WEBVTT - DAV Hour 2 0:00:00.030 --> 0:00:07.750 Welcome back to WRKO's annual Radiothon to benefit disabled American veterans, 0:00:08.190 --> 0:00:13.049 Department of Massachusetts. This hour is brought to you by 0:00:13.289 --> 0:00:19.200 Brighton One. If you want to donate, please call 978- 632-1985, 978-632-1985, 0:00:19.220 --> 0:00:34.150 or visit DAV5K. Boston, DAV, the number 5, K.Boston. And joining 0:00:34.170 --> 0:00:37.450 me now on the phone, a man who needs no introduction. 0:00:37.850 --> 0:00:43.880 We've had him on every single year. Incredibly generous guy. massive, 0:00:43.979 --> 0:00:49.839 huge supporter of disabled American veterans, world-renowned chef Paul Wahlberg, 0:00:50.340 --> 0:00:58.810 co-founder of Wahlburgers, executive chef, co-founder of Alma Nove in Hingham, 0:00:59.630 --> 0:01:03.110 longtime friend, as I said, huge supporter of the DAV, 0:01:03.150 --> 0:01:08.990 Department of Massachusetts. Paul, as always, welcome. How are you? 0:01:10.110 --> 0:01:11.290 I'm good, Jeff. How are you? 0:01:11.790 --> 0:01:15.130 Not bad. Not bad. We're raising some money. I'm hoping 0:01:15.150 --> 0:01:18.140 we're going to raise a little bit more. We already 0:01:18.180 --> 0:01:22.420 started bidding on that wonderful dinner at Almanove that you're 0:01:22.440 --> 0:01:27.419 going to be obviously there. And for eight people, world class. 0:01:27.550 --> 0:01:30.789 I'm telling people you're even throwing in the wine. I mean, 0:01:31.209 --> 0:01:33.090 this is going to be an all out meal. 0:01:34.920 --> 0:01:39.280 It's great. First of all, thank you for having me on. 0:01:39.760 --> 0:01:42.930 We love supporting the DAV. It's so important to say 0:01:42.990 --> 0:01:44.870 thank you to all of our veterans and all of 0:01:44.910 --> 0:01:47.950 the work that you do. It's such an amazing thing. 0:01:48.190 --> 0:01:50.670 I'm sorry I couldn't be there live, but I'm working 0:01:50.730 --> 0:01:55.330 down in Florida. But I wanted to call in and just, again, 0:01:55.420 --> 0:01:58.650 say thank you to everybody that helps support and love 0:01:58.670 --> 0:02:01.610 being part of the Radiothon. And it's just such a 0:02:01.630 --> 0:02:03.510 great thing. And the dinner is going to be amazing 0:02:03.650 --> 0:02:07.110 as we try to do such an amazing job. The 0:02:07.160 --> 0:02:11.620 team really tries to make it special for everyone. We 0:02:11.639 --> 0:02:14.820 do six courses. We start you with a little bit 0:02:14.840 --> 0:02:17.530 of an appetizer when you walk in, a little salumi platter. 0:02:18.150 --> 0:02:21.070 And then we sit down, we do six courses from, 0:02:21.150 --> 0:02:24.780 you know, some sort of appetizer all the way to dessert. 0:02:24.940 --> 0:02:28.020 It's a great time. And we will design the menu 0:02:28.060 --> 0:02:31.020 around what your likes are. And, you know, it's just 0:02:31.139 --> 0:02:33.820 it's a great event for a great cause. So we 0:02:33.840 --> 0:02:34.609 just love doing it. 0:02:36.120 --> 0:02:38.639 Paul, I'm going to be brutally honest with you. Every 0:02:38.700 --> 0:02:43.630 year I either get emails or phone calls. From people, 0:02:43.669 --> 0:02:47.230 you know, who bid and then successfully won this dinner, 0:02:47.630 --> 0:02:51.310 and they've told me repeatedly, it is one of the 0:02:51.490 --> 0:02:56.930 finest dining experiences they and their families have ever had. 0:02:56.950 --> 0:02:59.820 Well, we just need to get out more, so. 0:03:02.250 --> 0:03:04.029 I got to tip my hat off to you. I mean, 0:03:04.070 --> 0:03:10.510 you throw an incredible dinner. Okay, bids now at $ 1, 500. Please, 0:03:10.530 --> 0:03:13.270 we're going to be bidding all day for eight people. 0:03:13.370 --> 0:03:20.170 It's an absolute, I'm telling you, it's a steal. Call now, 978-632-1985. 0:03:20.610 --> 0:03:25.329 Let's get that up to $ 2, 000, $ 3, 000, $ 4, 000, $ 5, 000. Bidding 0:03:25.389 --> 0:03:28.250 is going to be open until noon. Paul, I've got 0:03:28.270 --> 0:03:30.649 to ask you, and if I'm getting too personal, please 0:03:30.669 --> 0:03:36.220 tell me. why is supporting disabled veterans so important to 0:03:36.260 --> 0:03:40.760 you and your family? You're obviously a very successful man and, uh, 0:03:41.520 --> 0:03:45.240 your family has been very successful. Why are veterans so 0:03:45.320 --> 0:03:46.700 important to you and your family? 0:03:48.090 --> 0:03:50.930 It's just something that, you know, my parents, you know, 0:03:51.230 --> 0:03:56.010 taught us, you know, my dad was, um, uh, he 0:03:56.070 --> 0:04:00.280 was in Germany at the end of world war two. And, um, 0:04:00.870 --> 0:04:06.250 And so for him, he saw what things were like 0:04:06.390 --> 0:04:10.330 and the commitment that people make. And so he always 0:04:11.510 --> 0:04:13.330 made it very clear to us that we needed to 0:04:13.370 --> 0:04:17.390 support that and say thank you to every veteran. And again, 0:04:17.450 --> 0:04:21.840 we grew up in that era where most people had served. 0:04:22.140 --> 0:04:24.320 Most of the people that you would run into had 0:04:24.420 --> 0:04:29.039 served either in World War II, then into Korea, and 0:04:29.060 --> 0:04:34.210 then Vietnam. And so that thing was always there for us. And, 0:04:34.390 --> 0:04:38.570 you know, gratitude is something that's very important to all 0:04:38.610 --> 0:04:42.710 of us in saying thank you. And the commitment that 0:04:42.770 --> 0:04:45.690 people make and, you know, and then the sacrifices they 0:04:45.730 --> 0:04:49.210 make to make our lives possible. You know, you have 0:04:49.250 --> 0:04:51.050 to acknowledge that every single day. 0:04:52.490 --> 0:04:55.310 You know, Paul, we were all talking here. Bob Lynch 0:04:55.350 --> 0:04:58.750 and Dan Stack are right beside me. And this came 0:04:58.830 --> 0:04:59.210 from them. 0:04:59.230 --> 0:05:05.070 Keep better company. That Bob Lynch guy, you know how 0:05:05.110 --> 0:05:05.830 he can be. 0:05:06.290 --> 0:05:08.330 They're all saying what a big heart you have, and 0:05:08.370 --> 0:05:12.350 you do have a huge heart. Paul, I can't thank 0:05:12.390 --> 0:05:15.560 you enough. I know you're very busy down there in Florida, 0:05:15.600 --> 0:05:20.740 and I appreciate you calling in. Please, this is an incredible, 0:05:20.920 --> 0:05:26.750 incredible opportunity and event. It's a private dinner. with Paul 0:05:26.790 --> 0:05:32.510 Wahlberg and his team at Alma Nove in Hingham. Please 0:05:32.650 --> 0:05:39.860 bid now, bid high, 978-632-1985. Paul, I want to thank 0:05:39.900 --> 0:05:43.920 you once again for all your support to Disabled American Veterans. 0:05:44.630 --> 0:05:46.969 And honestly, you're a great patriot. Please. 0:05:47.510 --> 0:05:50.529 Well, I greatly appreciate that. And you're sitting with two 0:05:50.550 --> 0:05:53.360 of the best people right now. When you're sitting there 0:05:53.380 --> 0:05:57.900 with Dan and Bob, they really make things happen. And 0:05:57.980 --> 0:05:59.740 I'm so proud to be associated with them. 0:05:59.839 --> 0:06:02.880 Take care of yourself. Paul, God bless you. And thank 0:06:02.900 --> 0:06:07.370 you once again. Paul Wahlberg, my friends. He is the chef, 0:06:07.410 --> 0:06:12.229 world-renowned chef, executive chef, co-founder of Alma Nove in Hingham, 0:06:12.790 --> 0:06:17.930 a longtime friend, huge supporter of the DAV Department of Massachusetts. 0:06:18.290 --> 0:06:24.810 He's obviously also the co-founder of Wahlburgers. OK, Sandy, do 0:06:24.830 --> 0:06:27.539 we go to Raymond Pratt now or do you want 0:06:27.560 --> 0:06:33.040 to wait till after the break? We'll go after the break. Okay. 0:06:33.680 --> 0:06:37.160 Another very special guest, Raymond Pratt. We're going to have 0:06:37.240 --> 0:06:42.860 him on right after this break. Please, my friends, it's 0:06:42.920 --> 0:06:53.929 story after story of selflessness, bravery, courage, patriotism, dedication, sacrifice. 0:06:54.950 --> 0:07:00.260 They were there for us. For our freedoms, our liberties, 0:07:00.740 --> 0:07:04.400 defending our great country, let's now be there for them, 0:07:04.900 --> 0:07:15.310 whatever you can give. Call now, 978-632-1985. Every call, every donation, 0:07:15.710 --> 0:07:18.870 you have no idea how much it means. This hour 0:07:18.970 --> 0:07:24.170 of the WRKO DAV Department of Massachusetts Radiothon is brought 0:07:24.210 --> 0:07:28.980 to you by Brighton One. To donate, please call 978-632-1985, 1985, 0:07:28.980 --> 0:07:29.840 or visit dav5k. boston, dav5k. 0:07:29.640 --> 0:07:29.840 Boston. 0:07:29.920 --> 0:07:32.480 Okay, my friends, so the bidding now has, I mean, 0:07:32.840 --> 0:07:50.240 it's getting serious. It's really starting to get serious. The 0:07:50.300 --> 0:07:54.310 bidding for a very special dinner for eight, a private 0:07:54.370 --> 0:08:01.810 dinner with world-renowned chef Paul Wahlberg at his five-star world-class restaurant, 0:08:02.470 --> 0:08:10.250 Alma Nove in Hingham, is now at $ 6, 000. Six thousand. 0:08:10.670 --> 0:08:14.610 It went from fifteen hundred, twenty five hundred, four thousand, 0:08:15.090 --> 0:08:19.270 five thousand. And now I believe the first name is Bill. 0:08:19.330 --> 0:08:23.750 I don't want to give the last name. Bill. Just Bill. Mr. Bill. 0:08:23.770 --> 0:08:26.860 I don't want to say the last name because I 0:08:26.900 --> 0:08:29.940 want to keep people's anonymity. But Mr. Bill now has 0:08:29.960 --> 0:08:34.040 come in at six thousand dollars. Do I hear seven? 0:08:34.880 --> 0:08:45.220 Do I hear seven? If you want to bid right now, 978-632-1985. Oh, okay. Well, 0:08:45.240 --> 0:08:47.260 it was just the first name there, Sandy. I mean, it's, 0:08:47.400 --> 0:08:49.850 you know, not the last name. There's a lot of 0:08:49.880 --> 0:08:54.069 bills in the world. Sandy's, again, I think, worried I'm 0:08:54.090 --> 0:08:56.189 going to get somebody in trouble. You know, it's a 0:08:56.250 --> 0:08:58.329 dinner for eight. I mean, A, you're going to eat 0:08:58.410 --> 0:09:00.690 like you've never eaten before in your life, and it's 0:09:00.730 --> 0:09:03.490 for an incredible cause. You know, I mean, it's a twofer, 0:09:03.570 --> 0:09:07.030 as they say. All right, joining me now, truly my 0:09:07.100 --> 0:09:13.679 distinct honor and pleasure, is Raymond Pratt. He's a staff sergeant, 0:09:13.679 --> 0:09:15.559 18 years in the U.S. 0:09:15.760 --> 0:09:16.020 Army. 0:09:16.600 --> 0:09:22.640 He is an Afghanistan veteran. He's got a lot of 0:09:22.679 --> 0:09:29.010 stories to tell, very emotional stories. Raymond, thank you so 0:09:29.070 --> 0:09:32.470 much for coming on the Kuna Report and on our 0:09:32.590 --> 0:09:36.189 annual Radiothon to benefit the DAV. How are you, sir? 0:09:37.410 --> 0:09:41.640 It's going to hell, yeah. Good. Very good. Raymond, if 0:09:41.720 --> 0:09:45.080 I'm getting too personal, please tell me. I won't be offended. 0:09:45.720 --> 0:09:47.949 I know your transition from the U.S. 0:09:48.070 --> 0:09:48.280 Army. 0:09:48.330 --> 0:09:51.590 You were there for 18 years. Back to civilian life 0:09:51.750 --> 0:09:55.190 was not easy. It was a difficult road. Can you 0:09:55.230 --> 0:09:59.970 just tell us how did the DAV, Department of Massachusetts, 0:10:00.860 --> 0:10:07.099 guide you with that very difficult, hard transition? Wow. 0:10:07.360 --> 0:10:11.380 Well, the second I all processed, the government really just 0:10:11.400 --> 0:10:17.819 moved on. I felt forgotten, abandoned, almost like a sink 0:10:17.880 --> 0:10:22.630 or swim scenario. And the DAV, what they did was 0:10:22.650 --> 0:10:27.860 they helped me with my paperwork and told me about 0:10:28.000 --> 0:10:30.140 a bunch of different programs out there that were there 0:10:30.700 --> 0:10:33.949 to assist me on my transition. I'm still going through. 0:10:34.940 --> 0:10:36.580 I just got out a year and a half ago. 0:10:37.000 --> 0:10:40.280 I'm actually currently in college with the Veteran Readiness and 0:10:40.320 --> 0:10:43.760 Employment instead of using the GI Bill, which I never 0:10:43.840 --> 0:10:47.660 knew existed until the DAV actually told me about it. 0:10:47.980 --> 0:10:49.000 It's a great program. 0:10:50.300 --> 0:10:53.170 They pay me if I'm going and using the Post 9-11, 0:10:53.460 --> 0:10:56.370 and with the Post 9-11, I can still transfer over 0:10:56.400 --> 0:10:57.920 to my family without it being touched. 0:10:59.270 --> 0:10:59.790 Wow. 0:10:59.809 --> 0:11:05.090 Wow. Raymond, so you spent 18 years in the military. 0:11:05.550 --> 0:11:10.210 You were in Afghanistan. I take it you were deployed. 0:11:10.250 --> 0:11:11.530 You did a tour of duty? 0:11:11.550 --> 0:11:14.020 Yes, sir. 0:11:14.240 --> 0:11:19.780 And so when you were done, you said basically the army, 0:11:19.860 --> 0:11:24.699 really the military, doesn't prepare you when you leave the military. 0:11:25.400 --> 0:11:29.710 You've served 18 years. You've been in a very difficult war, 0:11:30.530 --> 0:11:32.170 a lot of battles. I'm sure you saw a lot 0:11:32.210 --> 0:11:36.319 of combat, a lot of horrible things. And then all 0:11:36.360 --> 0:11:40.280 of a sudden, you're out in civilian life. And I'm 0:11:40.320 --> 0:11:42.020 not trying to be critical of the military. I don't 0:11:42.040 --> 0:11:44.460 mean it in a critical way. But basically, good luck, son. 0:11:44.500 --> 0:11:48.900 You're on your own. And there you are. You're not 0:11:48.960 --> 0:11:53.580 prepared for the transition. What was it like? How hard 0:11:53.679 --> 0:11:55.020 was the transition for you? 0:11:57.679 --> 0:12:02.860 Extremely difficult. I mean, realistically, the Army's all about transitioning 0:12:02.880 --> 0:12:06.500 you from being a civilian into being a soldier, you know, 0:12:06.780 --> 0:12:11.260 into that mentality of taking another life. They're not necessarily 0:12:11.320 --> 0:12:13.920 into the transition period of how are we going to 0:12:13.940 --> 0:12:18.220 take and flip a switch to change you from being, 0:12:18.240 --> 0:12:21.339 you know, a soldier to back to a civilian. That's 0:12:21.380 --> 0:12:26.840 not their role. That's not their job. So, Yeah, it's 0:12:26.880 --> 0:12:29.740 been extremely difficult on, you know, what my next mission is. 0:12:30.340 --> 0:12:34.080 I'm mission-focused and used to having a day-to-day schedule. I'm 0:12:34.140 --> 0:12:36.320 used to, you know, going to PT at 5.30 in 0:12:36.340 --> 0:12:42.010 the morning, you know, get charged at 7, 7.30, and 0:12:42.030 --> 0:12:43.830 then go to work at 9. And then, you know, 0:12:43.870 --> 0:12:46.910 you have a 9-to-5 job, and, you know, being a 0:12:46.929 --> 0:12:50.429 staff sergeant, being a platoon sergeant, you take care of 0:12:50.450 --> 0:12:55.849 your people. So sometimes I'd be, you know, there until 7, 8, 0:12:55.850 --> 0:12:56.770 maybe 9 o'clock at night. 0:12:58.230 --> 0:12:58.950 Just dealing with stuff. 0:12:59.170 --> 0:13:03.689 So going from that to having nothing, you know, in 0:13:04.070 --> 0:13:08.340 that family aspect of the Army, being ripped away when 0:13:08.530 --> 0:13:11.220 you transition out, I don't think anyone really can prepare 0:13:11.260 --> 0:13:13.280 you for that. 0:13:16.140 --> 0:13:21.320 What was it like for you, say, you know, you've 0:13:21.440 --> 0:13:26.040 served your country, you've seen the horrors of war, You 0:13:26.080 --> 0:13:29.120 did everything your country asked of you and then some, 0:13:30.040 --> 0:13:34.230 and now you're back in civilian life. Was it difficult 0:13:34.270 --> 0:13:39.350 to find a job? Was it difficult to reorient yourself 0:13:39.390 --> 0:13:42.470 to civilian life? Did you feel that you were isolated, 0:13:42.570 --> 0:13:47.520 disconnected from everybody and people around you? How difficult for 0:13:47.559 --> 0:13:49.320 you was that transition process? 0:13:50.900 --> 0:13:55.670 I would say that the numbness, I suffer from PTSD, 0:13:55.750 --> 0:13:58.930 so the numbness and all that stuff. 0:13:58.630 --> 0:13:59.650 Was already a factor. 0:13:59.809 --> 0:14:03.530 I feel like due to the transition, it multiplied tenfold. 0:14:07.090 --> 0:14:11.330 The transition piece That's why I'm in college with the 0:14:11.350 --> 0:14:15.530 Veteran Reigness and Employment Ability is to basically get myself 0:14:15.570 --> 0:14:20.460 more marketable. I'm studying a legal studies degree, going for 0:14:20.480 --> 0:14:23.100 a bachelor's degree with the goal of becoming a lawyer 0:14:23.440 --> 0:14:28.900 for veteran advocacy. Just because I've realized that without this 0:14:28.960 --> 0:14:34.160 great organization, realistically, veterans were forgotten. 0:14:34.180 --> 0:14:35.680 So.... 0:14:37.040 --> 0:14:40.490 I want to give back to this amazing organization. The 0:14:40.530 --> 0:14:43.130 only way I know how, which is to be more involved. 0:14:44.930 --> 0:14:49.280 Raymond, I can't thank you enough. I really can't. I 0:14:49.330 --> 0:14:52.330 know the DAV was crucial for you to getting back 0:14:52.910 --> 0:14:57.510 on the road to recovery, taking care of your PTSD, 0:14:57.610 --> 0:15:03.550 confronting it, getting an education and getting the second chapter 0:15:03.590 --> 0:15:05.750 of your life. And I want to thank you for 0:15:05.790 --> 0:15:09.880 your service, Raymond. You truly are. You're a great American hero. 0:15:10.540 --> 0:15:15.260 And Raymond, Just very quickly, I've got Dan Stack, Bob 0:15:15.280 --> 0:15:17.479 Lynch here. I know they want to say a few 0:15:17.520 --> 0:15:21.200 words to you, but from the Coonerman, from the bottom 0:15:21.250 --> 0:15:23.430 of my heart, thank you for your service. 0:15:24.130 --> 0:15:26.530 Ray, I'd also like to acknowledge the fact that you 0:15:26.550 --> 0:15:29.230 put 18 years in service and that you're still giving 0:15:29.290 --> 0:15:33.750 service back to your, basically, the veteran community. Thank you 0:15:33.790 --> 0:15:35.620 very much for all you've done today and for what 0:15:35.640 --> 0:15:36.820 you'll be doing in the future. 0:15:37.060 --> 0:15:37.560 God bless you. 0:15:38.520 --> 0:15:38.740 Thank you. 0:15:42.440 --> 0:15:45.120 Raymond, God bless you, and if you need anything, you 0:15:45.160 --> 0:15:46.540 give me a call. Okay, Raymond? 0:15:47.640 --> 0:15:48.520 Yes, sir. Thank you so much. 0:15:48.660 --> 0:15:51.450 Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Okay, if you 0:15:51.490 --> 0:15:53.330 want to donate, 978-632-1985, 978-632-1985, or if you prefer, you 0:15:53.370 --> 0:15:55.250 can go to dav5k. boston, dav5k. boston. You know, again, here, 18 years. 0:16:12.780 --> 0:16:18.400 the prime of his youth, serving our country, suffers from 0:16:18.480 --> 0:16:24.990 serious PTSD, how many deployments in Afghanistan, fought the Taliban, 0:16:25.230 --> 0:16:30.870 fought al-Qaeda for our rights, our freedoms, our security, our safety, 0:16:31.670 --> 0:16:34.150 and then the poor man comes back and he's basically 0:16:34.230 --> 0:16:40.040 on his own. And he's battling mental health issues. He 0:16:40.090 --> 0:16:42.570 doesn't know where to find work. He doesn't know where 0:16:42.590 --> 0:16:44.970 to get an income. He doesn't know where to get housing. 0:16:45.850 --> 0:16:48.870 He doesn't know how to transition back into civilian life 0:16:49.310 --> 0:16:53.170 because essentially he's been abandoned by the military and by 0:16:53.210 --> 0:16:57.900 the government. And along comes the DAV. And they help 0:16:57.940 --> 0:17:00.940 him every single step of the way to get him 0:17:00.960 --> 0:17:04.159 his benefits, which he's earned and he deserves, to get 0:17:04.200 --> 0:17:08.010 him an education. to get him reoriented, to get him 0:17:08.070 --> 0:17:12.590 again integrated back into civilian life, to end the isolation, 0:17:13.390 --> 0:17:17.040 and to put this man back on the road to recovery. 0:17:17.820 --> 0:17:20.500 So I want you to know that everything you give 0:17:20.560 --> 0:17:26.859 to the DAV, you are helping disabled American veterans, many 0:17:26.920 --> 0:17:31.720 of them at their critical hour of need. Please, no 0:17:31.770 --> 0:17:36.330 donation is too small. Whatever you give, It's the thought 0:17:36.560 --> 0:17:51.510 that counts. Call now, 978-632-1985. or go to dav5k. boston, dav5k. boston. Okay, 0:17:51.530 --> 0:17:57.330 my friends, the annual Radiothon to benefit disabled American veterans. 0:17:58.590 --> 0:18:04.200 This hour has been sponsored by Brighton One. We want 0:18:04.220 --> 0:18:09.359 to thank Brighton One again for their wonderful generosity in 0:18:09.420 --> 0:18:16.980 sponsoring this hour of the WRKO DAV Department of Massachusetts. Radiothon, okay, 0:18:17.070 --> 0:18:21.889 for the Paul Wahlberg Dinner for Eight bidding, it is 0:18:21.990 --> 0:18:23.850 now up, I kid you not, $ 8, 000. $ 8, 000 for the 0:18:24.390 --> 0:18:35.530 meal of a lifetime. It'll be at Paul Wahlberg's Alma 0:18:35.609 --> 0:18:40.410 Nove restaurant. It's one of the finest restaurants in the city, frankly, 0:18:40.430 --> 0:18:43.320 in the country. I'm being brutally honest with you. You're 0:18:43.340 --> 0:18:45.419 going to have a meal you'll never forget, some of 0:18:45.440 --> 0:18:49.800 the best wine. It's a full, full course meal. Paul 0:18:49.840 --> 0:18:52.930 and his chefs will take care of you. Dinner for eight. 0:18:53.650 --> 0:18:55.630 And not only are you going to have a dining 0:18:55.710 --> 0:18:58.530 experience of your life, but you're also going to be 0:18:58.570 --> 0:19:01.169 doing it for a very, very good cause. So we 0:19:01.230 --> 0:19:04.840 are now at $ 8, 000. Come on, Kunar Country. We can 0:19:04.880 --> 0:19:07.120 get it up to $ 9, 000. Let's get it up to $ 9, 000. 0:19:06.960 --> 0:19:17.869 Donate now, 978-632-1985. Call if you want to donate. 978-632-1985, 0:19:17.890 --> 0:19:25.000 or you can go right to dav5k. boston. Okay, joining me now, 0:19:25.859 --> 0:19:29.280 and I've really now gotten to know him over the years, 0:19:30.140 --> 0:19:33.500 a very special man. He's in studio. He is the 0:19:33.660 --> 0:19:39.870 current adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts. 0:19:40.350 --> 0:19:45.229 He is an Iraq War veteran. He is a great patriot. 0:19:45.869 --> 0:19:49.980 Mike Valila. Mike, how are you? 0:19:51.170 --> 0:19:53.710 I'm doing great this morning, Jeff. Thank you for having me. 0:19:54.950 --> 0:19:55.230 Mike. 0:19:56.260 --> 0:20:00.780 What happened? You are a vet yourself. You came back. 0:20:01.400 --> 0:20:04.460 You needed help. The DAV was there for you and 0:20:04.500 --> 0:20:09.350 your family. Tell us about your experience first in Iraq, 0:20:10.180 --> 0:20:13.010 and then what happened right after you came back from 0:20:13.030 --> 0:20:13.350 the war. 0:20:15.250 --> 0:20:15.510 Sure. 0:20:15.570 --> 0:20:18.850 So I served in Iraq and Kuwait, and like so 0:20:18.869 --> 0:20:22.410 many veterans, I looked forward to coming home to my family. 0:20:22.490 --> 0:20:25.659 But Coming home from combat doesn't always mean that the 0:20:25.720 --> 0:20:31.669 battle's over. I came home carrying PTSD, injuries, and pain 0:20:31.690 --> 0:20:34.350 that I didn't know how to manage. At the same time, 0:20:34.390 --> 0:20:37.250 I was trying to be present for my family, find 0:20:37.290 --> 0:20:42.950 stable housing and employment, get medical care, navigate my veterans' benefits. 0:20:43.950 --> 0:20:48.420 To be blunt, it was overwhelming. I battled addiction, just 0:20:48.460 --> 0:20:51.000 trying to mask the feelings and pain to make it 0:20:51.040 --> 0:20:53.379 through the day. and get some rest at night, but 0:20:53.440 --> 0:20:58.290 eventually it all imploded. I found myself at the bottom, um, 0:20:58.810 --> 0:21:01.250 fighting to find a way back along the way. Um, 0:21:02.410 --> 0:21:06.770 I experienced suicidal thoughts, um, and made attempts to end 0:21:06.810 --> 0:21:10.379 my life. I couldn't cope with what I was carrying and, uh, 0:21:10.580 --> 0:21:14.540 and I felt completely alone in the battle. Um, and 0:21:14.560 --> 0:21:17.240 that's the difficult part of my story to share. Um, 0:21:17.420 --> 0:21:21.160 but I share it because another veteran listening. might recognize 0:21:21.220 --> 0:21:25.980 something of it in themselves. Then DAV came into my life. 0:21:26.780 --> 0:21:29.379 I began to realize that I wasn't the only one 0:21:29.440 --> 0:21:30.640 struggling with. 0:21:31.790 --> 0:21:32.330 These things. 0:21:32.910 --> 0:21:37.490 There were other veterans who understood. There were people who 0:21:37.530 --> 0:21:40.970 could help me find a path forward. And I discovered 0:21:41.010 --> 0:21:45.470 something else. My lived experiences could help another veteran. They 0:21:45.490 --> 0:21:49.280 could listen without judgment. I could understand why making a 0:21:49.320 --> 0:21:53.199 phone call or asking for help might feel impossible, and 0:21:53.280 --> 0:21:57.000 I could help another veteran take that next step. And 0:21:57.020 --> 0:22:00.459 that's why DAV Massachusetts means so much to me. Behind 0:22:00.520 --> 0:22:03.820 every request for housing, every ride to a medical appointment, 0:22:05.320 --> 0:22:08.200 and every benefits claim is a person and often a 0:22:08.260 --> 0:22:12.369 family trying to move forward. So when you support DAV Massachusetts, 0:22:13.050 --> 0:22:15.149 you really help us to reach veterans who may be 0:22:15.230 --> 0:22:19.660 fighting battles that nobody around them can see. You help 0:22:19.700 --> 0:22:24.100 them connect with someone who cares, with stability, someone willing 0:22:24.140 --> 0:22:27.420 to stand beside them. And if you're a veteran listening 0:22:27.640 --> 0:22:31.419 who recognizes yourself in my story, you don't have to 0:22:31.460 --> 0:22:35.080 wait until everything falls apart to reach out. You don't 0:22:35.140 --> 0:22:39.220 need the perfect words. Just start with, I need help. 0:22:40.880 --> 0:22:43.450 Like I said, Jeff, I once felt alone in that battle. 0:22:44.390 --> 0:22:48.119 Today I know that I have people beside me And 0:22:48.180 --> 0:22:50.540 I want veterans to know that they can have that too. 0:22:54.310 --> 0:22:59.209 Mike, just for the audience, for people listening, because you 0:22:59.250 --> 0:23:03.189 can't see Mike, obviously. You can just hear Mike. We 0:23:03.210 --> 0:23:05.910 were kind of joking off air because he looks more 0:23:05.970 --> 0:23:08.790 Italian than Irish, but he's actually much more Irish than Italian. 0:23:09.530 --> 0:23:15.580 But he's very strong. He's stocky. He's broad-shouldered. Really, he's 0:23:15.600 --> 0:23:19.110 built like a tank. I mean, he really is. You know, 0:23:19.310 --> 0:23:21.290 when you think of a warrior, you really think of 0:23:21.330 --> 0:23:24.570 a guy like Mike. And so to see a guy 0:23:24.910 --> 0:23:29.900 with his strength, his size, and then come back with 0:23:29.920 --> 0:23:36.340 this heartbreaking story that he suffered PTSD in Iraq, he 0:23:36.400 --> 0:23:41.330 fell into addiction, it got so bad he was thinking 0:23:41.369 --> 0:23:46.490 of actually killing himself, seriously killing himself. And it was 0:23:46.550 --> 0:23:53.330 disabled American veterans and that call that essentially helped save 0:23:53.369 --> 0:23:59.280 his life and put him back. And first of all, 0:23:59.320 --> 0:24:01.820 I just want to say, if there are any veterans 0:24:02.180 --> 0:24:07.060 out there, if you're like the way Mike was, if 0:24:07.119 --> 0:24:13.140 his story resonates with you, please call disabled American veterans. 0:24:14.500 --> 0:24:18.679 You don't have to kill yourself. You don't have to 0:24:18.740 --> 0:24:23.680 commit suicide. You don't have to stand there and drown 0:24:23.840 --> 0:24:27.930 and wallow in drug addiction or alcoholism thinking you're all 0:24:27.990 --> 0:24:31.350 alone and you've been betrayed and abandoned because you haven't. 0:24:32.570 --> 0:24:35.670 There is a huge network of support for you. All 0:24:35.690 --> 0:24:38.710 you have to do is make that call. Just call 0:24:38.750 --> 0:24:43.120 them and they will take care of you. Please, there 0:24:43.170 --> 0:24:47.600 are so many options. And, you know, and I met Mike, 0:24:47.640 --> 0:24:50.619 this was a couple of weeks ago, his wonderful wife. 0:24:50.660 --> 0:24:53.660 You got to see his wife. He's got a beautiful family. 0:24:53.680 --> 0:24:58.139 He lives in a nice home. You know, he's the 0:24:58.240 --> 0:25:01.619 adjutant now at the DAV, increasingly the voice, the face 0:25:01.680 --> 0:25:05.659 of the DAV. I mean, honestly, you would never guess, 0:25:06.160 --> 0:25:09.430 you would never possibly guess that that what he happened, 0:25:09.530 --> 0:25:14.890 happened to him. So please, and this is why I'm 0:25:14.910 --> 0:25:21.430 urging everyone out there to donate. Your call, your donation 0:25:21.990 --> 0:25:28.790 can save a veteran's life, literally. Because for everyone like Mike, 0:25:30.130 --> 0:25:34.820 who don't pull the trigger, who don't commit suicide, there 0:25:34.880 --> 0:25:38.220 are 10 others who do. And that's just a fact. 0:25:40.080 --> 0:25:43.100 That's the reality of many of these vets who come 0:25:43.160 --> 0:25:47.280 back after these wars. And that's why I'm so proud 0:25:47.440 --> 0:25:50.410 to partner with the DAV and why what they do 0:25:50.470 --> 0:26:02.460 is so seminal and so important. So please call 978-632-1985. 978-632-1985. 0:26:04.200 --> 0:26:11.480 Make a donation today. Or if you prefer, go to DAV5K. Boston. DAV, 0:26:11.520 --> 0:26:17.300 the number 5K. Boston. I want to go to Deborah Olson, 0:26:17.320 --> 0:26:23.260 but just before I go, Mike, I'm so happy you're back. 0:26:24.100 --> 0:26:27.380 I'm so happy you're healed. I'm so happy you didn't 0:26:27.400 --> 0:26:32.280 make that fateful decision. you're a true warrior in every 0:26:32.340 --> 0:26:38.629 sense of the word, spiritually, morally, physically, uh, you're truly 0:26:38.670 --> 0:26:41.090 a great man. And I want to thank you for 0:26:41.130 --> 0:26:43.510 your service. And I want to thank you for your 0:26:43.570 --> 0:26:47.510 courage and especially for telling us this story, because I 0:26:47.570 --> 0:26:48.350 know it wasn't easy. 0:26:50.320 --> 0:26:52.580 Thank you, Jeff. And, uh, and again, thank you for 0:26:52.600 --> 0:26:55.500 the opportunity here and for any of the callers who 0:26:55.540 --> 0:26:59.260 are calling in to donate. Um, Just to echo exactly 0:26:59.280 --> 0:27:02.199 what you said, every dollar counts. 0:27:02.740 --> 0:27:03.500 It allows us. 0:27:03.460 --> 0:27:06.820 To do what we do here at DAV, whether it's 0:27:06.859 --> 0:27:09.959 giving a ride, helping a veteran with a claim, or 0:27:10.000 --> 0:27:13.580 just listening. And we don't just take care of the veteran. 0:27:13.600 --> 0:27:16.500 We take care of the entire family unit. And that's 0:27:16.540 --> 0:27:17.040 what counts. 0:27:18.300 --> 0:27:22.500 Mike, thank you again. And God bless you. Mike, I'm 0:27:22.540 --> 0:27:25.680 not saying it just to say it. You need anything, 0:27:25.700 --> 0:27:28.320 you give me a call, okay? Absolutely, Jeff. 0:27:28.340 --> 0:27:28.699 Thank you. 0:27:28.840 --> 0:27:31.419 God bless you, Mike. And again, thank you for your service. 0:27:33.560 --> 0:27:35.300 I told you it's the most difficult show of the 0:27:35.340 --> 0:27:38.360 year for me. It's the proudest show. It's the most 0:27:38.440 --> 0:27:42.360 important show. I look forward to this show because, you know, 0:27:42.460 --> 0:27:44.480 throughout the whole show, Dan is just showing me how 0:27:44.500 --> 0:27:47.100 much money we're raising. And I know how much good 0:27:47.140 --> 0:27:50.240 we're doing. But by the end of this show, I 0:27:50.270 --> 0:27:51.570 have tears in my eyes. I'm not going to lie 0:27:51.590 --> 0:27:58.850