The Scuttlebutt: Understanding Military Culture

Veterans Open Conversation

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for an open and wide-ranging virtual conversation on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 7:00pm ET. This online event, part of our ongoing VBC Open Conversation series, invites veterans from all eras of service—as well as families, friends, and supporters—to come together and share stories, memories, and insights about the military experience, past and present.

VBC Open Conversations are exactly what they sound like: unscripted, interactive gatherings where the agenda is shaped by those who attend. There are no formal presentations or set topics—just real people sharing real experiences. Whether it’s swapping boot camp stories, discussing combat tours, reflecting on the transition to civilian life, or exploring current issues facing today’s military and veteran communities, these conversations cover it all.

One of our storytellers on June 9 will be USAF veteran John JC Miller, whom we’ve invited on to share a unique story from Southeast Asia in the 1970s.

John entered the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1965 and graduated in June 1969. John’s military career was wide-ranging and reflective of the changing cultural and institutional dynamics of the era. He first served 18 months in Manpower (AFSC 7464, management engineering), followed by 10 months in an Information Office role (AFSC 7921), and then 30 months in the Race Relations field (AFSC 7364), where he helped pioneer programs aimed at improving understanding and cohesion among service members.

His final duty station was at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield in Thailand, a major B-52 bomber base during the Vietnam War. There, from 1973 to 1974, John spent 489 days working with flight crews under intense stress and frequent interpersonal conflict. Despite the challenges, he found the experience deeply rewarding. The human relations courses he facilitated earned a 97% effectiveness rating, with participants reporting meaningful improvements in cross-cultural understanding and morale.

After separating from the Air Force, John took a prolonged break from traditional employment, allowing time to process the profound impacts of his service.

We believe every veteran has a story to tell and wisdom to share. This event is a chance to listen, learn, and connect with others who understand the unique bonds and challenges of military service. If you have something on your mind—whether a personal memory, a question, or a topic you think deserves attention—we encourage you to bring it to the conversation. Veterans are also invited to email Todd DePastino at todd@veteransbreakfastclub.org with any specific topics or issues they’d like to discuss.

The Veterans Breakfast Club’s mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, and our Open Conversations are one of the most dynamic ways we do that. These sessions are often wide-ranging, emotional, funny, and thought-provoking, providing a welcoming space where everyone’s voice is valued.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

The West Point Class of 1966

​We talk with members of the famous United States Military Academy at West Point’s Class of 1966, which holds a unique and tragic place in American history. Brian Ashbaugh, Walt Brinker, Rusty Correia, Al Lindseth, and Jerry Cecil all join us to share their memories of that remarkable era.

Rick Atkinson’s book, The Long Gray Line: The American Journey of West Point’s Class of 1966, provides an in-depth and personal account of their collective journey, following a core group of graduates through their cadet years, their deployments to Vietnam, and their lives afterward.

By the time they graduated, the Vietnam War was escalating, and many were sent into the conflict within months of receiving their commissions.

In Vietnam, these young officers faced a brutal baptism by fire. Many became platoon leaders or company commanders, responsible for leading men in deadly jungle warfare against a highly motivated and elusive enemy. The casualties were staggering—of the 579 graduates, at least 30 were killed in action, and many more were wounded.

We look forward to asking our guests how much their experiences align with the story Atkinson tells.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Memorial Day Conversation

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club for a special Memorial Day virtual event on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 7:00pm ET. This live, online conversation invites veterans, families, and friends to gather in an open, heartfelt space to honor and remember those who have fallen in service to our nation. 

Memorial Day is a time of national reflection and remembrance—a day dedicated to honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday began in the aftermath of the Civil War and has grown into a solemn tradition observed across the country with parades, ceremonies, and personal acts of remembrance. At the Veterans Breakfast Club, where our mission is to create communities of listening around veterans and their stories, we see Memorial Day as a powerful opportunity to ensure that the stories of the fallen continue to be shared and remembered.

Our Memorial Day livestream will not be a formal ceremony but a casual, interactive conversation. We invite veterans to speak from the heart about their own experiences, to share memories of comrades who never made it home, and to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service. Family members, friends, and civilians are also encouraged to participate, whether by sharing a remembrance or simply listening in respect and reflection. We expect the conversation to be deeply moving, as participants express personal stories of sacrifice and loss.

By hosting the event in the evening—after parades and public commemorations have ended—we aim to create a quiet, meaningful space for community connection and shared remembrance. Memorial Day is about more than ceremonies; it’s about keeping alive the legacies of the fallen through the stories we tell.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

“Voices From Vietnam” with Doc Norton and Harry Kantrovich

Vietnam Veterans and writers Bruce “Doc” Norton and Harry Kantrovich join us to talk about their new book and stage production, Voices From Vietnam: Interviews, Letters, Vignettes, and Reflections, 1964–1982. This unique conversation will explore their collaborative journey in bringing the Vietnam War’s deeply personal stories to life—both on the page and on the stage.

Voices From Vietnam is a powerful tribute to those who lived through the Vietnam War, drawing together 67 firsthand accounts from soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, nurses, prisoners of war, family members, a Vietnamese refugee, and others whose lives were forever changed by the conflict. Originally envisioned as a stage play, the project evolved into a published book and a moving stage production. Through interviews, letters, poems, and vignettes, Norton and Kantrovich offer a wide-ranging, authentic portrait of the war’s human cost and enduring impact.

Their stage adaptation premiered in November 2024 at the Journey Theater in Warrenton, Virginia, earning praise for its raw and emotional storytelling. Performed as a series of intimate monologues and readings, the play draws audiences into the lived experiences of those who served, struggled, and sacrificed during one of America’s most divisive wars.

In this livestream conversation, Doc Norton and Dr. Kantrovich will share behind-the-scenes insights about creating Voices From Vietnam, the process of gathering stories, and the challenges of translating wartime experiences into both written and dramatic form. They will also reflect on their own military careers—Norton’s as a Marine Corps Force Recon veteran and historian, and Kantrovich’s as a Navy Command Master Chief—and how their service shaped their commitment to honoring the voices of Vietnam.

Whether you’re a veteran, a student of military history, or simply interested in the personal narratives of war, this is an opportunity to hear directly from two remarkable storytellers and veterans dedicated to preserving memory and truth.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Korean War Veteran Ron Twentey

We welcome two people who have devoted themselves to educating the nation about the long Korean War and those who served and sacrificed for South Korea’s freedom. The first is Susan Kee whose “Honoring Korean War Veterans” project has documented the stories of over 500 Korean War veterans and advocated for the families of those still MIA since the war.

Joining Susan is Army Korean War veteran Ron Twentey, who served in Korea in 1955-1957. Ron grew up in a small farm community near Frederick, Maryland, and worked on local farms from the age of ten, performing hard labor without modern mechanized equipment. Earning 25 cents an hour, he gained an appreciation for the value of work. A strong childhood memory from 1944 was collecting milkweed pods for the war effort, which were used as a substitute for kapok in life jackets. This initiative made him feel like he was contributing to the war.

During high school, Twentey watched the Korean War unfold. He was awarded a scholarship to the University of Maryland for his track and field abilities but was uncertain about his future. Ultimately, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army for three years, intending to return to school afterward.

His military service began with basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, with the 101st Airborne Division. He then attended the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, specializing in military drafting. Upon completing his training, Twentey and his entire class of 22 men were assigned to Korea. Departing from Seattle, Washington, on a troop ship, he arrived in Inchon after a 20-day journey. From there, they took an old steam train north toward the DMZ. Unaware of their exact destination, they were dropped off and left alone until a convoy of trucks transported them to a replacement tent compound. That night, local Korean boys raided the camp, stealing Army blankets and supplies—a common occurrence due to poverty and shortages following the war.

The next day, Twentey was assigned to Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, G-3 Combat Operations, south of Munsan-Ni. The division had recently returned from Japan to safeguard the DMZ following the Korean War armistice. The fragile peace was frequently challenged by North Korean infiltrators. Twentey served as an Infantry Operations Specialist and Platoon Sergeant, maintaining records of minefield locations above the Imjin River, overseeing maps in the bunker and mobile war rooms, and tracking U.S. and UN troop movements within the DMZ. His work was classified, reflecting the sensitive nature of operations at the time.

Additionally, he was tasked with plotting potential nuclear targets throughout North Korea. Using the “Atomic Annie” cannon as a potential delivery method, his job required pinpointing key targets—a task so secretive that he was ordered to forget about it once completed.

Twentey served in Korea for 16 months before returning to the U.S. and becoming an engineering instructor. After leaving the military, he worked as a draftsman, eventually transitioning into marketing and communications. His contributions highlight the intricate and often perilous roles played by soldiers in the Korean War and its aftermath, emphasizing the enduring challenges of peacekeeping in a volatile region.

What Went Wrong? From Korea to Afghanistan

World War II is the last war America fought that had clearly defined goals: defeating the Nazis and halting Japanese imperialism. Our efforts were supported by a  civilian and military leadership that understood what victory looked like and were aligned on how to achieve it. That unity was critical to ensuring the support of the citizenry.

Since then, the U.S. has sent our military off to fight in multiple regional wars – from Korea to Vietnam to Afghanistan – that turned into quagmires, conflicts in which civilian leaders and military advisors often disagreed on goals, how to achieve them and what the end game looked like.

Joining us to discuss what went wrong in these wars and how the Army is changing its approach to avoid repeating the same mistakes is U.S. Army Colonel Anastasia Breslow-Kynaston who is currently completing her master’s in Strategic Studies at the Army War College. This degree has been redesigned to mark the Army’s transition from the ‘down and in thinking’ of organizational leadership, where unit optimization and readiness were the primary focus, to the ‘up and out thinking’ that factors in the global ramifications of American military action and how it unfolds.

She will explain how a new generation of military leaders are being taught to anticipate and navigate the inevitable tension between our national interests and their affect upon the global community by studying the missteps of past conflicts. This includes topics such as strategic empathy (Iraq – understanding our adversaries), theories of victory (North Vietnam – winning by simply continuing to exist), and the importance of civil-military relations (Korea – MacArthur getting relieved during the Korea war).

She will also share how this new approach is meant to develop critical thinkers and strategic problem solvers that understand how the military fits with the non-military instruments of national power to advance U.S. interests and support the rules-based international order.

Colonel Breslow-Kynaston brings significant experience to her work. She served two tours in Afghanistan. The first with the 1/229th Aviation Battalion Attack in 2002-2003, and the second in 2010 as Commander of the Division Signal Company for the 101st Airborne Division. In addition, she served for a year in Ramadi, Iraq with the 1st Engineer Battalion. During that time, as one of the original Lioness soldiers, she was attached to the 2/4 Marines during the 2004 Battle of Ramadi. Colonel Breslow-Kynaston, along with four of her fellow Team Lioness members, were featured in the documentary film Lioness which aired nationally on PBS.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

The Fall of Saigon, 50 Years Later

The Fall of Saigon marked the official end of the Vietnam War. On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, bringing about the unconditional surrender of the South Vietnamese government and reunifying Vietnam under communist rule.

In early 1975, North Vietnam launched the Spring Offensive, a massive military campaign aimed at defeating South Vietnam. U.S. forces had largely withdrawn after the 1973 Paris Peace Accords, which were supposed to ensure peace and political resolution. However, fighting resumed almost immediately, and by March 1975, North Vietnamese forces began sweeping through the Central Highlands with little resistance. City after city fell—Ban Me Thuot, then Hue, then Da Nang. The South Vietnamese military, riddled with corruption, low morale, and logistical failures, crumbled quickly.

By mid-April, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) had surrounded Saigon. Panic gripped the city. Over two million residents—government officials, soldiers, and civilians—feared brutal retribution from communist forces. The U.S., which had drastically reduced its presence in Vietnam, prepared to evacuate remaining American personnel and as many South Vietnamese allies as possible.

The evacuation was codenamed Operation Frequent Wind. It began in earnest on April 29, as NVA shelling closed Tan Son Nhut Airport. Helicopters became the only viable means of escape. U.S. Marine and Air America helicopters shuttled people from the U.S. Embassy and other buildings in Saigon to ships offshore in the South China Sea. Scenes of desperate Vietnamese civilians scaling embassy walls, clinging to departing helicopters, and crowding onto rooftops became iconic images of the war’s chaotic end.

During the final days, U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin remained in denial, delaying evacuation and worsening the chaos. Only about 7,000 Vietnamese were airlifted out in time. Tens of thousands more were left behind.

On the morning of April 30, the last U.S. Marines guarding the embassy were airlifted out under fire. At around 11:30 AM, North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace. President Duong Van Minh, who had been appointed only days earlier in a last-ditch effort to negotiate a peaceful handover, surrendered unconditionally.

The war was over. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, and the South Vietnamese government ceased to exist. Tens of thousands of former South Vietnamese officials, military officers, and intellectuals were sent to reeducation camps. A mass exodus of refugees began—many fled by boat, leading to the “boat people” crisis in the late 1970s and 1980s.

The Fall of Saigon was not just a military collapse but a symbol of the United States’ failure to achieve its objectives in Vietnam despite years of fighting, enormous casualties, and massive financial investment. It left a deep scar on American foreign policy and military planning and redefined how the U.S. approached future conflicts.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Poet and Navy Spouse Jehanne Dubrow

Poet Jehanne Dubrow has written much about life in the military community. Her latest poetry collection Civilians delves into the profound transition from military to civilian life, reflecting her personal journey as a Navy spouse alongside her husband, LCDR Jeremy Schaub. This work serves as the concluding volume in her trilogy exploring the military spouse experience, following Stateside (2010) and Dots & Dashes (2017). We welcome Jehanne and Jeremy to talk about their life together with Daria Sommers. 

In Civilians, Dubrow examines the complexities that arise when a service member retires after decades of military service. The collection addresses the challenges both partners face as they navigate the shift from structured military roles to the uncharted territory of civilian life. Dubrow’s poems candidly explore questions such as: What becomes of a sailor removed from a world of uniforms and uniformity? How is his language changed? His geography? And what happens to a wife once physical and emotional distances are erased, and she is reunited with her husband, a man made strange and foreign by his contact with war?

Drawing inspiration from classical literature, Dubrow intertwines themes from works like Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Homer’s Odyssey, Euripides’s The Trojan Women, and Sophocles’s Philoctetes. This intertextuality enriches her exploration of transformation, displacement, and the search for identity post-service. For instance, she reflects on Penelope’s role in The Odyssey as a parallel to her own experience, contemplating the challenges of loyalty and autonomy during her husband’s deployments. ​

The collection also addresses the emotional landscape of reintegration, highlighting the subtle yet profound shifts in marital dynamics. Dubrow’s poetry captures the tension between longing for reunion and the reality of change, as both partners must reconcile their evolved identities within the marriage. Her work offers readers a candid look at the experience of watching a loved one adjust to home life after a career of military service, blending formal and free verse with materials ranging from the historical to the personal. ​

Through Civilians, Dubrow provides a nuanced perspective on the often-overlooked experiences of military spouses, shedding light on the intricate process of redefining relationships and selfhood beyond the military sphere. Her poetry not only personalizes the broader narrative of military families but also invites readers to empathize with the universal themes of change, resilience, and love amidst uncertainty.​

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life for sponsoring this event!

The Vietnam Odyssey of Fr. Philip Salois

​Vietnam Veteran and Catholic priest Fr. Philip Salois joins us with his biographers, Julien Ayotte and Paul F. Caranci, to talk about his experiences during the Vietnam War and his subsequent commitment to spiritual healing, a story told in In the Shadows of Vietnam: The Gallant Life of Fr. Philip Salois.

Salois grew up in a devout Catholic family, which laid the foundation for his deep-rooted faith. In March 1969, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, leading to his deployment to Vietnam in September of the same year. Assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, Salois faced the harsh realities of jungle warfare, a stark contrast to his previous life in Rhode Island.

On February 28, 1970, Salois’s platoon was tasked with locating and neutralizing the 133rd North Vietnamese Army Battalion near the village of Suoi Kiet. The following day, they inadvertently walked into a horseshoe-shaped ambush.Six soldiers were trapped behind enemy lines, their survival hinging on immediate rescue. Demonstrating extraordinary courage, Salois and fellow soldier Herb Klug volunteered to rescue their comrades. Before venturing into the line of fire, Salois prayed, making a solemn promise to God: if he emerged unscathed, he would dedicate his life to divine service. Their brave actions led to the rescue of four soldiers; tragically, Klug was killed during the mission. For his valor, Salois was awarded the Silver Star.

After returning from Vietnam, Salois grappled with the haunting memories of war. In 1974, while attending a Catholic seminary in California, he recalled the promise he had made during the ambush. This realization propelled him toward priesthood, leading to his ordination as Father Philip Salois in 1984. ​Advocate for Veterans

Father Salois dedicated his priesthood to supporting veterans, particularly those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His firsthand combat experience allowed him to connect deeply with their struggles. As the Chief of Chaplains in the Boston VA Healthcare System, he provided spiritual guidance and organized retreats and conferences nationwide, offering solace and understanding to countless veterans. ​

Father Salois’s journey from a soldier in the jungles of Vietnam to a priest devoted to healing the invisible wounds of war exemplifies resilience and compassion. His life serves as a testament to the enduring impact of faith and the profound difference one individual can make in the lives of others.​

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

Vietnam Veteran Maj. Gen. Bill Matz (Ret.) Part 2

We welcome back Major General William M. Matz Jr., a distinguished retired U.S. Army officer, whose new book, My Toughest Battle: A Soldier’s Lifelong Struggle with Polio, chronicles his journey of overcoming polio and his distinguished military career.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1962, Matz embarked on a military career that spanned over three decades. As an infantryman, he served in Korea and Panama, and as a company commander with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam, where he was wounded during the 1968 Tet Offensive. His service extended to multiple tours with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, and he held the position of executive secretary to Secretaries of Defense Caspar Weinberger and Frank Carlucci. Matz also served two years with Navy/Marine Corps amphibious forces in the Pacific during a second tour in Vietnam and deployed with the 7th Infantry Division to Panama during Operation JUST CAUSE in 1989.

Upon retiring from the Army in 1995, Matz transitioned to the defense industry, holding positions such as Vice President of Army Programs at Raytheon Company and General Manager for Vinnell/Northrop Grumman’s Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 2005, President George W. Bush appointed him to the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission, where he served until 2008. He also served as President of the National Association for Uniformed Services, advocating for service members, veterans, and their families.

In January 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Matz as the Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), a position he held until March 2021. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing America’s overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials, honoring the service of U.S. armed forces.

Throughout his career, Matz received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star for Valor, Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!