Picture this: you get into an Uber on your way to the airport in Los Angeles, and after some light exchanges with your driver, you learn that he is a Vietnam veteran. The infamous LA traffic fades away as you learn more about his life and service, and before you know it, thirty minutes have gone by and you're already at the airport. Well, that's what happened to Ron Hirschberg the other week as he was a podcast conference in Los Angeles. In a first for Home Base Nation, we're excited to bring you into the field with Ron to meet Otty Garcia, a first-generation Cuban American who served for four years overseas in Vietnam, and to learn a bit about his story, his advice to younger soldiers and veterans today, and more. So, hop into the car and come along for the ride! 

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If you are your loved one is experiencing any emotional, mental health struggles, you are not alone and please contact Home Base at (617) 724-5202, or visit www.homebase.org  

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the tree" by The Butler Frogs
Music within episode from Free Music Archive, and include clips from "Really Beautiful, My Mambo" (Jean Toba) and "De Cuba" (SONGO 21)
Field recordings from freesound.org. 

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The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Maureen Roderick, Laurie Gallagher, Karianne Kraus, Lucy Little, Taylor Orlando, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Producer, Sound, Editor: Lucy Little
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

Home Base Nation is the official podcast of Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families, a partnership of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. To learn more and connect with us at Home Base Nation: www.homebase.org/homebasenation. To Donate to Home Base where every dollar goes to the care of veterans and military families that is cost to them, go to: www.homebase.org/donate.

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.