stuff. i critiqued the hell out of them. until they sent mow in the field with my own camera i bought a sony. and had to prove myself. i always shot sewn still do. and i'm really proud i had the

prove myself and you know out did the other trained marines. awesome. >> jimmie? >> okay the one i forgot to bring was one of our late members arch wilson he served during world war ii. and gave me his sergeant in arm's pin. it was the ribbon and the sergeant of arms and the one part fell off i gota glue it back. and something else october fourth we feel had an event in this build nothing this wool invited 200 visiting people for fleet week and meet them and did a group picture and the end, commanders came up to me and saidom behalf of the uss vincent we like to present this to you. and if you like to see that.

the heard vicinity evervennes 8 the uss. it was know honor i will carry this to the day i go it men a lot. some stay is just i coin. men to you a coin but to veteran its is special and it is meant to give honor. and i get -- when you look back you say i remember when this happen third degree day and got to meet wonderful veterans. >> chris. um -- i got a lot of coins when i was in this one i got from commissioner wilyom barnacle veteran affair's commissioner for san francisco. >> wow. i was having a hard time with homelessness and trying to

survive in san francisco on 1200 a month. that was my military retirement. sword to plow shares got me in a place and i went up from there and guardualy built back up and got my benefits and i was suffering from both upon mental and physical disabilities. and commissioner barnacle when he gave this to me, its got his commissioner on it and his nameful integrity first and service and excellence in all we do. that -- i tick that to heart. this means a lot to me. so. he is airforce veteran. and what i liked most is this

veterans coming together whatever branch they are in coming together and doing good things for the community and doing things for other veterans. it means a lot. so. that's what this means i carry it with me every where i go. >> thank you for sharing that. >> great, wow. i brought a picture. of my family. and this was from 2001 fleet week we came to san francisco. the first time they ever came on my ship my mom, dad, brother and his wife and my grand pa. and it had ash lots of significance to me because -- you know they honest low did not know anything about what i was doing had no clue other than movies.

right. and you know having this really bad relationship with my dad it kind of put something new in him that saw me on the ship working with the people like being responsible for millions of dollars of equip. right. and you know this was literally the first time he said he was proud of mow this time he visited. we were not a family that says like, i love you or what a good job thing, you know. the first time he said that to me. it meant a lot. and it is like this moment of weird. this moment of like not being accepted by my family but being like almost accepted as if like i was a true american feeling. because like growing up it is like balancing 2 cultures you know. and so but having them like a

small family of chinese people walking through a ship with the others and everyone is wondering, what is going on. but then all the sudden they also felt proud to be an american, too much being in this country as well their son was serving for the country and stuff like that. it was like a really, really great moment just having them see what i do and -- yea. and you know. forever that just this memory is just will be with me forever. joy like to comment on this photograph. it moves me. i'm an emotional people it moved me. i never met this gentlemen. shared the story how dad said, i accept you. you are a veteran and serving. that is moving, today e approximately in the gay community there are fells that you are gay, get out of here. i'm thankful my family accepted me and i relate this where his

father get out. but when you put this uniform on it opened his eyes. i just thank you for sharing that. i wish every family could be like that. that is my goal. if you are a veteran your family should accept you. thank you for share thanksgiving with us this means a lot >> the tough part of adjusting that to and it is wored for mow to say civilian life i feel like a civilian but i'm not and i am but get back to civilian life we are used to this structured life. you know having food cooked for us and having the medical bay ready for us. and knowing when we will do from literally 8 a.m. to sick p.m. every day and stuff. so,mented hear that it -- if it was how was this transition back to civilian life? >> when i came back home it was

interesting because -- they had not passed the don't ask don't tell. i was living in the castro 4 our 407, 17th street. il live my life. if that is how you knoll is your problem. i served prud low. one thing i noticed i went it golden gate park helecopter came. i doe to the trees. got out of basic training. got it. it was neat. i was still very gung-ho. what is wrong with him. he came out of the military. how du survive. you learn to keep your mouth shut and go with thefully. now we say what we want.

i think one thing that bothered me a bit was you go to a store or something and say, do you give discount for veterans. it is amazing the number of people are appalled why shoe get special treatment. excuse me? we served our country we are entitled. people say, glad to have you here. others look at you like, i say, you know it it is sad. i served my country you can do things like that, that's okay. that's okay well are men good people that appreciate us veterans. once i realized i'm here and people will accept me or not and i said, you accept me that's cool. again until i got sick and i had to take early leave i put my uniform on every among. went to san mateo unit served

and came home and live aid normal life. as normal as could be. [laughter]. chris? 20 years in and retiring -- i'm still wing on getting back. because -- you get in that military mind set. you look at like i go back to my mentor. and i have flash backs of seeing the kids in the situation they were in and it affected me. a lot and so it is taken akwhiel. i have ptsd and depression

because of physical injuries. would i do it again? i would. because it is for my country. >> amen to that. >> yea >> and to get in more like for me, the doctor said i had ptsd it was adjustment disorder. it was like going to a new environment, new setting and trying to hard to figure out how to do that. for you like -- was it something you seeked out help for or something. >> absolutely. absolutely. i it was not until i got to san francisco, because -- well, let me go over the story. after i retire friday the service i moved up to virginia and hired as a senior logistic's

engineer because of my electronic background. and worked on turrets as well. so when i was there, i was around military people and the marines and colonel talked to me and asked me, brad low have a manual site. i said, yea. how committee did not put one on [inaudible]. near the marines. i was like because an over look today and messed up. that was in the my exact words but. he appreciated that because i was honest with him. and they went become at this time drawing boarded and took care of that problem. they were trying to get marine updated equipment. i will felt like -- i did feel

before seeking help and -- it was not -- i don't know a weird thing like i know a lot of my friends had suffered a lot of mental health problems and hearing what they were going through. i felt bad for them. i never thought that -- whatever i was going through was as series as what they were. i never thought i should get help. and so i think once the doctor gave me a diagnose it was more accepting and found help and got help. before this i was trying to avoid it. or at least not name it. i don't know. >> to go on top of this. it is a military thing inspect general where they teach you to

not seek help. if you are seen at the medical office you are weak. >> yea. >> unfortunately that's the modo but at the same time, sloulth you should reach out. it will not make you weaker. >> i didn't get much treatment until 7 years after i was out. a diagnosed me with migraines and it was but -- later down the road i knew i needed help for the other things going on with flash backs and different things like that. once i got to san francisco i got this help. san francisco has the best va out there. and they to being me to and i had a personality disorder.

i was not used to hearing that. i went to the different programs they got for mental health and it helped me to come out of the shell and become in society and stuff like that. and appreciate being around my fellow veterans and not worrying about this is coming back in my mind and stuff. and it is helped me grow and move forward and move on. with my life. and helping other vet residence get through it, knowing veterans coming out of the service. not prepared because they were not briefed ahead of time.

when you are in face at this time out tempo is like really strong. we work 18 hour days. 7 days a week and you are programmed. into that. coming out it takes awho i to decompress. decompress and get become to normal life with your fellow people in the country. >> yea. fellow citizens >> i'm glad you got that help, years ago my company wanted to send me to a psychiatrist because of homo sexuality. i'm glad you receive third degree help and there are people oust there this need help. we'll talk about this we need to start reaching out to the people approximate. sometimes people were afraid to ask. don't be afraid to reach out.

anything we can do as a fellow veteran. get medical help. talk with somebody that will help you. i'm glad you were able to get this treatment you deserve it as a vet wan ran and personful i'm glad you are doing better. >> thank you. jowl are welcome. >> great to hear. >> alex i know upon it is different for you you are in serving now but. i still struggle. [inaudible] the [inaudible] what i have been through or is going through. will you know tough to slope and stuff like this. and always red ready to go even if we don't have to do anything it is always there in the mind. it could be difficult you know, transitioning back to civilian

life. can you can be in the service still [inaudible]ful i can only imagine transitioning to full time civilian. is it an active is it is more talked about now. as far as take careful mental healing >> especially from everybody's time in the service it changed a lot. but i will say, you know, it is broefed to you but you have to you know push yourself as well, to get the treatment as well. i will say sometimes, those things are then out to a soldier or service member. it is briefed to get help if you need it. [inaudible]. >> yea. >> it helps with other veterans you know to see that.

and they reach out. i don't know if everybody knows, congress is mandated through law that we reach out to all veterans and make sure that they get a chance to if they need benefits they get them. and -- so it is roaching out to veterans and trying to there is one veteran that would not and he slept in the train station in powell street. he wanted nothing to do with society. and they tried everything they could to get him to come in but -- >> yea. just it was sad. and i don't want to leave a veteran behind. because they did in the leave me in combat. they did not leave me when i was

going throughout training next to them of everybody was hey, let's pick him up and bring him along. and -- that's the biggest thing about vet republicans and the bond we got is because it is a team player. and -- you help one another get through what you are going through. >> yea. i had i friends that he was sharing to me it was tough because you know he was doing these group therapy sessions with other veterans. it felt not weird but there is impostor syndrome. you feel you don't belanguage there. like hoe is probably in this group with other vet republicans that lost a limb or severe and

he is more depressed but feel like he belonged being injured or having something wrong with him. and like so sometimes, when other veterans can talk to each other and rbi violet each other and share their story whether how good, bad or worse it is you are going through that. everyone is going through their own journal and he it is very different. but we all deserves to get help and because what we sack filesd and done for our count rope and stuff. it it is hopefully they can offer the service but it is for us to go in there and get the service. but we have to try to share that you know whether it is how easy or accept today is or not like something this makes you weak or something this is like you know, a bother some for others. because you might feel like i

can do it on my own i don't want to bother my mom or dad to take me. we want to try to make sure everyone is okay. you know. >> yea. >> i got my e mill from merge legion headquarters and love they reminds you, dot calling tree. that is where if you have not seen you in i couple weeksil call and you -- don't be afraid i'm sorry i need to be by myself. that's fineful let them know. sometimes i seen people are like they feel nobody calls you. why should i live? we all ishmael live and be able to have somebody we say i will call and you weville coffee. talk about when you need to talk about to get it off your chest. sometimes we are like a few minutes to talk to somebody. that can be a life changing experience knowing that somebody

took time to care for me. that is important. we need to have every vet republican to call the v. a. and not put on hold for 5 months. you need help you should go in today and immediately get treatment. and there is no reason why we can't do this. i wish there was a way i could go to congress and kick tail and tell them. look you need to get your act together the people served their counsel row. they came home. my brother came home as a heroin addict from vietnam if you were not buzzed by 9 in the morning you did not survive. they needed the help and should not be denied the help. never if there was a way to make that bill effective immediately no veteran would be turned away for anything. >> i will show that you bill. it is in there what we need to do is let people than it it is in there.

>> i done know this. you tuesday today. i'm learning. them is important. get together and talk you pleasure you share and that's how you roach out to help others. i thank you for this. >> yep >> absolutely. >> very important. >> your approximation you know i have been watchingior passion with when you were speaking to 200 veterans navy veterans and the airforce. marines -- you can see this in your voice how you are caring. and they seen that. and that let's them know, hey, we are taking the time and moving on and we got people back here that supports us. that is so personal >> thank you that was think honor. let them know i know most of you are many miles away from home. you are on active duty we want to make sure you know we are

your family today and step and up be family for every veteran 365 days a year. >> i like to see more. >> yep. veteran is veterany when you get deployed you christmas time. you are not home with your family you are on the battle field. >> uh-huh. >> and knowing that somebody is back here that got your back. and stuff like that is important. >> yep >> when could we say let's say for alex still serving, what could we say or advice for him as far as like taking care of his mental healing or even. one day i don't know soon or later you will get out of the service. what is like advice we learn said mental health we can pass on to alex?

>> i think you should be able to go in and see the if you are having depression or having a moment, you should be able to go in to the tmc and be seen without having repercussions oh , he has depression electric at when hoe is doing. it is not like that. >> right. we can function and still do our jobs but have the depression and have ptsd. we need coping skills. >> you know. >> but we are still an active part of getting the job done and the mission done. and so that's what i would tell you is -- you know don't be afraid to go in and talk to them and say, tell them what is going on and stuff like this. or each your fellow veterans.

just get in a group. we used to -- play quarters and talk. after -- and but -- we never got too far gone with drinking. where we couldn't help our fellow veteran. and that comradery -- is you have it while you are in and you got it when you are out. we are here also. >> so. >> i recommend if you have access that you go years ago, if you said, you mention it, put this person at the end of the line buzz they are nuts. it is not we are nutings we have emotional problems. and being active person there is in reason why you should in the got on person and say, i'm

having a problem can we have a talk. you should have that instantly. because he went through a lot he was tough. got the help. i would not like to see you where you are like, they didn't care. no that should not being you are active they should take care of you immediately and retired vet residence should be no questions asked if you need help. get this instantly. absolutely. when you deny veterans this is a slap in the face to the veterans in the country. i had a friends this every veteran should have free medical and go it dental. i echo that. every veteran who serves free

medical. period. >> and one more thing. we heard in the news people come to the country flowing from country the persecution and they are willing to serve our country. by god if you take your head and swear an oath to the country i think you should become a citizenship. it is sad we see you served now it is up 3 them back that is wrong if you are willing to serve of the cubs row this country for the military by god the minute you take you were hand and say, iup hold, you say, yes i'm a citizen. and that law should be in ascii. and if there was a way to get this law enacted today i would be so happy. i seen where families are torn apart you did your job, get out. you served this country and deserve to stay and be a citizen immediately. >> yep. i see that.

>> >> so it has been more recent since i have been out in 2017. transition is ridiculous. you gentleman from having absolutely your entire life is schedule and maintained you don't think you will just do it. and then you show up in the civil yen world and everything is different. everybody islet. it is like -- [laughter] not like you don't have to show up exactly on that specific time. but like even now i still show up early to things. i thank you is helps me as a person. remember but mriek you always still carry that sense of urgency and the stress this come with temperature you manage it now and talking to the psychiatrist and getting help is something that is a necessity.

dwro especially you know we are coming out of covid this hit everybody hard. i'm still coming become with my social skills you don't talk to anybody for 2 years. especially in the civilian side and going to college. you know that was really rough. a rough time. i got help through that. and that is -- is needed. so funny enough in the marines

we called the psychiatrist. to me like a no-no word. they are loishg, no, no, no don't talk about this stuff. we called them wizards. [laughter] they do magic. [laughter]. yea. when we have like our marines and when i picked up sergeant i tried talk to my marines to get them help of the prior they were not like that. you know they would almost see everything in the opposite to keep you away from medical or psychiatrists or anything. it is not a sign of weakness. it is more a sign strength on you. you are able tom recognize that -- something is off and i need help. and lastly the last question, and thank you for sharing i know it is a tough but accepted topic to talk about. if we are not experts and don't know how to talk about mental health it is a great conversation to have. especially hearing from fellow veterans. lastly, so, knowing what you know now, y'all experiences good and bad, would you do it all over again? yes. absolutely. >> in a heart beat >> yes.

>> i think so, too. >> i think i always say, there were a lot more negatives than positives but came out a better person. and you know and something like that, i -- would have -- something you can't take away and like -- i could not imagine myself my life if i never went in. and served i feel like you know -- of course there will be negative with every experience whether college, marriage, you know different chapters in your life but what you learn from it or who you met. and friendships and all the things that all of the other positives. we pay attention to negatives this sticks with us more. but would do it again. anyone elsement to comment. i would do it again the u neefk part of i went in as an old man.

[laughter]. so after -- [laughter] and grandpawhat are you doing. i love the wardrobe and the -- accommodations and meal is wonderful. bring me ring the bell in the morning. >> and -- it was a unique experience i thought i'm not going to maker it. i said to myself. you made the bed you slope in it. i said i will be determined to do that. of the discipline part was ease the old days i will knock you overwhelm if you electric at me crosside. physical was tough. i did it. the one thing i was glad when i got to virginia, my pt got cut due to age. all them pushups and sit ups. it was u nobodying and i got to be platoon guide. and i was still they claim i had

to promote. i will share you learn how to do marching my first day i learned. move them over am turn them right. i could not remember platoon halt. i'm like stop. and my first start dpoog. -- the next day they made me do drill time for 3 hours i know it properly now. it was a unique experience and would gladly do it again. i love my country and u unique. when i went to -- still fortlee? i wake up and step on the floor my feet were numb. i went to the doctor and he said

we will see what is wrong. when i step it is numb. okay. he turns what is this there. took a cigarette lighter. ouch. this is better. no you don't have put your boot become on and get to class. my first few weeks of boot camp they gave mow the wrong prescription gla glasses they are called bc, birth control glass they are so thick. and [laughter] first few weeks i kept 3ing up and would not fix t. deal with t. then they told me one day i broke it. i need to glasses and they if i canned my prescription. ridiculous.

chris. would you do it over again? i would definitely do it over again. and hinds sight is with me, there is a few things i would do different. i got the special force course and all that stuff. because of car accident i had there was an alert and i come on a curb and 2 hill billys -- parkod that side of the road headlights on and had to veer right and hit a dumpster. 2 of them. and my old 41 end of the car was smashed up. i was going in an alert first and that hit this affected me. i did not realize how bad until san francisco v. a. got a hold

of me and now they are looking at tv guys and all that stuff. i would do it over again >> yea. alex? >> aloment of things i would you know wish could have done as well. like. [inaudible] [cannot understand speaker]. jumping with what i wanted to do and do it. >> yea. >> [inaudible]. >> how about you >>. absolutely i would in a heart beat. like the physical stuff that was my favorite. right going in the field and a month out with guys pouring rain you near north carolina. and rains more than you have sun. you live next to the swamps.

but -- you know that was my favorite. being out outside with other marines or other military always working. like you know the civil yen lifestyle that is a thing that changed. i could not go out and keep working and will doing all the stuff now we are on sets. you know dealing with fake lighting all day. you go in the dark and leave when it is dark. and i miss the sunlight. yea. yea. do it gwen in a heart beat. >> one last. what was it like the minute you jumped out of the plane the first time? >> i have been curious. >> i was on a rope. >> okay. i'm sure i had a different experience for me -- i never had a problem my first time when we

were getting red to jump when they open the door this is scare you are don't know how the wind will be or your left laning will be. it it is i had a problem my legs would shake come when we moved that's when everything guess out the window and you know. once you jump out it is different. it is more calm and everything like that. but going on the ground is scary. >> wow. >> yea. thank you. thank you. >> thank you so much for coming today and sharing. appreciate it. i think likely all said need to roach out to veterans and you know to story a dialogue and you know have that excuse to say what is up and have a coffee or see how they and are check on each other from time to time and stuff like that and want to

really thank one voice for putting this getting you together and giving us a pace to film. appreciate them as well. so. thank you, guys. >> thank you. >> head's autopsy look out for each other. when i leave i go to the store and get my post member cough syrup. this is reaching out he said you know i always have been take care of others and forget to take care of myself. his 47 said, call jimmie. don't say i hate to brother you. it is in brother you pick up the phone and call me i will go to the store and get you cough medicine that's what i like to see more dot acts. kindness. thank youenge here for being here and the production staff it was an honor. thank you very much. >> thank you, guys. >> [music] .

>> my name is kathy mccall. i'm director of san francisco national cemetery here on the

presidio of san francisco. this was designated as the first national cemetery on the west coast in 1884.however its history dates back to the 1850s along with the us army presence on the presidio itself. we have 26,300 gravesites that we maintain and thereare 32,000 individuals buried in this cemetery . the veterans who are buried here span all the war period going back to what we call the indian war, spanish-american war, world war i to korea, vietnam and then as recent as operation iraqifreedom . we have 39 medal of honor recipients. more than 400 buffalo soldiers buried here who are the african-americansoldiers who served with the ninth and 10th calvary . there's so many veterans buried here, each withtheir own unique history and contribution .

one of those individuals is all equipment prior. that's not her real name, that's her stage name and she was an actor during the civil war and while she was working she was approached by sympathizers who offered her a sum of money to cost jefferson davis on stage she did this but she recorded it to a union marshall . she was fired for doing this which made her a sweetheart to the local confederates and made her a good spy for the union. she gave information to the union until late 1863 when she was found out in order to be hung by confederate general braxton bragg of the union troops the town . no longer any good she even wrote a book. she was given the honorary rank of major president lincoln and her inscription reads union

spy. >> memorial day is a day of respect and morning for our veterans who have given their all five presidential proclamation it became a national holiday to beobserved on the last monday of the month of may . originally memorial day was called decoration day during the civil war to recognize the veterans whogave their lives . memorial day and veterans day getconfused because it involves veterans .veterans day is on november 11 is a day to honor our veterans who are still alive while at the same time we pay respect to those who have passed but memorial day is a day to show our respect to what was said and honor ourveterans who have passed on . >> lieutenant john david miley was a graduate of the united states military academy atwest point in 1887 .

he was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the fifth artillery regiment with the outbreak of the spanish-american war in 1898 he was assigned an aide-de-camp to major general william shatner, khmer and commander of the expedition to cuba.he was highly trusted and when the general staff fell lieutenant miley was designed to coordinate the attack on san juan hill in his place and would ultimately be the one to give the order that led to the charge of lieutenant colonel theodore roosevelt and the roughriders . a few days later he served as one of the commissioners who negotiated the spanish surrender of santiago july 17. in 1904 miley in san francisco wasnamed in his honor.we know that today as san francisco va medical center .

>> as a young man i grew up in south san francisco right next door to the national cemetery so when i became a cub scout we used to go over there in the 50s and decorate the gravesthat were there. when i got out of the service i stepped right back into it . went out with the boy scouts and put up the flags every year and eventually ended up being a scout at golden gate cemetery for many years. one day a gentleman walked upto me with a uniform of colonel retired . he grabbed me, i wasin uniform and says i need your help . from that day on i worked with cardinal sullivan doing military funerals and formed a group called the volunteers of america who brought in other veterans to perform military service and the closing of all the bases we got military personnel to do all the funerals. to this day i've done over 7000 funeral services and with my group we supplement the

military, all branches. i'm honoring a fellow comrade was given his or her life in service to this country. and the way ilook at it , the last thing the family and friends will remember about that individual is the final service we give to them. so we have to do a perfect job. so that they go home with good memories. >> our nation flies the united states flag at half staff by presidentialproclamation as a symbol of mourning . also in va national cemetery flags are flown at half staff on the days we haveburials . is lowered to half staff before the first burial takes place and ray is back to full staff after the last arial has been

completed . on memorial day weekend we have hundreds of scouts veterans and volunteers who come out and placed individual gravesite flags on every grave throughout the cemetery transformation from when they begin to when they conclude and to have that coupled with our memorial day ceremony is very moving and suchappointment reminder of the cost of our freedom . it's a reminderto us not to take that for granted , to be truly grateful for the price is paid not only by those who given their lives but those will have served our country and still pay the price today in one way or another and it's so meaningful to be to work in the national cemetery and see the history around us and to know this is such an integral part of our nation's past and present.

>>

>> this is one place you can always count on to give you what you had before and remind you of what your san francisco history used to be. >> we hear that all the time, people bring their kids here and their grandparents brought them here and down the line. >> even though people move away, whenever they come back to the city, they make it here. and they tell us that. >> you're going to get something made fresh, made by hand and made with quality products and something that's very, very good. ♪♪ >> the legacy bars and restaurants was something that was begun by san francisco simply to recognize and draw attention to the establishments. it really provides for san francisco's unique character. ♪♪ >> and that morphed into a

request that we work with the city to develop a legacy business registration. >> i'm michael cirocco and the owner of an area bakery. ♪♪ the bakery started in 191. my grandfather came over from italy and opened it up then. it is a small operation. it's not big. so everything is kind of quality that way. so i see every piece and cut every piece that comes in and out of that oven. >> i'm leslie cirocco-mitchell, a fourth generation baker here with my family. ♪♪ so we get up pretty early in the morning. i usually start baking around 5:00. and then you just start doing rounds of dough.

loaves. >> my mom and sister basically handle the front and then i have my nephew james helps and then my two daughters and my wife come in and we actually do the baking. after that, my mom and my sister stay and sell the product, retail it. ♪♪ you know, i don't really think about it. but then when i -- sometimes when i go places and i look and see places put up, oh this is our 50th anniversary and everything and we've been over 100 and that is when it kind of hits me. you know, that geez, we've been here a long time. [applause] ♪♪ >> a lot of people might ask why our legacy business is important. we all have our own stories to tell about our ancestry. our lineage and i'll use one example of tommy's joint.

tommy's joint is a place that my husband went to as a child and he's a fourth generation san franciscan. it's a place we can still go to today with our children or grandchildren and share the stories of what was san francisco like back in the 1950s. >> i'm the general manager at tommy's joint. people mostly recognize tommy's joint for its murals on the outside of the building. very bright blue. you drive down and see what it is. they know the building. tommy's is a san francisco hoffa, which is a german-style presenting food. we have five different carved meats and we carve it by hand at the station. you prefer it to be carved whether you like your brisket fatty or want it lean. you want your pastrami to be

very lean. you can say i want that piece of corn beef and want it cut, you know, very thick and i want it with some sauerkraut. tell the guys how you want to prepare it and they will do it right in front of you. san francisco's a place that's changing restaurants, except for tommy's joint. tommy's joint has been the same since it opened and that is important. san francisco in general that we don't lose a grip of what san francisco's came from. tommy's is a place that you'll always recognize whenever you lock in the door. you'll see the same staff, the same bartender and have the same meal and that is great. that's important. ♪♪

>> the service that san francisco heritage offers to the legacy businesses is to help them with that application process, to make sure that they really recognize about them what it is that makes them so special here in san francisco. ♪♪ so we'll help them with that application process if, in fact, the board of supervisors does recognize them as a legacy business, then that does entitle them to certain financial benefits from the city of san francisco. but i say really, more importantly, it really brings them public recognition that this is a business in san francisco that has history and that is unique to san francisco. >> it started in june of 1953. ♪♪

and we make everything from scratch. everything. we started a you -- we started a off with 12 flavors and mango fruits from the philippines and then started trying them one by one and the family had a whole new clientele. the business really boomed after that. >> i think that the flavors we make reflect the diversity of san francisco. we were really surprised about the legacy project but we were thrilled to be a part of it. businesses come and go in the city. pretty tough for businesss to stay here because it is so expensive and there's so much competition. so for us who have been here all these years and still be popular and to be recognized by

the city has been really a huge honor. >> we got a phone call from a woman who was 91 and she wanted to know if the mitchells still owned it and she was so happy that we were still involved, still the owners. she was our customer in 1953. and she still comes in. but she was just making sure that we were still around and it just makes us feel, you know, very proud that we're carrying on our father's legacy. and that we mean so much to so many people. ♪♪ >> it provides a perspective. and i think if you only looked at it in the here and now, you're missing the context. for me, legacy businesses, legacy bars and restaurants are really about setting the

context for how we come to be where we are today. >> i just think it's part of san francisco. people like to see familiar stuff. at least i know i do. >> in the 1950s, you could see a picture of tommy's joint and looks exactly the same. we haven't change add thing. >> i remember one lady saying, you know, i've been eating this ice cream since before i was born. and i thought, wow! we have, too. ♪♪

>> we'll get going here on today's summit upon agenda. welcome to the night life and entertainment summit brought by the san francisco entertainment commission i'm mental health executive director of the commission. if i don't know you come up is say hi at a break. i would love to feel get you >> you bfrment reflecting on the journal themarks the 14th year we hosted a sum tit is significant to note that we now have been a commission for over know 20 remarkable years. we are still celebrating that and excited about it.