Brew And Chew Podcast

At this Brew and Chew gathering, Vietnam veteran Mike Stubbs shares his personal story of service, sacrifice, and the lasting bond between fellow soldiers. He introduces Queen City Honor Flight, an organization that provides veterans with all-expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor.
Through a moving account of the Battle of Ong Thanh and his reflections on those who never came home.
 
Here is a link to the Honor Flight video
Sponsors:
Right at Home
Carepatrol    ask for Deb
Weezy Inc
 
This podcast is recorded.
Post production is done by Weezy Inc. 

Welcome to Brew and Chew.  
Let's start off with an introduction of our guest.
U.S. Representative Ralph Norman serves South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and has represented the district in Congress since 2017. A lifelong South Carolinian and Rock Hill native, Norman graduated from Presbyterian College with a degree in business before building a career in commercial real estate and development. Before being elected to Congress, he served for 11 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives. In Washington, he currently serves on the House Financial Services, Budget, and Rules Committees. A familiar face to the Brew and Chew community, Congressman Norman returns regularly to visit with the group and share updates and perspectives from Washington and South Carolina.
Congressman Ralph Norman returns to Brew & Chew for a candid conversation with local veterans about South Carolina, Washington, and the issues he believes will shape the months ahead. He shares his thoughts on his run for the U.S. Senate, election integrity, government spending, immigration, and the direction of the country. Veteran advocacy is also an important part of the conversation, as members discuss their experiences with VA benefits and health care and Norman talks about how his office can help veterans navigate problems and get answers. He also reflects on public service, protecting freedom, and the importance of citizens staying engaged in their communities and government. As a longtime supporter and familiar guest of Brew & Chew, Norman closes his visit by taking questions and hearing directly from the veterans in the room.
Sponsors For Brew and Chew
Right At Home
Care Patrol 
Weezy Inc
Brew and Chew Host is Jim Ryan
Produced by Weezy Inc

Jermaine Lyons and Jelani Edwards, both U.S. Army veterans with the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs, explain the Palmetto Pathfinder program and how it helps veterans transition and thrive.
 
For more information on the Pathfinder Program:  https://scdva.sc.gov/palmetto-pathfinder-program
 
 
Brew and Chew Sponsors
Right At Home
Care Patrol  
WeezyInc.com
The podcast is produced by Weezy at Weezy Inc.
 

 
Allan McCoy, founder and president of the nonprofit Hook Line & Heroes, shares how his passion for veterans and fishing—shaped by his father’s experience as a WWII D-Day veteran—led him to create a Christian-based organization focused on helping veterans, especially those with service-connected disabilities, find relief and peace through small, guided fishing trips. He explains why Hook Line & Heroes prioritizes quality over quantity, covering costs like guides, meals, lodging, and gratuities, and keeping trips to one to four veterans to ensure they feel valued and supported. Allan describes their application and verification process, the current backlog, and how supporters can help through social media, fundraising, monthly donations, and sponsorships.
 
To find out more about Allen and Hook, Line & Heroes
 
Click below to view that video that is mentioned in the podcast. 
 
Video
 
Thank you sponsors of Brew and Chew
Right At Home
Care Patrol of Charlotte  Ask for Deb
Weezy Inc

Weezy encourages everyone—especially veterans and families—to record and preserve their life stories now so future generations can hear their voice and understand their experiences. She explains she captures stories virtually (often via Zoom) or through simple phone audio/video, and shares a personal example: her husband was abruptly laid off after 21 years with little gratitude, echoing how many Vietnam-era veterans returned without appreciation. Weezy notes her video and podcast work, including Life Mosaic and a forthcoming show, The Decision Line, and mentions she’s moving to Jonesborough, Tennessee. Attendees share brief testimonials about her past veteran-related recordings. Navy Week guests then speak, including a Navy chaplain who describes his duties of caring for service members, advising command, conducting faith-based services, and facilitating support across different beliefs, and a mass communication specialist who documents Navy Week events and explains his media role.
00:00 Weezy Takes the Mic
00:23 Why Stories Matter
02:10 Barry Laid Off Suddenly
06:10 No Thanks for Service
08:23 Record Your Legacy Now
09:22 Sponsor Farewell and Links
10:27 New Podcast The Decision Line
11:43 Q&A Weezy Origin Story
15:59 Veterans Appreciate the Mission
18:43 Testimonials and Lasting Impact
21:11 Moving to Tennessee History
24:48 Brandon Honors Family Service
26:57 Navy Chaplain Shares His Journey
33:47 Mass Comm Specialist Behind Camera
36:41 Where to Find Navy Visuals
37:03 Closing Thanks
 
Podcast Sponsors
Right At Home
Care Patrol
Weezy Inc

Rick Hannon’s work with homeless veterans and Veterans Bridge Home, Rick shares his background as an Army combat veteran with two Iraq deployments, a son of a Vietnam veteran, and a Gold Star brother whose Marine sibling was killed in Fallujah. He describes his own difficult transition, work in adaptive sports, and five years as a Mecklenburg County VSO helping veterans with claims and VA housing programs. Rick explains Veterans Bridge Home as a local, community-based connector across the Charlotte metro region (including nearby South Carolina), helping veterans navigate VA healthcare, benefits, housing, food support, peer support, and suicide prevention through the Staff Sergeant Gordon Fox grant, plus community events like Veterans Coffee and disc golf. The discussion covers mentorship, TAP program gaps, employer partnerships and career workshops, newsletters and events, replacing lost DD214s via archives/VSOs, survivor benefits and end-of-life planning, and life insurance options.
00:00 Welcome And Intro
01:48 Rick Takes The Stage
02:35 Gold Star Brother Story
03:39 Leaving Army To College
05:36 VSO Work And Homeless Aid
07:51 What Veterans Bridge Home Does
09:43 Local Resource Navigation
11:42 Gordon Fox Grant And Suicide
13:26 Veterans Coffee And Outreach
15:07 Events And Getting Connected
16:27 Service Area And Mission 85
17:49 Benefits Questions And Widows
20:12 Community Support And Volunteering
22:49 Mentoring Veterans Forward
23:21 TAP Program Gaps
24:35 DD214 Tips and Records
26:07 Veterans Bridge Home Impact
27:15 Employment Pipeline Explained
30:02 Newsletter and Community Events
31:10 Recovering Lost Vietnam Records
35:53 End of Life Planning
36:30 Insurance Options Q&A
37:57 File Your Own Claim
40:09 Closing, Thanks, and Wrap
 
Veterans Bridge Home
More Information
 
Brew and Chew Sponsors:
Right At Home    
Care Patrol
Weezy Inc   

In this episode, we hear from Taylor Thomas Bennett of Pathways, a collaborative organization in York County that helps connect people experiencing homelessness and poverty with the resources they need to move forward.
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Taylor explains how Pathways was created after local faith leaders recognized a serious gap: resources existed, but for many people, they were scattered, difficult to reach, and hard to navigate. In response, Pathways developed a one-stop model where 16 partner agencies work together under one roof, offering access to shelter support, identification assistance, mental health services, food resources, recovery support, employment pathways, and more.

 In this episode, Mayor John Gettys delivers a comprehensive update on the significant progress and future plans for the City of Rock Hill.
He discusses the impressive economic growth, highlighting a remarkable decrease in unemployment and poverty rates, alongside notable increases in market value and per capita income.
Mayor Gettys also sheds light on key infrastructure developments, including the Palmetto Research Park, aimed at attracting high-wage jobs in the life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors. He emphasizes the city's investment in utilities and sports tourism, which have contributed to sustainable improvements in the community.
Engage with this informative session to learn about Rock Hill's exciting transformation and what's on the horizon.
 
Power Point Photos-  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pGVVEf2BtfBvbSyNFW5GCiTd0XeOKhns?usp=sharing

In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the Honor Flights program with special guest Darrell Rockwell.
Darrell, a veteran himself, shares his personal journey from never considering himself a vet to becoming heavily involved in veteran activities.
He sheds light on the incredible experience of Honor Flights—a program designed to honor veterans by taking them on unforgettable trips to Washington D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to their service. Darrell shares moving stories of camaraderie and appreciation, discusses the logistical aspects of the program, and highlights the immense emotional impact these trips have on veterans. Join us as we honor our heroes and learn more about this noble initiative.
To view the videos Daryl mentions in his presentation, see below
Queen City video can be found on their website
WWII Vets with Honor Flight spontaneously cheered by travelers at Reagan National
 

In this episode, we bring you a potluck of compelling stories and important conversations.