{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Keep Calm and March On","description":"Hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray go hybrid to tackle two urgent themes: real-time support for service members during the government shutdown, and the healing power of rucks and long-distance \u201cyomps.\u201d   Retired 16th Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston, now CEO of Army Emergency Relief (AER), breaks down grants vs. no-interest loans and how AER surged to meet thousands of requests. Joy Craig from VFW\u2019s National Legislative Service explains the \u201ckitchen table\u201d impact of missed pay and why the VFW is pushing Congress to guarantee military pay.   Then Dr. Kelly Brown of the Allied Forces Foundation and Kimberly Pond of Irreverent Warriors preview the Warrior Yomp\u2014a 50-mile, 24-hour challenge in the D.C. area\u2014spotlighting camaraderie, international allies, and recovery through purposeful miles.   Featured Guests:   - Michael A. Grinston \u2013 CEO, Army Emergency Relief; 16th Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret.) - Joy Craig \u2013 Associate Director, Service Member Affairs, VFW National Legislative Service - Dr. Kelly Brown \u2013 Chair, Board of Directors, Allied Forces Foundation - Kimberly Pond \u2013 Operational Support Coordinator, Irreverent Warriors (D.C. Chapter)   Episode Highlights 0:00 Intro & hybrid update 1:55 Support, camaraderie & mission focus 9:00 Shutdown impacts with SMA (Ret.) Michael Grinston & Joy Craig 10:54 AER loans vs grants explained 13:10 15K requests, $26M in aid 14:26 AER plans for ongoing support 19:42 Joint-base and online assistance 23:42 Why this shutdown differs & pay protections 27:04 VFW advocacy to \u201cPay Our Troops\u201d 34:05 Transition & family support gaps 38:36 Grinston: \u201cAsk for help \u2014 no stigma\u201d 41:54 Segment wrap-up 48:03 Segment 2 \u2014 Healing through movement 49:09 Dr. Brown on the Cateran Yomp 53:15 Irreverent Warriors peer support 1:01:12 Warrior Yomp preview & registration 1:05:09 Event details & embassy checkpoints 1:06:49 Accessibility & support stops 1:09:31 How to get involved or volunteer 1:13:59 Closing thoughts & next events   Resources & Links: \u2022 Army Emergency Relief (AER) \u2014 Apply or donate: https:\/\/www.armyemergencyrelief.org \u2022 Contact SMA (Ret.) Michael A. Grinston, CEO, AER: michael.grinston@aerhq.org \u2022 VFW Advocacy \u2013 \u201cPay Our Troops\u201d & shutdown updates: https:\/\/www.vfw.org\/advocacy \u2022 Allied Forces Foundation \u2013 Warrior Yomp (Nov. 8\u20139, 2025; Belle Haven Park): https:\/\/www.alliedforcesfoundation.org \u2022 Irreverent Warriors \u2013 Silkies Hikes & Volunteer Info: https:\/\/www.irreverentwarriors.com \u2022 Military Women\u2019s Memorial (Packet Pickup Venue): https:\/\/www.womensmemorial.org   \ud83d\udca1 Fight together. Heal together. Still Serving. \ud83c\udfa7 Listen to more episodes of #StillServing: https:\/\/vfw.org\/podcast For more information or to continue the conversation, please visit: Veterans of Foreign Wars Website VFW Podcast Page @VFWHQ on Twitter VFW on Facebook @RobCoutureVFW on Facebook Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW Text \u201cNEEDS\u201d to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program. Today\u2019s VFW \u2014 Share Your #StillServing Story Sports Clips Help A Hero \u2014 Text HERO to 71777 to donate online ","author_name":"#StillServing: The VFW Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/thevfwpodcast.libsyn.com\/website","html":"