To the Editor:

Cup of Joe Radio, is hosted by former AFN Armed Forces DJs, whose mission statement is: The healing power of music. Valentine’s Day this year, marked the 3rd anniversary of COJ on the air.

March 31st, is a major milestone in the history of our military. Fifty years ago, on this date the last military presence in Vietnam ceased. It has been estimated that over 275 thousand veterans from this war have been diagnosed with PTSD. Our veterans who served our Country in Vietnam, had a much different homecoming than the veterans of other generations and conflicts.

A Vietnam veteran told me today, this was the first time he wore a Vietnam ball cap since returning from Vietnam. He told me when he returned from Vietnam, he went to the airport in Los Angeles and was refused service in the airport bar because he was in uniform. When he boarded his plane to go home, the stewardess told him they ran out of food. The lady sitting behind him handed him her food tray knowing he was being discriminated against. It appears now that our Country is finally coming around, after fifty years realizing that these young men sacrificed for their love of country.

PTSD is so insidious and debilitating. So many of my fellow veterans have fought the battles within their minds, and in the end lost the war. Too many of my fellow veterans have lost their families, their friends, their jobs and worst of all their dignity. There are lost souls forever on patrol on the streets, and in cities all across the United States, who will never find a safe place.

We are also celebrating leaving Iraq twenty years ago. All the Gulf War veterans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and others are also afflicted with PTSD, and have a tough road ahead. Cup of Joe Radio has seen tremendous growth over these last three years, especially during the pandemic where isolated veterans became more isolated.

Cup of Joe Radio, is currently invited to the monthly news conference presented by the Secretary of the Veterans Administration the Honorable Denis Richard McDonough.

This is quite an honor, as we are included along with the major news networks. Our VSO Veterans Service Officer Jason Murray from Franklin County NY is a major part of our broadcast team, and weekly discusses changes in veterans legislation, and benefits such as the Pact Act. The Pact Act is the most important legislation for veterans in decades. The Honorable Secretary Mr. McDonough has invited COJ, to attend a special reception at Arlington cemetery on Veterans Day in November. Cup of Joe Radio’s mission statement of the healing power of music is more important than ever, as our audience expands. We invite everyone who loves music to become a community of listeners. The veteran who I mentioned at the start of this story, had tears in his eyes and I did too, when I said to him welcome home. He told me I was the first person to say “welcome home” to him since he returned from Vietnam.

I have a request for everyone reading this story.

When you are out and about in Walmart, Publix, or wherever and you see veterans, especially older Vietnam veterans wearing their Vietnam hats, say “welcome home” which they so richly deserve.

The healing power of music has been verified through numerous medical studies to tremendously help veterans and others coping with PTSD. Cup of Joe Radio, airs every Friday, and Saturday from 4-6 PM Eastern on Wreaths Across America Radio network, iHeart Radio, tunein.com and many other streaming platforms. We believe we have the best music and veterans information on the planet.

Mike Spotswood, Producer of Cup of Joe Radio,
Former Norfolk resident