[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] >> everyone loves a good sunset, but in san francisco we take to a new level. i'm city supervisor engardio and i represent an entire part of the city

called the sunset. it stretches 30 glorious avenues. welcome to district 4! the sunset is a collide scope of ople culture and experiences for residents of all ages. we are a beach town, we are a chinatown, and not a town at all. the sunset is home to 80 thousand people and we love our dogs. we live in neat row houses, homes with yards, story book homes and every quirk in between. the sunset used to be sand dunes all the way to the ocean. when the city needed to grow, san francisco's future ran through the sunset. we built rows and rows of housing for a great irish population and welcomed a

great chinese population. today home to a gowing number of families from all backgrounds and the future starts here. >> we chose sunset knauz we love san francisco but during the pandemic we needed more space and more family focused, so that is where we found the sunset. how walkable it is. we live along iving street along where diana's school is our son's day care is. >> our kids and all the kids we knee in the neighborhood are really the future here and we are really excited to live in the neighborhood. we love it so much. >> nina and alex are expecting their first baby and it first leaders of the newly formed sunset community band which bring together musicians of all ages at special events. >> we are about to have our first kid and met so many younger people

and so many moving into the neighborhood. exciting to raising our family here because this community is awesome. >> bringing the community together and making it stronger i think a band can help with that. it is a matter of civic pride and coming together and doing something as a community that really makes like us from a collection of people into a neighborhood. >> sundays in the sunset are for worship, farmer's market and live music at the ocean. if the sunset had a town square, it would be this magical area that appears every sunday on 37 avenue. the sunset farmer market isn't just a place to get good food and produce, it is where community gathers live music from local musicians and cultural celebrations and [indiscernible] share

ideas to shape our city. it really is the place the community comes together to celebrate the best of the sunset. >> something about it had sunset chinese cultural district is there a lot of opportunities to uplift the chinese voice and chinese people. when you look at the sunset, a lot of think of trees and single family homets and the schools, but there isn't a lot of very iconic locations that people can look at and know they are in the sunset. one thing we are working on is to unveil a new mural in the park by community and as we do more work in the sunset and uplift the unique qualities of the community, we want to do more mural s and spaces that are iconic so the sunset gets a piece of being unique and identifiable. >> a supermarket for everything you need for chinese home cooking

and [indiscernible] the rice noodles are so good they are featured in catherine moss latest novel, [indiscernible] takes place in the sunset. there is a old school menu at the ond mandarin islamic restaurant and a item so spicy they have to warn customers. maybe bobo can neutralize the spice. the sunset has plenty options. try the bars at the beach. we also have the sunset reservoir brewing company and o'briens irish pub. cuisine in the sunset spans the world. [indiscernible] >> travel and work in [indiscernible] we have our own restaurant. and then, it was my turn to follow her to her country, so that's why we opened in her neighborhood.

>> we are looking for more a local gentleman gem. we traveled around the world and what we highly value, a place for the community to gather. a local hang-out spot. that is why this isn't a restaurant, it is cafe, you can order a coffee, you can have a fuel full meal but it is place to connect. whether parents kids friends is why we decide to go qulose close to the beach, a neighborhood i am familiar with. i run into people all the time. i live in a big city but why i chose district 4 outer sunset. it has a small town feel. i love our neighbors. >> the sunset has everything from footwear to hardware. here is great wall hardware, 3500 square feet of retail space. we carry about 22 thousand items and counting. it never stops because i have a

thing. when a customer says don't you have this and i don't have it, it bothers me. i want to have it,s so it is just of those things about owner a hardware store, people expect you to have everything and you to fulfill that need. i like to serve my neighborhood. most businesses you want to buy this or that or eat this or buy the widget. a hardware store is different. people come in and have a problem and need a solution and they are looking for you to navigate them through that problem and offer them products that help them get to where they need to go. people are great. i love this neighborhood. there is different ethnicities here, different cultures here. we all intermingle and mix together and we get along fine and i always like that about this neighborhood. it is just a nice place to be. it is near the beach, it is beautiful and near the zoo and near golden gate park, stern grove. great schools, great parks.

whats there not to like? we also love pizza from hole in the wall to [indiscernible] hottest restaurants in the sunset tunching vietnamese food [indiscernible] ice cream [indiscernible] this is great highway park. a great place to burn calories on the weekend. i'm here every sunday doing a long run and start with 5 miles and with this ocean view, if it motivates me i try for 10. the new york times named great highway park one of 52 places to change the world. it is that amazing and the gem of the sunset and people are finding new ways to activate the space. in halloween it turns into the great haunt way. >> we imagine a future from the

part time road close toor to a park to welcome people all ages and activities to our coast. >> since we had [indiscernible] always looking for ways to sort of improve what is already good around us. the neighborhood is great. it will be even better with a park here. >> sunset turn to put a new sign up on our coast. open for all. >> this is the treasure of san francisco and this hasn't been discovered yet. homes are still relatively affordable, there is decent schools and a place for kids to have a feeling they can run and play and take part in things. what i'm happy the great highway has become a park for the weekend. i'm glad we share what we have with the rest of the city and people come from outside the city. i'm sure people come from the east bay, and i just feel like, seeing the people out here enjoying this represents the hope for the future.

>> imagine the potential of an emerald necklace in the sunset for safe biking and recreation along the green belt of sunset boulevard which connects lake merced with golden gate park and great highway park. quality of life matters and we know how to take care of each other. sunset youth service helps teenagers find purpose and self-help for the elderly let's seniors shine. local artists capture the sunset experience and work is on display in cafes like java beach and black bird books. the art of conversation happens at this new barber shop called the avenue. the owner calls it a barber lounge because he wants to create a space for the community to gather beyond hair cuts. this corner is a hent of the future. you see new housing built for new generations and it is over a

community space that everyone loves. the sunset is a place full of potential. >> the possibility is here, more then anything. you can start something here and people will get behind and the community finds there is a need for it and people support it. >> i always look around the corner, the next thing we can do to crank it up more and make it safer, make it more enjoyable. bring in new business, support them. >> i really hope we bring just joy, because ultimately music helps bring joy to the community. >> this is where people are at. this is where people want to be, so it gives me a lot of positive energy. >> my office created the first sunset night market on iring street where i'm standing. more then 10 thousand people showed up. nobody has seen that many on--[indiscernible] here it celebrate all the fun things in life,

food music and art. our beautiful sunset always amazed. the sunset experience is pure joy. the sunset is where we will create our best san francisco. join us. >> come shop dine and play. taraval street is open for business. >> i am a coowner at 19th. this establishment came about when me and my brother andy, coowner, we decided that it time for us to take a step up

in the barber industry, and open up a space of our own. ory business is a community that shows their true artistic side of the barber industry. we are involved in teraival bingo so stop by, get a hair cut and when you do you get the barber sticker made just for us. i say in three words we are community, arts and here to help any way possible we can, so come by, visit at barber lounge, 907 taraval in the sunset. you can find us on instagram. >> time for teraival bingo supporting small business, anyone can participate. it is easy, collect stickers on a bingo gameboard and enter a raffle event.

>> our market street program started in 1992. the goal was to bring arts to an audience who may not be normally be exposed to contemporary art. for 2023, we chose comics as the median to highlight san francisco. it could be fix al, science fiction. history. >> i'm fan, i'm illustrator and writer, i grew up all over the bay area. and is post history no history no south. i've been drawing since i was probably four or five. it's just a cool memory, i just

remember painting my apron in kindergarten and i would suddenly start painting myself. it was cartoon, it got me excited. in my home life, it was not consistent but what was on tv is always consistent. there is always xy z- channel, cartoon, i would wait for the cartoons to freeze and chase really fast. i remember getting into anemai as a kid, as a young person because it was one of the avenues of asian-american expression that i can relate to. my project is i'm highlighting 6 trailblazers who's family was tied to san francisco. they all have different forms of art expression. but i noticed through the research that there is a common that connects them all, which is this desire to live life

authentically, organickly, speak of the love that they believe in. i made it art students and learning about art history and the place in art with the context of learning about their predecessors. >> sinsawa is synonymous of san francisco. there is a school named after her. >> wasn't she also in stamp? her art was in 2020. >> do you think she would become a artist? >> hmm, i think she was like 100s of other in the city that love the art. when there is no audience or income, why do we still make art? >> well because we seek to know ourselves and one has to believe like alela, we make art for a lifetime not just a career. i think for some, artist like

breathing, it's how we know we're alive. >> it's so incredible to do this project and do the experience that connects generation, the full experience of being artist. >> comics have a rich history in san francisco even from early 20th century. we also wanted to open up public art opportunities for artist that don't normally apply to public art. >> i hope it stays with them and lingers and they chew on it and think about it. and it may not make a big impact but it's something that opens up the door or starts the conversation or the beginning of something. i would like for it to be a start, whether it's a start of research or start of pondering, yeah, what does it mean to be an artist? and how do i decolonize my mind?

good i'll have a little pen to the plan united states of america and to the republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all present lines like take roll please commissioner clay president commissioner benedicto president commissioner janez commissioner years enroute vice president carter ober stone is also enroute