THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

♪♪] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED WE'LL SPHIND OUT HOW MARYLAND IS SUPPORTING MARYLAND'S SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THAT IS AHEAD.

WE BEGIN TALKING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.

JOINING US IS Dr.

NIRAV SHAH A PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE PHYSICIAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER AND PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

DOCTOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: WE ARE HEADING INTO THE SEASON WHERE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS GET TOGETHER, HAVING A GOOD TIME MAYBE SPREADING SOME GERMS AND ALL THAT IS ABOUT TO PICK UP.

HAVE WE SEEN ANY SIGNS OF THAT YET?

>> WE HAVE SEEN SIGNS OF DIFFERENT VIRAL INFECTIONS CAUSING HOSPITALIZATIONS.

LATELY IT'S BEEN MORE COVID-19 BUT WE ARE GOING INTO THE SEASON WITH INFLUENZA, RSV AND PNEUMONIA POP-UP AS WELL AND IT'S A GOOD THING TO TALK ABOUT IT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> Jeff: MAKES ME LONG FOR THE HOT DAYS OF SUMMER.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO DESIGN A MODEL TO SPREAD RSV AND THE COMMON COLD YOU COULD NOT DO BETTER THAN TO HAVE THE HOLIDAY SEASON WHERE PEOPLE TRAVEL THEY GET INTO AIRPLANES AND MODES OF TRANSIT AND THEN THEY ARE IN ENCLOSED SPACES GET TOGETHER AND A FEW WEEKS LATER DO IT ALL AGAIN.

IS THAT WHY IT HAPPENS THIS TIME OF YEAR?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE VIRUSES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

SOME HAVE A SEASONALITY.

INFLUENZA FOR SURE WE SEE IT COMING AROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR THAT IS WHY THE CAMPAIGN TO GET YOUR FLU VACCINE NOW MAYBE EARLIER THAN NOW IS A GOOD IDEA.

BUT I THINK THAT SOME INFECTIONS THERE IS NOT A SEASONALITY.

GETTING PROTECTED EARLY ON AND DOING THE COMMON SENSE THINGS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS IS A GOOD IDEA.

>> Jeff: IN TERMS OF PEOPLE PROTECTING THEMSELVES AGAINST COVID DO YOU THINK THERE'S COVID PHENOMENA TEAGUE?

PEOPLE MOSTLY HAVE HAD COVID AND HAD VACCINES I THINK I'VE HAD FIVE AT THIS POINT.

ARE WE AT RISK OF NOT TAKING IT SERIOUSLY ENOUGH?

>> THAT IS TRUE.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE GENERAL POPULATION YOU SAY WELL, I'VE HAD IT AND IT WASN'T THAT BAD.

THE IDEA IS THAT JUST LIKE INFLUENZA, A LOT OF US HAD FLU IN OUR LIFETIME AND WE HAVE DONE FINE BUT THERE ARE TIMES YOU HAVE COMORBIDITIES OTHER ILLNESSES OR RISK FACTORS THAT MIGHT MAKE YOU PREDISPOSED OF GETTING SICKER.

WE'VE SEEN PATIENTS GET ADMITTED WITH INFLUENZA AND COVID-19.

AND WHILE THERE IS FATIGUE, I THINK PROTECTING OURSELVES IS ALWAYS A GOOD STRATEGY AND THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT OURSELVES IS TO REALLY THINK ABOUT VACCINATION IN THE RIGHT POPULATION AND IF YOU ARE AT HIGH-RISK AND TALK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

A LOT OF THIS IS ABOUT HAVING THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT ARE MY MEDICAL CONDITIONS?

WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY LIFE?

AND HOW CAN I BEST PROTECT MYSELF.

>> Jeff: CERTAIN PEOPLE DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE IN LIFE MIGHT NEED DIFFERENT VACCINES, MIGHT NEED IT EARLIER OR A STRONGER DOSE.

ISN'T THERE A STRONGER VERSION OF THE FLU SHOT FOR OLDER FOLKS.

>> THERE IS DEFINITELY.

BECAUSE AGE AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS WITH INCREASE THE RISK OF GETTING HOSPITALIZED WITH INFLUENZA AND POTENTIALLY HAVING A WORSE COURSE.

SOME PATIENTS WILL GET INFLUENZA AND FLY THROUGH IT.

THEY WILL FEEL BAD FOR A FEW DAYS AND RECOVER AND SOME PATIENTS END UP GETTING HOSPITALIZED AND THEY MIGHT GET A SUPER INFECTION AFTER INFLUENZA OR PNEUMONIA THAT CAN CAUSE A LOT OF ISSUES IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING AS WELL.

>> Jeff: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO THINKS I KNOW THERE IS A FLU SHOT AND I KNOW THERE'S TAMMY 234RU AND I WILL GET THE PILLS?

>> I WOULD SAY I THINK IT'S BETTER TO AVOID GETTING THE FLU TO BEGIN WITH OR GETTING LESS SEVERE CASE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SAY I GOT THE FLU VACCINE BUT THEN I GOT THE FLU ANYWAY.

AND THE REALITY IS THAT'S TRUE FOR COVID AS WELL.

BUT IN BOTH SITUATIONS, THE SEVERITY OF THE ILLNESS IS MUCH LESS.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY PROTECTED A LITTLE BIT WITH A VACCINATION.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY YES WE DO HAVE TREATMENTS THAT CAN SHORTEN THE ILLNESS COURSE OR DAMPEN THE SYMPTOMS BUT TRYING TO PREVENT IT FROM THE GET GO IS THE BETTER OPTION.

>> Jeff: I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S DATA ON THIS BUT HOB HONEST I DO NOT GET THE FLU SHOT EVERY YEAR.

I GET IT MOST YEARS I'VE HAD DOZENS OF FLU SHOTS IS THERE CUMULATIVE BENEFIT OR IT WEARS OFF?

>> UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NOT A CUMULATIVE BENEFIT.

THE REALITY WITH FLU IT'S CHANGING THE GENETIC MATERIAL OF THE VIRUS IS CHANGING.

AND SO THAT'S WHY THERE IS A DIFFERENT FLU VACCINE EVERY YEAR.

AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW GOOD THIS FLU VACCINE WILL BE UNTIL AFTER THE FLU SEASON WHEN WE CAN MEASURE THAT.

BUT OTHER THINGS LIKE THE PNEUMONIA VACCINE FOR SURE YOU GET THAT ONCE AND BECAUSE THAT IS A BACTERIA YOU ARE PROTECTED AGAINST, THE GENETIC VARIABILITY IS NOT AS MUCH AS A VIRUS LIKE THE FLU OR EVEN COVID FOR THAT MATTER AS YOU MENTIONED COVID VACCINES WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ONES THAT PROTECTED AGAINST DIFFERENT STRAINS.

I THINK THAT COVID ITSELF INCREASED THE ABILITY FOR ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND VACCINES AND ALSO VIRUSES A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WEIGH DID BEFORE.

>> Jeff: WITH THE FLU SHOT IN PARTICULAR YOU'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE THAT GOT THE SHOT TWO DAYS LATER GOT SICK MAYBE WITH THE FLU, AND BELIEVE THEY GOT IT FROM THE SHOT.

DO YOU SEE THAT IN YOUR PRACTICE?

AND HOW CAN YOU DISPROVE THAT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED?

>> SO THE FLU VACCINE IS NOT ACTUALLY GIVING YOU THE FLU.

IT IS NOT A LIVE VACCINE WHERE YOU CAN GET THE FLU FROM THE VACCINE ITSELF.

WHAT WE USUALLY SAY YOU WERE EXPOSED AND IT TAKES TWO WEEKS AFTER YOU GET THE FLU VACCINE TO BUILDUP THE IMMUNE SYSTEM THE ANTIBODIES THAT WILL BE ABLE TO FIGHT THAT.

WE OFTEN RECOMMEND THAT BY THE END OF OCTOBER, YOU GET THE FLU VACCINE.

GOING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

THERE IS A CAMPAIGN OUT THERE ABOUT FLU WITH BOO OR BOO WITH FLU SO HALLOWEEN.

SO WE DO RECOMMEND THAT YOU GET IT IN ADVANCE SO YOU CAN BUILDUP THAT IMMUNITY.

>> Jeff: IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON OR ANY OF THE VACCINES, SEND US AN E-MAIL TO LIVE QUESTIONS AT MPT.ORG.

ARE ALL OF THESE THINGS SPREAD IN A SIMILAR FASHION THROUGH, I DON'T KNOW, DROPLETS, AEROSOLS IN THE AIR, PERSONAL CONTACT?

>> YES.

THE VIRUS IS FOR SURE SURFACES WE TOUCH, PEOPLE THAT WE'RE INTERACTING WITH.

THE TIGHT QUARTERS OF AIRPLANES AND BEING IN LINE TO GET ON THE FLIGHT ITSELF AND WAITING ON THE TARMAC ET CETERA.

BEING IN CLOSE FAMILY SITUATIONS WHERE YOU HAVE A LOT OF RELATIVES THAT ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE AND BRINGING THEIR GERMS AND THEIR GOOD WISHES WITH THEM.

I THINK THE IDEA IS THAT YOU WANT TO PRACTICE GOOD HAND HYGIENE IF YOU DO HAVE VIRAL SYMPTOMS LIKE A COUGH, SNEEZING ET CETERA, I THINK THAT WE JUST LIKE YOU SAID ABOUT VACCINE FATIGUE THERE'S MASK FATIGUE AS WELL BUT IT IS A GREAT WAY TO PROTECT OTHERS AND PROTECT YOURSELF.

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS PUTTING A MASK ON MAKES SENSE.

>> Jeff: RSV IS ONE OF THESE ABOUT WHICH I KNOW THE LEAST.

WHO SHOULD GET VACCINATED FOR THAT?

AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM THE OTHERS INCLUDING THE COMMON COLD?

>> RSV AGAIN A VIRUS AT THAT TIME CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS.

THE REALITY FOR RSV IF YOU ARE OVER THE AGE OF 75 YOU SHOULD BE VACCINATED.

BETWEEN AGES 50-75 IF YOU HAVE COMORBIDITIES RSV IS A GOOD VACCINE TO GET FOR PATIENTS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT DIABETES, PREGNANCY, PATIENTS WITH UNDERLYING IMMUNE SUPPRESSED CONDITIONS A LOT OF PATIENTS HAVE MEDICINES THAT CAUSE THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEMS TO BE SUPPRESSED.

I AM AN ADULT DOCTOR I WON'T SPEAK TO THE PEDIATRIC WORLD BUT RSV IS A COMMON ONE YOU SEE IN KIDS AS WELL.

VACCINATING YOUR CHILDREN MIGHT BE A GOOD THING TO TALK TO YOUR PEDIATRICIAN ABOUT.

>> Jeff: VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW SHOULD I WEAR A MASK TO STOP TRANSMITTING RESPIRATORY VIRUSES OR WEAR ONE TO KEEP FROM CONTRACTING ONE?

I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT?

>> YOU CAN DO BOTH.

I THINK THAT IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS FOR SURE WEARING A MASK CAN PROTECT OTHERS AROUND YOU.

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PROTECT YOURSELF, HAVING A MASK IT IS NOT FULL-PROOF BUT IT WILL REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF INHALATION OF PARTICLES THAT CAN CAUSE INFECTION.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDS.

SOMEBODY COMES DOWN WITH SOMETHING IT'S NOT SERIOUS MAYBE IT IS THE COMMON COLD, WHAT WORKS TO GET THROUGH THOSE TOUGH COUPLE OF DAYS?

>> I THINK IF IT IS A VIRAL INFECTION A LOT OF HYDRATION, STAYING HYDRATED.

KIND OF KEEPING UP WITH YOUR DIET AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN USE THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS TO CONTROL SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS BUT QUITE HONESTLY THEY ARE NOT THAT EFFECTIVE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE THEM IF YOU ARE HAVING BODY ACHES TAKING MEDICINES TO HELP WITH THAT.

IF YOU ARE GETTING SOMETHING OVER-THE-COUNTER OR HAVE INGREDIENTS YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE TAKING THEY CAN CONTROL SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS.

>> Jeff: NOW, HOW ABOUT IF IT'S WORSE THAN THAT AND IT GETS BAD AND THE TREND IS BAD AND HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO GET HELP?

AND HOW DO YOU KNOW WHETHER IT IS A TRIP TO URGENT CARE VERSUS YOUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT?

>> THOSE ARE GOOD QUESTIONS.

IN TERMS OF THE SEVERITY IF YOU ARE HAVING SHORTNESS OF BREATH IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR CHEST IS TIGHT AND YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY BREATHING THOSE ARE TIMES YOU NEED TO GET SEEN BY A PROFESSIONAL N TERMS OF URGENT CARE VERSUS GOING TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM THE REALITY IS URGENT CARE MIGHT BE FASTER AND MIGHT BE ABLE TO TEST YOU QUICKLY AND GET YOU WHAT YOU NEED FROM A MEDICATION PERSPECTIVE.

IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IF YOUR OXYGEN LEVEL IS LOW AND COMORBIDITIES THAT WILL PREDISPOSE YOU LIKE MEDICATIONS, GOING TO AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY MIGHT HAVE MORE FACILITIES TO TEST FOR DIFFERENT THINGS COULD BE A GOOD OPTION.

>> Jeff: IF SOMEBODY IS IN THAT SITUATION SHOULD THEY HAVE THE FINGERTIP PULSE OX THING?

>> ALMOST ALL MY PATIENTS DO.

I SEE A LOT OF PATIENTS WITH COPD, ASTHMA, PATIENTS THAT HAVE HAD LUNG TRANSPLANT AND ALL OF THEM CARRY THEIR PULSE OCTOBER I AMTER WITH THEM.

IF YOU HAVE ONE AT HOME PEOPLE DO FROM COVID IT'S GOOD TO SEE WHAT IT SAYS.

BUT I WOULD RELY HOW YOU FEEL.

IF YOU ARE FEELING TERRIBLE AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE NOT CATCHING YOUR BREATH GET CHECKED OUT.

>> Jeff: Dr.

NIRAV SHAH WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY.

>> THANK YOU IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> Jeff: A CONVERSATION WITH A NEW LEADER OF MARYLAND'S DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

WE SPOKE WITH RETIRED ARMY COLONEL ED ROTHSTEIN.

Mr.

ROTHSTEIN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU'RE RELATIVELY NEW IN THIS POSITION TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND WHICH WAS A LONGTIME IN THE SERVICE AND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME IN POLITICS, RIGHT?

>> A LITTLE BIT OF TIME IN POLITICS AND DON'T HOLD THAT AGAINST ME.

I SPENT A FEW DECADES IN UNIFORM.

AND VERY PROUD TO HAVE SERVED FROM 83-2014.

AND MY LAST ROLE WAS INSTALLATION COMMANDER AT FORT MEADE HERE IN MARYLAND WHICH WAS REALLY COOL.

IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

I BOTH CAME FROM INSIDE THE FENCE LINE INSIDE THE BUILDING DOING GREAT WORK AS THEY DO THE WARTIME MISSION EVERYDAY.

AND THEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AFTER A YEAR OF DEPLOYMENT TO COME BACK AND COMMAND FORT MEADE FROM THAT POINT, WE DECIDED TO STAY.

BECAUSE WE LOVED MARYLAND.

ORIGINALLY I'M FROM JERSEY.

AND MY WIFE IS FROM TENNESSEE.

BEING FROM JERSEY, I USED TO HAVE AN ACT ACCEPTED I LOST IT A LONGTIME AGO BUT THE ATTITUDE STAYS WITH ME.

>> Jeff: GOOD FOR YOU.

>> IT'S ALL ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE.

MY POLITICS WAS AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN CARROLL COUNTY.

I SERVED FOR A LITTLE OVER SIX YEARS BEFORE OUR GOVERNOR REACHED OUT AND ASKED IF I WOULD CONSIDER BEING HIS SECRETARY OF VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES AND THAT WAS ALMOST 100 DAYS AGO TO THE DAY.

SO DURING MY SHORT TENURE I'M PRETTY EXCITED.

>> Jeff: TELL US ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT AND WHAT THE MISSION IS THERE?

>> SIMPLY PUT THE MISSION IS TO SERVE THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND ARE SERVING.

AND THE KEY PART ABOUT THAT IS THE WORD AND.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WE CHANGED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

AND THAT IS A KEY TAKEAWAY FROM THIS CONVERSATION I WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU THIS MORNING.

AND WE HAVE OVER 350,000 VETERANS HERE IN MARYLAND.

EVERYONE OF THEM HAVE SERVED BY RAISING THEIR RIGHT HAND AND SELFLESSLY MADE THE DECISION TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO EVERYONE OF THEM AND SAY THANK YOU AND WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT IN A COUPLE MINUTES REGARDING BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

THE OTHER IS THE 100 PLUS THOUSAND THAT ARE SERVING TODAY.

ON EITHER ACTIVE-DUTY, MARYLAND NATIONAL GUARD OR U.S.

ARMY RESERVES, TO INCLUDE THEIR FAMILIES.

AND IT IS ACROSS THE STATE FROM ALL THE WAY FROM GARRET COUNTY THE EASTERN SHORE FROM SEASONAL COUNTY DOWN SOUTH IS MY ROLE.

>> Jeff: WELL, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES?

THERE CERTAINLY ARE THERE'S FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND STATE PROGRAMS, AND YOU CAN HELP PEOPLE NAVIGATE THAT WEB?

>> YES, THAT'S A GREAT POINT AND THE WORD NAVIGATE IS SO IMPORTANT.

IT IS CHALLENGING WHEN FOLKS TRANSITION FROM THE UNIFORM TO THE VETERAN STATUS.

IT'S THE CHALLENGING PART OF GOING INTO THE V.A.

SYSTEM CAN BE A BIT DAUNTING.

FORTUNATELY I'M BLESSED TO HAVE 25 BENEFITS OFFICERS WHO CAN REACH OUT ACROSS THE COMMUNITIES AS FOLKS ARE EITHER TRANSITIONING OUT OF UNIFORM OR THOSE THAT HAVE TRANSITIONED.

AND NAVIGATE THEM THROUGH THE V.A.

SYSTEM.

FOR BOTH BENEFITS AND CLAIMS.

FOR HOSPITAL CARE IF NECESSARY, OR MEDICAL CARE.

AND ALSO DEATH BENEFITS.

WE HAVE SPHOIF CEMETERIES HERE IN MARYLAND THAT WE CALL OUR OWN.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE BIG CHALLENGES OF THE TRANSITION FROM MILITARY SERVICE BACK INTO CIVILIAN LIFE?

NOW, YOU WERE INSTANTLY BUSY.

YOU RAN THE BWI PARTNERSHIP FOR A WHILE.

FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE IS A BIT OF A VACUUM THERE, PARTICULARLY IF THEY'VE SERVED IN A HIGH INTENSITY ENVIRONMENT?

>> NOW, IT IS A GREAT POINT.

AND WHILE I WAS ON FORT MEADE, COMMANDING THE INSTALLATION, I HAD SIX SUICIDES.

I HAD CHILD ABUSE.

I HAD SPOUSAL ABUSE AND DRUG ABUSE.

THE DRUG CHOICE OF THAT DAY WAS SPICE THIS SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA THAT FOLKS WOULD INGEST I HAD THE CHALLENGES WHILE TRYING TO CONTINUE TO MANAGE AND LEAD A HEALTHY INSTALLATION.

WE ESTABLISHED A RESILIENCY AND EDUCATION PROGRAM ON INSTALLATION TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, BOTH THOSE THAT WERE CONTINUING TO SERVE AND THOSE THAT HAD SERVED AND THEIR FAMILIES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WHEN I RETIRED WAS THIS SENSE OF PURPOSE, WAS IT GOING TO STICK WITH ME?

WAS I STILL GOING TO HAVE THE SAME ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND FEELINGS WHILE I WAS WEARING THAT UNIFORM TO WHEN I TOOK IT OFF?

AND FORTUNATELY, I HAD A GREAT COMMUNITY, WONDERFUL MENTORS AND WAS ABLE TO YOU KNOW, AS YOU SHARED, LEAVE TAKE OFF ONE UNIFORM AND SERVE IN ANOTHER CAPACITY.

BUT, I THINK, THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT WE NEED TO OWN UP TO AND RECOGNIZE AND THAT IS ENSURING THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT HAVE SERVED AND ARE LEAVING THE UNIFORM HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN GOALS IN MY ROLE.

>> Jeff: I READ THAT YOUR LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY IS LISTEN, LEARN, LEAD.

HOW HAVE YOU APPLIED THAT ALONG THE WAY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?

>> YEAH, I APPRECIATE IT.

GOD GAVE US TWO EARS AND ONE MOUTH FOR A REASON AND THAT IS TO LISTEN TO FOLKS.

TO LISTEN TO WHAT ARE THE ISSUES AND WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS AND LEARN FROM THEM AND THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY LEAD TOGETHER WITH THEM.

AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT.

THE PROBLEMS SET IN BALTIMORE CITY IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE PROBLEMS IN GARRET COUNTY AND THE EASTERN SHORE AND IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF MARYLAND.

SO I NEED TO GET OUT THERE WITH MY TEAM.

AND HAVE THE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE AN ACTIVE LISTENER AND SAY WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES?

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WEIGH CAN DO?

AND THEN LEARN FROM THAT AND THEN PACKAGE IT TOGETHER WITH ACTION AND LEAD WITH THE COMMUNITIES.

ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO THAT IS WE ESTABLISHED A MARYLAND JOINTS FORCES PROGRAM.

WHICH HAS 30-31, 3 TWO-PARTNERS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE NONPROFITS AND WE WORK TOGETHER FOR ESTABLISHING BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR MILITARY AND VETERAN COMMUNITY.

>> Jeff: WHAT WILL PEOPLE FIND IF THEIR FIRST CONTACT WITH THE AGENCY IS THE WEBSITE WHICH IS VETERANS.MARYLAND.GOV.

WHAT'S THERE?

>> WHAT'S THERE ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT WE CONDUCT, DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

I SHARED THE CEMETERIES WHICH WE HAVE FIVE CEMETERIES.

AND A FEW MONUMENTS ACROSS MARYLAND.

WE HAVE A SKILLED NURSING ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY IN ST.MARY'S COUNTY CALLED CHARLOTTE HALL.

WE HAVE BENEFITS PROGRAMS WHICH ARE I CAN SHARE MORE DETAIL IN A MINUTE.

WE HAVE AN OUTREACH PROGRAM, WHERE ONE OF THE INITIATIVES IS THAT MARYLAND JOINS FORCES.

AND THE LAST ONE WHICH I LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ESPECIALLY IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT, IS THE VETERANS TRUST FUND.

THE VETERANS TRUST FUND IS A 501C 3 WHICH I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OVERSEE AND IT'S DESIGNED FOR VETERANS AND NOW ALSO NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES TO BE PROVIDED A HAND UP WHEN NECESSARY WHEN IT COMES TO MORTGAGES OR UTILITIES, CAR PAYMENTS, SOMETIMES PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES BEHIND.

AND WE NEED TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO REACH OUT TO THEM, ACTIVELY, WORK WITH THEM, AND THEN COME UP WITH A PROGRAM THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THE VETERANS TRUST FUND TO PROVIDE FUNDS WHEN APPROPRIATE.

ONE OF THE -- GO AHEAD.

>> Jeff: I WAS GOING TO ASK IF THAT FUND IS ALL STATE MONEY OR YOU ARE LOOKING FOR PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS?

>> YEAH, I APPRECIATE THAT.

SOME OF IT DOES COME THROUGH THE STATE FUNDS AND WE'RE PROVIDING A COUPLE OTHER INITIATIVES FOR FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR STATE INCOME TAX, THEIR ON-LINE REGISTRATION PROGRAMS FOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION.

BUT ALSO THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS OR ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ORGANIZATION DONATIONS INTO THE VETERANS TRUST FUND.

>> Jeff: TELL US A LITTLE BEFORE WE GO, YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU AS A JERSEY KID TO THE U.S.

ARMY?

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG PERSON LOOKING FOR A CAREER PATH?

>> WELL, THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES.

WHEN I CLOSED MY EYES I THINK ABOUT MY MENTOR, MY DAD, MY DAD WAS A KOREAN WAR VETERAN AND AFTER THE WAR, HE TAUGHT FOR 30 PLUS YEARS IN CITY HIGH SCHOOL.

AND I ALSO THINK OF MY MOM WHO WAS VERY SELFLESS SERVICE AND SHE WAS A NURSE FOR 30 PLUS YEARS.

I DECIDED RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE I THINK I WAS 18 OR 19 TO SERVE.

AND WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE JUST A FEW YEARS AND GO BACK TO TEACHING, ENDED UP BEING 30 PLUS YEARS.

FORTUNATELY, I MARRIED 27 LEVELS UP TO AUDREY.

AND AS I FOUND MYSELF IN DEPLOYMENTS IN THE BALKANS OR IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AT DIFFERENT TIMES, SHE WAS THERE WITH THE KIDS.

AND WE ALWAYS SAY THAT YOU KNOW, THE BACKBONE OF OUR COUNTRY KNOWING THAT FREEDOM IS NOT FREE IS THE ONE TO 2% THAT DECIDE TO PUT ON THE UNIFORM.

THE BACKBONE OF THAT 1-2% IS THE FAMILY.

AND I HONESTLY LIKE TO TAKE IT ONE STEP FURTHER BY SAYING THE BACKBONE OF THAT IS THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT REALLY RESONATES HERE IN MARYLAND.

THE COMMUNITIES HERE IN MARYLAND HAVE EMBRACED THE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM AND THE FAMILIES.

AND WE'VE MOVED HERE IN 2007 AND I DON'T SEE MYSELF MOVING AWAY BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT IS HERE IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: I HAVE TIME FOR A COUPLE SENTENCES ON THIS.

BUT WHEN PEOPLE THINK ABOUT VETERAN'S DAY TOMORROW MAYBE THEY HAVE THE DAY OFF, MAYBE THEY WILL SEE SOME SALES IN THE NEWSPAPER, WHAT DO YOU WANT AMERICANS TO THINK ABOUT OR ON VETERAN'S DAY?

>> I LIKE THEM TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT HAVE SERVED.

AND AS I AM ALWAYS THANKED I TURN AROUND AND THANK THEM RIGHT BACK FOR GIVING ME A REASON TO SERVE.

WE LIVE IN THE GREATEST PLACE THERE IS AND WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET THAT.

AND YEAH, I THINK THAT'S THE STRONGEST SENTIMENT I CAN SAY IS TAKE ACTION.

AND BE OUT RIGHT AND CHECK ON FOLKS.

THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU AND THANKS RIGHT BACK.

>> Jeff: SECRETARY ED ROTHSTEIN WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

VERY HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY TO YOU AND YOURS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS.

JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS ON-LINE VIDEO.MPT.TV AND ALSO ON THE FREE PBS APP.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION".

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪]