We were lucky to catch up with Travis Partington recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Travis, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In 2018 I met Richard Fitts Jr. Richard who was in the final stages of making a documentary, “21 Years a Folded Flag”. This film was a story about his father, SSgt. Richard A Fitts Sr. SSgt. Richard A Fitts Sr was killed in 1967 during a top-secret mission with MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command Vietnam – Studies and Operations Group). It took 21 years for the Fitts family to get closure. This film is about what happened and how it affected Richard Fitts Jr.

As time has gone on, there have been new areas of the story that get fleshed out as information has been declassified. This has led to talking with Richard more about how his father’s death continues to be felt years later. A real friendship has formed because this is more than just a 90-second news clip. It is a reminder that freedom isn’t free and the cost of that freedom is borne across generations that follow.

I have done almost 300 shows for Oscar Mike Radio and Richard Fitts Jr.’s story continues to be something I am proud and humbled to be a part of as time goes on.

Travis, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

It was 2015 and I was going through a difficult time in my life. I was and still am a life member of the Marine Corps League. I belong to the 1st Lt. Brian M. McPhillips Detachment #1115 Metro South. We do burial rituals for those Veterans that have passed. Some of these Veterans had committed suicide, and it was difficult for me. At a time when I was at the lowest point in my life, I still found glimmers of hope.

Around this time I was doing guest hosting for South Shore News and Views on WVBVF AM 1530 out of Taunton, MA. I had an idea to make a radio show for Veterans about Veterans’ issues. I quickly found out that there was a lot involved in getting on the air.

It was about that time that read about an event at Massasoit Community College. The school was hosting the first annual Dale Dorman Media Day in April 2016. One of the breakout sessions covered podcasting. Keith Hayes of Sinista 1 Productions was going over what it took to do a podcast. I told him of my idea to start a show and he asked me to write it up. It was there that Oscar Mike Radio was born.

“Oscar Mike” is military-speak for “On the Move”. I wanted this to focus on military and Veterans’ stories that would move people. I found that doing a show and talking with people who were working to change their lives started to change me.

I found a way to have Oscar Mike Radio support Veterans’ non-profits for fundraising and promote Veteran artists and businesses. Supporting other Veterans is one of the most rewarding aspects of doing my show. As of this writing, I have done 292 shows and closing in on six years of using Oscar Mike Radio as a way to advocate for Veterans.

When I click “Upload” for the last time, I want to know that I impacted one life in a positive way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

On June 26th, 2021 I ruptured my quadriceps tendon. I had surgery on June 27th. Throughout my recovery, I have been able to keep Oscar Mike Radio going and was asked to write about my story for the Veterans Unchained 2.0 Anthology due out later in 2022.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

When I get a message from a spouse or family member that they learned something about the guest who served in the military that they didn’t know before, it is extremely rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oscarmikeradio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oscarmike_radio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oscarmikeradio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-partington-7977845/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/oscarmikeradio
• Youtube: Oscar Mike Radio – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBijX1HCosEMAVPxB56scLg