1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:07,640 Speaker 1: Good morning Cooner Country. Okay, my friends, this is the 2 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 1: most special show of the year. It's in some ways 3 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: I say this every year. I'm like a broken record, 4 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:18,000 Speaker 1: but it's true. In some ways, it's the easiest show 5 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:21,880 Speaker 1: in the sense of there's no massive show prep. We're 6 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:26,240 Speaker 1: not dealing with breaking news, you know, nothing of that sort, 7 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: where we got to, you know, get together fifteen twenty 8 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: clips to play on the air. But in many ways 9 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 1: for me, it's the most difficult show of the year 10 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: because it's the most emotionally draining, exhausting show of the year. 11 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:43,839 Speaker 1: And that, of course is our annual radiothon here at 12 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: the Great WRKO to support disabled American veterans. Dav O're wonderful. 13 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 1: Vets are wonderful. Disabled vets are great patriots and heroes. 14 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 1: And it's something now that we have been doing here 15 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 1: at WRKO, really spearheaded by the Kooner Report. This is 16 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:07,400 Speaker 1: something very dear to me, very dear to everyone who 17 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 1: works on this show. We want to show a little 18 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:17,319 Speaker 1: something of our appreciation and frankly love and gratitude for 19 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:22,680 Speaker 1: the immense sacrifices that our veterans have made for our country, 20 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:29,959 Speaker 1: for our freedoms, really for freedom around the world. And 21 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: so we raise money to help the DAV who help 22 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 1: obviously disabled American veterans, and we do it proudly and 23 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: happily every single year. And joining me now is my 24 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: distinct honor and pleasure to introduce Dan Stack. You know him, 25 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 1: you love him. He's been with us now for years 26 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: and years and years. Really he is the heart and 27 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: soul of the DAV. Dan, before I get to you, 28 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 1: he's the chief executive officer for the DAV Department of Massachusetts. 29 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: He has worked for the DAV for over fifty years. 30 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: Dan is a Vietnam veteran. He served in the Air Force. 31 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:21,079 Speaker 1: He's a proud veteran. And this Hour of the DAV 32 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: is brought to you by Wilson Farm in Lexington, So 33 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:28,520 Speaker 1: they are sponsoring this hour and I want to give 34 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: a big thank you, big shout out to Wilson Farm 35 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 1: in Lexington. Dan, welcome, It is great to see you again. 36 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 1: You always look great every time I see you, and 37 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 1: I got to ask you how are you? And for 38 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 1: everybody listening in this radiothon who want to give to 39 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: the disabled American veterans, why should they give to the 40 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 1: vets and specifically the DAV. 41 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:57,960 Speaker 2: Well, thank you very much, thank you for the nice 42 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 2: compliment of how I look this more after spilling coffee 43 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 2: all over myself driving in it's not that good, but 44 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 2: thank god this is. 45 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 1: The radio and we don't have to worry about how 46 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: I look. 47 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 2: Why should you give to the DAV because the DAV 48 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 2: has been here for one hundred and twenty years. The DAV, 49 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 2: I mean over one hundred years. Excuse me. That alone 50 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 2: tells veterans and veterans families that we're here to stay, 51 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 2: that our mission is a mission of giving back to veterans, 52 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 2: of taking care of them, whether it be taking care 53 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 2: of their claims. Before the Veterans Administrations, our National Service 54 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 2: officers are like paralegally trained workman compensation attorneys. They dig 55 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 2: into the medical evidence, they present the case to the 56 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 2: VA so the veteran can get the maximum compensation that 57 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 2: he is deserving of. I know there are many of 58 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 2: you out there that says, well, why would we do that. 59 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 2: We have the Veterans Administration because, like anything else, you 60 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,640 Speaker 2: have insurance, but that doesn't mean your insurance company is 61 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 2: going to take care of you. You need an advocate 62 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 2: and that advocate is the DAV. They fight very hard 63 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 2: with the Veterans Administration to make sure you get the 64 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 2: compensation you deserve. We have our transportation program where veterans 65 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 2: that are in need of getting to and from the 66 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:22,479 Speaker 2: VA for their medical appointments, we try to transport them 67 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 2: with volunteer drivers to and from their home to make 68 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 2: sure that they get the wellness care that the VA. 69 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,160 Speaker 1: That's incredible. That's incredible. 70 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 2: Then, and as you know, in the last five years, 71 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: we started a housing program. Most of the housing is 72 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 2: in Gardener and Leminster, mass We're very proud of that 73 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 2: and what we do with those helping veterans and families 74 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 2: that basically would not have a home to provide them 75 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 2: with one and then get them on the right road 76 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 2: and track to independent living so they can purchase their 77 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,479 Speaker 2: own home. And as we were very proud of the 78 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 2: fact that we have had five veterans move out of 79 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:02,599 Speaker 2: our facility purchasing their own homes. So you know, that 80 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 2: really makes a difference when you're able to take somebody 81 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:07,919 Speaker 2: that has been literally almost on the street or on 82 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 2: the street and then provide them with the tools that 83 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 2: they need to gain independent living for their family so 84 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 2: that they can own their own home and get back 85 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 2: into society, back into the society they fought to serve for, 86 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 2: back into the society that owes to them. But they're 87 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:25,839 Speaker 2: not asking for anything. They're really just trying to be 88 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:29,720 Speaker 2: a member of society and be productive. So that's what 89 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,919 Speaker 2: we do, and yes, we do need the support of 90 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 2: the public. Fortunately, the public has supported the DAV for 91 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:41,599 Speaker 2: over that hundred years. That's we don't get any federal funding. 92 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 2: The DAV gets no federal. 93 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: Not a sentence, not a federal sense. 94 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 2: It has been the American public that has supported the DAV. 95 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 2: It has been the American public that has allowed us 96 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: to be able to provide the services that we provide 97 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 2: because of the American public in their generosity. Because the 98 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:07,480 Speaker 2: American public left right down the center, doesn't matter. They 99 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 2: care about veterans and they want to make sure veterans 100 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:10,479 Speaker 2: are taken care of. 101 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 1: God bless you and really all of you in Kooner Country. 102 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: I know every year many of you give so generously. 103 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:22,159 Speaker 1: I thank you every year. I thank you now, please 104 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 1: if you can. I know times are tough. I know 105 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:27,919 Speaker 1: you know inflation, cost of living is still high, but 106 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:32,600 Speaker 1: anything would be immensely appreciated. Please, if you want to give, 107 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 1: give This is an incredible organization. They do incredible work 108 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:41,160 Speaker 1: for disabled veterans. You have no idea how many veterans 109 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 1: they help, so please call now if you want to 110 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: donate nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five. 111 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:55,239 Speaker 1: That's nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five. 112 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: Or if you want to donate online, go to DAV 113 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: five the number five K, the letter k so DAV 114 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: five K dot Boston, DAV five k dot Boston, Dan. 115 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 1: I know there's a big five k run tomorrow. It's 116 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: an annual tradition now in Boston. I think we're looking 117 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:25,640 Speaker 1: at what fifteen thousand runners. For the audience listening out there, 118 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 1: Why why the five K run, and why has it 119 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 1: become something so big, so grand and so special. 120 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 2: We're very, very fortunate that over the past ten years 121 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 2: we have had the support of Channel four WBZ and 122 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 2: Lisa Hughes. She was at the very very first run 123 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 2: and has helped us progress all these ten years. One 124 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 2: of the reasons that this run is so great is 125 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 2: the fact that most of the veterans or the veterans 126 00:07:56,720 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 2: families that come in we're bibbs, and on those bibs 127 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 2: they state why they're running. I'm running for my dad, 128 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 2: I'm running for my brother or my sister. Wants somebody 129 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 2: that has served, either in memory or in honor of them. 130 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 2: And I think when I see those bibs coming across 131 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 2: that finish line, it just breaks my heart because I 132 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 2: know that is a veteran that someone has served with, 133 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 2: someone who may have lost their life, and that they 134 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 2: are not forgotten by the families and the friends that 135 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 2: they had. Those continue on and I think that's the 136 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 2: biggest thing that the DAB five K does is it 137 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 2: brings awareness to everyone around through all of the ads 138 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 2: that we put on the air, through all the billboards, 139 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 2: and more importantly through the social media that the people 140 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 2: that care about the veterans that serve show up. This 141 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 2: year alone, we have over four hundred and thirty five 142 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:59,559 Speaker 2: veterans coming to the affair and that's fantastic veterans supporting 143 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:02,560 Speaker 2: veterans once again, and that's the biggest part of our community. 144 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 3: Dan. 145 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:06,679 Speaker 1: If people want to show up show their support tomorrow, 146 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 1: where exactly is the five k run being held and 147 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:11,319 Speaker 1: at what time. 148 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 2: It's going to be at ten am is when they 149 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 2: actually we have a shotgun start. Unfortunately, due to the 150 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:21,679 Speaker 2: government shutdown, we normally have the howitzer. 151 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 1: That shot starts us off. 152 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 2: But we're very fortunate this year, just like in seventeen 153 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 2: seventy six, the conqramit amen are coming so we can 154 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 2: start our run. So it's going to be at Fort 155 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:42,200 Speaker 2: Independence and South Boston Castle Island, and we're very grateful 156 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 2: to the DCR, the Department of Conservation and Recreation for 157 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 2: allowing us to have our run there. They do a 158 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 2: fantastic job helping us set up and get everything going there, 159 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 2: so it's great. 160 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 1: If you want to give, please And I can't tell 161 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 1: you how many times vets, disabled veterans have told me 162 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 1: it's not the that counts, it's the thought, just the 163 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 1: fact that the phone rings, that there's even a two 164 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 1: dollars five dollars ten dollars contribution, that they have not 165 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:14,320 Speaker 1: been forgotten. So Cooner country, they were there for us, 166 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: Let's be there for them. Call now nine seven, eight 167 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 1: six three to nineteen eighty five or visit DAV five 168 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 1: sorry DAV five k dot Boston DAV the number five, 169 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 1: the letter k DAV five k dot Boston. Standing to 170 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 1: my or sitting to my right is a super special 171 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:45,960 Speaker 1: guest and it's my son, Ashton Lewis Coooner. It is 172 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 1: the first time he is with me in studio while 173 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: I'm doing this incredible radiothon. He wanted to show his 174 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:57,720 Speaker 1: support for the veterans, for the DAV and he insisted 175 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:00,120 Speaker 1: on coming in today. Woke up in the middle of 176 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:03,319 Speaker 1: the night, Ashton. Can you just say a quick hi? 177 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:08,839 Speaker 1: Just say hi, Jeff Cooner Boston's Bulldozer again. One of 178 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 1: our most special shows of the year. I've got Dan Stack, 179 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 1: he is the chief executive Officer for d the dav 180 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:20,840 Speaker 1: Department of Massachusetts on my left, and of course a 181 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:25,920 Speaker 1: very special day for me. I've got my wonderful son Ashton. 182 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: First time he is now in studio with me live. 183 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: He insisted on coming in. He got up in the 184 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:37,680 Speaker 1: middle of the night. Happily I may add to come 185 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: in here, be in studio and show his support not 186 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: just for the show today, but for our vets and 187 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 1: our disabled American vets. Okay, if you want to donate, 188 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: and please, whatever you can give is tremendously appreciated. Nine seven, 189 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:59,079 Speaker 1: eight six three two nineteen eighty five. Is the number 190 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 1: eight six three to two nineteen eighty five, or if 191 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 1: you prefer, you can give online go to DAV five 192 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 1: k dot Boston. DAV the number five K as in 193 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 1: the letter k dot Boston before I go to Dan. Ashton, 194 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Kooner Report. How are you, my son. 195 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 4: I'm doing good today. I'm glad to be here today. 196 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 4: God bless America, God bless the vets, God bless the 197 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 4: dav for being great for the veterans. 198 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: Well, that's very kind of you, Ashton, and I just 199 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,080 Speaker 1: want to ask you something. You know you should be 200 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,439 Speaker 1: in school today, but that's okay, you said no, Dad, 201 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 1: I want to come in today. I want to show 202 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:53,560 Speaker 1: my support. Why do you care so much for our 203 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:56,360 Speaker 1: veterans and why do you care so much for our 204 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:58,599 Speaker 1: disabled veterans and the dav. 205 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 4: Well sable veterans are They fought for our country. They suffered, 206 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 4: some of them sadly passed away. But let's well, the 207 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 4: people that serve I believe they should be blessed. They 208 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:22,200 Speaker 4: deserve better than to suffer for their for fighting for 209 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 4: our country. They served, and they fought against others and 210 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:31,679 Speaker 4: served to help the country. 211 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 1: And now in their time of need, right, we should 212 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 1: be supporting them, correct, Ashton. 213 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:40,840 Speaker 4: Yes, they supported us us when we were in war, 214 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:44,600 Speaker 4: they went to other places around the world. In my 215 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 4: personal opinion, they should be helped and supported and you 216 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 4: should donate to the dav and you should listen to 217 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 4: my father. 218 00:13:56,559 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 1: On iHeartRadio, Well said Ashton. Well said, okay, so yeah, 219 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 1: they were He's completely right. These veterans were there for us. 220 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: Let us now be there for them and let them 221 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:15,360 Speaker 1: know they have not been forgotten. So again, whatever you 222 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 1: want to donate is tremendously appreciated nine seven eight six 223 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: three two nineteen eighty five. You can also go online 224 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 1: donate there as well dav five k dot Boston And again, 225 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 1: this hour of the WRKO dav Radiothon is brought to 226 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 1: you by the by Wilson Farm in Lexington. Dan, we've 227 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 1: got a caller on the line before I go to him, 228 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: is there anything else you'd like to say? 229 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 2: Thank you very much Ashton for your kind words about 230 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 2: what veterans go through. And definitely I want to thank 231 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 2: Wilson Farms. I've shopped there, so I really appreciate your 232 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 2: support for this particular hour and I would also like 233 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 2: to thank all of the volunteers that have I've gotten 234 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 2: up very early this morning. There are right now waiting 235 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 2: to take your call. Some of them are Kayla, Rachelle, Ali, 236 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 2: Deb Chris, j Phil, Donna. They're there waiting for your call. 237 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 2: They're part of my staff. They work very very hard 238 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 2: on behalf of veterans, and I'm very grateful to have 239 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 2: them there this morning. And I hope you'll make a 240 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 2: call and make a donation. 241 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:28,320 Speaker 1: Nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five, or 242 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: again if you want to go online dav five K 243 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: dot Boston. Okay, let's go to John in Marshfield. John, 244 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 1: you've been holding patiently. Thank you and welcome. 245 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 3: Thank you very much. Jeff, I just wanted to share 246 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 3: a couple of things with you this morning. 247 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: And. 248 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:54,520 Speaker 3: One is I am a veteran, but I really don't 249 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 3: consider myself a veteran because I didn't fight. I mean, 250 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 3: I believe the people that actually we went over there 251 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 3: and thought of the real heroes. And I'm not a 252 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 3: disabled veteran. I'm a veteran that's disabled. I finally, uh, well, 253 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 3: I guess you know, retired about ten eleven years ago. 254 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 3: Forcibly and finally, life for me is beautiful. And of course, 255 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 3: you know, thanks to Trump getting in office, of course, 256 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 3: and I wanted to thank you for everything that you do. 257 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,480 Speaker 3: I mean, I love you in a non sexual way. 258 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 3: Of course. I've been listening to you for about fifteen 259 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 3: years and I can't believe I finally heard Ashton's voice 260 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 3: and he sounds like a grownup. Wow. 261 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: He's fifteen years old now, yeah, I just turned fifteen 262 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:51,360 Speaker 1: a couple of months ago. 263 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 3: He was born. Wow, that's just wow. I've called in 264 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 3: once or twice, but I just that's enough. 265 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:01,560 Speaker 5: I just wanted to art the day off on a 266 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:05,240 Speaker 5: good note. And now that I can finally affoid to 267 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 5: give back to all my brothers and sisters, I would 268 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:11,680 Speaker 5: like to start the day with a thousand dollars donation. 269 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 1: Wow, John, thank you, thank you, Thank you. John. That 270 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:23,240 Speaker 1: is a very very generous donation. And I want to 271 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:26,640 Speaker 1: thank you for your service and John, you are very eloquent, 272 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 1: very powerful. I have to say I slightly disagree with you. 273 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:34,160 Speaker 1: To me, a vet is a vet is a vet, 274 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: and all vets are heroes, whether they served in war 275 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 1: or not. And honestly, John, I'll tell you why because 276 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 1: when you signed up, you didn't know whether you were 277 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:46,160 Speaker 1: going to go to a war or not, whether you'd 278 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:49,439 Speaker 1: go to a battlefield or not. But you volunteered. You 279 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:54,120 Speaker 1: signed up knowing that risk. To me, that alone makes 280 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: you a hero. Jeff Coooner, Boston's Bulldozer, our annual radiothon 281 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 1: here on double you areko to benefit disabled American veterans. 282 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:06,000 Speaker 1: If you want to donate, we're off to a very 283 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:10,200 Speaker 1: good start. The lines apparently are blazing. Please let's keep 284 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:14,160 Speaker 1: it up. Nine seven eight six three two, nineteen eighty five. 285 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:16,800 Speaker 1: If you want to give, you can also go to 286 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: DAV fivek dot Boston, DAV fivek dot Boston, and please, 287 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 1: I want to stress to everybody in Kooner Country it's 288 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 1: not the amount that you give, it's the fact that 289 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 1: you give. That's what the vets really value, that they 290 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 1: are not forgotten, that they are remembered. So no amount 291 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: is too small. Obviously we'd love, you know, fifty one hundred, 292 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:47,680 Speaker 1: two hundred and fifty five hundred, even one thousand dollars donation. 293 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:51,919 Speaker 1: Don't get me wrong. You know money pays for the 294 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:57,280 Speaker 1: transportation for these veterans, helping these veterans, getting them access 295 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:02,600 Speaker 1: to healthcare, medical care, food, everything benefits that they've earned 296 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:08,040 Speaker 1: and are deserving and entitled to. But any amount, no 297 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 1: amount is too small. At nine seven eight six three 298 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 1: two nineteen eighty five, we've got Phil Nadu on the line. 299 00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:21,480 Speaker 1: But before we go to Phil, Dan he's the chief 300 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 1: He is the chief executive officer, the CEO for the 301 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: dav Department of Massachusetts. Dan, I know you wanted to 302 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,480 Speaker 1: say something in response to the last caller we had 303 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:36,760 Speaker 1: who said, Hey, I'm a veteran, but I never really served, 304 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:38,640 Speaker 1: so I don't really feel like a true veteran. 305 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:41,359 Speaker 2: And John, I just want to thank you, first and 306 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 2: foremost for your thousand dollars donation. That was above and 307 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:48,560 Speaker 2: beyond and we really appreciate it. But more importantly, I 308 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:51,679 Speaker 2: want you to know that all combat veterans that I 309 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:54,440 Speaker 2: have ever served with have let me know that every 310 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 2: veteran that serves helped them. You got to keep in 311 00:19:58,119 --> 00:20:01,359 Speaker 2: mind that it is not just the veteran that is 312 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 2: out there fighting. It takes everybody behind him to make 313 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 2: sure that he has everything he needs so that he 314 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 2: is able to bring the fight to the enemy. With 315 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:14,439 Speaker 2: that being whether you're sitting in an office or basically 316 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:17,640 Speaker 2: if you're out there prepping an airplane or you're prepping 317 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:20,560 Speaker 2: food supplies that has to go to the front lines. 318 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:26,400 Speaker 2: Everybody that serves contributes to whatever we do in the service. 319 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:29,400 Speaker 2: And everyone is a veteran. And I don't care whether 320 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:32,640 Speaker 2: you're a combat veteran or not. Every combat veteran will 321 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:35,640 Speaker 2: tell you that your service meant a great deal to them. 322 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:38,360 Speaker 2: So again, John, thank you very much, and I am 323 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 2: very proud to say that you are a veteran and 324 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:42,439 Speaker 2: a great veteran in my opinion. 325 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:49,679 Speaker 1: Amen. Very well said, really well said Dan. Okay, just again, 326 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 1: This hour of the dav Radiothon to benefit that disabled 327 00:20:56,600 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 1: American veterans here on WRKO is brought to you you 328 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 1: by Wilson Farm in Lexington, and on the phone with 329 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 1: us now is Phil Nadu. He is second Junior Vice 330 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:13,919 Speaker 1: Commander US Air Force and a Rock War veteran. Phil. 331 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:17,639 Speaker 1: It's great to hear from you. How are you. 332 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 6: I'm doing great? 333 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 7: Thank you Phil. 334 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: Before I even start this interview, I just want to 335 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:28,920 Speaker 1: thank you for your service, for your courage, your heroism 336 00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:32,359 Speaker 1: and your patriotism. And I've got to ask you, Phil, 337 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:35,440 Speaker 1: if you could just talk a little bit about your 338 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:40,960 Speaker 1: transition from the military and how did the DAV assist 339 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:44,680 Speaker 1: you in particular, how were they there for you? 340 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:50,120 Speaker 7: So I transition. I retired from the United States Air 341 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 7: Force in twenty two thousand and five. Sorry, And in 342 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:59,639 Speaker 7: twenty ten I had a nervous breakdown from PTSD and 343 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:04,240 Speaker 7: I ended up trying to commit suicide, which I talked 344 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:09,320 Speaker 7: about before, and the DAV stepped in to help me 345 00:22:10,119 --> 00:22:14,320 Speaker 7: with that, helped me get a claim in, ify getting 346 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:16,199 Speaker 7: that claim in and helped me with my disability. I 347 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:20,040 Speaker 7: was able to get some help, which is very important, 348 00:22:20,119 --> 00:22:23,640 Speaker 7: especially for mental health. And then today now I help 349 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 7: the veterans back. I'm a CSO I write claims for 350 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:30,240 Speaker 7: veterans every day. I do about twenty claims a month. 351 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:34,720 Speaker 7: Since June, I've got about one hundred claims in for veterans. 352 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:36,400 Speaker 7: I try to help them as much as I can. 353 00:22:38,800 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 1: Phil. If I'm getting too personal, please tell me. I 354 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:46,159 Speaker 1: promise I won't be offended. But what drove you to 355 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 1: the point. I know PSD is very debilitating people. You know, 356 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 1: it's just horrifying, the panic attacks, the inability for man 357 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:02,000 Speaker 1: to sleep at night, the night sweats, terrors, the night terrors, 358 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:05,399 Speaker 1: and after a while it just grinds you down. But 359 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 1: what led you to the point where you were contemplating suicide? 360 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:16,480 Speaker 7: It was just so you know, in the desert, it's 361 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:19,080 Speaker 7: a where I was. It was one hundred and twenty 362 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:21,560 Speaker 7: degrees every day, two hundred and ten on the asphalt. 363 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 7: Every day we did e ros so engineering onloads to offload. 364 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:28,160 Speaker 7: And the day that this happened was. 365 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:28,840 Speaker 6: It was in July. 366 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:32,399 Speaker 7: I was driving on the pike, and the pike a 367 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:35,560 Speaker 7: lot of it is cement, So it was just flashbacks 368 00:23:36,040 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 7: from being over in the desert of the same color 369 00:23:39,160 --> 00:23:41,080 Speaker 7: and the heat. It was one hundred and three degrees 370 00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 7: that day. I'll never forget it. I was coming back 371 00:23:44,040 --> 00:23:48,920 Speaker 7: from work and just everything building up from work and 372 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:54,920 Speaker 7: from having flashbacks. I just couldn't take it anywhere. Plus 373 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:56,919 Speaker 7: I have tonight this constant ringing in my ears, and 374 00:23:56,960 --> 00:23:59,639 Speaker 7: that is driving That drives me nuts all the time. 375 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 7: So finally I went to my backyard. 376 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:06,200 Speaker 1: Hey you yeah, I understand. Uh scared the hell out 377 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 1: of you? 378 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 6: Are? 379 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:08,600 Speaker 1: We just sorry? Phil? We just if we swear, we 380 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 1: get fined. But I understand. So God saved saved you 381 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: that day the gun jammed and I think you facing 382 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,320 Speaker 1: confronting the possibility of death scared the hell out of you. 383 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:23,200 Speaker 1: And then you said, I've got to get help, correct Phil? 384 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:31,840 Speaker 7: And last October I had a small nervous breakdown and 385 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:35,199 Speaker 7: Mike Viele to help me out and got me some 386 00:24:35,280 --> 00:24:38,200 Speaker 7: help at Northampton VA. I did a six week impatient 387 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:42,800 Speaker 7: this past February, which has changed my life. I just 388 00:24:42,880 --> 00:24:44,800 Speaker 7: let things roll off my back now and I help 389 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:46,520 Speaker 7: even more veterans every day. 390 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 1: Good for you, Good for you. I gotta ask you, Phil, 391 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:56,720 Speaker 1: why did you choose the DAV and for we have 392 00:24:56,760 --> 00:24:58,920 Speaker 1: a lot of vets who listen, a lot of disabled 393 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:03,200 Speaker 1: vets who listen. Why would you recommend a fellow veteran 394 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:07,679 Speaker 1: to contact the DAV. What's so special about the DAV. 395 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:12,119 Speaker 7: Well, the DAV is the one that stepped in to 396 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:14,679 Speaker 7: help me number one. Nobody else would and I was 397 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 7: part of the American Legion and they didn't do anything. 398 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 7: They didn't even make a phone call to me. Just 399 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:25,320 Speaker 7: some friends from the DAV stepped up. I recommend DAV 400 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:30,720 Speaker 7: because they care all the way to the end. We 401 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:34,719 Speaker 7: have a lot of programs where we have fellow veterans 402 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:38,439 Speaker 7: that go to their homes and cut their grass. But 403 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 7: they can see what's going on with the veteran, and 404 00:25:40,359 --> 00:25:43,760 Speaker 7: so if the veteran has other needs, we can help them. 405 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:45,520 Speaker 7: They can come back, tell us what they need, and 406 00:25:45,520 --> 00:25:48,320 Speaker 7: we'll go back and help that veteran even more. We 407 00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 7: have a thing called Gutters to Shutters. We go to 408 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:55,560 Speaker 7: people's homes do small minor repairs, or cut their lawn 409 00:25:55,800 --> 00:26:00,159 Speaker 7: or shovel their snow. I just started that program with 410 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:04,280 Speaker 7: Worcester Chapter four a couple of months ago, and it's 411 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 7: been pretty successful. We've helped quite a few people. But 412 00:26:07,880 --> 00:26:10,160 Speaker 7: any other needs we see that they need will get 413 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 7: them help from the other areas that we have, transportation, housing. 414 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:18,960 Speaker 7: You know, that's all very important, especially now the way 415 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:21,680 Speaker 7: people need each other more and more. 416 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:26,840 Speaker 1: You know, Phil, God was with you on that day, 417 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:31,120 Speaker 1: and thank the Lord your gun jammed because we are 418 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:34,000 Speaker 1: so happy and blessed that you are still with us. 419 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:37,520 Speaker 1: And to everybody listening out there, please, this is what 420 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:42,520 Speaker 1: your donation does. It helps people like Phil, our returning 421 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:47,720 Speaker 1: veterans who are battling PTSD mental health issues or depression 422 00:26:48,040 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 1: or maybe even suicidal thoughts, get them the help that 423 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:56,000 Speaker 1: they need, the help that they earned, frankly, the help 424 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:59,760 Speaker 1: that we owe them. And these are the they put 425 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:02,720 Speaker 1: every everything on the line for us. Please let's not 426 00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:08,520 Speaker 1: forget them. So whatever you can give, please give. There 427 00:27:08,520 --> 00:27:11,919 Speaker 1: are so many people like Phil out there, So again 428 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:16,919 Speaker 1: the number nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty 429 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:21,920 Speaker 1: five nine seven eight six three two one nine eight five. 430 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:24,439 Speaker 1: If you want to donate to the DAV, or if 431 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:26,359 Speaker 1: you want to do it online, and many of you 432 00:27:26,440 --> 00:27:29,680 Speaker 1: are now doing it online, and which is fine obviously, 433 00:27:30,080 --> 00:27:34,720 Speaker 1: go to DAV five k dot Boston, DAV the number five, 434 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:41,240 Speaker 1: the letter K DAV five k dot Boston. Phil, You're 435 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:45,560 Speaker 1: a very special man. You're a true patriot. You're a hero, 436 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:49,199 Speaker 1: You're a role model. We've only got about thirty seconds, 437 00:27:49,240 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 1: but I know Dan wants to say a quick quick word. 438 00:27:51,800 --> 00:27:52,360 Speaker 1: Go ahead down. 439 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:55,080 Speaker 2: Since Phil has been with the disabled American veterans, all 440 00:27:55,119 --> 00:27:57,280 Speaker 2: he had, all he has ever done is give him 441 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 2: back to his fellow veterans. Phil, God bless you. Thanks 442 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 2: for being a member of the DAV. Love you, buddy, 443 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 2: Take care. 444 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:07,360 Speaker 7: I greatly appreciate you and everything the DAVY has done 445 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:07,639 Speaker 7: for me. 446 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:08,359 Speaker 3: And I'm going to. 447 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:11,560 Speaker 7: Keep doing it till the day I die. No veteran 448 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 7: left behind. And it's not about us, it's about them. 449 00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:18,359 Speaker 1: Phil again, thank you for your service. You're truly a 450 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:21,199 Speaker 1: great American. God bless you, my friend here on the 451 00:28:21,240 --> 00:28:25,280 Speaker 1: great WRKO and this hour is brought to you by 452 00:28:25,359 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 1: Wilson Farm in Lexington, and really special show for me today. 453 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 1: I always love to do this show, obviously to benefit 454 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: and help our incredible disabled veterans. I've got Dan Stack, 455 00:28:38,520 --> 00:28:42,400 Speaker 1: the CEO of DAV Massachusetts, on my left, and my 456 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:47,520 Speaker 1: son Ashton, fifteen years old, first time ever. He's with 457 00:28:47,680 --> 00:28:52,320 Speaker 1: his dad. He's old man in the studio and so 458 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:56,440 Speaker 1: and he's getting a little tired now though he's starting 459 00:28:56,440 --> 00:28:59,520 Speaker 1: to see what my life is like. He goes that, Dad, Wow, 460 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:04,640 Speaker 1: it's it doesn't feel like six point fifty dad, because 461 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:07,720 Speaker 1: he's been up for hours. Well, now you know, welcome 462 00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:12,640 Speaker 1: to my life, Ashton. Okay, joining us Now you want 463 00:29:12,680 --> 00:29:17,760 Speaker 1: to talk about a warrior joining us now? Is Corey Hasselman, 464 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:23,040 Speaker 1: former resident of DAV Veterans Advancement Program. He is a 465 00:29:23,160 --> 00:29:28,400 Speaker 1: Marine Corps veteran. Corey. I know you're very busy. Thank 466 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:31,760 Speaker 1: you so much for calling in and again, I want 467 00:29:31,760 --> 00:29:38,760 Speaker 1: to thank you for your incredible heroism, sacrifice and service, Corey. 468 00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:42,360 Speaker 1: For everyone listening wondering why should they give to the DAV. 469 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:45,520 Speaker 1: And by the way, you can call nine seven eight 470 00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:48,360 Speaker 1: sixty three to two, nineteen eighty five if you want 471 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:51,240 Speaker 1: to donate. People are waiting to take your call to 472 00:29:51,280 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 1: take your donations nine seven eight six three two nineteen 473 00:29:55,360 --> 00:29:59,000 Speaker 1: eighty five. You can also go online and donate there 474 00:29:59,560 --> 00:30:05,320 Speaker 1: d five k dot Boston. Corey, can you just tell 475 00:30:05,400 --> 00:30:11,280 Speaker 1: everyone how did you find the DAV and how did 476 00:30:11,280 --> 00:30:16,160 Speaker 1: you transition home from your time in the military. 477 00:30:17,600 --> 00:30:21,080 Speaker 6: Absolutely, thank you so much for having me and hosting 478 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:25,240 Speaker 6: the DAV every year. So for me, getting out of 479 00:30:25,320 --> 00:30:29,400 Speaker 6: service was a difficult time. I was medically separated, so 480 00:30:29,560 --> 00:30:31,440 Speaker 6: you know, I didn't I didn't expect to get home 481 00:30:31,480 --> 00:30:32,880 Speaker 6: when I did, I thought it was going to be 482 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:36,280 Speaker 6: a twenty year career. My mental health struggled a lot. 483 00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:41,360 Speaker 6: I decided to go back to college and Kayla Valila, 484 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:45,000 Speaker 6: the director of the DAV Advancement Program, went on to 485 00:30:45,080 --> 00:30:48,600 Speaker 6: the orientation and talked about the housing and at the time, 486 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:53,160 Speaker 6: I was in some distress. I didn't have a place 487 00:30:53,160 --> 00:30:57,320 Speaker 6: to go. I didn't really know how to improve my 488 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:02,600 Speaker 6: mental health, how to get through the VA system, And 489 00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:07,200 Speaker 6: it seemed like this weird light, you know, and I 490 00:31:07,240 --> 00:31:09,880 Speaker 6: reached out to Kayla. I talked about, Hey, you know, 491 00:31:09,960 --> 00:31:14,200 Speaker 6: I'm a disabled VET. I have these mental health struggles. 492 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:17,040 Speaker 6: I really need a place to just go and sort 493 00:31:17,120 --> 00:31:20,120 Speaker 6: my life out. But I need guidance. I don't know 494 00:31:20,160 --> 00:31:24,000 Speaker 6: what to do and how to do it. And Kayla 495 00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:27,160 Speaker 6: and her husband, Mike, the adjutant for the state, and 496 00:31:27,640 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 6: the DAV as a whole. 497 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:31,840 Speaker 3: Dan Stack just took me right in. 498 00:31:32,080 --> 00:31:35,840 Speaker 6: You know. I moved in very very shortly after. They 499 00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:37,920 Speaker 6: were able to give me the space that I needed 500 00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:40,600 Speaker 6: to focus on school, focus on my mental health. I 501 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:43,760 Speaker 6: started going back to therapy, you know. And they guided 502 00:31:43,800 --> 00:31:48,360 Speaker 6: me through the VA disability system to get my compensation established, 503 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:50,800 Speaker 6: make sure I got the benefits and the treatment that 504 00:31:50,880 --> 00:31:53,640 Speaker 6: I needed, and really kind of set me on the 505 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:56,960 Speaker 6: path that I am on today. I'm in a much 506 00:31:57,080 --> 00:32:00,400 Speaker 6: much better place. I now own my own home, I'm 507 00:32:00,440 --> 00:32:03,120 Speaker 6: a I'm a veteran service officer full time, so I 508 00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:05,440 Speaker 6: support you know, veterans every day. 509 00:32:05,480 --> 00:32:05,640 Speaker 2: Now. 510 00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:08,120 Speaker 6: That's my way of kind of giving back and living 511 00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:13,640 Speaker 6: the DAV mission. It truly did you know save my life. 512 00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:16,160 Speaker 6: I like to contribute a lot of where I am 513 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:18,040 Speaker 6: today to them. 514 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:21,600 Speaker 1: Oh God, bless you, Corey. Corey. Again, I I just 515 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:24,440 Speaker 1: have to ask if I'm getting again, if I if 516 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:27,320 Speaker 1: I'm touching a nerve or getting to you know, too 517 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:30,560 Speaker 1: personal or violating your privacy. Please tell me. I promise 518 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:33,240 Speaker 1: I won't be offended. When you said you came back, 519 00:32:33,280 --> 00:32:36,440 Speaker 1: you were battling certain mental health issues. You were trying 520 00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:38,400 Speaker 1: to get back to school, get back on your feet. 521 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 1: What was it in particular? Was it PTSD? Was it anxiety? 522 00:32:43,960 --> 00:32:47,080 Speaker 1: Was it depression? What was it that? And specifically that 523 00:32:47,160 --> 00:32:53,280 Speaker 1: you were what demons were you battling? 524 00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:59,960 Speaker 6: All right? And the thing about PTSD is a career, 525 00:33:00,040 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 6: it's all the others. 526 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:01,480 Speaker 5: Right. 527 00:33:01,680 --> 00:33:05,000 Speaker 6: So because of my PTSD, I now have anxiety and 528 00:33:05,040 --> 00:33:08,640 Speaker 6: social situations. It causes depression, which is the you know, 529 00:33:08,760 --> 00:33:12,720 Speaker 6: the suicidal thoughts and unfortunately suicidal attempts that I have 530 00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:14,360 Speaker 6: had assemmed because of that. 531 00:33:14,920 --> 00:33:19,400 Speaker 1: Oh but is the PTSD now under Please tell me 532 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:20,480 Speaker 1: it's under control now? 533 00:33:21,040 --> 00:33:21,240 Speaker 3: Yeah? 534 00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:23,800 Speaker 6: Yes? And again I contribute a lot of that to 535 00:33:23,840 --> 00:33:26,000 Speaker 6: the DAV giving me that space to be able to 536 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:29,080 Speaker 6: focus on that instead of being absorbed by everything else 537 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:31,360 Speaker 6: that I had going on in my life. I had 538 00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:33,000 Speaker 6: a safe place to just focus on me. 539 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:38,200 Speaker 1: Corey. I'm reluctant to even go there, but I have 540 00:33:38,280 --> 00:33:40,400 Speaker 1: to go there because I want the audience to know 541 00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:43,640 Speaker 1: a what our vets go through when we send them 542 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:46,840 Speaker 1: to war, and how much of a sacrifice they pay. 543 00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:50,080 Speaker 1: And it's not just on the battlefield, it's after when 544 00:33:50,120 --> 00:33:53,440 Speaker 1: they come back, and what the dav does, what it means. 545 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:58,160 Speaker 1: If you did not get involved with the dav If, 546 00:33:58,200 --> 00:34:02,400 Speaker 1: in other words, your PTSD untreated and got worse and 547 00:34:02,440 --> 00:34:05,160 Speaker 1: worse and worse, and you talked about the suicidal thoughts 548 00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:08,279 Speaker 1: and and everything else that comes with it, do you 549 00:34:08,400 --> 00:34:11,360 Speaker 1: think maybe you wouldn't be with us today. In other words, 550 00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:14,440 Speaker 1: did the dav in some ways save your life? 551 00:34:16,239 --> 00:34:21,720 Speaker 6: Absolutely? I had a suicidal attempt shortly before moving into 552 00:34:21,719 --> 00:34:28,040 Speaker 6: the DAVU. Luckily I had attempted. I'll just say it, 553 00:34:28,040 --> 00:34:29,720 Speaker 6: it is what it is. Let's get rid of the stigma. 554 00:34:30,360 --> 00:34:36,279 Speaker 6: I attempted to hang myself. Luckily the rope broke and 555 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:40,040 Speaker 6: I was able to, you know, live through that. But 556 00:34:40,239 --> 00:34:44,000 Speaker 6: if it wasn't for Kayla being on that orientation giving 557 00:34:44,000 --> 00:34:46,280 Speaker 6: me that hand up that I needed and the DAV 558 00:34:46,520 --> 00:34:51,000 Speaker 6: support that followed, with all of the benefits, the space 559 00:34:51,040 --> 00:34:55,000 Speaker 6: that I needed, I really don't think I would be here. 560 00:34:56,920 --> 00:35:04,760 Speaker 1: Wow. Wow, everybody listening, please look what they go through 561 00:35:05,560 --> 00:35:10,760 Speaker 1: for us, for us, Let's be there for them. Literally, 562 00:35:10,800 --> 00:35:14,000 Speaker 1: your money can save lives. Your money will help them 563 00:35:14,239 --> 00:35:16,960 Speaker 1: get back on their feet, take care of their mental 564 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:21,880 Speaker 1: health issues, treat their PTSD others. Obviously it's more physical. 565 00:35:22,719 --> 00:35:24,719 Speaker 1: They have no you know, they have no legs, they 566 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:29,160 Speaker 1: have no arms, they're in wheelchairs. Everyone is different. But 567 00:35:29,440 --> 00:35:32,040 Speaker 1: you can be there for them and make an incredible 568 00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:35,000 Speaker 1: difference in their lives. And it's you know, and I'm 569 00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:39,080 Speaker 1: sure Corey and Dan and everybody will tell you it's 570 00:35:39,160 --> 00:35:42,279 Speaker 1: not the dollar amount. It's that you care and that 571 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:47,000 Speaker 1: you're willing to donate something anything. So please for Corey, 572 00:35:47,480 --> 00:35:51,520 Speaker 1: for all the disabled veterans, make that call nine seven 573 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:56,120 Speaker 1: eight six three two nineteen eighty five nine seven eight 574 00:35:56,239 --> 00:35:59,520 Speaker 1: six three two one nine eight five. If you want 575 00:35:59,560 --> 00:36:03,799 Speaker 1: to donate, you can also go online DAV five k 576 00:36:03,920 --> 00:36:11,680 Speaker 1: dot Boston, DAV the number five, the letter k dot Boston. Corey. 577 00:36:12,040 --> 00:36:14,680 Speaker 1: I want to thank you on so many levels for 578 00:36:14,760 --> 00:36:19,319 Speaker 1: your service, for your bravery, for your patriotism, for your heroism, 579 00:36:19,920 --> 00:36:24,000 Speaker 1: but honestly for your courage now in talking about what 580 00:36:24,160 --> 00:36:28,120 Speaker 1: you experienced, because there is a stigma. There shouldn't be 581 00:36:28,160 --> 00:36:31,400 Speaker 1: a stigma, but many people are reluctant or afraid to 582 00:36:31,440 --> 00:36:35,280 Speaker 1: talk about it. And what you did again took tremendous 583 00:36:35,320 --> 00:36:38,360 Speaker 1: guts and tremendous courage. So I really really want to 584 00:36:38,400 --> 00:36:41,680 Speaker 1: thank you Corey from the bottom of my heart before 585 00:36:41,719 --> 00:36:44,600 Speaker 1: I let you go. I know Dan wants to say 586 00:36:44,600 --> 00:36:46,480 Speaker 1: a few words. Go ahead, Dan, It's a. 587 00:36:46,560 --> 00:36:48,800 Speaker 2: Very special spot in my heart. 588 00:36:49,280 --> 00:36:49,600 Speaker 1: Corey. 589 00:36:49,640 --> 00:36:51,600 Speaker 2: I'm very proud of the man you are today. 590 00:36:51,800 --> 00:36:54,640 Speaker 3: Love us, Thank you. 591 00:36:54,719 --> 00:36:58,520 Speaker 1: Jeff Ashton, you want to say a few words to Corey. 592 00:37:00,760 --> 00:37:04,919 Speaker 4: Thank you for your service. I'm glad that you got 593 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:07,920 Speaker 4: it over your PTSD and thank god that you didn't 594 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:10,440 Speaker 4: follow through fully with suicide. 595 00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:15,560 Speaker 1: Corey. Honestly, there's tears in this studio right now. I 596 00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:19,920 Speaker 1: want you to know that. So Corey, you need anything, 597 00:37:19,920 --> 00:37:21,120 Speaker 1: you give me a call. Okay. 598 00:37:22,280 --> 00:37:25,160 Speaker 6: Thank you for giving the DAVI a platform and for 599 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:27,640 Speaker 6: US veterans a platform to be heard. 600 00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:32,200 Speaker 1: Thank you, honestly, thank you for your service. I don't 601 00:37:32,239 --> 00:37:34,799 Speaker 1: know I wouldn't be behind this microphone if it wasn't 602 00:37:34,800 --> 00:37:37,719 Speaker 1: for heroes like you, Corey. God bless you and have 603 00:37:37,800 --> 00:37:41,800 Speaker 1: a wonderful weekend and a wonderful Veterans day. Take care, okay, 604 00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:44,799 Speaker 1: my friends again the number to call please donate, give 605 00:37:44,840 --> 00:37:47,719 Speaker 1: as much as you can nine seven eight six three 606 00:37:47,800 --> 00:37:51,279 Speaker 1: two one nine eight five nine seven eight six three 607 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:56,840 Speaker 1: two nineteen eighty five. You can also give again via online. 608 00:37:57,719 --> 00:38:02,160 Speaker 1: The website is DAV five k t Boston DAV five 609 00:38:02,239 --> 00:38:06,600 Speaker 1: k dot Boston. And again, this hour was brought to 610 00:38:06,680 --> 00:38:10,200 Speaker 1: you by Wilson Farm in Lexington. I want to thank 611 00:38:10,280 --> 00:38:14,879 Speaker 1: everyone at the Wilson Farm in Lexington. Now. The seven 612 00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:17,960 Speaker 1: o'clock hour, which we're about to hit right now, is 613 00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:21,760 Speaker 1: brought to you by Brighton Marine. I want to thank 614 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:26,160 Speaker 1: everyone at Brighton Marine and in studio with us now. 615 00:38:26,920 --> 00:38:30,640 Speaker 1: A man who needs no introduction. He was with us 616 00:38:30,719 --> 00:38:34,040 Speaker 1: just a couple of days ago. He comes on every 617 00:38:34,200 --> 00:38:37,920 Speaker 1: year when we do our annual radiothon to benefit disabled 618 00:38:37,960 --> 00:38:44,120 Speaker 1: American veterans. He's a celebrity chef has the best, seriously, 619 00:38:44,200 --> 00:38:47,560 Speaker 1: the best food in Boston, co founder of the Wallburgers 620 00:38:47,640 --> 00:38:50,759 Speaker 1: franchise and Almanov. 621 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:57,680 Speaker 8: I think is how you pronounce it, Nova Wicked Clothes, Alma. 622 00:38:57,400 --> 00:39:03,120 Speaker 1: Nove Paul Wahlberg, Buddy, how are you. I'm good. 623 00:39:03,280 --> 00:39:06,239 Speaker 8: It's you know, obviously great to be here on this 624 00:39:06,320 --> 00:39:08,799 Speaker 8: day because we love doing this and uh being being 625 00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:12,160 Speaker 8: able to support the DAV and and to be able 626 00:39:12,200 --> 00:39:12,799 Speaker 8: to support you. 627 00:39:14,120 --> 00:39:16,600 Speaker 1: Oh, thank you. It's my pleasure. But to me, it's 628 00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:19,320 Speaker 1: all about the vets. And look, Paul, we've talked about 629 00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:23,040 Speaker 1: this before, but we got a lot of people listening now. Look, 630 00:39:23,600 --> 00:39:28,359 Speaker 1: I'm being honest. You're successful, you're family successful. You don't 631 00:39:28,400 --> 00:39:31,880 Speaker 1: need to do this. You're you're wealthy, you deserve it. 632 00:39:32,000 --> 00:39:34,279 Speaker 1: You've made very well for yourself. Your family's done very 633 00:39:34,320 --> 00:39:37,920 Speaker 1: well for themselves. Why do you care? And why in 634 00:39:38,000 --> 00:39:40,720 Speaker 1: particular disabled American veterans? 635 00:39:42,360 --> 00:39:46,920 Speaker 8: You say, and that's funny when you say you don't 636 00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:49,719 Speaker 8: have to do this. You do have to do this, 637 00:39:50,719 --> 00:39:53,879 Speaker 8: because everybody should do this. This is one of those 638 00:39:53,920 --> 00:39:58,880 Speaker 8: things where everybody needs to be out supporting the veterans 639 00:39:59,239 --> 00:40:02,439 Speaker 8: of you know, in any capacity. And there's so many 640 00:40:02,480 --> 00:40:05,920 Speaker 8: great programs, but the DAV helps get them, you know, 641 00:40:06,320 --> 00:40:10,759 Speaker 8: the all of the things that they need, you know, transportation, food, everything, 642 00:40:11,120 --> 00:40:12,480 Speaker 8: and taking care of the vets. 643 00:40:12,520 --> 00:40:14,359 Speaker 1: Like we owe that to them. 644 00:40:14,680 --> 00:40:17,919 Speaker 8: That is one of those things that that everybody needs 645 00:40:17,920 --> 00:40:21,160 Speaker 8: to recognize every single day. Being able to say thank 646 00:40:21,200 --> 00:40:25,160 Speaker 8: you in any capacity, holding a door, being polite, you know, 647 00:40:25,280 --> 00:40:29,279 Speaker 8: helping with services, supporting with money, whatever it is, do 648 00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:31,359 Speaker 8: the work. I love the work, so I'm always out 649 00:40:31,400 --> 00:40:34,680 Speaker 8: there trying to work and do different things. And so 650 00:40:34,880 --> 00:40:36,719 Speaker 8: being able to be involved with it, and for that 651 00:40:36,920 --> 00:40:38,960 Speaker 8: and for the DAV to let me be involved with 652 00:40:38,960 --> 00:40:39,920 Speaker 8: it is a blessing. 653 00:40:41,560 --> 00:40:45,400 Speaker 1: Paul, you've been I think the DAV almost from the beginning. 654 00:40:45,520 --> 00:40:47,680 Speaker 1: I mean he's right a long time, right, dan' knotting 655 00:40:47,719 --> 00:40:50,400 Speaker 1: his head up and down. We were you their first 656 00:40:50,400 --> 00:40:51,040 Speaker 1: food vendor. 657 00:40:51,640 --> 00:40:53,840 Speaker 8: No, there were a couple of food vendors when we 658 00:40:53,920 --> 00:40:57,480 Speaker 8: came on board, but you know, again, they reached out 659 00:40:57,480 --> 00:40:59,359 Speaker 8: and we were able to support and I was able 660 00:40:59,360 --> 00:41:01,759 Speaker 8: to get some other restaurants of friends that I know, 661 00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:05,120 Speaker 8: because that's the one thing, you know, when something's going on, 662 00:41:05,320 --> 00:41:08,960 Speaker 8: the restaurants always jump in and and it's a great community. 663 00:41:09,719 --> 00:41:14,480 Speaker 8: And when we started doing this, it was really that 664 00:41:14,480 --> 00:41:17,719 Speaker 8: that thing that you know, we love being part of it, 665 00:41:17,760 --> 00:41:19,640 Speaker 8: and it gets in front, it gets us in front 666 00:41:19,680 --> 00:41:22,759 Speaker 8: of guests where we can actually see them face to 667 00:41:22,840 --> 00:41:25,520 Speaker 8: face when you go to these events, and so for 668 00:41:25,640 --> 00:41:27,440 Speaker 8: us to be involved, and like I said, it was 669 00:41:27,440 --> 00:41:31,239 Speaker 8: a blessing. And when when Bob Bob Lynch reached out 670 00:41:31,239 --> 00:41:32,360 Speaker 8: to me and said, hey, do you want to be 671 00:41:32,400 --> 00:41:33,640 Speaker 8: part of us, it was like absolutely. 672 00:41:35,239 --> 00:41:37,880 Speaker 1: I know your mother is involved in a charity, correct 673 00:41:38,440 --> 00:41:40,799 Speaker 1: non profit Almacare's. Yeah, Almacare's. 674 00:41:41,080 --> 00:41:43,239 Speaker 8: Alma Care's is a branch that that we've done and 675 00:41:43,360 --> 00:41:45,480 Speaker 8: started by my daughter and one of our friends from 676 00:41:45,600 --> 00:41:48,600 Speaker 8: you know, way back when, and we feed families at 677 00:41:48,600 --> 00:41:50,719 Speaker 8: Thanksgiving and it's just something that we do. 678 00:41:51,760 --> 00:41:55,560 Speaker 1: So now, Paul, are you going to be running tomorrow 679 00:41:55,560 --> 00:42:01,480 Speaker 1: at the five K. I'm a watcher. I'm a watcher. 680 00:42:01,960 --> 00:42:02,560 Speaker 1: I'll be back. 681 00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:06,640 Speaker 8: I'll be back toasting buns and assembling meat ball sliders. 682 00:42:07,320 --> 00:42:11,120 Speaker 8: But yes, I participate in my own special way. 683 00:42:12,360 --> 00:42:15,520 Speaker 1: Paul, you're a big champion of the vets. God bless you. 684 00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:19,440 Speaker 1: If you don't mind me asking why the DAV I mean, 685 00:42:19,440 --> 00:42:22,799 Speaker 1: there's so many other charities. I mean I could name them, 686 00:42:22,880 --> 00:42:24,960 Speaker 1: you know, I could name you dozens of them, but 687 00:42:25,120 --> 00:42:28,120 Speaker 1: you love the DAV And I'm just curious. 688 00:42:27,840 --> 00:42:32,880 Speaker 8: Why in the beginning, and it's gonna sound silly, but 689 00:42:33,320 --> 00:42:38,600 Speaker 8: they asked, he said, and really, and I can't put 690 00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:41,160 Speaker 8: it any other way. They said, hey, do you want 691 00:42:41,200 --> 00:42:44,440 Speaker 8: to be part of this? And the minute I, you know, obviously, 692 00:42:44,560 --> 00:42:46,839 Speaker 8: the minute I hear vets, I'm like absolutely. And then 693 00:42:46,880 --> 00:42:51,440 Speaker 8: once you once you see the work that they do, 694 00:42:52,840 --> 00:42:55,920 Speaker 8: that's what sticks. That's what it is, because it's not 695 00:42:56,160 --> 00:42:59,839 Speaker 8: just hey, we're out, we're out trying to you know, 696 00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:04,680 Speaker 8: make ourselves feel better. We are providing a service the DAV. 697 00:43:04,800 --> 00:43:06,840 Speaker 8: And this is not me, you know, I use the 698 00:43:06,920 --> 00:43:10,400 Speaker 8: Royal Wee kind of thing, but the DAV provides services 699 00:43:11,280 --> 00:43:15,480 Speaker 8: for these veterans that are so needed and the people 700 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:19,200 Speaker 8: that are involved. It's and you know, a lot of 701 00:43:19,239 --> 00:43:22,400 Speaker 8: people get involved with for things for certain reasons, but 702 00:43:22,520 --> 00:43:25,480 Speaker 8: what keeps me coming back are the people that are involved, 703 00:43:25,760 --> 00:43:29,080 Speaker 8: the people the team, Dan and his group and Bob 704 00:43:29,160 --> 00:43:34,040 Speaker 8: Lynch and everybody that's involved, and then the veterans themselves, 705 00:43:34,680 --> 00:43:38,160 Speaker 8: that core of people that are there who know exactly 706 00:43:38,160 --> 00:43:40,440 Speaker 8: what they're you know, to understand what they're going through 707 00:43:41,360 --> 00:43:44,960 Speaker 8: and I have no concept of their day to day challenges, 708 00:43:45,560 --> 00:43:48,520 Speaker 8: but you know, it's again, we're so blessed to be 709 00:43:48,600 --> 00:43:52,440 Speaker 8: part of this, and and you know growing up it 710 00:43:52,520 --> 00:43:57,120 Speaker 8: was my dad was a veteran and all of his 711 00:43:57,200 --> 00:44:01,520 Speaker 8: brothers because it was that generation, and so we it 712 00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:05,200 Speaker 8: was drilled into us to say thank you. It was 713 00:44:05,280 --> 00:44:08,640 Speaker 8: drilled into us to be supportive of that, and we 714 00:44:08,680 --> 00:44:10,719 Speaker 8: want to make sure that we follow through on that. 715 00:44:11,960 --> 00:44:15,400 Speaker 1: Paul, you know what's coming now, my friend. We do 716 00:44:15,520 --> 00:44:20,560 Speaker 1: this every year. You're more than generous. We always do 717 00:44:20,680 --> 00:44:26,240 Speaker 1: our auction. This is a very special thing. We always 718 00:44:26,239 --> 00:44:30,040 Speaker 1: give it to the highest bidder. Paul Wahlberg will come 719 00:44:30,120 --> 00:44:30,960 Speaker 1: to your home. 720 00:44:32,120 --> 00:44:35,239 Speaker 8: I we're doing them in the restaurants. 721 00:44:35,360 --> 00:44:38,120 Speaker 1: Oh you're doing yeah anymore? 722 00:44:38,200 --> 00:44:41,680 Speaker 8: Yeah, I'm trying to what the hell happened? I'm a 723 00:44:41,760 --> 00:44:44,040 Speaker 8: menace on the roads, to be quite honest with you. 724 00:44:44,160 --> 00:44:47,239 Speaker 8: So that the less time I'm driving around, that's what 725 00:44:47,280 --> 00:44:49,400 Speaker 8: we want. I keep asking and saying, can you let me, 726 00:44:49,719 --> 00:44:51,600 Speaker 8: you know, help pick up some of the veterans like, no, 727 00:44:51,719 --> 00:44:54,480 Speaker 8: we've seen you drive. So I try to do it 728 00:44:54,480 --> 00:44:56,080 Speaker 8: in the restaurant as much as possible. 729 00:44:57,080 --> 00:44:58,520 Speaker 1: All right, So this is going to be done at 730 00:44:58,560 --> 00:45:03,040 Speaker 1: your world famous restaurant. Eight people, yep, h and I 731 00:45:03,080 --> 00:45:04,640 Speaker 1: take it. This is a full course meal. 732 00:45:04,800 --> 00:45:07,759 Speaker 8: This is yeah, six courses, you know. I come out 733 00:45:07,800 --> 00:45:11,239 Speaker 8: and we introduce everyone. I host it, and you know, 734 00:45:11,280 --> 00:45:14,239 Speaker 8: it's a very personal touch and and we we you know, 735 00:45:14,360 --> 00:45:16,919 Speaker 8: people you know ask you know a lot of times 736 00:45:16,920 --> 00:45:18,759 Speaker 8: people say, hey, what about this? What about that? In 737 00:45:18,880 --> 00:45:20,600 Speaker 8: terms of what we do for the food, and you know, 738 00:45:20,640 --> 00:45:21,279 Speaker 8: we want to be. 739 00:45:21,280 --> 00:45:21,960 Speaker 1: Do whatever you want. 740 00:45:22,280 --> 00:45:25,000 Speaker 8: We're there to make you happy and say thank you 741 00:45:25,040 --> 00:45:30,480 Speaker 8: for supporting the dav So we're talking steak, steak, whatever's available, 742 00:45:30,640 --> 00:45:33,200 Speaker 8: whatever you want, Tell me what you want, Tell tell 743 00:45:33,239 --> 00:45:34,480 Speaker 8: me what you want, Benison. 744 00:45:34,520 --> 00:45:36,799 Speaker 1: If it's you know, we get some good game. We 745 00:45:36,800 --> 00:45:38,719 Speaker 1: can do this. We do a lot of seafood. We'll 746 00:45:38,760 --> 00:45:41,040 Speaker 1: do whatever you want, all right? And are you throwing 747 00:45:41,080 --> 00:45:43,520 Speaker 1: in wine as well? Or wine's wines included? 748 00:45:43,960 --> 00:45:46,560 Speaker 8: Now, what we should really do is get you down 749 00:45:46,600 --> 00:45:48,840 Speaker 8: there as well, and you can you can host, but 750 00:45:48,880 --> 00:45:51,640 Speaker 8: I'm sure you'll keep the bidding down if you're you know, 751 00:45:52,640 --> 00:45:54,399 Speaker 8: miss mister personality over here. 752 00:45:56,200 --> 00:45:56,560 Speaker 3: All right. 753 00:45:56,680 --> 00:45:58,600 Speaker 1: You always put the screws to me every time I 754 00:45:58,640 --> 00:46:01,040 Speaker 1: show up here. It's going to give you a hat. 755 00:46:01,080 --> 00:46:04,440 Speaker 1: But I think I'm gonna keep that given well, I'm 756 00:46:04,440 --> 00:46:05,520 Speaker 1: trying to raise the auction. 757 00:46:05,960 --> 00:46:09,040 Speaker 9: I guess I'm trying to sweeten the poddle little your 758 00:46:09,080 --> 00:46:13,359 Speaker 9: ear of pot sweetener. Absolutely so, an incredible hold on, Bob, 759 00:46:13,400 --> 00:46:16,919 Speaker 9: I'm wanna get you, I promise. Uh so, an incredible 760 00:46:16,960 --> 00:46:21,760 Speaker 9: meal at Paul Wahlberg's restaurant for eight people, six courses, 761 00:46:22,080 --> 00:46:23,000 Speaker 9: wine included. 762 00:46:23,520 --> 00:46:25,320 Speaker 1: I'm assuming dessert, right, I mean. 763 00:46:25,800 --> 00:46:30,359 Speaker 8: No, no, we we we we cut you off. Yeah, 764 00:46:30,400 --> 00:46:32,799 Speaker 8: that's what that's where we draw the line. Yes, we 765 00:46:32,800 --> 00:46:36,080 Speaker 8: we have uh we have great desserts made in house. 766 00:46:36,120 --> 00:46:39,160 Speaker 8: We have it's and everything's it's just from scratch kitchen. 767 00:46:39,640 --> 00:46:42,879 Speaker 8: So we're very very proud, you know, over there. And 768 00:46:42,880 --> 00:46:44,799 Speaker 8: and the same with Wahburgers. You know, so much of 769 00:46:44,800 --> 00:46:48,080 Speaker 8: that stuff is made freshly, and you know, we love 770 00:46:48,120 --> 00:46:49,839 Speaker 8: what we do and we want to be able to share. 771 00:46:51,280 --> 00:46:54,240 Speaker 1: We're going to start the bidding at one thousand dollars. 772 00:46:54,960 --> 00:46:58,680 Speaker 1: We'll start at one thousand dollars, and we're gonna keep hopefully, 773 00:46:58,719 --> 00:47:02,759 Speaker 1: we're gonna keep this open throughout the entire day. And 774 00:47:03,040 --> 00:47:05,920 Speaker 1: trust me, this will be a meal you will never 775 00:47:06,280 --> 00:47:10,560 Speaker 1: ever forget. It's an experience. You're gonna meet Paul, You're 776 00:47:10,560 --> 00:47:13,480 Speaker 1: gonna meet his wonderful team. You're gonna eat like you've 777 00:47:13,520 --> 00:47:16,280 Speaker 1: never eaten. You're gonna drink like you've never drunk before. 778 00:47:17,000 --> 00:47:19,200 Speaker 1: This is really and it's for an incredible cause. What 779 00:47:19,239 --> 00:47:20,160 Speaker 1: are you selling? 780 00:47:22,200 --> 00:47:22,439 Speaker 3: Jeez? 781 00:47:22,560 --> 00:47:27,720 Speaker 1: I think I want to be pot Wow, so really 782 00:47:27,760 --> 00:47:31,560 Speaker 1: good at that. So we'll start it off one thousand 783 00:47:31,640 --> 00:47:35,680 Speaker 1: dollars nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five 784 00:47:36,280 --> 00:47:39,320 Speaker 1: nine seven eight six three two one nine eight five. 785 00:47:40,040 --> 00:47:43,759 Speaker 1: You can also DAV five K dot Boston obviously if 786 00:47:43,760 --> 00:47:47,239 Speaker 1: you want to donate, that's the number to call as well. Uh, Paul, 787 00:47:47,360 --> 00:47:50,360 Speaker 1: Before we say bye to you, my friend Bob Lynch 788 00:47:50,440 --> 00:47:52,520 Speaker 1: from the DAV I know you want to add something 789 00:47:52,520 --> 00:47:52,919 Speaker 1: as well. 790 00:47:53,040 --> 00:47:57,680 Speaker 10: I just wanted to give you some feedback from there. 791 00:47:57,719 --> 00:48:00,840 Speaker 10: Was a winner from last year's auction and he called 792 00:48:00,880 --> 00:48:03,759 Speaker 10: me about a month ago. He had just had his 793 00:48:04,360 --> 00:48:09,760 Speaker 10: dinner at Almanova, and I have to say he couldn't 794 00:48:09,800 --> 00:48:13,200 Speaker 10: have been more complimentary about what he got. 795 00:48:13,600 --> 00:48:16,399 Speaker 8: Oh, I was that was excellent. I remember that because 796 00:48:16,440 --> 00:48:19,239 Speaker 8: I was sick that day, they didn't have to they 797 00:48:19,239 --> 00:48:20,200 Speaker 8: didn't have to deal with me. 798 00:48:20,320 --> 00:48:23,400 Speaker 1: That was all. Yeah. The staff said, wow, they had 799 00:48:23,440 --> 00:48:26,640 Speaker 1: a really good time last night. Sorry you missed it. 800 00:48:28,080 --> 00:48:32,719 Speaker 10: But as a as a highlight for that family, they 801 00:48:33,360 --> 00:48:37,959 Speaker 10: couldn't say enough good things and I just wanted to say, 802 00:48:38,040 --> 00:48:41,200 Speaker 10: anybody out there bidding is going to have they He said, 803 00:48:41,280 --> 00:48:44,160 Speaker 10: this was in the top three of anything that they 804 00:48:44,200 --> 00:48:47,680 Speaker 10: have ever experienced as a family, aside from weddings and births, 805 00:48:47,719 --> 00:48:50,600 Speaker 10: and well they don't get out much, they don't, but 806 00:48:50,719 --> 00:48:51,520 Speaker 10: they were delighted. 807 00:48:51,520 --> 00:48:54,080 Speaker 1: It was just no, I know, it's it look really 808 00:48:54,080 --> 00:48:56,080 Speaker 1: it is. And and Paul has been you know, he's modest, 809 00:48:56,120 --> 00:48:57,919 Speaker 1: but he goes out of his way, his team goes 810 00:48:57,920 --> 00:49:01,839 Speaker 1: out of his way. And how do people bid? Call? 811 00:49:02,040 --> 00:49:06,839 Speaker 1: Nine seven eight six three two, nineteen eighty five. So 812 00:49:06,920 --> 00:49:08,560 Speaker 1: the current, we'll go for it. We'll start off at 813 00:49:08,560 --> 00:49:11,239 Speaker 1: one thousand dollars and then we'll keep raising it and 814 00:49:11,320 --> 00:49:15,680 Speaker 1: raising it throughout the day, and we'll announce the bids 815 00:49:15,880 --> 00:49:18,000 Speaker 1: throughout the day, right, that's how we usually do it, 816 00:49:18,400 --> 00:49:20,280 Speaker 1: and then by the end of the day we'll announce 817 00:49:20,280 --> 00:49:23,200 Speaker 1: a winner. So we're getting a lot of calls already. 818 00:49:23,320 --> 00:49:27,200 Speaker 1: Nine seven eight six three two, nineteen eighty five. Paul, 819 00:49:27,280 --> 00:49:32,960 Speaker 1: we've only got about a minute left. Any final words, 820 00:49:33,000 --> 00:49:37,480 Speaker 1: any parting thoughts, any how's Mark, How's how's everybody? You 821 00:49:37,520 --> 00:49:41,600 Speaker 1: know what? Everybody's good? So we're we're we're blessed. 822 00:49:41,200 --> 00:49:44,040 Speaker 8: And and you know, you know, every day on the 823 00:49:44,120 --> 00:49:46,600 Speaker 8: right side of the grass is a good day. So 824 00:49:47,080 --> 00:49:49,200 Speaker 8: but again, you know, I want to say thank you 825 00:49:49,239 --> 00:49:53,440 Speaker 8: to all of the members for the dav Massachusetts. It's 826 00:49:53,480 --> 00:49:55,719 Speaker 8: such an amazing team and for them to let us 827 00:49:55,760 --> 00:49:57,320 Speaker 8: be part of this is truly amazing. 828 00:49:58,640 --> 00:50:02,640 Speaker 1: Anything a coonerspeck on the menu coming up? I know 829 00:50:02,640 --> 00:50:04,120 Speaker 1: we've been talking about that for a while. 830 00:50:04,239 --> 00:50:07,279 Speaker 8: Yeah, well you haven't given me enough input, you know, 831 00:50:07,360 --> 00:50:09,200 Speaker 8: because you're. 832 00:50:08,480 --> 00:50:09,920 Speaker 1: Really quite quiet about that. 833 00:50:11,360 --> 00:50:14,560 Speaker 8: Yeah, we're still we're still working on that that Coomer special. 834 00:50:16,440 --> 00:50:18,759 Speaker 8: But yeah, I mean we're getting we're getting close, very 835 00:50:18,920 --> 00:50:21,080 Speaker 8: very close, very very close. 836 00:50:21,120 --> 00:50:24,920 Speaker 1: We're talking, we've been talking with Paul Wahlberg. Okay, my friends, 837 00:50:25,040 --> 00:50:28,879 Speaker 1: please let's be there for disabled American veterans. They've been 838 00:50:28,920 --> 00:50:32,640 Speaker 1: there for us. Again the number nine seven eight six 839 00:50:32,760 --> 00:50:34,319 Speaker 1: three two nineteen eighty five,