1 00:00:17,101 --> 00:00:17,581 Speaker 1: Bushkin. 2 00:00:25,781 --> 00:00:29,581 Speaker 2: Hey everyone, it's j R. Martinez on Medal of Honor. 3 00:00:29,741 --> 00:00:31,941 Speaker 2: We talk a lot about what our service men and 4 00:00:31,981 --> 00:00:35,861 Speaker 2: women do overseas, but we spend less time talking about 5 00:00:35,861 --> 00:00:39,621 Speaker 2: what happens when they come home. Some troops come home wounded. 6 00:00:40,260 --> 00:00:44,300 Speaker 2: They need a series of surgeries, cancer treatments, long term 7 00:00:44,340 --> 00:00:47,581 Speaker 2: medical care, and they can spend weeks to months to 8 00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:51,501 Speaker 2: years in hospitals and cities far from their homes. And 9 00:00:51,581 --> 00:00:54,780 Speaker 2: during that period they need a place to stay, but 10 00:00:54,901 --> 00:00:58,501 Speaker 2: that can cost a fortune, making it almost impossible for 11 00:00:58,541 --> 00:01:01,981 Speaker 2: them to receive the care that they need. That's where 12 00:01:02,060 --> 00:01:05,861 Speaker 2: Jennifer Duluca comes in. For fifteen years, Jen has been 13 00:01:05,941 --> 00:01:10,221 Speaker 2: running Fisherhouse Boston, a branch of the Fisher House Foundation. 14 00:01:11,181 --> 00:01:14,661 Speaker 2: She pioneered a program that works with local hotels to 15 00:01:14,700 --> 00:01:18,421 Speaker 2: get veterans and their families the housing they need and 16 00:01:18,500 --> 00:01:23,701 Speaker 2: it doesn't cost a vet a dime. In twenty twenty three, 17 00:01:23,901 --> 00:01:27,981 Speaker 2: Jen was awarded the Citizen Honors Service Act Award. It's 18 00:01:27,981 --> 00:01:31,861 Speaker 2: one of the highest honors as civilian can receive, selected 19 00:01:31,901 --> 00:01:36,141 Speaker 2: by WHO recipients of the Medal of Honor. I sat 20 00:01:36,181 --> 00:01:38,340 Speaker 2: down with Jen to talk about her incredible work with 21 00:01:38,381 --> 00:01:41,861 Speaker 2: our nation's veterans and their families. And while I learned 22 00:01:42,101 --> 00:01:45,301 Speaker 2: she's been a fan of some of my work. More importantly, 23 00:01:45,821 --> 00:01:48,621 Speaker 2: she learned I'm a huge fan of hers. 24 00:01:54,141 --> 00:01:56,101 Speaker 1: Jin Welcome to the show. 25 00:01:56,541 --> 00:01:58,821 Speaker 3: Thank you, thank you. How are you, Jr? 26 00:01:59,141 --> 00:02:00,541 Speaker 1: I'm well, how are you doing? 27 00:02:00,701 --> 00:02:05,101 Speaker 3: Good? Good? I can't believe I'm talking to Jesse's son 28 00:02:05,301 --> 00:02:08,541 Speaker 3: from General Hospital. All our sun in line from all 29 00:02:08,661 --> 00:02:09,661 Speaker 3: those years ago. 30 00:02:11,781 --> 00:02:13,221 Speaker 1: Oh that's hilarious. 31 00:02:13,821 --> 00:02:16,581 Speaker 3: That's been my big joke with all my girlfriends. I'm like, 32 00:02:16,781 --> 00:02:19,181 Speaker 3: you have no idea who I'm talking dude. 33 00:02:19,301 --> 00:02:24,141 Speaker 1: That is hilarious. I've never had anyone say it like that. 34 00:02:24,861 --> 00:02:27,701 Speaker 1: I love that. Oh my god. 35 00:02:29,581 --> 00:02:31,501 Speaker 2: Now listen. Then we're going to be straight up here. Okay, 36 00:02:31,501 --> 00:02:34,141 Speaker 2: we're all about being vulnerable with each other and we're friends. 37 00:02:34,221 --> 00:02:36,301 Speaker 2: Now right, you're a little nervous. Why are you a 38 00:02:36,341 --> 00:02:37,301 Speaker 2: little nervous? 39 00:02:37,701 --> 00:02:42,821 Speaker 3: I just hate talking about myself, and you know I'm shy. 40 00:02:43,021 --> 00:02:44,261 Speaker 3: I'm shy. 41 00:02:44,901 --> 00:02:47,501 Speaker 2: Well, the good thing is we are wanting to get 42 00:02:47,541 --> 00:02:50,501 Speaker 2: to know you, but also the incredible work that you 43 00:02:50,581 --> 00:02:54,301 Speaker 2: do at the Fisher House and for the listeners, can 44 00:02:54,341 --> 00:02:58,221 Speaker 2: you describe what the Fisher House is and what it does? 45 00:02:59,261 --> 00:03:03,461 Speaker 3: Sure, the Fisher House is a home away from home 46 00:03:03,661 --> 00:03:07,701 Speaker 3: for military families when a loved one is ill or injured. 47 00:03:08,221 --> 00:03:12,621 Speaker 3: There are one hundred Fisher Houses across the country right now. 48 00:03:13,341 --> 00:03:19,901 Speaker 3: Fisher House Boston provides free lodging to military families that 49 00:03:19,941 --> 00:03:23,101 Speaker 3: are coming to Boston to receive medical care. 50 00:03:24,301 --> 00:03:27,621 Speaker 2: What's a typical case of someone you've helped, meaning from 51 00:03:28,061 --> 00:03:31,061 Speaker 2: the moment that they reach out to you to the 52 00:03:31,101 --> 00:03:32,581 Speaker 2: moment that they finish their treatment. 53 00:03:33,381 --> 00:03:38,421 Speaker 3: So a typical day is a family will be seen 54 00:03:38,501 --> 00:03:42,421 Speaker 3: at one of the major hospitals. One of the first 55 00:03:42,501 --> 00:03:46,341 Speaker 3: questions the social workers or medical team will ask is 56 00:03:47,181 --> 00:03:51,501 Speaker 3: are you military or have you served? The second they 57 00:03:51,541 --> 00:03:56,461 Speaker 3: say yes, they give them our information and we step in. 58 00:03:57,221 --> 00:04:00,901 Speaker 3: We have a nurse on staff that will then connect 59 00:04:00,941 --> 00:04:04,141 Speaker 3: with the social work team. We will find out what 60 00:04:04,261 --> 00:04:07,341 Speaker 3: their illness is, how long they're going to be here. 61 00:04:08,141 --> 00:04:11,341 Speaker 3: Then we place them at the hotel or one of 62 00:04:11,381 --> 00:04:15,621 Speaker 3: our apartments, which is right next to the medical facility 63 00:04:15,821 --> 00:04:21,020 Speaker 3: that they're utilizing. They check in like a regular hotel, 64 00:04:21,820 --> 00:04:25,140 Speaker 3: they never see a bill, and we stay in touch 65 00:04:25,221 --> 00:04:29,181 Speaker 3: with them the entire time of the duration of their stay. 66 00:04:30,061 --> 00:04:31,341 Speaker 1: That's beautiful. I love that. 67 00:04:31,741 --> 00:04:33,941 Speaker 2: Not sure if you know this, I was injured in 68 00:04:34,021 --> 00:04:36,701 Speaker 2: early of two thousand and three, shortly after the conflict 69 00:04:36,741 --> 00:04:40,901 Speaker 2: in Iraq began, and my mother had to relocate of course, 70 00:04:41,181 --> 00:04:44,221 Speaker 2: and was at the hospital by my side for the 71 00:04:44,261 --> 00:04:47,781 Speaker 2: three months that I was initially in the hospital. And 72 00:04:48,301 --> 00:04:50,821 Speaker 2: I've actually stayed at a Fisher House. My mother stayed 73 00:04:50,821 --> 00:04:52,661 Speaker 2: at a Fisher House in San Antonio when I was 74 00:04:52,701 --> 00:04:55,301 Speaker 2: recovering there. So I have a special place in my 75 00:04:55,341 --> 00:04:58,581 Speaker 2: heart for the Fisher House Foundation. Like why is this 76 00:04:58,701 --> 00:05:03,061 Speaker 2: so important for a veteran that's in treatment to have 77 00:05:03,181 --> 00:05:06,541 Speaker 2: family close by? Like what have you found as far 78 00:05:06,581 --> 00:05:08,101 Speaker 2: as like the clinical outcome? 79 00:05:08,181 --> 00:05:09,181 Speaker 1: What impact does it have? 80 00:05:09,661 --> 00:05:13,381 Speaker 3: Jr. It's unbelievable. I mean it's life changing. It can 81 00:05:13,501 --> 00:05:17,701 Speaker 3: change the course of the outcome of someone's illness. Having 82 00:05:17,741 --> 00:05:22,181 Speaker 3: a family member next to their loved one. It helps 83 00:05:22,221 --> 00:05:26,341 Speaker 3: the hospital, it helps the healing process, and it helps 84 00:05:26,381 --> 00:05:30,181 Speaker 3: the morale of the patient. No matter what age you are, 85 00:05:31,101 --> 00:05:33,701 Speaker 3: they were there for us. We need to be there 86 00:05:33,741 --> 00:05:37,341 Speaker 3: for them. And I will tell you when I speak 87 00:05:37,381 --> 00:05:41,741 Speaker 3: about what we do, so many people say, I never 88 00:05:41,821 --> 00:05:45,380 Speaker 3: thought about what happens when the military gets sick, when 89 00:05:45,381 --> 00:05:49,541 Speaker 3: they're out. I never thought about them being in the hospital. 90 00:05:49,581 --> 00:05:52,661 Speaker 3: What the cost could be to get the correct care 91 00:05:53,301 --> 00:05:57,621 Speaker 3: if they had to travel from Washington State to Boston 92 00:05:58,221 --> 00:06:02,341 Speaker 3: for the specialized treatment. Then you come here and you 93 00:06:02,461 --> 00:06:07,020 Speaker 3: face hotels at seven hundred dollars a night and either 94 00:06:07,221 --> 00:06:10,781 Speaker 3: they're saying we're going to go on hospice or the 95 00:06:11,021 --> 00:06:14,141 Speaker 3: sleeping in their cars because they can't afford it. So 96 00:06:15,221 --> 00:06:18,661 Speaker 3: it's very, very important for the community to step in 97 00:06:18,781 --> 00:06:22,541 Speaker 3: and get together and take care of these military members 98 00:06:22,581 --> 00:06:26,061 Speaker 3: that were there for us because their families need them. 99 00:06:26,141 --> 00:06:29,661 Speaker 1: Now, what made you get into this work? 100 00:06:29,981 --> 00:06:34,421 Speaker 3: So Jr. I have always done things taking care of people. 101 00:06:34,861 --> 00:06:37,741 Speaker 3: I was brought up that way. I'm the youngest of five. 102 00:06:38,661 --> 00:06:42,141 Speaker 3: It's just what we were taught you're supposed to do. 103 00:06:42,861 --> 00:06:48,141 Speaker 3: So I was working at a behavioral house taking care 104 00:06:48,181 --> 00:06:52,381 Speaker 3: of children. I left that and decided to do something 105 00:06:52,661 --> 00:06:58,820 Speaker 3: polar opposite, So I opened a landscape company. Up came 106 00:06:58,981 --> 00:07:02,941 Speaker 3: the bids to do the yard design for the Fisher 107 00:07:03,021 --> 00:07:06,861 Speaker 3: House being built in West Roxbury. So we put the 108 00:07:06,941 --> 00:07:11,981 Speaker 3: design in. We won the bid and I designed the 109 00:07:12,141 --> 00:07:16,101 Speaker 3: backyard for the Fisher House in West Roxbury. But why 110 00:07:16,141 --> 00:07:19,461 Speaker 3: it was being built by the crews. I would sit 111 00:07:19,541 --> 00:07:23,661 Speaker 3: on the patio and talk to all the families, and 112 00:07:24,301 --> 00:07:28,501 Speaker 3: my father was a marine. When I was little, if 113 00:07:28,541 --> 00:07:32,741 Speaker 3: we saw someone in uniform, my father would walk me 114 00:07:32,861 --> 00:07:36,181 Speaker 3: over to them and say, shake his hand and thank him. 115 00:07:36,701 --> 00:07:40,501 Speaker 3: I was taught from a very young age that somebody 116 00:07:40,541 --> 00:07:44,421 Speaker 3: in uniform has raised their hand and said they would 117 00:07:44,461 --> 00:07:47,941 Speaker 3: die for you, show them the respect that they deserve. 118 00:07:48,821 --> 00:07:52,541 Speaker 3: It was just a natural transition to go from what 119 00:07:52,661 --> 00:07:58,341 Speaker 3: I feel intrinsically to putting it to motion and helping 120 00:07:58,621 --> 00:08:02,381 Speaker 3: military families. I never thought I would be where I 121 00:08:02,421 --> 00:08:07,541 Speaker 3: am today, saving our military thirteen million dollars in the 122 00:08:07,861 --> 00:08:13,301 Speaker 3: twelve years we've run it chain needed cause. So it's 123 00:08:13,341 --> 00:08:16,581 Speaker 3: a privilege to be able to work with our military 124 00:08:16,661 --> 00:08:18,261 Speaker 3: families and carry that name. 125 00:08:19,061 --> 00:08:22,381 Speaker 2: Yeah, now, I love that, and it's it's so true. 126 00:08:22,501 --> 00:08:22,661 Speaker 1: You know. 127 00:08:22,701 --> 00:08:26,981 Speaker 2: I often challenge people. You know, we're so conditioned to 128 00:08:27,021 --> 00:08:29,261 Speaker 2: say thank you for your service, and even though on 129 00:08:29,301 --> 00:08:32,101 Speaker 2: the surface that's very beautiful to be able to acknowledge 130 00:08:32,141 --> 00:08:35,621 Speaker 2: what someone has done, you don't really necessarily truly know 131 00:08:36,021 --> 00:08:39,660 Speaker 2: what you're acknowledging, right, And so what I encourage people 132 00:08:39,701 --> 00:08:42,901 Speaker 2: to do instead is to replace thank you for your 133 00:08:42,940 --> 00:08:47,821 Speaker 2: service with tell me about your service. That to me 134 00:08:48,141 --> 00:08:50,780 Speaker 2: speaks to what you did while the crews were back 135 00:08:50,780 --> 00:08:53,780 Speaker 2: there working on you know, the backyard and the layout, 136 00:08:54,180 --> 00:08:56,660 Speaker 2: and you're sitting on that front porch talking to these 137 00:08:57,021 --> 00:09:00,901 Speaker 2: service members and their families. What did you learn that 138 00:09:01,261 --> 00:09:04,980 Speaker 2: made you realize, as a civilian, I want to be 139 00:09:05,021 --> 00:09:05,740 Speaker 2: connected to this. 140 00:09:06,300 --> 00:09:10,461 Speaker 3: It was honestly a privilege from the moment I walked 141 00:09:10,501 --> 00:09:14,501 Speaker 3: through though those doors to meet these families, to hear 142 00:09:14,621 --> 00:09:17,821 Speaker 3: what they had been through, and to know that we 143 00:09:17,981 --> 00:09:22,381 Speaker 3: could make a difference, whether it's small or big, to 144 00:09:22,580 --> 00:09:25,300 Speaker 3: change the course of their life going forward. 145 00:09:26,141 --> 00:09:28,780 Speaker 2: I think a lot of people tend to overthink it, right, Yeah, 146 00:09:28,820 --> 00:09:31,940 Speaker 2: we tend to get caught up in the narrative that, well, 147 00:09:32,141 --> 00:09:34,461 Speaker 2: what do I offer? What do I bring to the table? 148 00:09:35,021 --> 00:09:37,541 Speaker 2: What do you say to those people when they're wondering 149 00:09:37,861 --> 00:09:40,340 Speaker 2: I'd love to get involved. I buy into it the 150 00:09:40,420 --> 00:09:43,821 Speaker 2: fact that it's a responsibility, But what do I do? 151 00:09:44,660 --> 00:09:49,660 Speaker 3: You have to show up. You have to appreciate the 152 00:09:49,700 --> 00:09:53,780 Speaker 3: life you live and not look for the negative. I 153 00:09:53,820 --> 00:09:58,701 Speaker 3: am the incredible optimist. I know you have to believe 154 00:09:58,780 --> 00:10:01,221 Speaker 3: everything's going to be okay and life is going to 155 00:10:01,221 --> 00:10:04,901 Speaker 3: be good. And so many people, like you said, get 156 00:10:04,981 --> 00:10:10,101 Speaker 3: caught up in what's going on and correct things to answer, 157 00:10:10,341 --> 00:10:13,461 Speaker 3: and you just have to show up for each other. 158 00:10:13,820 --> 00:10:17,421 Speaker 3: And that's the truth. So you said, thank you for 159 00:10:17,460 --> 00:10:20,461 Speaker 3: your service. I have to share a great story. I 160 00:10:20,660 --> 00:10:26,780 Speaker 3: had the privilege of meeting General Maddis and I was 161 00:10:26,861 --> 00:10:29,780 Speaker 3: so nervous before meeting him, and I said, thank you 162 00:10:29,820 --> 00:10:35,101 Speaker 3: for your service, sir, and he said, you're worth it. Oh, 163 00:10:35,141 --> 00:10:39,660 Speaker 3: And it stopped me and he said, now, Jen, you 164 00:10:39,741 --> 00:10:43,461 Speaker 3: see lots of people through your line of work. When 165 00:10:43,501 --> 00:10:47,021 Speaker 3: you thank someone, if they say you're welcome, I want 166 00:10:47,060 --> 00:10:50,421 Speaker 3: you to tell them this story. And I tell every 167 00:10:50,460 --> 00:10:54,660 Speaker 3: military member I meet to say to somebody that says 168 00:10:54,700 --> 00:10:55,821 Speaker 3: that you're worth it. 169 00:10:56,460 --> 00:10:59,860 Speaker 2: When you said that, I literally, and I'm not exaggerating here, 170 00:11:00,341 --> 00:11:03,540 Speaker 2: I literally felt like I had to like take a 171 00:11:03,580 --> 00:11:06,181 Speaker 2: deep breath like it. I mean, it makes you think, 172 00:11:06,221 --> 00:11:09,141 Speaker 2: it makes you feel something different. It definitely carries a 173 00:11:09,180 --> 00:11:11,981 Speaker 2: different way to that I'm gonna have to use that 174 00:11:12,901 --> 00:11:15,621 Speaker 2: you do. That's the perfect response right there. Thank you 175 00:11:15,660 --> 00:11:18,540 Speaker 2: for sharing that story. It's funny how you said you 176 00:11:18,540 --> 00:11:21,261 Speaker 2: were shy. Yeah, you ain't shy, Jen, I feel like 177 00:11:21,300 --> 00:11:29,501 Speaker 2: we could talk for hours and hosting this podcast. That's 178 00:11:29,501 --> 00:11:32,420 Speaker 2: one of the things I've identified is that we're telling 179 00:11:32,460 --> 00:11:35,620 Speaker 2: these stories of these incredible individuals that did something that 180 00:11:36,101 --> 00:11:39,460 Speaker 2: most of us can't even fathom, and it's easy to 181 00:11:39,460 --> 00:11:41,981 Speaker 2: put them on a pedestal, and again, they deserve to 182 00:11:41,981 --> 00:11:45,621 Speaker 2: be up there, right, Those individuals in a moment, they 183 00:11:45,621 --> 00:11:48,461 Speaker 2: didn't know what the outcome would be. They just kept 184 00:11:48,540 --> 00:11:52,141 Speaker 2: showing up, right. They didn't have to have all the answers. 185 00:11:52,420 --> 00:11:55,261 Speaker 2: They just went with what they had. They just brought 186 00:11:55,300 --> 00:11:59,141 Speaker 2: themselves and they just kept showing up. That's a beautiful 187 00:11:59,180 --> 00:12:02,180 Speaker 2: reminder to everybody that's listening, whether you've served or not, 188 00:12:03,021 --> 00:12:26,021 Speaker 2: no matter what you're navigating in life, keep showing up. Well, Jen, listen, 189 00:12:26,060 --> 00:12:28,420 Speaker 2: I'm gonna ask you a straight up question now, when 190 00:12:28,460 --> 00:12:31,461 Speaker 2: these families are showing up, are you trying to convert 191 00:12:31,501 --> 00:12:35,101 Speaker 2: them to be like Celtics fans and Ruin fans? And 192 00:12:35,940 --> 00:12:37,820 Speaker 2: I mean, are you trying a Red Sox fan? Are 193 00:12:37,861 --> 00:12:40,501 Speaker 2: you trying to convert them to be Boston fans? 194 00:12:40,580 --> 00:12:40,700 Speaker 1: Like? 195 00:12:40,741 --> 00:12:42,580 Speaker 2: What do you do? I know you guys always trying 196 00:12:42,621 --> 00:12:43,740 Speaker 2: to work on angle up there. 197 00:12:44,180 --> 00:12:47,540 Speaker 3: Yeah, so everyone knows the Patriots and the Bruins are 198 00:12:47,580 --> 00:12:51,101 Speaker 3: the best, so they just immediate and Celtics, you know, 199 00:12:51,221 --> 00:12:54,580 Speaker 3: so they just automatically want to be part of our 200 00:12:54,660 --> 00:12:55,540 Speaker 3: family with that. 201 00:12:55,861 --> 00:12:59,940 Speaker 1: But I think that's one of the things. 202 00:12:59,940 --> 00:13:02,501 Speaker 2: Like when I was in San Antonio recovering, like, you know, 203 00:13:02,580 --> 00:13:04,940 Speaker 2: they would give me a hard time, right, I'd come 204 00:13:04,981 --> 00:13:06,980 Speaker 2: out of a surgery and I'd wake up and then 205 00:13:07,660 --> 00:13:09,540 Speaker 2: you know, the staff would prank me and they would 206 00:13:09,540 --> 00:13:13,300 Speaker 2: literally decorate my room with spurs gear and I'm. 207 00:13:13,141 --> 00:13:15,381 Speaker 1: Like, oh, like, what are you guys doing? Like why 208 00:13:15,420 --> 00:13:16,381 Speaker 1: are you guys doing this to me? 209 00:13:16,460 --> 00:13:18,741 Speaker 2: And it was just one of those fun, little banter 210 00:13:18,901 --> 00:13:21,261 Speaker 2: things that just sort of kind of allowed you to 211 00:13:21,300 --> 00:13:23,021 Speaker 2: have a little bit of an escape, if you will. 212 00:13:23,341 --> 00:13:29,420 Speaker 3: So I will share our apartments. The three apartments were 213 00:13:29,940 --> 00:13:34,621 Speaker 3: decorated and all the furniture donated by the New England Patriots. 214 00:13:34,660 --> 00:13:38,700 Speaker 3: They have been an unbelievable partner. So I do get 215 00:13:38,820 --> 00:13:40,980 Speaker 3: quite a bit when I put a family in one 216 00:13:41,021 --> 00:13:44,861 Speaker 3: of our apartments. They joke with, Okay, we'll be a 217 00:13:44,901 --> 00:13:48,820 Speaker 3: Patriots fan for this amount of time because all the 218 00:13:48,861 --> 00:13:53,381 Speaker 3: pictures on the walls are the Patriots, So we do 219 00:13:53,621 --> 00:13:55,940 Speaker 3: force them to be Patriots fans. 220 00:13:56,060 --> 00:13:59,741 Speaker 1: But that's not a bad thing. That's not a bad thing. 221 00:13:59,940 --> 00:14:02,980 Speaker 2: Get up there and enjoy that culture, you know, Our 222 00:14:03,021 --> 00:14:07,540 Speaker 2: show focuses on stories of courage, and we're often talking 223 00:14:07,580 --> 00:14:10,100 Speaker 2: about that courage that takes place on the battlefield. 224 00:14:11,300 --> 00:14:13,780 Speaker 1: What kind of courage do you see in the people 225 00:14:13,820 --> 00:14:14,580 Speaker 1: that you work with? 226 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:22,701 Speaker 3: Just incredible from diagnosis that they are given and how 227 00:14:22,741 --> 00:14:28,901 Speaker 3: they have to stay strong for both their family and themselves. 228 00:14:30,061 --> 00:14:32,341 Speaker 3: J Are there things that would send you and I 229 00:14:32,621 --> 00:14:37,100 Speaker 3: into tears in our bed for hours and they're standing up, 230 00:14:37,861 --> 00:14:42,581 Speaker 3: showing up for their loved ones and everyone around them. 231 00:14:43,261 --> 00:14:46,381 Speaker 3: I'll tell you. General John Kelly is a good friend, 232 00:14:46,981 --> 00:14:51,341 Speaker 3: and we dedicated the garden in West Roxbury to General 233 00:14:51,460 --> 00:14:57,141 Speaker 3: Kelly's son who was killed in action. And one day 234 00:14:57,221 --> 00:15:02,661 Speaker 3: I was walking with John and I started crying about 235 00:15:02,701 --> 00:15:06,901 Speaker 3: one of our families, just simple tears coming down. And 236 00:15:07,341 --> 00:15:09,781 Speaker 3: John put his hand on my arm and he gave 237 00:15:09,861 --> 00:15:13,621 Speaker 3: me the best of and he said, Jen, you can 238 00:15:13,701 --> 00:15:18,301 Speaker 3: never cry with the family. You're here to support them. 239 00:15:18,781 --> 00:15:21,901 Speaker 3: If you're crying, they're going to turn around and take 240 00:15:21,941 --> 00:15:26,141 Speaker 3: care of you. Now, Jr. If you know me, I 241 00:15:26,381 --> 00:15:30,021 Speaker 3: cry at the drop of a hat. So it is 242 00:15:30,261 --> 00:15:34,901 Speaker 3: very hard for me to stay in a place with 243 00:15:35,021 --> 00:15:39,221 Speaker 3: these families because when you hear that, you know we've 244 00:15:39,261 --> 00:15:42,141 Speaker 3: been married fifty years and we're going to celebrate our 245 00:15:42,181 --> 00:15:47,261 Speaker 3: anniversary in the hospital why he fights leukemia. Talking to 246 00:15:47,421 --> 00:15:51,421 Speaker 3: the veteran that calls and says, hey, I'm making this 247 00:15:51,541 --> 00:15:54,980 Speaker 3: call for my wife. I know you can't help me. 248 00:15:55,821 --> 00:15:58,741 Speaker 3: I'm just going to go on hospice. I need to 249 00:15:58,861 --> 00:16:02,901 Speaker 3: leave her financially sound, and if we come to Boston, 250 00:16:03,381 --> 00:16:05,901 Speaker 3: I won't be able to. And then I get to 251 00:16:05,941 --> 00:16:10,021 Speaker 3: pop in and say, sir, you're coming to Boston. I've 252 00:16:10,021 --> 00:16:12,581 Speaker 3: got you covered. We're going to get you here, and 253 00:16:12,621 --> 00:16:15,181 Speaker 3: we're going to take care of your stay. And just 254 00:16:15,381 --> 00:16:19,781 Speaker 3: knowing the difference we're making, there's nothing you can feel 255 00:16:19,781 --> 00:16:23,141 Speaker 3: but pride. And that is a true story. And he 256 00:16:23,301 --> 00:16:27,741 Speaker 3: is still living today. It's just across the board a 257 00:16:27,901 --> 00:16:33,740 Speaker 3: lesson every day because they are strong when they're seeing me. 258 00:16:34,501 --> 00:16:38,541 Speaker 3: They're in that space that they are allowed to come 259 00:16:38,621 --> 00:16:42,740 Speaker 3: down and cry and share the worst of what's going 260 00:16:42,821 --> 00:16:46,461 Speaker 3: on or the best of what's going on. So I 261 00:16:46,501 --> 00:16:50,860 Speaker 3: look at these families in awe at what they are shouldering, 262 00:16:51,301 --> 00:16:55,141 Speaker 3: what they are handling for their loved one. And I 263 00:16:55,221 --> 00:16:58,541 Speaker 3: will say, the military don't want to ask for anything. 264 00:16:58,781 --> 00:17:01,021 Speaker 1: Yeah, we don't ask for help. We don't. 265 00:17:01,341 --> 00:17:04,421 Speaker 2: And you hear of these Medal of Honor recipients who 266 00:17:05,301 --> 00:17:08,381 Speaker 2: come home and they struggle, right, They struggle. They struggle 267 00:17:08,421 --> 00:17:12,181 Speaker 2: asking for help, They struggle with vulnerable you know, they 268 00:17:12,221 --> 00:17:17,581 Speaker 2: struggle with how to build that community outside of that 269 00:17:17,701 --> 00:17:22,781 Speaker 2: military environment. And when you have people like yourself that 270 00:17:22,861 --> 00:17:26,301 Speaker 2: are doing what they're doing, it just helps a service 271 00:17:26,341 --> 00:17:29,221 Speaker 2: member slowly start to believe that they can ask for help. 272 00:17:29,701 --> 00:17:33,541 Speaker 3: The younger generation, I will say, is more apt to 273 00:17:33,621 --> 00:17:38,781 Speaker 3: reach out, whereas the Korean and Vietnam vets, they're the 274 00:17:38,781 --> 00:17:42,461 Speaker 3: ones that when I say, sir, I've got you, the 275 00:17:42,501 --> 00:17:47,381 Speaker 3: phone goes quiet, and I know they're crying, so I 276 00:17:47,501 --> 00:17:50,021 Speaker 3: have to give them a few minutes. Yeah, and then 277 00:17:50,061 --> 00:17:52,901 Speaker 3: they come back and they say, ma'am, no one's ever 278 00:17:52,941 --> 00:17:56,381 Speaker 3: done anything like this for me. I had a veteran say, 279 00:17:56,461 --> 00:17:59,821 Speaker 3: we helped his wife who has leukemia and she was 280 00:17:59,901 --> 00:18:04,541 Speaker 3: here for over two hundred days in the hospital receiving care. 281 00:18:05,021 --> 00:18:08,621 Speaker 3: And he was a United States Marine and he said, 282 00:18:09,101 --> 00:18:12,781 Speaker 3: in all the years and all the service, this is 283 00:18:12,821 --> 00:18:15,901 Speaker 3: the greatest gift he has ever gotten back and the 284 00:18:15,941 --> 00:18:22,221 Speaker 3: first time he ever felt respected. Wow, And that's huge. 285 00:18:22,341 --> 00:18:22,541 Speaker 1: You know. 286 00:18:22,581 --> 00:18:25,621 Speaker 2: I often refer to the nearly three years that I 287 00:18:25,661 --> 00:18:28,701 Speaker 2: spent in the hospital recovering. When I actually sat down 288 00:18:28,861 --> 00:18:31,340 Speaker 2: to write my book and I got into the section 289 00:18:31,421 --> 00:18:35,341 Speaker 2: about my recovery, and I called my best friend and 290 00:18:36,061 --> 00:18:39,221 Speaker 2: I said, Man, is it weird that as I'm referring 291 00:18:39,781 --> 00:18:42,580 Speaker 2: and thinking about the time in the hospital, like I 292 00:18:42,661 --> 00:18:46,100 Speaker 2: actually feel like I miss it. And he said, no, 293 00:18:46,181 --> 00:18:48,941 Speaker 2: it's not weird, Jr. He's like, that's a reflection of 294 00:18:49,021 --> 00:18:51,181 Speaker 2: the people that took care of you, the people that 295 00:18:51,221 --> 00:18:53,741 Speaker 2: were there. And it was one of those moments where 296 00:18:53,781 --> 00:18:57,021 Speaker 2: I was like, Oh, that's so true. They weren't just 297 00:18:57,701 --> 00:19:00,301 Speaker 2: the team that took care of me, whether the physician 298 00:19:00,621 --> 00:19:05,101 Speaker 2: or the social worker or the volunteer. They were my friends. 299 00:19:06,021 --> 00:19:07,821 Speaker 2: They were my extended family. 300 00:19:08,661 --> 00:19:12,501 Speaker 3: I get that because we have families that the husband 301 00:19:12,661 --> 00:19:16,221 Speaker 3: or wife cannot come the whole time. And that's when 302 00:19:16,261 --> 00:19:18,461 Speaker 3: we pop in and say, you know, is there anything 303 00:19:18,501 --> 00:19:21,141 Speaker 3: you need? Is there any you know there's another family 304 00:19:21,581 --> 00:19:24,661 Speaker 3: staying down the hall. Would you like to connect with them? 305 00:19:24,901 --> 00:19:28,781 Speaker 3: And you make a community of support, And that's what 306 00:19:28,861 --> 00:19:33,860 Speaker 3: it's all about. Even after we've put families up for 307 00:19:34,101 --> 00:19:39,221 Speaker 3: three hundred days, you know, sometimes they don't think to 308 00:19:39,341 --> 00:19:43,301 Speaker 3: come back and think about what kept them here. But 309 00:19:44,101 --> 00:19:49,661 Speaker 3: I will tell you. On Thanksgiving, my text message chain 310 00:19:49,941 --> 00:19:54,141 Speaker 3: fills up with messages from people saying thank you. 311 00:19:55,341 --> 00:19:57,340 Speaker 2: But then, what do you do for yourself? How do 312 00:19:57,421 --> 00:20:01,541 Speaker 2: you keep showing up? Because it takes an emotional toll. 313 00:20:02,181 --> 00:20:05,701 Speaker 2: I mean, you become connected, invested in all of these 314 00:20:05,701 --> 00:20:09,140 Speaker 2: families that you are around. What do you and what 315 00:20:09,221 --> 00:20:13,181 Speaker 2: does the team do for themselves in order to keep 316 00:20:13,381 --> 00:20:15,101 Speaker 2: showing up the way that you guys do. 317 00:20:16,941 --> 00:20:20,781 Speaker 3: That's a great question. So I asked myself that question. 318 00:20:20,861 --> 00:20:23,981 Speaker 3: I've been doing this sixteen years now, so I had 319 00:20:24,021 --> 00:20:29,021 Speaker 3: gone a long time without realizing the toll that it 320 00:20:29,101 --> 00:20:33,340 Speaker 3: was putting on me. Because when you hear so many 321 00:20:33,381 --> 00:20:38,061 Speaker 3: sad stories, you hold them, you hold them in your heart. 322 00:20:38,901 --> 00:20:43,221 Speaker 3: So this is a mission of love, I would say. 323 00:20:44,061 --> 00:20:46,981 Speaker 3: And I'm going to circle this back to courage and 324 00:20:47,061 --> 00:20:53,101 Speaker 3: being courageous because when I decided to start this program, 325 00:20:53,661 --> 00:20:56,981 Speaker 3: I didn't know at the time if the foundation would 326 00:20:57,021 --> 00:21:01,981 Speaker 3: even allow me to do this, But I had facts 327 00:21:02,221 --> 00:21:05,701 Speaker 3: that there were military families that were sleeping in their cars. 328 00:21:06,501 --> 00:21:08,901 Speaker 3: What are we supposed to do turn our back on 329 00:21:08,941 --> 00:21:12,261 Speaker 3: them and pretend we don't know the this is happening now. 330 00:21:12,821 --> 00:21:17,661 Speaker 3: So it took a lot of courage to put this together, 331 00:21:18,501 --> 00:21:21,580 Speaker 3: know that it was crazy because we'd have to raise 332 00:21:21,661 --> 00:21:25,901 Speaker 3: the funds to do this, and then it all just 333 00:21:26,021 --> 00:21:31,981 Speaker 3: worked out. My son is in it, and early on 334 00:21:32,101 --> 00:21:38,301 Speaker 3: he was volunteld that he would do this. Now he 335 00:21:38,341 --> 00:21:41,981 Speaker 3: loves it and he loves being part of it because 336 00:21:42,061 --> 00:21:46,021 Speaker 3: he gets to meet the military members that we help. 337 00:21:46,581 --> 00:21:50,141 Speaker 3: I mentioned earlier that we have a nurse that does 338 00:21:50,781 --> 00:21:54,621 Speaker 3: all of the medical intakes. That is my daughter, who 339 00:21:54,741 --> 00:22:00,101 Speaker 3: I stole from her bedside nursing job after five years 340 00:22:00,621 --> 00:22:04,581 Speaker 3: and said I need you on my team because they 341 00:22:04,701 --> 00:22:08,541 Speaker 3: grew up with this idea. They saw me have the 342 00:22:08,621 --> 00:22:12,501 Speaker 3: light bulb go off and say I need to do something. 343 00:22:13,061 --> 00:22:17,221 Speaker 3: So this is a true family love. My daughter met 344 00:22:17,261 --> 00:22:21,901 Speaker 3: her husband through the Fisher House Boston. He's an army guy, 345 00:22:22,101 --> 00:22:25,861 Speaker 3: and unlike other jobs where you check out at the 346 00:22:25,981 --> 00:22:28,621 Speaker 3: end of the day and you go home, we've have 347 00:22:28,781 --> 00:22:32,461 Speaker 3: days that we put in sixteen hours sitting taking care 348 00:22:32,501 --> 00:22:35,580 Speaker 3: of families. We never look at it as a job. 349 00:22:36,701 --> 00:22:41,541 Speaker 3: When we talk about self care. We're family, so we 350 00:22:41,701 --> 00:22:45,741 Speaker 3: talk and there's never really a cutoff time. At ten 351 00:22:45,741 --> 00:22:48,821 Speaker 3: o'clock at night, Abigail can call me and say we 352 00:22:49,021 --> 00:22:52,021 Speaker 3: just got a call. A man's coming in for a transplant. 353 00:22:52,021 --> 00:22:56,301 Speaker 3: There medflighting him tomorrow morning. We're talking all the time 354 00:22:56,381 --> 00:22:59,741 Speaker 3: about the families that need help, why the rest of 355 00:22:59,781 --> 00:23:00,941 Speaker 3: the country is sleeping. 356 00:23:01,981 --> 00:23:04,620 Speaker 2: So you guys turn out to be each other's support 357 00:23:04,661 --> 00:23:08,341 Speaker 2: system absolutely, where you guys convent with one another's, share 358 00:23:08,341 --> 00:23:10,701 Speaker 2: with one another, be there to support one another. 359 00:23:10,781 --> 00:23:13,341 Speaker 1: Year you understand each other. That is beautiful. 360 00:23:13,381 --> 00:23:17,141 Speaker 2: I love I love how you know the connection there 361 00:23:17,461 --> 00:23:20,261 Speaker 2: and the ripple effect from the work and the way 362 00:23:20,261 --> 00:23:22,541 Speaker 2: that you've shown up. You know, I'm a father, I 363 00:23:22,581 --> 00:23:24,701 Speaker 2: have two kids. You know, you always get the question 364 00:23:24,741 --> 00:23:27,221 Speaker 2: of like, which kid do you love the most right 365 00:23:27,541 --> 00:23:29,501 Speaker 2: and as a parent, you can't really answer that question. 366 00:23:29,501 --> 00:23:31,901 Speaker 2: You're like, I love them all equally. It's just but 367 00:23:32,781 --> 00:23:35,461 Speaker 2: I get the impression that you're kind of like the 368 00:23:35,501 --> 00:23:38,301 Speaker 2: mother for all of these you know, patients that come 369 00:23:38,341 --> 00:23:39,501 Speaker 2: through and go through. 370 00:23:39,661 --> 00:23:40,741 Speaker 1: You know your process. 371 00:23:41,381 --> 00:23:46,181 Speaker 2: But is there one specific family or veteran whose story 372 00:23:46,581 --> 00:23:49,580 Speaker 2: has stayed with you over the years. 373 00:23:50,501 --> 00:23:55,301 Speaker 3: So I will tell you, honestly, every story touches me 374 00:23:55,381 --> 00:24:00,901 Speaker 3: in a different way. You have children that have something 375 00:24:00,941 --> 00:24:05,141 Speaker 3: called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. They are in the hospital 376 00:24:05,261 --> 00:24:09,501 Speaker 3: for a long, long time, you get to know those 377 00:24:09,581 --> 00:24:13,661 Speaker 3: families very well. Well. You know, I sit there and 378 00:24:13,701 --> 00:24:16,301 Speaker 3: I cry with them, and I hold their hand and 379 00:24:16,341 --> 00:24:20,021 Speaker 3: I support them. They are the same as the stem 380 00:24:20,141 --> 00:24:24,941 Speaker 3: cell families that are coming through. It really is just 381 00:24:25,101 --> 00:24:29,661 Speaker 3: like my son and daughter. Each family has changed my 382 00:24:29,781 --> 00:24:37,981 Speaker 3: life in some way, and they really have. They come 383 00:24:38,021 --> 00:24:42,941 Speaker 3: to you when they have fear, uncertainty, They have no 384 00:24:43,101 --> 00:24:47,261 Speaker 3: idea how they're going to do this. I believe all 385 00:24:47,341 --> 00:24:50,901 Speaker 3: they should focus on is their loved one and let 386 00:24:50,981 --> 00:24:55,541 Speaker 3: me take care of the rest. I couldn't say I 387 00:24:55,621 --> 00:24:59,661 Speaker 3: have a favorite, because they all have truly touched me 388 00:25:00,101 --> 00:25:01,501 Speaker 3: and left me with something. 389 00:25:03,621 --> 00:25:16,061 Speaker 1: I believe you. I believe you. 390 00:25:19,501 --> 00:25:19,580 Speaker 3: So. 391 00:25:19,741 --> 00:25:19,941 Speaker 1: Jen. 392 00:25:20,221 --> 00:25:25,101 Speaker 2: Three years ago, in twenty twenty three, you, my friend, 393 00:25:25,181 --> 00:25:29,901 Speaker 2: received the Citizen's Honors Service Act Medal. What did it 394 00:25:30,021 --> 00:25:33,181 Speaker 2: mean for you to be recognized by Medal of Honor 395 00:25:33,221 --> 00:25:35,741 Speaker 2: recipients for your service. 396 00:25:37,061 --> 00:25:41,340 Speaker 3: Other than my children? The absolute greatest honor I have 397 00:25:41,421 --> 00:25:45,061 Speaker 3: ever received. You know, I've been involved with the Medal 398 00:25:45,101 --> 00:25:47,861 Speaker 3: of Honor for a long time. The Medal of Honor 399 00:25:47,901 --> 00:25:50,981 Speaker 3: hosts a convention every year, and I would be the 400 00:25:51,021 --> 00:25:54,301 Speaker 3: first to raise my hand to sit on the committee 401 00:25:54,341 --> 00:25:56,941 Speaker 3: to make it an incredible week for them when they 402 00:25:56,981 --> 00:26:00,781 Speaker 3: come to Boston. I can't tell you I'm you know. 403 00:26:00,861 --> 00:26:04,141 Speaker 3: I look at them and the heroic things they did 404 00:26:04,261 --> 00:26:09,061 Speaker 3: and the courage and the discipline everything that makes up 405 00:26:09,141 --> 00:26:13,061 Speaker 3: a Medal of Honor recipient, and I am humbled. I 406 00:26:13,101 --> 00:26:15,741 Speaker 3: can't believe that they even put my name in the 407 00:26:15,781 --> 00:26:19,261 Speaker 3: same sentence with them, And it just makes me work 408 00:26:19,341 --> 00:26:23,901 Speaker 3: harder because they gave me something so valuable and that 409 00:26:24,021 --> 00:26:27,341 Speaker 3: meant so much that I have to keep showing up 410 00:26:27,381 --> 00:26:30,821 Speaker 3: for these families and keep doing and growing and seeing 411 00:26:30,861 --> 00:26:34,061 Speaker 3: where there are gaps and care and be there for 412 00:26:34,141 --> 00:26:36,021 Speaker 3: the men and women that need us. 413 00:26:36,501 --> 00:26:41,741 Speaker 2: I love that that is so pure and yet one 414 00:26:41,821 --> 00:26:45,621 Speaker 2: hundred percent of what we constantly hear on this show 415 00:26:45,701 --> 00:26:48,621 Speaker 2: when we're talking about metal of out of recipients, right, 416 00:26:48,701 --> 00:26:52,541 Speaker 2: it's just this element of like, Okay, I have this 417 00:26:52,621 --> 00:26:56,100 Speaker 2: responsibility now, right. You know it's not always easy, but 418 00:26:56,861 --> 00:27:01,340 Speaker 2: this metal is just mainly a reminder that I am 419 00:27:01,421 --> 00:27:04,981 Speaker 2: still in service and the job is not done right. 420 00:27:06,541 --> 00:27:10,100 Speaker 2: What would you say to someone that is listening, that 421 00:27:10,181 --> 00:27:15,021 Speaker 2: is navigating their own adversity, whatever it may be, and 422 00:27:15,061 --> 00:27:19,221 Speaker 2: how they overcome it and how they continue to find 423 00:27:19,221 --> 00:27:20,221 Speaker 2: ways to show up. 424 00:27:20,781 --> 00:27:25,781 Speaker 3: So first, I'd say, give yourself a break, because we 425 00:27:25,981 --> 00:27:29,701 Speaker 3: put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Give yourself a 426 00:27:29,741 --> 00:27:34,021 Speaker 3: little bit of a break, and then one step at 427 00:27:34,021 --> 00:27:38,741 Speaker 3: a time. And know, something that you think is so 428 00:27:39,061 --> 00:27:44,340 Speaker 3: big and overpowering and crushing, sometimes when you look at 429 00:27:44,381 --> 00:27:47,341 Speaker 3: it the next day, you see another way to look 430 00:27:47,381 --> 00:27:51,181 Speaker 3: at it, and you start to process things in a 431 00:27:51,381 --> 00:27:55,381 Speaker 3: very different way. And that's what I would say is 432 00:27:55,581 --> 00:28:01,821 Speaker 3: know there are thousands of different chances, opportunities. There's nothing 433 00:28:01,981 --> 00:28:08,021 Speaker 3: that's so big that can't be overcome. And lean on people. 434 00:28:08,421 --> 00:28:12,581 Speaker 3: Nobody does things alone. You need your team of people, 435 00:28:13,581 --> 00:28:18,461 Speaker 3: whether it's family or battle buddies or you know, whoever 436 00:28:18,501 --> 00:28:21,341 Speaker 3: it is, lean on them. That's what they're there for. 437 00:28:22,541 --> 00:28:24,661 Speaker 1: How have you changed as a person? 438 00:28:26,501 --> 00:28:30,741 Speaker 3: I've changed so much. I would say. Twenty years ago 439 00:28:30,861 --> 00:28:35,140 Speaker 3: I never used the word blessed. I am blessed. It 440 00:28:35,221 --> 00:28:38,621 Speaker 3: is a gift and a privilege to be able to 441 00:28:38,781 --> 00:28:42,941 Speaker 3: make a change and a difference in someone's life, especially 442 00:28:43,021 --> 00:28:47,501 Speaker 3: when it is the hardest time of their life. And 443 00:28:48,381 --> 00:28:52,101 Speaker 3: I'm proud of my family to see my kids stepping 444 00:28:52,261 --> 00:28:55,741 Speaker 3: up and being the next generation for this and knowing 445 00:28:55,781 --> 00:29:00,821 Speaker 3: how important it is. To date, we have provided over 446 00:29:01,021 --> 00:29:06,381 Speaker 3: thirty three thousand nights of lodging to over fifty five 447 00:29:06,821 --> 00:29:13,021 Speaker 3: hundred military families, saving them thirty teen million dollars. And 448 00:29:13,061 --> 00:29:17,621 Speaker 3: that is all on donated funds from our community and 449 00:29:17,741 --> 00:29:19,661 Speaker 3: people that know what we're doing. 450 00:29:20,461 --> 00:29:25,061 Speaker 2: Well, Jen, this is a great opportunity to give the 451 00:29:25,141 --> 00:29:29,461 Speaker 2: listener a call to action. What do you need and 452 00:29:29,541 --> 00:29:33,821 Speaker 2: how can people support you and your mission? And then 453 00:29:33,861 --> 00:29:36,941 Speaker 2: how can people just support the Fisher House overall. 454 00:29:37,101 --> 00:29:40,901 Speaker 3: So for us here in Boston, because we do run 455 00:29:40,941 --> 00:29:45,501 Speaker 3: the program on donations, we are always in need of money. 456 00:29:46,021 --> 00:29:52,421 Speaker 3: So we are at Fisherhouse Boston dot org. There are 457 00:29:52,461 --> 00:29:57,581 Speaker 3: donation links there, all of our information is there and 458 00:29:57,661 --> 00:30:01,541 Speaker 3: that is the greatest support we need to be able 459 00:30:01,661 --> 00:30:06,181 Speaker 3: to keep doing what we do. And we have military 460 00:30:06,261 --> 00:30:10,781 Speaker 3: and need they are being diagnosed to now with cancer, 461 00:30:11,221 --> 00:30:17,341 Speaker 3: cardiac disease, high risk pregnancies, transplants, and they're all coming 462 00:30:17,421 --> 00:30:22,021 Speaker 3: to Boston to get the best medical care they can 463 00:30:22,581 --> 00:30:27,261 Speaker 3: and that they deserve. So help us help them and 464 00:30:27,461 --> 00:30:29,941 Speaker 3: go to Fisherhouse Boston dot org. 465 00:30:30,501 --> 00:30:33,461 Speaker 1: And no donation is too small, no never. 466 00:30:34,221 --> 00:30:37,541 Speaker 3: You're making a difference in someone's life, and a real difference. 467 00:30:42,741 --> 00:30:45,181 Speaker 2: When I'm listening to you and I would like to 468 00:30:45,221 --> 00:30:48,261 Speaker 2: say that I'm speaking for the listener right now. I 469 00:30:48,421 --> 00:30:51,661 Speaker 2: feel like I just sort of blanketed in like a big, 470 00:30:51,701 --> 00:30:54,621 Speaker 2: warm hug from you. That's how it feels, And it 471 00:30:54,661 --> 00:30:57,141 Speaker 2: feels like I would want when I'm in the Boston area, 472 00:30:57,141 --> 00:30:58,661 Speaker 2: I want to link up and I want. 473 00:30:58,461 --> 00:31:00,501 Speaker 1: To give you a big old hug and you better. 474 00:31:01,181 --> 00:31:03,221 Speaker 2: I mean, you are an angel on this earth love 475 00:31:03,461 --> 00:31:06,381 Speaker 2: and the way that you are impacting and showing up 476 00:31:06,861 --> 00:31:12,861 Speaker 2: and pouring your heart into every single intake as incredible. 477 00:31:13,221 --> 00:31:17,701 Speaker 2: And again for those listening, please go look up Fisherhouse 478 00:31:17,861 --> 00:31:22,501 Speaker 2: Boston dot org. Thank you so much for your willingness 479 00:31:22,541 --> 00:31:25,061 Speaker 2: to not only do this work but also come on 480 00:31:25,141 --> 00:31:28,181 Speaker 2: to the Medal of Honor Stories of Courage podcast And 481 00:31:28,421 --> 00:31:30,661 Speaker 2: it has been such a joy to have this conversation 482 00:31:30,781 --> 00:31:31,141 Speaker 2: with you. 483 00:31:31,661 --> 00:31:34,661 Speaker 3: Total pleasure to talk with you. Thank you so much. 484 00:31:46,061 --> 00:31:48,941 Speaker 2: To learn more about Jen's work at Fisher House Boston 485 00:31:49,301 --> 00:31:53,021 Speaker 2: or to make a donation to support them, visit Fisherhouse 486 00:31:53,141 --> 00:31:57,101 Speaker 2: Boston dot org. That link is also in our show notes. 487 00:31:58,341 --> 00:32:01,701 Speaker 2: This episode was produced by Ryan Sweikert. It was edited 488 00:32:01,741 --> 00:32:06,021 Speaker 2: by Lydia Jane Kott. Sound designed by Jake Gorski. Our 489 00:32:06,021 --> 00:32:10,861 Speaker 2: Executive producer is Constanze Gayadroro original music by Eric Phillips. 490 00:32:11,581 --> 00:32:14,221 Speaker 1: I'm j R. Martinez. Thank you for listening.