Secretary Jon Santiago has had more than a few roles that have brought him to listen and lead in Veterans Services for Massachusetts along side Govenor Healey: A Multilingual Peace Corps Alum, Public Health Grad, Emergency Room Physician, Major in US Army Reserves, and Mass State Representative. And along with wife Alexandra, his proudest role to date as dad to Rafael, their 14-month-old who inspires him daily to do right by the community now and for the future. Ron Hirschberg talks with the Secretary about the journey so far, and how his drive to support and serve all veterans and families comes from within, and the calling to help all people in need or crisis, with DEI and the social determinants of health at the core of his mission.  

 

-Thank you to Secretary Jon Santiago for your service in many ways. You are indeed a role model for all of us and of course your little guy’s generation to come. Home Base looks forward to your great work for all veterans of all eras, and their families throughout Massachusetts as a model Nationally as well. Thank you very much to Jackie Manning for all your efforts to make this conversation possible and to all the great staff at the Secretary’s office.

-Remember you can sign up any time for the 14th annual RTHB at Fenway Park on Saturday July 22nd. This year we honor the Special Operator community and will have special guests visiting on field as always, with a 5K 9K Walk Run throughout Boston, ending right on home plate.

-With Chairman of the Media Lab at Home Base Peter Smyth and the support and counsel of COO Mike Allard and Executive Director Brigadier General Jack Hammond, we started this podcast in November 2019. The goal was and remains twofold: To highlight the great work that so many are doing to lift awareness and help veterans and military families, and to connect with leaders from both military and civilian worlds to talk about service and mind-body health. 

-As we head towards one hundred episodes, I want to acknowledge and thank this great team of collaborators, beginning day one with Steve Monaco, Cassie Falone, Charlotte Lucky, Army Veterans Bill Davidson and Armand Hunter, Lucy Little and Laurie Gallagher, and our new team - Army Veteran Kelly Field, Steve Monaco, Justin Scheinert, Phebe Garver, and Chuck Clough. 

-We are closing today with our 5th Season of Home Base Nation and on behalf of all of us at Home Base, we appreciate you – a Grateful Nation, for taking the time to listen during part of your day, whenever and wherever you are. We will be back this Summer with new great content and conversations. Thanks.

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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.

REMINDER... If you are a runner, walker, or want to sponsor either one, the 14th annual Run To Home Base is coming soon, of course back at Fenway Park with our great partners the Red Sox Foundation, on Saturday July 22nd 2023! Thank you for all your support of the mission to take care of all of our veterans their families. Hope to see you there and as always you can join, run and support anywhere virtually…At www.runtohomebase.org

Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the tree" by The Butler Frogs

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The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Phebe Garver, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.

Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

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.

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/podcast

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.