(dramatic music)

- Thanks for joining usfor CBN's On The Homefront,

where we highlight what the men and women

of America's Military doto defend our country.

I'm Mark Martin.

The government shutdownis temporarily over,

but all eyes remain onthe southern border still

as lawmakers work to agreeon a border security deal

and President Trump's demand

for $5.7 billion in border wall funding.

Pentagon officials say the cost

of maintaining active duty military

and National Guard troops at the border

has risen to more than $230 million.

President Trump deployedadditional troops last April

and estimated that the costsfor maintaining them there

through September 2019 wouldtotal about $550 million.

Trump says border securityis his top priority.

In a recent Rose Garden address,

he threatened another government shutdown

or emergency action

if he does not get afair deal from Congress.

- We really have no choice

but to build a powerfulwall or steel barrier.

If we don't get a fair deal from Congress,

the government will either shutdown on February 15th again

or I will use the powersafforded to me under the laws

and the Constitution of the United States

to address this emergency.

We will have great security.

- Acting DefenseSecretary Patrick Shanahan

told military officials

that the Department of Homeland Security

has already made requests for assistance

from the Defense Department,

saying that may mean several thousand more

active duty troops sent to the border.

Meanwhile, the NationalGuard continues to work

to provide support to USCustoms and Border Protection

along the border.

Here's the fourth episodein a five-part series

to show you whatday-to-day life looks like

for those on the front linesalong the southwest border.

- For my job, what I dois they have me welding

here in the shop and usually,

if they can't get people toweld from the border patrol,

they would have to get off the line

to come here and do the job.

They have the National Guarddoing jobs like those here.

They have me welding,doing whatever they need,

building the beacons, counter boxes,

trailers, whatever they need.

That way they don't haveto get off the line.

- We have border patrol agentsthat have been instructing us

on how to actually work on the radios

and computer equipment here.

So the agents that areoriginally in there,

they can actually go out into the field.

I operate cameras to scanaround certain areas,

possibly help keep eyes on agents

to make sure that they'resafe while out in the field.

- The United States hasreached an agreement

with the Taliban thatwould potentially end

17 years of war in Afghanistan.

After six days of talks

with high-ranking membersof the terror group,

a top US envoy says they havea framework of a peace deal,

but the details stillneed to be flushed out.

Acting Secretary ofDefense Patrick Shanahan

recently met with NATO SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg

at the Pentagon to discussinternational security

and troops in Afghanistan.

While they did not give details,

the two leaders said troopswon't be pulled prematurely.

- We are in Afghanistanto create the conditions

for a peaceful, negotiated solution.

We are there to train andassist Afghan soldiers

so they can take careof security, stability

in Afghanistan themselves.

We will not stay longer than necessary,

but we will not leavebefore we have a situation

which enables us to leave orreduce the number of troops

without jeopardizing themain goal of our presence,

and that is to prevent Afghanistan

from becoming a safe haven

for international terrorists once again.

- Almost 3, 500 coalitionforces have died in Afghanistan

since the start of OperationEnduring Freedom back in 2001.

2, 200 of them were Americans.

More than 147, 000 civilianshave died in 17 years of war.

US Air Force airmen

assigned to the 455th ExpeditionarySecurity Forces Squadron

at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan say,

protecting those back homeis their top priority.

Take a look.

- Security Forces provide mission support

through security and defense.

We provide a very unique skillset

when it comes to air-based operations,

we have a fundamental understanding

of what it means to defend an airfield.

We are specially trained andequipped to detect and defend

against multiple types of threats

in multiple types of domains.

And I think that's whatmakes it so exciting

to be a commander, especiallyin a deployed environment,

to be able to serve the mission

in so many different roles and facets.

(light dramatic music)

Honestly, this is probablyone of the best missions

to be a part of because themission we're doing out here

enables the men and women backhome to be safe and secure.

We take the fight to the enemy out here.

Our role as SecurityForces enables that fight

by keeping these aircraft safe,

keeping the men andwomen of this base safe

so they can go out thereand perform that mission.

(light dramatic music)

The best team is a unique skill set

within security forces in thatthey are specially trained

to handle for close-quarters combat

and do flight deck denial operations.

They go at the aircraftto secure deliveries

of the logistical equipment,transportation of personnel

such as anyone transitAOR, even detainee Ops.

The defenders that we get out of here

are probably some of themost disciplined individuals

that we see in the career field.

And the reason I say that isbecause the threat is real,

that really kind of focuses,have a perceived their mission

and in their role in that mission

because here it is nothing but mission,

is nothing but defense

and I think they founda lot of value in that

and I think you're veryappreciative of that opportunity.

- In other news I federal court

has ruled that Vietnam veteranswho served on ships offshore

during the war are eligiblefor benefits to treat illnesses

linked to exposure to thechemical agent, Orange.

Agent Orange was a defoliantused during the Vietnam war

and has since caused healthproblems for service members

and Vietnamese civilians for generations.

For years, Navy veterans who served

aboard aircraft carriers,destroyers and other ships

were deemed ineligible forthe same disability benefits

as veterans who served on theground and Inland Waterways.

Military.com reports, the Courtdetermined territorial seas

off the coast of Vietnam,where sailors served,

should be included.

The decision could result in an estimated

50 to 70, 000 veterans nowbecoming eligible for benefits.

Veterans affected by the ruling

must still go through a VA evaluation

to ensure they meet all ofthe eligibility criteria.

Vietnam veteran, Bob Shaferdied from complications

related to Agent Orangeexposure last year.

He recounts his tour ofduty in how Agent Orange

affected his health.

- Oh that was just goodtimes like I don't know,

good times when me andanother guy went through basic

and everything together

and might all got stationedtogether while in Vietnam

and we were out on a backroad going to a firebase

and I don't know if we broke down

or we had to stand thereand wait for somebody,

but it was hot and we got talking.

I said man, you know it'd be nice.

Dave came home friend of ours.

If Dave came by and had acamp full of ice cold beer.

All of a sudden his dump truckflying bike, toss flying,

hits the brakes and thus clears the way

here comes a little short bowlegged guy.

And meet Danny (mummbles).

I mean we thought the freaking died.

It was him Dave and yeah he had cold beer.

So that was pretty good, we lost him.

He got killed over there.

And what we basically,lot of us basically did

was just like clear fields of fire

and build roads.

We went into the (mumbles)and built an airstrip

and everything was was airlifted in.

Of course, (mumbles) by upthere was called eyecore

and was one of theheaviest places they used

that chemical Agent Orange.

So running that equipmentand pushing the jungle back,

trees, brush and then workingin the dirt and everything

that got on your skinand you breathe it in.

I don't think I was ever in an area

where they'd ever seen asprayed white yacht right on me,

but it was in the bushes and trees

and actually in a dirt to the ground.

Otherwise, it's that's basically,

I've been having thisproblem since I was 35,

actually turned 35 in a VA hospital,

which I had no ideathere was a VA hospital

till my uncle told me hewas a World War two vet.

And that's how he ended up, I went in.

I was getting pain I went inand he wouldn't let me go home.

So I had open-heart surgery

and it's got a little worse over the years

and at 55 they told me Icouldn't drive truck anymore.

So I've been retired, actually disabled.

They actually put me a 100% disabled.

The Cong didn't kill us, Agent Orange did.

- Switching gears, comingup how CBN is stepping in

to help a military family in need.

Welcome back, CBN honors themen and women in our military

with an initiative called,Helping the Homefront.

It partners with churchesacross the country

to meet the needs oftheir military families,

from repairing homes toproviding financial support,

to wiping out medicalbills for wounded veterans.

Peter and Sandra were not looking forward

to a Merry Christmas

instead, they were dreadinga homeless holiday.

But then this military family

receives some much-neededhelp, just in the nick of time.

- [Woman] Spending the holidays together

is something militaryfamilies never take lightly.

Peter Van Meltzer spentnine years in the Army

as a Blackhawk helicopter mechanic

and one time deployed for a year.

- I've always felt responsiblefor the crew members

on the aircraft, there'stwo pilots and a crew chief.

And if anything should gowrong in the air, that's on me.

So we make sure theseare after good to go.

- [Woman] His wife Sandra

is extremely proud of Peter's service.

- He had that bravery.

He just knows that this is something

that he was called to do.

- [Woman] Peter decidedto get out of the army

and use his GI Bill to go to college.

But they learned it wouldtake longer than expected

for his school benefits to kick in,

which meant no income for three months.

At the same time, their van needed tires

and the transmission needed repair

and Christmas was just weeks away.

Their time and militaryhousing was coming to an end.

They needed to move butdid have rent money.

Instead of preparing for the holidays,

the couple startedcontacting homeless shelters.

The fights began.

- Panicking and frantic

and I'm thinking how we'regoing to support this family.

What's gonna happen?

- [Woman] With moneymatters out of her control,

Sandra decided to work onsomething she could control,

strengthening her relationship with God.

She started attendingBethel Community Church

near Fort Campbell.

She joined a woman's Bible study

and read the word every day.

She discovered a feeling of peace

she didn't think was possible.

- It really has proven

that the more I decided to stick with God,

the more that he wants so muchfor me, how much he loves me,

how much he loves our marriage.

- [Woman] When Peternoticed Sandra's change,

he started attending a men's Bible study.

It wasn't long beforePeter's attitude changed too.

- It was just like a feelingof joy and everything's,

because I'm gonna trust in Christ.

Everything is going tobe okay because of that.

- Now the fight is for each other,

to keep fighting for ourfuture, for our family's future.

- [Woman] Bethel contactedHelping the Home Front

and asked CBN to step in.

Pastor Lance Phillips invitedthe couple to his home

to share some big news.

- CBN in partnership withBethel Community Church

is really stepping up to the plate.

And we're going to give you the finances

to be able to pay the first month's rent

and the last month's rent,

and also to be able to pay twomore payments on top of that.

How does that sound?

- It's awesome.

(uplifting music )

- And it gets better.

We know you have a vehicle situation.

CBN in partnership with Bethelis gonna be able to step up

and give you the financesto repair your vehicle.

- Thank you God.

- It even gets better.

We know Christmas is coming

and when you go throughfinancial difficulties,

that can be one most hardestseasons to walk through.

We're going to give you the finances

to be able to provide a greatChristmas for your children.

- Oh my gosh, it's awesome.

- This is how God gets us back on our feet

and helps us move forward inthe right direction, amen?

- Amen.- Amen, amen.

- [Woman] Their church is payingfor rent on their new home,

while the family waits forPeter's school benefits

to kick in.

We also took them to Sears Automotive

to replace the tires andget the transmission fixed.

When Sears heard aboutHelping the Home Front,

they kicked in a big discount.

Then it was off to a shopping spree

to buy Christmas presents for the kids.

Something Sandra admitswould not have happened

if not for Bethel's partnership with CBN.

Peter and Sandra are nowcelebrating the Christmas season

stress-free.

- What you guys have done

really fulfilled a lotof our dreams and goals,

and I feel like we can now go forward

and also give to others as well.

- Up next, his love for cooking

started during his time in the Navy.

What life after the military looks like

for this now award-winning chef.

Thanks for staying with us.

The military recentlylaunched an initiative

called This Is Your Military,

to help bridge the gap betweencivilian and military life.

Using the hashtag, knowyour mill on social media,

the DOD wants to giveyou a first-hand look

at the people wearing the uniform.

And there are many misconceptions,as you can imagine,

about military life floating around.

This new campaign aimsto clear some of them up.

Chef Chad White servedin the US Navy as a cook

where he discovered hispassion for cooking.

He's now a veteran who is an award-winning

and well recognizedrestaurant owner and chef.

He even appeared on season13 of TV's Top Chef.

Here's his story.

(light music)

- You know life's funny, Inever thought I'd be a cook.

In a million years, I neverthought I'd be a cook.

9/11 happens at afrustration, confusion, anger.

I went down the Recruiter's Office,

I qualified to be a Navycook and signed up that day.

While stationed on the USS Beneful,

I had a conversation with my mother.

She said Chad, you've beenan arse your entire life.

Not sure why you can'tconnect the dots here.

What do you put food on?

And I said, I'm like a white plate.

She said, don't you see it's a canvas.

Paint on it with food.

I was able to use thatlater on in my career

even in the Navy

and then furthermoregetting out of the Navy

into a professional chef position.

We started winning awards likeChef of the Year by Eater,

opening a restaurant in Mexico

and then eventually afterwinning more awards,

going on Top Chef.

While on Top Chef,

I had a restaurant that Iwas operating in San Diego.

We had some struggles.

I decided to move to myhometown, Spokane, Washington

and reset and then open thisrestaurant called Zona Blanca,

which is a Ceviche bar.

But looking back through my career,

it's like everything happens for a reason.

And I owe the military for all of it.

- Don't go anywhere we'llbe back, right after this.

One special group of US AirForce Airmen in Afghanistan

are responsible for recreatingas much of home life

as possible for deployed Airmen.

These Airmen do that bybringing in morale events

as well as the capability

to further Airmen's professionaland military education.

(lively music)

- The men and women of the 455th EFSS,

we take care of airmen,that is our primary mission

and we take that very seriously.

- We wanna replicatehome as much as possible.

I know in our current environmentthat is really tough to do

but if we can replicateas much as possible,

let them know that hey, we areyour family away from home.

We are home away from home.

We are here for you.

- When they have precious downtime,

we give them the abilityand the capability to work

on a professional or personal education.

We give them places thatthey can have camaraderie

with one another.

- Doing the same thing overand over it can get repetitive,

it can get old real quick.

When (mumbles) that weare there to reset that

and let them go back out thereand take care of mission,

that's very important.

- We provide those activities

whether it be through a block party,

where people in their precious downtime

can just take a break from their mission

and be with their fellow service members

and people who they work with.

So it could be through afriendly game of football

that we play against the army

or just a tug of war competitionbetween different squadrons

(indistinct chatter)

Really, my Airmen make my job easy.

The passion that they bring to the table

is awesome to watch.

(airmen clapping)

- It's the feeling, it really is.

It's the feeling to know that our purpose

is being highly appreciative.

Our purpose is working.

Every effort we do totake care of everybody,

not just the airmen, everybody in Bagram,

it's there and knowing thatsomeone comes up to you

and says you know what,that was really fun

or you took care of me I appreciate that

or you know what, my dayis better because of you.

That gives us that prideto keep going forward

and it's just the satisfaction

of us being customer service environment

and we take care ofpeople, that hits a spot.

- In Air Force, veteranwas going to be buried

and there were fears no one would be there

because he didn't have a family.

But officials of the CentralTexas State Veterans Cemetery

said in a Facebook post thatthey wanted people to attend.

A local motorcycle group,

Wind Therapy Freedom Ridersalso tried to get people to come

and turnout, they did.

This Twitter post by localreporter Janet Shamlian,

says it all.

She tweeted, a line ofcars stretching for miles

to attend a funeral of an AirForce veteran with no family.

One woman commentedafter seeing the photo,

just bucket loads oftears for this gathering.

This Air Force veteran andfor the hope this brings about

the real true values of Americans

all across this great nation.

The funeral was held Mondayand so many people attended

to honor and remember AirForce veteran Joseph Walker

that most had to stand.

Walker served in the AirForce from 1964 to 1968

according to television station KVUE.

The 72 year old Walker wasburied with full military honors.

What a powerful story.

Well stay tuned next week for episode two

of Making of a Sailor.

In the meantime, you can findmore of our exclusive coverage

at cbnews.com.

Hope you'll join us nexttime, have a great day.