Episode Details

My next guest is the one and only, Donny Runikera. Donny was born in the Solomon Islands and lived in the Western Province until the age of 10 when his family moved to Vanuatu after the murder of his father. His mom was a Peace Corp Director in Vanuatu and she moved their family to Washington D.C. in 1999. We talk about Donny’s interest in the martial arts, the visual arts, and his eventual enlistment in the U.S. Coastguard. Donny has won 9 awards while serving in the Coast Guard; The National Defense medal, 3 Coast Guard Good Conduct award, a medal in pistol shooting, his Sea Service ribbon/medal for being on a Coast Guard boat and patrolling the Atlantic ocean; The Coast Guard Unit Commendation for helping with the hurricane relief effort; Coast Guard Meritorious unit Commendation for rescuing people at Station Golden Gate; and many more.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/

Wounded Warrior Project
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Suicide Prevention Month: Empathy and Support in Moments of Crisis?
https://coupleandfamilyclinic.com/suicide-prevention-month-empathy-and-support-in-moments-of-crisis/