Full Transcript for An Interview with Beth Kubala, Veterans Day

opportunity. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:50.879 That's terrific. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:58.879 And you know, we you talked about your dad, and obviously you served, and you're, you know, I said lieutenant colonel raised your rank, which is pretty amazing. 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:01.519 But you're not the only people in your family who've served. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:02.959 You have someone serving even. 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:04.399 That's correct. 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:11.360 And I actually kind of took this for granted, but when I I think about it, I'm fourth generation military from my family. 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:14.319 So my father, my grandfather, my great-grandfather as well. 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:25.120 So we have quite a family history going back, but going forward, my husband, we got married soon after I was commissioned and we enjoyed a career together. 00:05:25.279 --> 00:05:27.600 He was an army helicopter pilot. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:33.759 So the kids could often kind of better relate to what he did than what Tamam did as a JAG officer. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:39.920 But, you know, our kids grew up all over the US and Germany. 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:43.360 So they lived a very different type of lifestyle. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:46.000 And I'm not at all surprised. 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:51.680 Our oldest son, Zach, graduated from Syracuse in 2021 as the aerospace engineer. 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:55.360 And he just finished up his four years in the Army. 00:05:55.439 --> 00:06:01.360 So he served as a young officer at the in the big red one out at Fort Riley, Kansas. 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:05.360 And we couldn't be more proud of him and his military service. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:06.480 That's terrific. 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:20.079 And of course, you have deep orange roots now, which you didn't have, but you have developed very deep Syracuse University orange roots from your first role on campus with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families to your role now at the law school. 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:20.720 And football. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:22.800 I think you have a football player in the family. 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:32.399 So our oldest son, Zach, you know, came here to Syracuse through an Army ROTC scholarship, has already completed his uh four-year commitment in the Army. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:35.920 Kind of surprising, but not really looking back. 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:39.519 Our son Josh is currently a senior here at Syracuse. 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:42.800 He is also in Army ROTC. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:54.399 And he went to advanced camp this past summer, where he spent over 30 days challenging land navigation and leadership and marksmanship training. 00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:57.920 And so he did great at Fort Knox, Kentucky for that. 00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:06.160 And he wanted to go as early in the summer as possible so that he could get right back to the football field where he's a linebacker for the Syracuse football team. 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:23.279 And it may seem like kind of opposite types of callings, but I think his training as a leader in Army ROTC and his leadership on the athletic field have really come together in unexpected ways for him. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.360 And we're very proud of him as well. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:36.240 He's looking forward to graduating after his time is done at Syracuse and probably following in my husband Mike's footsteps as a helicopter pilot. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:38.000 Wow, that's amazing. 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:39.120 That is amazing. 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:43.680 That's a very long family tradition of military service for sure. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:52.639 So after military service and law school included in that, what led you to pursue the career in higher education and brought you to Syracuse? 00:07:53.120 --> 00:08:00.800 Yeah, our family moved to this area from Germany, fully expecting to be here for three years. 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:03.040 And that's what I told the real estate agent. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:16.240 I'm looking for a house in a good neighborhood, a good school district, and a house with good resale value because we're as soon as you know we're gonna buy it and then we're gonna be out of here in three years and we're gonna sell it all over again. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:17.839 Famous last words. 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:22.480 So we really enjoyed living here in the Syracuse area. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:28.800 My husband was the professor of military science here at Syracuse for the Army ROTC program. 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:36.639 And um, I was stationed up about an hour north at the storied Fort Drum 10th Mountain Division. 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:40.159 And I was the first female military judge there. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:52.080 So I did a tour as the military judge, presiding over all of the courts martials for the installation and traveling around and doing the same for other military bases. 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:58.399 So the army brought us to Syracuse, and we just decided to go ahead and make it our home. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:00.000 That's fantastic. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:08.799 So after you finished being the first woman to hold that role at Fort Drum, our beloved 10th Mountain here in the uh central New York region. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:12.000 How did you get to Syracuse University? 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:26.080 While my husband served as the professor of military science here at Syracuse, we got invited to all sorts of events and ceremonies, and we got a little glimpse into life at Syracuse University. 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:39.679 And a lot of the events that we were invited to were hosted by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, which at that time was really growing, was located in a different building, smaller building across campus. 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:54.639 And once I met some of the individuals who were part of that program and on that

staff, I realized, wow, there's an opportunity to continue to serve in a different way after we take off the uniform. 00:09:54.879 --> 00:10:02.720 So I was really excited to come on board at the IVMF and I served as the senior director for community engagement. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:14.080 And in that role, I got to work with communities all over the country and help them integrate services for veterans in their cities or in their local areas. 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:16.960 And I was really enjoying what I did. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:19.519 The IVMF was growing and expanding. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:24.240 We had, you know, a little model of what this brand new building was going to look like down the hill. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:29.039 And I had an office designated in that architectural blueprint. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:38.720 And then all of a sudden, I learned that the Veterans Clinic at the College of Law would be having an opening for their director position. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:47.840 And I put my name in the hat for that and was really thrilled to be able to kind of come across down the hill a little bit into this role at the College of Law. 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:48.799 That's terrific. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:55.279 I think you moved offices from what we lovingly refer to as the old law school building to the new law school building. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:56.720 I did, yes. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:11:01.120 So can you tell us a little bit then about the clinic? 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:05.679 Um I don't know that maybe our listeners understand, but we, you know, it's the Betty and Michael D. 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:07.360 Wall Veterans Legal Clinic. 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:08.639 But who does it serve? 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:12.480 What kinds of legal issues do you help veterans and their families address? 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:13.440 Sure. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:23.840 The uh Veterans Legal Clinic here serves veterans local here in our community and focuses on VA disability claims. 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:35.759 It comes as a surprise to many Americans that veterans don't automatically have full access to walk inside the Syracuse VA Medical Center and be seen for their health care issues. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:46.639 The veteran has to go through a process of submitting a claim and showing the VA that their current medical condition that they're suffering for is somehow connected to their service. 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:53.519 So that can be easy for some veterans, especially if they go through that process while they're transitioning out of the military. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:12:07.519 But as you can imagine, if there's veterans who have uh transitioned out and time has passed and maybe some unfortunate circumstances have intervened, it can quickly become very complex and very difficult. 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:21.519 So our clinic here at the College of Law focuses on veterans' VA disability benefits, which entitles them often to monetary compensation and to access to VA health care. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:39.200 Just critically important pieces, you know, and especially for individuals who are maybe used to you know that the government just provided for them because they were providing a service, and now they have to figure out as a civilian how to make their way through all of those sort of bureaucratic pieces. 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:45.120 So one thing that's really impressed me, Beth, is how much you've grown that clinic since you've been there. 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:48.480 Do you want to talk a little bit about the expansion in the grants? 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:49.360 Sure. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.559 We're really honored. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:56.159 I think when you start any kind of project, you get it moving and you you get it headed in the right direction. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:13:05.519 And then you kind of wonder about, you know, are are we really serving the types of veterans that need our assistance the most? 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:15.600 And what really helped us learn who those veterans were that probably needed us the most, three years ago, we applied for and received a federal grant from the U.S. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:21.360 Department of Veterans Affairs that was specifically to provide legal services for homeless veterans. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:31.919 And we are one of about 125 grant recipients across the country, one of, I believe, four institutes of four law schools who are recipients. 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:42.639 So we quickly learned through that grant that there was a homeless population here in our community that really needed assistance. 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:50.799 And we got partnered with the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans team right down the street at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:59.679 And we've had a direct connection to a group of veterans who are residing in temporary housing facilities that really need our assistance. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.919 And we've been working directly with them. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:05.279 And we're on the third year of that grant now. 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:09.440 So we just got awarded the third year at the beginning of October. 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:11.360 So thank you. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:23.519 We're excited to continue that work, and it's such a great outcome for the veterans that we work with and a really meaningful experience for this the law school students who go to that. 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:29.679 We go to that facility every Tuesday morning, and those veterans are lined up waiting for their students. 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:33.039 And, you know, one of them we just closed out the other day. 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:43.120 We got that veteran from no VA benefits whatsoever to a 100% rating and to VA healthcare for life. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:44.399 That's fantastic. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:46.080 Truly making a difference. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:46.480 Yeah.

00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:55.519 And I don't, you know, for our listeners who don't understand the geography of this, when Beth says down the street, it's literally the law school, two parking garages, and then the VA. 00:14:55.919 --> 00:15:00.639 And, you know, I think as students might walk by and not really understand what was happening there. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:05.679 So it's so important that you're taking students into the building to serve those who have served us. 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:07.039 It's really fantastic. 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:12.399 Uh, it's obvious that supporting veterans, military members, and their families, it's a passion of interest. 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:20.240 You know, beyond the obvious, why do you think it's so important for law schools, students and the legal profession to be involved in this kind of work? 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:38.720 So the type of services we provide at at all of the clinics here at the College of Law are legal services for those who would otherwise not be able to afford an attorney, who would not understand even what type of assistance is out there to help. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:16:10.559 Uh, I think it's critical for a law school student in their formative years in law school to be able to understand how to relate to clients, how to communicate good news, how to communicate bad news, how to explain complex government processes, what to do when you have all the legal mechanisms that you have to bring to bear on a situation, but your client may not have the food that they need for the next day. 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:24.639 So all of those things are very important for a young attorney to learn about and to be able to think veterans is, you know, one piece of the population that uh is often in need. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:46.320 And I think it's even more important that young people today understand what it means to serve and what it means for veterans who have served our country, but who may not be able to leverage all the benefits that they truly have earned and do deserve. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:54.240 Yeah, those are important such important lessons and ways for the students to connect, you know, with the greater community as well. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:17:00.480 So Al Bond was thrilled to partner with your clinic earlier this fall for a Veterans Trust in the States Clinic. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:14.000 Why do you think it's important for law firms, the private sector, to support veterans and probability, the other clinics, but veterans and military families, particularly for this instance, both within our organizations and the broader community? 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:16.079 Why are law firms an important partner? 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:33.759 We were so thrilled to partner with Bond earlier this fall for our VetFest and for Bond to bring their expertise in estate planning and wills and powers of attorney to provide those services to some of our local veteran population. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:36.640 I think it's important for a number of reasons. 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:45.680 Number one, I really think that veterans are a group that has have a unique set of challenges. 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:51.119 And, you know, many of those challenges were brought on due to their military service. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:18:00.160 So I just believe that all Americans owe a bit of gratitude to anyone who has worn the uniform or has served our nation. 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:13.200 And what may seem like little matters to a large firm is often a very big deal to someone who may not be in a situation to afford to pay for a will. 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:36.240 And I think any opportunity that our legal community has to gain a better understanding of the challenges of today's veterans will hopefully better inform the resources and the programs and the respect that our country gives them and will hopefully help fix immediate challenges and then inform change on the other side. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.799 That's an excellent point, Beth, right? 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:49.279 Work on the immediate challenges, but inform the change because you're educating people in the bar about some of the needs of the veterans and little ways to give back that really do have a big impact. 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:55.680 Well, so as someone who did wear the uniform, and as we approach Veterans Day, what does Veterans Day mean to you? 00:18:56.400 --> 00:19:05.680 I just want to share that Veterans Day here at Syracuse University and in our community, our community deserves a round of applause. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:15.039 Here at the College of Law, we had a Veterans Day ceremony yesterday in which our own veteran students gave their stories. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:31.839 And so I think that helps introduce them in a different way to their classmates and helps also kind of share their perspectives with our staff and faculty here so that we can all gain a better connection to those who served. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:40.160 Then next week at 11 o'clock on Tuesday, we'll have a big Veterans Day ceremony at our National Veterans Resource Center. 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:43.599 And there's always a meaningful speaker. 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:49.599 And it's just amazing to see the entire community come out and support an event like that. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:58.240 It's funny, I think as a veteran myself, sometimes I want the spotlight to be on others. 00:19:58.400 --> 00:20:02.240 I think many veterans would tell you that it's not about them. 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:13.519 So that's why it's so important to me to see students here of the College of Law and our community turn out in such a meaningful way to celebrate Veterans Day. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:22.880 But it is, it is a little different when you're serving and you're assigned to Fort Hood or you're assigned to Fort Drum or you're over in Germany. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:26.319 Like everyone's together, like there's a

common understanding. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:33.519 And it can be a little bit of a challenge when you do leave the military and transition to a community. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:52.160 And it's always easier when you feel like there's an understanding by those around you of what you did, uh, whether or not you want to wear it on your t-shirt or put a bumper sticker on your car, or whether you just want it to kind of be it be a piece of you for others to recognize that service. 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.640 Yeah. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:21:04.240 And I at Syracuse also on our um alumni weekend, we honored veterans at halftime football games, which just may happen to have been Syracuse University College of Law alone as well. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:13.759 So I think that really the IVMF working with the College of Law has really done a lot to raise the profile of the importance of serving veterans in our community. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:22.240 The 10th mountain is is such a large space and so often deployed that folks from 10th Mountain are all over our community. 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:25.119 And the same is true with listeners across the US, right? 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.240 If you're in your base. 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:30.240 And even if you're not, there are veterans in your communities and in your lives. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.920 Absolutely. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:32.720 Absolutely. 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:40.559 So besides honoring veterans, what can individuals and organizations do to support veterans in meaningful ways? 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:43.279 As you mentioned, sometimes the transition is difficult. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:49.440 Sometimes those services they need are brought on by wearing their experiences from wearing the uniform. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:51.759 What are some ways individuals can help? 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:59.440 I think individuals first not being afraid to ask a couple questions to spark up a conversation. 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:03.759 You might run into someone in your day-to-day life. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:14.640 And with my students, during one of the first weeks in class, I often share with them a video that teaches some basic cultural competency. 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:20.720 And I love it because it says, ask the vet at if you run into someone, ask, like, did you serve? 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:24.559 And if they say yes, then you ask, what did you do when you served? 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:30.160 It doesn't have to be a complicated conversation, but simply asking, oh, what did you do? 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.839 Uh, what are you most proud of? 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:37.359 I think just breaking down that uncertain barrier that might be there. 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:43.359 And I guarantee, you know, my my law school students often get very nervous about their first interview with their clients. 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:46.960 And I tell them all you have to say is good morning, and then sit back. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:51.519 And um, many veterans have amazing stories. 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:57.680 Uh, they've traveled far away from home, they've done things that no one in their family has ever done before. 00:22:57.920 --> 00:23:09.279 And simply recognizing that and then learning that there might be a way you might not have realized it, but there might be a way you could help out, whether it's with a local nonprofit or a lot of our students. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:38.559 Like I said, they may be helping a homeless veteran here in clinic, but I fully expect that many of them will go on to leadership positions at firms, to positions within our government, whether it's state, local, or federal, where they have the understanding of what our country, you know, is is capable of and of what changes might be appropriate to better enhance the lives of our veterans in many ways. 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.680 That's terrific. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:43.440 And you're right, that cultural competency, it's so important. 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:53.359 And just asking some simple questions, you can really people feel seen and then listen and hear their story, and you can learn just so absolutely so much. 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:57.920 So I um I was born just after my dad got out of the army. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:14.000 So we didn't um travel much, but we took our kids to uh Fort Carson and to Colorado Springs to see where they where their grandparents lived and to see the base because it's an important part of our history and as a family, but also so that they understand the situation. 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.440 That's fantastic. 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:18.240 It's a beautiful, beautiful location, Port Carson. 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:20.640 Definitely they didn't get the worst of it. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.960 It really is just completely gorgeous. 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:32.240 But you know, I I do think it's so important that you know, if there's not someone in your family, ask the questions, talk to other people. 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:41.839 I mean, my dad would have you know constantly told me no one could make that shot from every TV show because he was, you know, the marked mid-range and that was his role. 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.119 And so I'm like, I stand. 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:48.319 He wanted to talk about his experience and what he did. 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:50.240 I appreciate all that you do. 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:52.319 I love that the students are engaged. 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:56.240 You have fantastic students and your fellows who I got the chance to meet. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:25:02.160 So you're building a great team that's teaching while serving, which is really such an important piece. 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.680 So thank you for that. 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:05.839 Thanks on behalf of all of the SIP Bond. 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:09.759 Thank you for your service and thank you for your ongoing work to support that. 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.519 It's my honor. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.319 Thanks so much. 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:20.079 We also want to extend our gratitude to all the veterans of the US military and of course to the Bond team members and their families who are serving or have served. 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:25.839 So will you come back to do a future episode and share some updates on the clinic's work and veterans' advocacy? 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.359 Absolutely, anytime. 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.160 Terrific. 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.400 Thanks. 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:32.720 I don't know that we'll meet at the Supreme Court beforehand, but maybe we can at least talk. 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:35.440 Sounds good. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:37.039 All right, thanks again, though. 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.319 Thank you, Kim. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:45.039 Thank you for tuning into this episode of Legally Bond. 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:53.519 If you're listening and have any questions for me, want to hear from someone at the firm, or suggestion for a future topic, please email us at legally bond at bsk.com. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:58.079 Please don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to Legally Bond where our podcasts are downloaded. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.079 Until our next talk, be well. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:09.680 Bond Shenick and King has prepared this communication to present only general information. 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:14.079 This is not intended as legal advice, nor should you consider it as such. 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:18.240 You should not act or decline to act based upon the contents. 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:24.000 While we try to make sure that the information is complete and accurate, laws can change quickly. 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:30.480 You should always formally engage a lawyer of your choosing before taking actions which have legal consequences. 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:39.839 For information about our communication, firm, practice areas, and attorneys, visit our website, bsk.com. 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:42.319 This is attorney advertising.