Veterans First: God, Country, Family, and the Fight for Real Care

The Next Steps Show – Veterans Day Special

Host: Peter Vazquez
Guest: Sgt. Mark “Sarge” Mitchell, U.S. Army Iraq Veteran and Founder of Combat News

Peter Vazquez:
This podcast is brought to you by Open Door Mission—restoring hope and changing lives. Visit OpenDoorMission.com.

In a world that seems to change daily, what will you do next? Welcome to The Next Steps Show with Peter Vazquez—a starting point for discussion y un poco de dirección.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, soy yo, Peter Vazquez. Mira a la izquierda, mira a la derecha—because today is Veterans Day, and I have to ask: what do you see when you look left and right? Especially when we have veterans sitting out there saying, “Mira, necesito un poquito de ayuda.” And guess what? It is not about politics or race—it is about God, country, and family.

“Never forget” must mean more than remembrance; it must mean responsibility. True gratitude demands more than flags and fanfare. Call me and tell me I am wrong. It requires courage to confront the policies and systemic failures that betray those who serve our great nation.

Today’s episode goes veterans first. The real story, the real state of things.

With me is U.S. Army Iraq veteran, better known as Sarge Mitchell. Sir, thank you very much for joining me today on The Next Steps Show.

Sgt. Mark “Sarge” Mitchell:
Thank you for having me. I appreciate it—especially on such a special day. You know, you did this on a dime. You texted me just a couple of days ago, and I said absolutely—anything for my fellow veterans.

I am doing okay. I just got done with a little procedure from the VA, but otherwise, things are good—both health-wise and in the veteran community.

For those who do not know me, my name is Sarge—Mark Mitchell. I was born and raised here in Rochester and went to East Irondequoit High School. I joined the Army in 2006 as a 25U—Signal Support Systems Specialist. I served two combat tours in Iraq at Camp Taji, and I do not regret it for a second. I actually miss it—a lot.

Peter Vazquez:
I know that feeling. A day does not go by that I do not think about my uniform or miss it. In my early days of marriage, my wife sat me down and said, “Peter, you are not going back in the military. You have kids now.” That was the reason I stepped out.

But you know what? I found purpose helping veterans and local communities understand what a constitutional republic really is. That became my mission.

Sgt. Mitchell:
Absolutely. I was Army through and through—Fort Jackson for basic training (we used to call it “Relaxin’ Jackson”), then AIT at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and later stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, with the 1st Cavalry Division, 1-7 Cav. I worked in communications—helped deploy the Harris radios coming into combat. My dad worked at Harris and was an Army commo guy too, so it came naturally.

I made the higher-ups look good because I knew more than the average commo soldier—and you know what happens when you make the higher-ups look good: you get a little more work!

Peter Vazquez:
Exactly! That is why I started smoking back then—either I worked twelve hours straight or got fifteen-minute breaks with the smokers.

Sgt. Mitchell:
Right! And at basic training, they called it “relaxed,” but trust me, it was not. Fire ants, sweat, pushups, crawling through dirt—nothing relaxed about that.

Peter Vazquez:
Speaking of changes, I heard something after I left—stress cards?

Sgt. Mitchell:
Yeah. After I got out around 2002, they started giving recruits “stress cards.” If you felt overwhelmed, you could hand the drill sergeant a card for a break. A fellow veteran told me he got removed from the trail because he and other drill sergeants refused to honor those cards. It got so bad there were even limits on how long they could raise their voices.

Peter Vazquez:
Does the enemy give us a mental break? I did not serve in combat, but even I know that sounds absurd.

Sgt. Mitchell:
Exactly. People joked that we would lose the next war to “yo mama” jokes. The discipline was disappearing.

Peter Vazquez:
And yet, today we have veterans who served without “stress cards” or special treatment—men and women who sacrificed and even died for a nation that now worries more about feelings than readiness.

So, Sarge, what does the word “veteran” mean to you?

Sgt. Mitchell:
To me, a veteran is anyone who raised their right hand and said, “I will risk everything—even my life—for this country.” You do not have to go to combat to earn that title. That moment you swear in, you are willing to die for strangers. That is heroism. It gives me chills every time I think about it.

Peter Vazquez:
That is the kind of love that builds a culture rooted in God, country, and family. And I want to be clear: it is in that order.

When I joined, I was looking for a way out. But the Army taught me something deeper: without God, we have nothing. The United States was founded on religious freedom—on faith in God. Because of that foundation, we built the most prosperous nation in history. That is country.

And because of God and country, we have family—safe homes, streets where our children can play, and the ability to live freely without fear.

But too often, “veteran” gets treated as a one-size-fits-all term. After the break, I want to talk about how federal law actually defines “veteran” and what that means for benefits and services.

(Break segment with station and sponsor messages omitted for clarity.)

Peter Vazquez:
We are back on The Next Steps Show with my brother—U.S. Army Iraq veteran and Combat News founder, Sarge Mitchell.

Sarge, tell our listeners: what does “service-connected” really mean in practice?

Sgt. Mitchell:
A lot of people think VA disability is like workers’ comp. It is not. You gave the government 110% of a perfectly good body. If you come out 30% injured, they owe you 30%. That is earned.

It does not mean you stop living—if my back hurts, I still tie my shoes. But it means they owe you for the sacrifice you already gave. Veterans earned that care.

Peter Vazquez:
Exactly. Yet, many officials claim to support veterans while voting against real funding or reform. New York has around 600,000 veterans—but that number is declining. Why?

Sgt. Mitchell:
A lot of younger people think the military “is not cool.” They are taught veterans are bullies or pawns. We at Combat News are trying to change that narrative—to remind people that their freedom to criticize comes from someone who served.

Peter Vazquez:
Right. Yet, while politicians praise veterans, 1,180 of them are homeless across New York. Most are in shelters or transitional housing. That is unacceptable. Why does this keep happening?

Sgt. Mitchell:
Because the system calls them “homeless” instead of “transitioning.” Many are between homes due to divorce or job loss. Others are blocked from “veteran housing” because they make “too much”—even if they are 100% disabled. Meanwhile, illegal migrants get guaranteed housing subsidies.

Veteran housing should be for veterans—run by veterans. But political programs make promises they never keep.

Peter Vazquez:
Exactly. It is all part of what I call the “Vanboolzalness”—the illusion of compassion while truth and justice get buried under bureaucracy.

Sgt. Mitchell:
That is right. We need less politics and more real solutions: transportation, healthcare access, and respect.

Peter Vazquez:
Amen. As Christ said in Matthew 25: “I was a stranger, and you took me in.” Programs do not save souls—people do.

(Second break with sponsors omitted.)

Peter Vazquez:
Welcome back. VA audits show that 15% of eligible benefits go unclaimed because veterans simply do not know they qualify. Imagine that—after all their service.

Caller (Lavelle):
Peter, thank you for the show. Many black and brown veterans fought for this country. How do we make sure their service is equally honored and understood?

Sgt. Mitchell:
By removing politics from veteran advocacy. Let veterans lead veterans. When we control our own narrative, the community sees authenticity—not photo ops.

Peter Vazquez:
Exactly. Through Combat News and your open forums, you give veterans of all backgrounds a voice—without filters or partisanship.

Caller (Fred “Stryker”):
Thank you both for your service. I just want to remind everyone that military spouses deserve recognition too. They hold down the home front while we serve.

Peter Vazquez:
Absolutely. And Fred, being a reservist yourself, your point about pay and bureaucracy is spot on. Veterans should not have to fight for what they already earned.

Sgt. Mitchell:
It is competition between agencies—claims offices trying to outdo each other for stats. That hurts veterans.

Peter Vazquez:
And being a veteran has nothing to do with color. It is about service and sacrifice.

Sgt. Mitchell:
Exactly. Every walk of life. And honestly, many minority veterans were the most driven—they enlisted to provide for their families and ended up leading with heart and honor.

Peter Vazquez:
That is why peer support matters. Seventeen veterans die by suicide every day. But you host an open forum on X every Wednesday at 7 p.m.—a real place for conversation and change.

Sgt. Mitchell:
Yes. Follow us at @SGTMitchell88 or visit CombatNews.org. We bring veterans and patriots together to share truth and solutions—policy over politics.

Peter Vazquez:
That breaks barriers—political, racial, and spiritual. Because service is unity.

Sgt. Mitchell:
We believe in policy, not politics.

Peter Vazquez:
Before we close, give us your “next steps” for listeners—how can they help?

Sgt. Mitchell:
Get involved with boots-on-ground organizations—DAV, American Legion, Combat News. Support local vets directly. Ask one simple question: “How are you?” Sometimes that is all it takes.

Peter Vazquez:
Beautifully said. U.S. Army Iraq veteran and Combat News founder, the honorable Sgt. Mark Mitchell—thank you for your time and service.

And to all veterans—past and present—thank you for yours. Be a leader. Be a voice. Be a light.

God bless these United States of America.