1 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:21,280 Speaker 1: If it doesn't work, you're just not using enough. You're 2 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: listening to Software Radio Special operations, military news and straight 3 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:41,880 Speaker 1: talk with the guys and the community. Hello everyone, welcome 4 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: back to Software Radio. I'm your host of this afternoon. 5 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:49,199 Speaker 1: Excuse me, Steve bals Druri joining me is we have 6 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 1: a very special guest. She's here to talk about Code 7 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: of Vets as something founded by herself. Is Gretchen Smith. 8 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: She's an Air Force veteran. We're gonna talk to her 9 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:06,080 Speaker 1: about this. This is a a great organization that's out 10 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 1: there helping veterans. She's got about I don't know about 11 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: three hundred and fifty thousand followers on Twitter, I believe, 12 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 1: and and also a big following on Facebook. So if 13 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: you're looking for something to donate to to help veterans, 14 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: and we're gonna get into all of this, check out 15 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 1: Code of Vets. But right now we want to welcome 16 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 1: Gretchen too the to the podcast. As she answered the 17 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: call and that's one of the things we love about 18 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: military people that they'll answer the call. And I was 19 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: a last minute thing. We contacted her just this afternoon 20 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:44,400 Speaker 1: and she's making time for us, so uh, we greatly appreciate. Gretchen, 21 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 1: Welcome to Software Radio and thanks for taking the time today. 22 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, it's a pleasure. See thanks for having me. 23 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: You know, veterans we adapt and overcome so any time, 24 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 1: and uh with you know, as we talked about offline 25 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: just a little bit, but you know, it was it's 26 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 1: been in such a crazy week with the election and 27 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 1: everything going on, and you know, we had we dropped 28 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 1: the ball on our end when it came to our 29 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,640 Speaker 1: our podcast this week. So uh, you know, we contacted 30 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: you and you answer the call and and we greatly 31 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: appreciate that. Oh hey, I'm excited. I just want to 32 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:23,679 Speaker 1: say thank you for sharing our mission. It's such a beautiful, 33 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: sacred one. Absolutely, And you know, we're we're at that 34 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 1: time of the year, we're getting their Veterans Day where 35 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 1: you know, people become a little bit more aware of veterans, 36 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,800 Speaker 1: and you know, for those of us who served, we're 37 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 1: aware of veterans and and some of the struggles that 38 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: they faced year round. But you know, for our public, 39 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:46,679 Speaker 1: there's always so much going on with them, and as 40 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:50,520 Speaker 1: it is right now, you know, sometimes veterans get pushed 41 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 1: onto the back burner and and this is a great 42 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:56,519 Speaker 1: time to bring awareness to you know, what you guys 43 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: do and what you're up to. But first I wanted 44 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 1: to talk a little bit about yourself. UM, you know, 45 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 1: filling our listeners all about Gretchen Smith where you're from. 46 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 1: I know you were an Air Force that and you know, 47 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: talked a little bit about that as well. Well, you 48 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 1: know what, I grew up in poverty and in a 49 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 1: in a family that was dysfunctional, and so for me, 50 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 1: the military was a way out to start my own 51 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: life to create a sense of normalcy in the Air Force. 52 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 1: I may not have been good for the Air Force 53 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: upfront initially, but the Air Force was great for me. 54 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:32,200 Speaker 1: It just gave me a stable environment, a family. UM 55 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: just really instilled the values that I needed to have 56 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: a successful life. I met my husband over Ramsigned, Germany, 57 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,160 Speaker 1: where we were both serving, and it just was a 58 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 1: good fit for us. And we both looked back at 59 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 1: our time in the military and you know, in the 60 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:47,920 Speaker 1: Air Force and just really give credit to that foundation 61 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: that was created for us as we moved transition from 62 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 1: teenage years into young adulthood. UM, the Air Force instilled 63 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: those values that we needed, UM, in order to be 64 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 1: a successful city sense, and we have had an incredible life. 65 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 1: We've created our own version of the American dream, and 66 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,559 Speaker 1: we were proud to be airman. Uh. And so that 67 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 1: that's you know that. And I grew up in North Carolina, 68 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: the mountains of North Carolina. So when I did join 69 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,040 Speaker 1: the Air Force, oh my gosh, it was such an 70 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:17,840 Speaker 1: eye opener for me because I, you know, I grew 71 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:19,839 Speaker 1: up in a bubble, so to speak, and in the 72 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 1: Appalachian region and uh, you know, just very very poor, 73 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 1: very and just had a very limited view of life. 74 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:28,359 Speaker 1: And so when I was able to travel with the 75 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 1: Air Force and serve overseas, I was like a sponge, 76 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: you know. I really, I really grew up. And it 77 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: gave me just a great broad world view, um of 78 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 1: who we are as Americans and how unique our country 79 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 1: truly is. It's extraordinary. And it gave me just a 80 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: deeper sense of pride and patriotism to know that we 81 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: live in the greatest um country known demands. That's a 82 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: great way to put it. In fact, you know, it's 83 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 1: funny you mentioned that, because when you're talking about growing 84 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: up in the mountains of North Carolina, I always remember 85 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:06,600 Speaker 1: I was a Special Forces UH instructor at the s 86 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:10,560 Speaker 1: F School and UH one of the courses we ran 87 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:14,840 Speaker 1: for officers, I was manning a point out in the 88 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: middle of nowhere and right near a church in the 89 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 1: mountains in North Carolina, and officers would have to navigate 90 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 1: across the mountain and check in. And there was old 91 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 1: man who lived up in right near the church. And 92 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:31,280 Speaker 1: he saw my little tent set up there. And I 93 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: was up there all week, and him and his dog 94 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 1: would come up and see me every day and would 95 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:38,600 Speaker 1: shoot the breeze about things. And and I asked him 96 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 1: how long he had been living up there in the mountains. 97 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 1: He said he was born in the house he lived in, 98 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: and UH, his grandfather actually built the house and that's 99 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 1: been their home. And I, you know, we talked about 100 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: traveling and being in the military, and he was just 101 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: shaking his head. The farthest he ever had been is Asheville, 102 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: which was only about fifteen miles away, and he was like, 103 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 1: he was like, yeah, he's like I can't even, you know, 104 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: fathom going that far away. He's like, the farthest I 105 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,280 Speaker 1: ever went with Asheville because him and his wife they 106 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,480 Speaker 1: went to Asheville, which was fifteen miles away about more 107 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: or less. I grew up very close to Asheville. Yeah, 108 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 1: that's funny. Yah, mountain people, they don't they don't venture 109 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: too far off the mountain, that's for sure. And that 110 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,280 Speaker 1: was their honeymoon and he was like, yeah, we you know, 111 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: we got in there and saw the city of Asheville, 112 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 1: and then we came home and we've been living on 113 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: the farm ever since. Yeah, it sounds like my can 114 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,200 Speaker 1: It's a beautiful part of the country. Oh my gosh. 115 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:51,039 Speaker 1: I love the mountains. I you know, you know. I 116 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:54,160 Speaker 1: my dad is buried in Waynesville, North Carolina, where both 117 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 1: sides of my family are from, in Haywood County, and 118 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 1: it's just it's every time I go there to visit, 119 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 1: I just it's just it's so beautiful. I absolutely of 120 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: everything about it. I definitely would love to retire down it. 121 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 1: I told you earlier down in Florida, but I would 122 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 1: love to have a little place in the mountains, just 123 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 1: to be able to go visit that's great even um, 124 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: and to reconnect with my family. Um. It was just 125 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 1: it was a special way to grow up. We were very, 126 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: very poor. We were We definitely lived in poverty, Um, 127 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: but there were some you know, there was dysfunction, but 128 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 1: I have some beautiful memories of romping around in the mountains. Well, 129 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:32,200 Speaker 1: it's a great place to grow up. And I know 130 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: growing up poor isn't the greatest thing, but I mean 131 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: you could pick a lot worse places to grow up 132 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: than in the mountains in North Carolina. Oh yeah, absolutely. 133 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 1: And let's talk about your dad, Um, you mentioned your 134 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 1: dad's buried up there, because this is how you you 135 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 1: started your code for vets was you know, your inspiration 136 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: was your father? And please tell us all about him. Yeah, dad, 137 00:07:57,720 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: You know Dad obviously you know he grew up in 138 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: the North Carolina too, was a mount boy, and he 139 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 1: volunteer to served. He was an airborne infantry served in Vietnam, 140 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 1: and he came back and changed man Steve. He just 141 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: never really did get the help that he needed. He 142 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: turned to drugs and alcohol and was very unstable. Had 143 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 1: just lived a very chaotic life. But he did reach 144 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:20,600 Speaker 1: out once when he had initially come back some more. 145 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 1: He went to the the v A actually in Asheville, 146 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: North Carolina, and he was told he had something called 147 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 1: shell shock, uh, and the doctor told him he needed 148 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 1: to suck it up and be a man and basically 149 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: never speak of it again. And you know, it was PTSD, 150 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,719 Speaker 1: and he just he never could um get over what 151 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 1: he had done, what he had seen the sites of smell. 152 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 1: Some of his you know, closest buddies were killed right 153 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 1: beside him, and very gruesome and glory ways. And you know, 154 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: Dad was a point man, and you know he did 155 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:53,680 Speaker 1: he had done some stuff. So he he just could 156 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: not find that piece and he did not get to help. 157 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:58,839 Speaker 1: And I lost Dad back in two thousand five and 158 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 1: I sat down with him, probably five years before he died, 159 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:04,679 Speaker 1: and I was crying, and I just said, Dad, what 160 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: are you doing? You know? Yeah, I love you. You 161 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,079 Speaker 1: know you've got kids and grandkids that need you. And 162 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 1: he just looked at me, see, with just big tears 163 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 1: in his eyes, and they just started rolling and he said, Gretchen, 164 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: I'm tired. He said, I'm tired, and I can't fight 165 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: them anymore. He said they've wont and he said I'm 166 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:23,599 Speaker 1: ready to go home. I'm done. Uh. And it just 167 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:27,679 Speaker 1: that conversation really stuck with me. Those words seared my soul, 168 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:30,959 Speaker 1: and I wanted to do something um to honor my 169 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:34,079 Speaker 1: dad's life, his service and his death, and and so 170 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: I started codivets, you know, as a Twitter page to 171 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 1: honor him and just to talk about him from you know, 172 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: a daughter's perspective. I love my dad. He was my hero, 173 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:46,120 Speaker 1: even though he wasn't the greatest dad in the world. Um, 174 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:48,719 Speaker 1: I understood that there were a lot of you know, 175 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:51,679 Speaker 1: troubles that came with that from his time in war. 176 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 1: And I Codivets exploded from day one. It really took off, 177 00:09:57,320 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 1: and a year later it became a nonprofit and we've 178 00:09:59,880 --> 00:10:03,440 Speaker 1: been able to do some phenomenal work, um stemming from 179 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:05,920 Speaker 1: my dad's death. So I truly have turned it into 180 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:11,400 Speaker 1: something powerful, into something good. That's fantastic, and you know 181 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 1: that's it's such a it's such a powerful story, and 182 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 1: it's a typical one. Unfortunately for the guys who came 183 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 1: back from Vietnam, we didn't know how to handle things, 184 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:25,119 Speaker 1: and we still really don't when it comes to PTSD. 185 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: We're getting better with it, but we're still not there 186 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:31,199 Speaker 1: by any stretch of the imagination. I mean, it's a 187 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: struggle now. Unfortunately, a lot of those guys from that generation, 188 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: you know, they were cast aside and Uh, it's something 189 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:43,440 Speaker 1: our country shouldn't be very proud of when it comes 190 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:49,199 Speaker 1: to that. Um, you know, I know even our veterans 191 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: of today, they don't do enough. I don't believe for 192 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:55,599 Speaker 1: PTSD and we still don't understand it enough, you know. 193 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: I think that's something they're they're putting a lot of 194 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: money and effort in too. I mean, you look at 195 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 1: all the veteran suicides and a lot of that is 196 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: SEMs straight from PTSD. And it's so sad to hear that. 197 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: And your dad was also exposed to agent orange as well, 198 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:14,880 Speaker 1: did Yeah, yeah, yeah. He He had a lot of 199 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:17,520 Speaker 1: medical issues as well, which I think contributed just to 200 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 1: his giving up. Um. He had diabetes, He had one 201 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 1: of his toes had been resurgically removed, he was amputated, 202 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: and they were he almost lost his foot, but they 203 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: were the VA was able to save the foot and 204 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:30,439 Speaker 1: just took one toe. They had a lot of different 205 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:33,319 Speaker 1: in medical issues seeming from the agent orange. And you 206 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 1: know he was tired, not only you know, mentally and emotionally, 207 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: but physically as well, just fighting that fight. Um, just 208 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 1: from that exposure and it caused it was causing so 209 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:43,559 Speaker 1: much to the image in his body as he was 210 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:46,800 Speaker 1: aging and in Dad was a hundred percent service connect 211 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: and it just you know, and Dad did not shoot 212 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:51,839 Speaker 1: himself did He did not overdose on pills. And I 213 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 1: I want to share this because I think our veterans 214 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:56,319 Speaker 1: need to hear this. When you know, when I was 215 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: talking to Dad and he he said, you see that 216 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: gun sitting over their aggression. He said, I'm not going 217 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 1: to blow my head off because I love you kids 218 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: too much. And then he pointed at the bottle. He said, 219 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:07,719 Speaker 1: you see that bottle. He said, it's going to do 220 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 1: the exact same thing, and it did. The sugar and 221 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 1: the alcohol. Dad knew it was his plan. It was 222 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 1: the way his way out. We tried to do interventions 223 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 1: and it just didn't work. Dad was done with living. 224 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 1: He just had given up, and so he drank himself 225 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,679 Speaker 1: to death. And I think there are so many veterans 226 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:26,319 Speaker 1: out there that are they do the same thing with 227 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 1: the same purpose in mind. They know it's going to 228 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 1: end their life, and we don't count those deaths, and 229 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 1: we should be when uh, it's it's for me. There 230 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 1: are so many deaths in our community. And that's why 231 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: I was so compelled. You know, to a start code 232 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 1: of VATS and just to start talking about it, because 233 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: there is still some stigma attached to PTSD and we 234 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 1: still have such an issue with suicide in our community 235 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:51,079 Speaker 1: from different ways. Some you know, some of them some 236 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,280 Speaker 1: some of them crashed their car or motorcycle into a tree. 237 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: We've got you know, homeless of that out under a 238 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 1: h a bridge who've odeed, you know, and they they'll 239 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:04,320 Speaker 1: they'll log it up or it'll be classified as an 240 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: you know, an accidental overdose or something, and so, but 241 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:09,680 Speaker 1: there's just it's I think it's rampant in our community, 242 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: and I really think that we need to talk about 243 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 1: it as a veteran and figure it out together. I 244 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 1: don't think throw the money um at suicide it's going 245 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:19,880 Speaker 1: to fix it. I think it's a heart issue. It's 246 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 1: a sole issue, and we are the ones that need 247 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: to come together in historic numbers, and I think we're 248 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:30,679 Speaker 1: the solution. Steve. I think it's our community helping each other, 249 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 1: being there for each other, um creating like an informal 250 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 1: national networks just to be there in those dark moments. 251 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: We have actually three CODI vets because we operate purely 252 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: on social media platforms and primarily Twitter, but we've been 253 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 1: able to save several lives by being there in those 254 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: particular moments. All they have to do with send a 255 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:52,880 Speaker 1: direct message and you know, to me or my partner, 256 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: to our our team and just say I'm in trouble, 257 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:58,319 Speaker 1: I'm done. You know, I can't do this anymore. And 258 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:01,000 Speaker 1: when you can get a veteran another veteran there to 259 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 1: talk them through it in those dark moments, um, there 260 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 1: you know, there's there's a big chance that they're going 261 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:09,800 Speaker 1: to pull through that and and live to see another day. 262 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: It's just when our veterans isolate themselves and shut themselves 263 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,280 Speaker 1: out and refuse to reach out, those are the ones 264 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: that are really worry about. Those are the ones who 265 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 1: just do it. But for the ones who are thinking 266 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: about it or on that ledge and they reach out, UM, 267 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 1: it's powerful to have somebody there that say I care 268 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 1: about you, what is going on and just listen to 269 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 1: what they have to say and let them get it 270 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: off their chest, what what they've been carrying all these years. 271 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 1: I couldn't agree more with what you just said right there, 272 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 1: because that's one of the things that social media is 273 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,560 Speaker 1: really good for. And now we all complain about social media, 274 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: and with good cause at times, because it can be 275 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 1: a quagmire I think out there. But you know, when 276 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: it comes to veterans especially you know, uh, you know, 277 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 1: uh some of our older vets, a lot of those 278 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:03,120 Speaker 1: people are isolated. And that's one of the things that 279 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: that I know, speaking personally, since Facebook came around and 280 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:11,520 Speaker 1: we didn't have that when I when I get out 281 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, all the guys I knew and 282 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 1: Special Forces now we all stay in touch now and 283 00:15:18,280 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 1: it's really really good because you know, when we find 284 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 1: out when somebody's heartening, when somebody needs assistance, and a 285 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:30,600 Speaker 1: lot of times guys won't ask for it, but you know, 286 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: it comes to yeah, there's a lot of pride. There's 287 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 1: a lot of pride in our community. And that's you know, 288 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 1: that's another message I try to get out there is 289 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:43,520 Speaker 1: set that aside. You know, do not choose suicide because 290 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: there's there's always a path forward, there's always hope, um, 291 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 1: and you're here for a reason, you know. Take in 292 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: your life. It just it devastates not only the immediate family, 293 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 1: but the friends and the people that you've served with 294 00:15:57,040 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 1: in the military. They're just a ripple effect and all 295 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: of us have to carry each and single one of 296 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 1: these deaths, and it's just it's horrific. Um, it's and 297 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:08,000 Speaker 1: it's very harmful to us. So I'm all for and 298 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 1: I really do believe in us being there for each 299 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 1: other in those moments. I think it makes a huge difference. 300 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 1: And I love your community, the Special Forces community, because 301 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 1: you guys are real tight. You're you know well, and 302 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 1: you're small. You're a small, small group, and you can't 303 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 1: have each other's backs, and um, it's amazing. You know, 304 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 1: we need to follow your lead and just and continue 305 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: to grow and not just Code vets, but all of 306 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 1: our VET orgs out there, you know, just to connect 307 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 1: with each other and find ways to save as many 308 00:16:36,240 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: vets as we can. Yeah, and you know that was 309 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: one of the issues, was Vietnam, because the guys went 310 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 1: over there singularly and came back singularly, so they lost that, 311 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: you know, they lost that camaraderie and exposure to their 312 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 1: fellow vets, and you know, guys would separate and you know, guys, 313 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: you know, when one fellow came home, they were you know, 314 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 1: all of his buddies were still over there and so 315 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:07,520 Speaker 1: it was easier for them to lose touch than it 316 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 1: is nowadays, where you know, guys like myself, we we 317 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:14,760 Speaker 1: worked and lived in small units, so we were able 318 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 1: to maintain contact with each other. But when you talked 319 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:22,920 Speaker 1: about the stigma about seeking help, especially with PTSD, it 320 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:25,680 Speaker 1: was funny because just a couple of months ago, I 321 00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 1: had General Don Bouldock, who used to be one of 322 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:33,119 Speaker 1: the generals in charge of special operations, and he's been 323 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 1: the only general officer that came forward to admit that 324 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:41,520 Speaker 1: he's had trouble and he needed help with PTSD. And 325 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 1: he got a lot of um, a lot of light 326 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 1: thrown on it when he came forward, because he was 327 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,200 Speaker 1: the first general officer to come forward and admit it 328 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 1: that he had problems. And we had a really good 329 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:57,920 Speaker 1: talk with him a couple of months ago, because I 330 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 1: think this is something that again I think you hit 331 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: the nail on the head, you know, I mean, all 332 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:07,159 Speaker 1: the research in the world, I think it's great. You know, 333 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,119 Speaker 1: if they can find a way to reach through the 334 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:13,760 Speaker 1: myriad of brain functions to figure out what can help, 335 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 1: I think that's great. But nothing helps vets more than 336 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: being able to talk with another one exactly exactly. I 337 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:25,400 Speaker 1: am familiar with General Baldock and you know, I've seen him. 338 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 1: I saw a little bit of his story out on 339 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:30,879 Speaker 1: social media. I practically live on Twitter. But yeah, he 340 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:33,880 Speaker 1: he did a great service to our community by stepping forward. 341 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: We need more of our a freschelon to to to 342 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:40,440 Speaker 1: come forward to help us out. It's just suicide just 343 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:43,360 Speaker 1: isn't in rank and file. It's it's in our officers 344 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 1: as well. It impacts the entire community. And it just 345 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:49,639 Speaker 1: helps to see when you know a general has you know, 346 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:52,880 Speaker 1: the fortitude like General Baldock to come forward to say, hey, 347 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:55,000 Speaker 1: you know this, this was an issue for me. I 348 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:57,600 Speaker 1: had to go get help. And veterans need to know 349 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:00,840 Speaker 1: it's okay. You know, you can't you can't suck it up, 350 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 1: you can't embrace the suck um. PTSD is something different. 351 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 1: It's something that some of our brothers and sisters in 352 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: arms need help with. And if there's but we also 353 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:12,879 Speaker 1: need to talk about and look at the fact that 354 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 1: they are risking their security clearance and their gun rights 355 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 1: as well. So that's we need to continue to work 356 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 1: on that. Because I know veterans personally that I've tried 357 00:19:21,840 --> 00:19:24,840 Speaker 1: to help. They've had their gun rights taken from them 358 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:27,600 Speaker 1: because they've reached out for help, and that's just not right. 359 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:30,640 Speaker 1: You know, if they're reaching out to get the assistance 360 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:33,120 Speaker 1: they need, there's no reason we should be pulling their 361 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:36,920 Speaker 1: rights permanently. So, yeah, it's a fine line they walk. 362 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: And we've had veterans, you know, with with jobs where 363 00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 1: they've had to have their security clearance. It's it's how 364 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 1: they make their living, and they've been afraid to reach 365 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 1: out for help. So there's not still some things that 366 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:51,440 Speaker 1: we need to improve upon and that they should never 367 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 1: lose their security clearance for asking for help. UM no, 368 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 1: absolutely not, but it's how it still happens, you know, 369 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 1: I you know, I know, for we've spirits are so 370 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:04,160 Speaker 1: that ourselves, with that my organization, we've you know, trying 371 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: to try to get some of that some assistance, and 372 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:09,159 Speaker 1: we've watched their clearance be stripped from them, which is 373 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: just totally absurd. I mean when they are the ones 374 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 1: who's reaching out saying, hey, I can't do this anymore. 375 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:16,159 Speaker 1: I want to have to try something different. You know 376 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: that alcohol is not helping. Um, I can't self medicate anymore. 377 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: I do need the help um and we've we've seen 378 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:26,520 Speaker 1: security clearances and gun rights removed, and it's just wrong. 379 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,639 Speaker 1: It's wrong on every level. Uh. And we need to 380 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:32,399 Speaker 1: fight against that and stand against it, and we need 381 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 1: to encourage our vets to come forward and we need 382 00:20:35,080 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: to protect them though in the process. Absolutely, And so 383 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:45,280 Speaker 1: let's get back to CODEA Vets because this is amazing. 384 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:47,879 Speaker 1: I mean I was reading over some of the stuff 385 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:51,960 Speaker 1: on social media about your your organization. I mean, in 386 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:55,360 Speaker 1: the last two years, you've raised over two million dollars 387 00:20:57,160 --> 00:21:02,040 Speaker 1: veterans and you know, the one question when you know 388 00:21:02,280 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: and the world we live in today, everyone always asked, well, 389 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 1: how much actually goes to the veterans? Well, already I 390 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:22,200 Speaker 1: literally want to screen that from the mountaintop. Cents on 391 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:25,119 Speaker 1: the dollar goes to the veterans, two cents goes to 392 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 1: operating Cause I don't think that anyone can sit there 393 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 1: and say, well, this is a five five oh one 394 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 1: c three that uh, you know needs to be investigating. 395 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:40,200 Speaker 1: We've been audited and I have my full report out there. 396 00:21:40,359 --> 00:21:43,159 Speaker 1: Because I'm so thinking proud of what I've created and 397 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:47,040 Speaker 1: built along with my partner and team, I have to 398 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:49,120 Speaker 1: have to give a shout out to Dr Cindy Walter. 399 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:51,800 Speaker 1: She has her PhD in public health. She is my partner. 400 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:55,880 Speaker 1: She has elevated could She's a professional veteran advocate, has 401 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:58,560 Speaker 1: been since two thousand four, and she's the one who's 402 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:01,520 Speaker 1: vets our veterans because that's always an issue, stolen valor. 403 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:03,600 Speaker 1: We have to make sure that the guys and gals 404 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,040 Speaker 1: that we are helping that they did serve and they 405 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:10,400 Speaker 1: served with honor. So she's got that responsibility and does 406 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:13,160 Speaker 1: a phenomenal job with it. She's been doing it for years. 407 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:16,480 Speaker 1: So anyway, she put together cases for the veterans that 408 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:20,240 Speaker 1: need more um intense help other than just financial assistance 409 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 1: that if we need we we we've taken veterans off 410 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:26,639 Speaker 1: the streets, out of barns, out of cars, you name it. 411 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:29,720 Speaker 1: We do very small, you know things we do. We 412 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: assist with shoes or groceries. But on the opposite end 413 00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:35,840 Speaker 1: of the spectrum, you know, we assist homeless veterans or 414 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: veterans who are in crisis and may need to get 415 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 1: to a facility to get some inpatient treatment, whether it's 416 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:44,200 Speaker 1: for drugs, alcohol, or for their PTSC or a combination. 417 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,080 Speaker 1: So she the woman is phenomenal with what she does 418 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:49,840 Speaker 1: behind the scenes. And then I get out there on 419 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:53,560 Speaker 1: social media. I share the stories each an individual veterans 420 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:56,560 Speaker 1: and we and I raised the funds. Uh. And I've 421 00:22:56,640 --> 00:23:00,640 Speaker 1: become very effective, very quickly because I'm transparent with how 422 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:04,639 Speaker 1: we operate. I put the PayPal receipts out once we 423 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:08,200 Speaker 1: send the veterans their funds, were raising funds in real time. 424 00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:11,600 Speaker 1: I literally am raising funds for veterans one at a time, 425 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,960 Speaker 1: and as the money flows through, and it's been over 426 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 1: two million dollars in two years, I've pushed that two 427 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:21,440 Speaker 1: million dollars back out directly to the veterans in need. There. 428 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:25,320 Speaker 1: You know, we have minimal wait time. Um, it's just 429 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 1: been it's we again. We're just a very unique organization 430 00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:33,080 Speaker 1: and it just it happened organically. But I found that 431 00:23:33,359 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 1: there's a niche and there's a need for code vats 432 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 1: in the veterans community, and we are we're just killing 433 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 1: a save about the social media world, I've seen some 434 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 1: of your Twitter posts, so yeah, I think you are 435 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:48,520 Speaker 1: and I think that's fantastic. Now, do you have any 436 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 1: corporate sponsors or anyone given or is this all just 437 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:58,800 Speaker 1: small been Yeah, it's all been small donations across the country. 438 00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:01,040 Speaker 1: We help veterans in every state of the nation because 439 00:24:01,119 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 1: we're social media UM, and we pull in donation from 440 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:06,440 Speaker 1: actually around the world, but you know, mainly from the 441 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,960 Speaker 1: United States. But I have I do have to stay 442 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:13,120 Speaker 1: very very recently, as recent as last week and this week, 443 00:24:13,480 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 1: we just got our first UM mega donor. We had 444 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:21,920 Speaker 1: a family who was very wealthy set up a foundation, 445 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 1: a charitable account for CODA Vets in the amount of 446 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:30,480 Speaker 1: six hundred thousand dollars. Yes, that's a big wow. And 447 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:33,200 Speaker 1: that's not and that's just the start. UM. They have 448 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:37,240 Speaker 1: a lot of connections. Um Codavets will be seeing more 449 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:42,439 Speaker 1: bigger donors coming, you know through this family. I'm literally floored. 450 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: But I'm telling you what, Steve, the need in our 451 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:48,399 Speaker 1: community is staggering right now, especially with u you know, 452 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:52,119 Speaker 1: the COVID shutdown and restrictions that throughout this year. So 453 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: many of that families and I know Americans in general, 454 00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:58,880 Speaker 1: I have just really been harmed by that shutdown. There 455 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 1: there is a true fun financial crisis and I you know, 456 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:06,000 Speaker 1: specifically deal with a vetter family. So this the funds 457 00:25:06,160 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 1: that I have raised on my own and the what 458 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:11,000 Speaker 1: what I first say here in the very short future coming, 459 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 1: we're going to be able to help so many more 460 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:15,760 Speaker 1: of that families. And again I'm keeping that two percent 461 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 1: operating costs because it is about veterans. And you know, 462 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:21,600 Speaker 1: the only reason I started this with the honor dad um, 463 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:23,280 Speaker 1: and I feel like this is a great way to 464 00:25:23,359 --> 00:25:25,840 Speaker 1: do this is to grow as big as possible, help 465 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:30,320 Speaker 1: as many vets as possible. Uh, and just just let 466 00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:32,440 Speaker 1: the veterans know that, Hey, your nation cares about you 467 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:35,800 Speaker 1: and the veteran community. You know, we're here for you, 468 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 1: and whatever resources we have, it's for you. That's great. 469 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:44,119 Speaker 1: And that was you kind of segued into my next question, 470 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:46,680 Speaker 1: which was, you know, with the COVID going on and 471 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:50,239 Speaker 1: everyone is hurting right now because so many businesses are 472 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 1: either shut down or severely curtailed. I didn't know if 473 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:58,120 Speaker 1: it was hurting your you know, ability to raise donations 474 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:02,560 Speaker 1: for for your organization. Uh. It hasn't, It has not. 475 00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:07,040 Speaker 1: I I was very concerned about that myself. In each month, 476 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 1: I keep thinking, Um, this may be the months that 477 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 1: we get hit. You know that, you know, the donations 478 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:16,119 Speaker 1: are drastically decreased. But last month we had one of 479 00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:18,800 Speaker 1: our record months. It was two hundred thousand dollars I 480 00:26:18,920 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 1: raised and I have like five hundred dollars in our 481 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 1: PayPal account. That's so that goes to tell you that 482 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:25,640 Speaker 1: literally all that money is going to write back out 483 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:28,160 Speaker 1: for the veterans. So I'm starting all over here in November. 484 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:30,880 Speaker 1: But I you know, and plus I got this new 485 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:34,440 Speaker 1: Gloomy friends that will have access to soon from this foundation. 486 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:38,120 Speaker 1: But anyway, I'm just floored people have really come through 487 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 1: for the veterans. But also they trust CRAT of that 488 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:43,480 Speaker 1: because they know they get to see the veterans face 489 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:45,680 Speaker 1: because we post a picture their first name, because we 490 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:47,600 Speaker 1: try to give a you know, a little bit of privacy. 491 00:26:48,160 --> 00:26:51,160 Speaker 1: UM and what the need is. And right now we've 492 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:56,159 Speaker 1: really been focusing on UM you pass utilities, UH utilities, 493 00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: disconnect disconnect notices we do have we or we've had 494 00:26:59,880 --> 00:27:03,120 Speaker 1: to veterans who've been sitting without running water or electricity 495 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:05,879 Speaker 1: that they've been shut off. We've got eviction notices, for 496 00:27:06,040 --> 00:27:10,639 Speaker 1: closure notices, Auto repose, the food inconsistencies, and this is 497 00:27:10,680 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 1: across the country UM. And we have been pushing out 498 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 1: as much of the funds as quickly as possible. I 499 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:18,600 Speaker 1: tried to get through as many of these vets as 500 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: we we have, and we have a long line. They 501 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:26,920 Speaker 1: are they've been incredibly harmed financially, um by this COVID shutdown. 502 00:27:27,040 --> 00:27:29,159 Speaker 1: So and we've got veterans who have used all of 503 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:33,480 Speaker 1: their savings. We've eve been assisted some officers. Um, it's 504 00:27:33,640 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 1: it's yeah. It's just been absolutely mind blowing the need 505 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:40,080 Speaker 1: out there. It's staggering. And I don't care how much 506 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:44,600 Speaker 1: funding anyone, including quotas, any organization out there, it is 507 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:48,800 Speaker 1: not enough to cover the historic need that we are 508 00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:55,240 Speaker 1: experiencing right now. Mhm. That's it gives me hope though 509 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:58,159 Speaker 1: we are as a as a country, we're still on 510 00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:01,520 Speaker 1: the right path. When I hear that, because you know, um, 511 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:05,200 Speaker 1: even amongst everyone kind of suffering right now, the fact 512 00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:08,280 Speaker 1: that people are still out there donating to causes like 513 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:11,120 Speaker 1: your own, that gives me hope that were we still 514 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:14,959 Speaker 1: have hope for us as a people, because there's been 515 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:17,160 Speaker 1: some times in the last couple of years I've I've 516 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:21,800 Speaker 1: actually had some doubts about that. So that that's it 517 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:23,359 Speaker 1: is it is, and I you know, I've been the 518 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 1: same way I'm like a roller. I lead with my heart, 519 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:28,159 Speaker 1: I lead with my emotion. I think it's part of 520 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:31,040 Speaker 1: the reasons that codivets has been successful. You know, I 521 00:28:31,160 --> 00:28:33,399 Speaker 1: am who I am, and I'm just out there. I 522 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:36,520 Speaker 1: literally have such a heart for the veterans, and you know, 523 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:39,440 Speaker 1: I missed my dad and I just I don't want 524 00:28:39,680 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 1: any other family to go through what we did, which 525 00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:44,760 Speaker 1: which it happens every day unfortunately. But I am out 526 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:47,240 Speaker 1: there pushing as hard as I can to raise as 527 00:28:47,520 --> 00:28:52,479 Speaker 1: many many funds as I can to cover. I'd love 528 00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:54,720 Speaker 1: to cover all the vests out there struggling or you 529 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:56,960 Speaker 1: know that are behind the bills due to something that's 530 00:28:57,000 --> 00:29:00,400 Speaker 1: beyond their control. And we're not talking out men and 531 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:06,440 Speaker 1: women who are inconsistent with employment that we generally pre COVID. 532 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 1: We're dealing with homeless and you know, people who struggled 533 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 1: with some drugs and alcohol issues, you know, as any 534 00:29:12,040 --> 00:29:14,520 Speaker 1: of the or would. But right now we're dealing with 535 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 1: like good, solid men and women with solid work history 536 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:21,480 Speaker 1: and they are just devastated that they can't work and 537 00:29:21,640 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 1: provide for their family, or they were out of a 538 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:26,160 Speaker 1: job for four or five or six months, or they 539 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:28,600 Speaker 1: were looking for a job that was somewhat comparable to 540 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:31,440 Speaker 1: the one they lost, and they've gone through all their savings, 541 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:37,000 Speaker 1: they've they've let their cargo, we've we've got some veterans 542 00:29:37,080 --> 00:29:41,200 Speaker 1: that have no transportation walking to work. It's just I 543 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:44,520 Speaker 1: have never seen anything like this in my lifetime. But 544 00:29:44,640 --> 00:29:47,960 Speaker 1: I'm also uh, like you. It gives me hope to 545 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:50,720 Speaker 1: see that when I post these stories out there, and 546 00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:54,960 Speaker 1: it touches the American people's hearts, the donors hearts that 547 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:57,960 Speaker 1: still have their jobs, that are fortunate to have their paycheck, 548 00:29:58,360 --> 00:30:01,640 Speaker 1: or you know, some of third owners who are wealthier, 549 00:30:02,080 --> 00:30:04,480 Speaker 1: they're like Gretchen, I'm in you know, I want to help. 550 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:06,360 Speaker 1: I want to do my part. And that's and it's 551 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 1: been beautiful and it's been very uplifting for me and 552 00:30:10,280 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 1: for my team to see that that they're still good 553 00:30:13,280 --> 00:30:15,719 Speaker 1: in our country. There's a lot of good in our country, 554 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:18,080 Speaker 1: and we do care about each other, and I think 555 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:20,280 Speaker 1: we are. You know, we're in a dark time right now, 556 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:22,000 Speaker 1: but we're going to get past it. We're going to 557 00:30:22,080 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 1: get through it together. And you know, I think that's 558 00:30:26,680 --> 00:30:31,080 Speaker 1: where again, there's so much negativity on social media these days. 559 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 1: When people see your posts. Everything is so positive with 560 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:38,000 Speaker 1: those I was going through all your Twitter timelines today 561 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:42,640 Speaker 1: and it's so positive and it's rare to see that today, 562 00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:45,680 Speaker 1: and I think that strikes a chord with people. I 563 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 1: think that's probably why you have so many followers on 564 00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 1: Twitter now. Yeah, I I do. I want to be 565 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:55,800 Speaker 1: I want to shine, you know, my American spirit, American light, 566 00:30:55,880 --> 00:30:58,800 Speaker 1: God's light. I am a Christian, you know, I have hope. 567 00:30:59,040 --> 00:31:01,640 Speaker 1: I feel like we have, you know, our especially our 568 00:31:01,680 --> 00:31:06,200 Speaker 1: veteran community, the military community. We've sacrificed our blood, lives 569 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:09,800 Speaker 1: and tears, uh to secure our freedoms. And I want 570 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:11,800 Speaker 1: to get out there as a veteran, as an American 571 00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:14,160 Speaker 1: and show you know what what it truly is like 572 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:17,360 Speaker 1: to to to be an American and to have that 573 00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:20,920 Speaker 1: love for our nation. Uh. And I do that every day, 574 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:23,120 Speaker 1: and I do it for the veterans. Um. The veterans 575 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:26,400 Speaker 1: have my heart. Um. But my you know, but but 576 00:31:26,560 --> 00:31:28,520 Speaker 1: my soul you know is red, white and blue to 577 00:31:28,600 --> 00:31:30,640 Speaker 1: the core. Oh my god, my dad passed it onto me. 578 00:31:30,760 --> 00:31:34,560 Speaker 1: He was hardcore. Um, you know, American love, old glory 579 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:37,120 Speaker 1: and everything she said for And as you know, I 580 00:31:37,200 --> 00:31:38,920 Speaker 1: had to share this real quick as a kid, I 581 00:31:38,960 --> 00:31:41,160 Speaker 1: always watched my dad. My dad had so many problems, 582 00:31:41,920 --> 00:31:43,840 Speaker 1: but whenever he was around the flag or he took 583 00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 1: the flag down and was folding it, he did it 584 00:31:45,840 --> 00:31:48,360 Speaker 1: with such reverence and there was just this look of 585 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:52,800 Speaker 1: awe um in his eyes. And you know when he 586 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:56,160 Speaker 1: got off the plane, he had some brothers underneath that flag. 587 00:31:56,480 --> 00:32:01,280 Speaker 1: And Dad always took old glory so seriously, and he 588 00:32:01,600 --> 00:32:06,280 Speaker 1: passed that passion onto me and I that's you know, 589 00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:08,560 Speaker 1: that's I'll never be able to repay Dad for what 590 00:32:08,720 --> 00:32:10,760 Speaker 1: he's given to me as a as a a you know, 591 00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:12,880 Speaker 1: as a child and as an adult. As he passed 592 00:32:12,920 --> 00:32:16,160 Speaker 1: on the love of country in their reverence for our 593 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:18,320 Speaker 1: flag and everything it stands for. And now that you 594 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:21,800 Speaker 1: know he's gone and I and I understand better, you 595 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:24,640 Speaker 1: know what he went through. Because the more veterans I 596 00:32:24,760 --> 00:32:28,880 Speaker 1: talked to and help it actually brings me peace about 597 00:32:28,920 --> 00:32:32,400 Speaker 1: my dad, be called. It helps me to understand that better. 598 00:32:33,080 --> 00:32:36,120 Speaker 1: And I just feel like that, you know, I can 599 00:32:36,200 --> 00:32:38,080 Speaker 1: be a small part, could have can be a small 600 00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:40,760 Speaker 1: part of being something good in our country right now 601 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:43,160 Speaker 1: when we're going through such a tough and unsettled time. 602 00:32:45,040 --> 00:32:48,959 Speaker 1: That's very true. When we've talked about unsettled right now, 603 00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:55,800 Speaker 1: it's a nightmare. We can we can have a whole 604 00:32:55,880 --> 00:32:58,720 Speaker 1: different podcast on that. Oh my god, yeah we could. 605 00:32:58,800 --> 00:33:00,480 Speaker 1: We could probably talk for him in a month and 606 00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:04,320 Speaker 1: a half on that. But I wanted to ask you, 607 00:33:05,320 --> 00:33:07,880 Speaker 1: I mean, for the amount of money that's coming in 608 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:10,080 Speaker 1: and the help that's going out, how big is staff 609 00:33:10,120 --> 00:33:13,400 Speaker 1: do you have? Oh my gosh, you're gonna laugh. So 610 00:33:13,920 --> 00:33:17,160 Speaker 1: so really, realistically, it's Cindy and I who run code Vetts. 611 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:19,400 Speaker 1: She does the vetting and puts together case work for 612 00:33:19,560 --> 00:33:22,360 Speaker 1: the vets who actually need, you know, a little bit 613 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,960 Speaker 1: more assistance than just funding. I do all the fundraising, 614 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:27,600 Speaker 1: I do the five O and C three part, do 615 00:33:27,720 --> 00:33:29,720 Speaker 1: the business end of it, and do the social media, 616 00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:33,760 Speaker 1: the media. So we do have a team. She she 617 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:37,640 Speaker 1: has three or four other people that work underneath her, 618 00:33:37,760 --> 00:33:40,440 Speaker 1: and she will farm veterans out to them for simple 619 00:33:40,520 --> 00:33:43,640 Speaker 1: needs um that they can handle, but the more could 620 00:33:43,680 --> 00:33:46,400 Speaker 1: like if if it's a homeless case or something complex, 621 00:33:46,960 --> 00:33:48,880 Speaker 1: then you know, Cindy is the one who's in charge 622 00:33:48,920 --> 00:33:51,640 Speaker 1: of it. So we we Honestly, Cindy and I worked 623 00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:54,440 Speaker 1: seven We worked seven days a week. Neither one of 624 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:56,640 Speaker 1: us get paid. We work on our birthdays, We work 625 00:33:56,720 --> 00:34:00,600 Speaker 1: on Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, I'll be working. But we do 626 00:34:00,760 --> 00:34:03,719 Speaker 1: it because it's a passion and we both are driven 627 00:34:03,880 --> 00:34:05,960 Speaker 1: for you know, she has her to, her son's a marine, 628 00:34:06,000 --> 00:34:08,879 Speaker 1: her husband was a Vietnam era vet. You know, I'm 629 00:34:08,920 --> 00:34:10,480 Speaker 1: a veter of myself, so I have my you know, 630 00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:12,440 Speaker 1: my dad is my reason. So we both have our 631 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:15,680 Speaker 1: own different reasons. But I feel like we crossed paths 632 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:18,920 Speaker 1: for a reason. Um. God put her um in the 633 00:34:19,000 --> 00:34:21,600 Speaker 1: path of codavettes. She was following codavetts and you know, 634 00:34:21,840 --> 00:34:24,600 Speaker 1: messaged me and we started talking on the phone. And 635 00:34:24,719 --> 00:34:27,880 Speaker 1: we just haven't become the Spearce team. Um. Two women 636 00:34:28,160 --> 00:34:31,600 Speaker 1: just just with this heart for veterans, UM. And it's 637 00:34:31,840 --> 00:34:33,920 Speaker 1: the way we have it set up. And because we 638 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:36,160 Speaker 1: don't have rick and mortar, and we both run it 639 00:34:36,239 --> 00:34:39,200 Speaker 1: from our homes, that's where we're able to accomplish what 640 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:41,239 Speaker 1: we do. And we have this system in place where 641 00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:43,160 Speaker 1: after we got the veterans and I raised the fund, 642 00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:48,319 Speaker 1: we actually could probably quadruple the veterans that we're assisting now. Um. 643 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:51,960 Speaker 1: Just that's how smooth it runs. Uh. And it's it's 644 00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:55,560 Speaker 1: just we need more something see, you know, but anybody's 645 00:34:55,560 --> 00:34:57,520 Speaker 1: out there and listen me, you know. And you want 646 00:34:57,760 --> 00:35:01,200 Speaker 1: your money to go to veterans. Um, if you give 647 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:05,080 Speaker 1: it to cadivets, uhcent of it will go to a vettery. 648 00:35:06,400 --> 00:35:09,160 Speaker 1: That's awesome. Uh. You know. One of the things I 649 00:35:09,239 --> 00:35:12,640 Speaker 1: saw on your website was you've caught the attention of 650 00:35:12,840 --> 00:35:16,600 Speaker 1: some celebrities and public figures. And I'll mention a few 651 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:20,120 Speaker 1: of them because they were listed on your website. Sean Hannity, 652 00:35:20,280 --> 00:35:24,920 Speaker 1: Bill O'Reilly, Sydney Powell, Larry the Cable Guy, the Oakridge Boys, 653 00:35:24,920 --> 00:35:29,920 Speaker 1: Scott bio Herschel Walker, Charlie Daniels. Um. I saw a 654 00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:33,480 Speaker 1: picture of you on on on your bio page with 655 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:35,960 Speaker 1: Charlie Daniels, and I gotta ask you because I was 656 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:40,640 Speaker 1: a big Charlie Daniels fan. What was Charlie like? The 657 00:35:40,760 --> 00:35:42,800 Speaker 1: salt of the earth, one of the one of the 658 00:35:42,880 --> 00:35:44,840 Speaker 1: best men I've ever met in my life, a giant 659 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:48,000 Speaker 1: walking amongst us when he was living. He passed away 660 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:51,880 Speaker 1: in July, and we we officially, we formally partnered and 661 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:55,279 Speaker 1: did some interviews together um this year earlier in the 662 00:35:55,400 --> 00:35:57,800 Speaker 1: year before he passed away. And I do have to 663 00:35:57,880 --> 00:36:00,560 Speaker 1: give credit to Charlie Daniels and the Journey Own Project, 664 00:36:00,640 --> 00:36:05,359 Speaker 1: which is that's his veteran organization that they elevated CODA 665 00:36:05,400 --> 00:36:09,160 Speaker 1: that this year when we formally partnered on April seventeenth, 666 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:14,239 Speaker 1: we exploded with with donations. And that's because Charlie went 667 00:36:14,280 --> 00:36:16,719 Speaker 1: onto Fox News and he did, you know, quite a 668 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:20,839 Speaker 1: few interviews himself, and then we did them together. Uh, 669 00:36:21,000 --> 00:36:23,600 Speaker 1: and he got us out there. Uh, he got us 670 00:36:23,640 --> 00:36:26,560 Speaker 1: recognized and people started noticing that, Hey, you know, they've 671 00:36:26,600 --> 00:36:29,040 Speaker 1: got a two percent operating costs. That's pretty darn good, 672 00:36:29,120 --> 00:36:34,200 Speaker 1: you know. Uh. And I will forever be grateful to Charlie. 673 00:36:34,239 --> 00:36:37,680 Speaker 1: I'm going to continue speaking his name and assisting with 674 00:36:37,880 --> 00:36:40,080 Speaker 1: his legacy in the in the veteran community, in the 675 00:36:40,160 --> 00:36:42,200 Speaker 1: veteran world. He was He had such a heart for 676 00:36:42,280 --> 00:36:47,680 Speaker 1: the military. Um always had and um uh he was amazing. 677 00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:52,520 Speaker 1: He was a true hero for veterans because he genuinely 678 00:36:53,160 --> 00:36:56,000 Speaker 1: loved all of us and just he was so grateful 679 00:36:56,120 --> 00:36:59,920 Speaker 1: for anyone who had served. And he was so gracious 680 00:37:00,040 --> 00:37:03,040 Speaker 1: to code VET, you know, by pushing donations their way 681 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:06,759 Speaker 1: and just and really um talking about you know, how 682 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:10,560 Speaker 1: we were helping veterans in real time, um, using social media, 683 00:37:10,600 --> 00:37:13,319 Speaker 1: which was very It was very different for him from him. 684 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:15,200 Speaker 1: For him, he had never seen anything like it, and 685 00:37:15,239 --> 00:37:17,520 Speaker 1: that's why he wanted to jump on board and UM 686 00:37:17,640 --> 00:37:19,640 Speaker 1: give me his name so that I, you know, to 687 00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:22,160 Speaker 1: help me grow and he did. Uh, And so I 688 00:37:22,880 --> 00:37:25,560 Speaker 1: will always be indebted to him, and I will always 689 00:37:26,480 --> 00:37:28,920 Speaker 1: be a huge fan of Charlie Daniels. He was a 690 00:37:29,000 --> 00:37:32,080 Speaker 1: good man. I'm glad to hear that, because sometimes you 691 00:37:32,200 --> 00:37:34,960 Speaker 1: meet celebrities and they don't kind of match up to 692 00:37:35,080 --> 00:37:38,400 Speaker 1: what you had in mind. And it's he was. He was. 693 00:37:38,719 --> 00:37:41,040 Speaker 1: He was so much more. He he just he was. 694 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:44,560 Speaker 1: He was a beautiful soul. Um. And you know, he 695 00:37:44,680 --> 00:37:47,200 Speaker 1: loved God and he loved the military, and that's you know, 696 00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:50,080 Speaker 1: that's what he would say. And I just you know, 697 00:37:50,160 --> 00:37:53,719 Speaker 1: it was so easy to love Charlie Daniels. I grew up, 698 00:37:54,000 --> 00:37:55,880 Speaker 1: you know, in the Mountain, North Carolina. I O'm my gosh, 699 00:37:55,960 --> 00:37:57,759 Speaker 1: you know, he was a legend all over the world 700 00:37:57,840 --> 00:38:00,319 Speaker 1: and country. But and you know he I grew up 701 00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:02,560 Speaker 1: on his music, Uh, and it just went for me. 702 00:38:02,760 --> 00:38:06,680 Speaker 1: I was just blown away when I met. Yeah, he 703 00:38:06,840 --> 00:38:10,520 Speaker 1: was he was very gracious, he was very good man. Yeah, 704 00:38:10,920 --> 00:38:14,680 Speaker 1: that well, when I was looking at those names, you know, um, 705 00:38:16,760 --> 00:38:19,000 Speaker 1: one that jumped off, of course was Charlie Danns. But 706 00:38:19,280 --> 00:38:22,080 Speaker 1: obviously Larry the cable guy, who I'm a big fan 707 00:38:22,160 --> 00:38:24,880 Speaker 1: of as well. Yeah. Yeah, he had me on his 708 00:38:25,080 --> 00:38:28,840 Speaker 1: radio show to promote my mission and he's and he 709 00:38:28,960 --> 00:38:32,480 Speaker 1: sent me some stuff too. Uh So he's a great guy. 710 00:38:32,600 --> 00:38:35,200 Speaker 1: He has donated. He actually covered a couple of veterans 711 00:38:35,440 --> 00:38:37,719 Speaker 1: because he's out in Nebraska. So whenever I do, you know, 712 00:38:37,760 --> 00:38:39,680 Speaker 1: if I post, if he sees it, you know, he 713 00:38:39,719 --> 00:38:41,840 Speaker 1: sees a Nebraska veteran that I post, he'll send me 714 00:38:41,880 --> 00:38:44,480 Speaker 1: the funds for it. So he's been great for and 715 00:38:44,880 --> 00:38:47,759 Speaker 1: um Coda Vets. You know, we're elevating us too there. 716 00:38:47,800 --> 00:38:51,080 Speaker 1: So I had two phone calls with herschel Walker. My 717 00:38:51,200 --> 00:38:55,440 Speaker 1: husband was so jealous. Yeah, so he you know, he 718 00:38:55,960 --> 00:38:58,879 Speaker 1: gave his name, you know, lend his name to Coda 719 00:38:58,920 --> 00:39:02,040 Speaker 1: Vets to last year did something together and U it 720 00:39:02,200 --> 00:39:05,240 Speaker 1: was amazing. I'm just I've been so blessed. I literally 721 00:39:05,400 --> 00:39:07,600 Speaker 1: I am a nobody in Middle Tennessee. I'm just an 722 00:39:07,640 --> 00:39:11,919 Speaker 1: airmand e four. But I've you know, I opened my heart, 723 00:39:12,200 --> 00:39:15,759 Speaker 1: my mouth, you know, for the veteran community, and uh, 724 00:39:16,120 --> 00:39:19,440 Speaker 1: it's just there's so much need out there, and the 725 00:39:19,840 --> 00:39:22,759 Speaker 1: Veterans Calls is so worthy and sacred. Without our men 726 00:39:22,840 --> 00:39:25,560 Speaker 1: and women in uniform, we would not have this this country. 727 00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:28,279 Speaker 1: And it's such an honor to be able to walk 728 00:39:28,440 --> 00:39:30,719 Speaker 1: amongst them every day and to be a part of 729 00:39:30,760 --> 00:39:33,000 Speaker 1: this community. I'm just so proud of it. Steve, I wish, 730 00:39:33,080 --> 00:39:34,959 Speaker 1: I wish I could do more. If I could raise 731 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:38,680 Speaker 1: two hundred million dollars and and give nine percent of 732 00:39:38,760 --> 00:39:40,960 Speaker 1: it back I and I would not take a paycheck. 733 00:39:41,120 --> 00:39:44,719 Speaker 1: I just for me. Um, this this is just my heart. 734 00:39:45,120 --> 00:39:47,560 Speaker 1: I just feel like God has called me to do this. 735 00:39:47,840 --> 00:39:50,640 Speaker 1: And it's just I've never had so much joy aside 736 00:39:50,680 --> 00:39:53,120 Speaker 1: from you know, when my children were born, I've never 737 00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:55,520 Speaker 1: been so fulfilled or had so much joy as to 738 00:39:55,680 --> 00:39:58,640 Speaker 1: give back to the veteran community, to to give them 739 00:39:58,640 --> 00:40:00,480 Speaker 1: a little bit of hope and motivation, and you know, 740 00:40:00,640 --> 00:40:02,719 Speaker 1: just to say hey, keep going, we've got you, we've 741 00:40:02,760 --> 00:40:05,960 Speaker 1: got your back. Well, I have to disagree with you 742 00:40:06,120 --> 00:40:09,160 Speaker 1: on one thing. You're not a nobody from Middle Tennessee. Uh. 743 00:40:09,840 --> 00:40:12,600 Speaker 1: You know, people who do what you do aren't nobody's 744 00:40:12,680 --> 00:40:15,560 Speaker 1: And you know, we're thankful that there's people like you 745 00:40:15,760 --> 00:40:20,200 Speaker 1: out there, uh, taking care of veterans, and for myself, 746 00:40:20,280 --> 00:40:24,239 Speaker 1: who you know, a veteran myself. I thank you very 747 00:40:24,440 --> 00:40:27,680 Speaker 1: very much for that. I think that's fantastic everything you're doing. 748 00:40:27,719 --> 00:40:31,879 Speaker 1: It's just amazing that all of this is basically being 749 00:40:31,960 --> 00:40:35,479 Speaker 1: done by two women. Uh, not just because you're women, 750 00:40:35,640 --> 00:40:38,919 Speaker 1: just two people, you know what I mean. I find 751 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:43,439 Speaker 1: that absolutely amazing. And you know, Uh, there's a place 752 00:40:43,520 --> 00:40:46,839 Speaker 1: in heaven for people like you. Well, thank you, Steve, 753 00:40:47,760 --> 00:40:49,600 Speaker 1: you know, And I don't know, I just love doing it. 754 00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:52,719 Speaker 1: It's for me. It's an honor. It is is such 755 00:40:52,760 --> 00:40:56,319 Speaker 1: an honor to be able to um be a small 756 00:40:56,400 --> 00:40:59,080 Speaker 1: part of the veteran community and to be an activist 757 00:40:59,160 --> 00:41:01,520 Speaker 1: for them and to be a voice and there. And 758 00:41:02,200 --> 00:41:04,320 Speaker 1: thank you for doing what you do. You know, because 759 00:41:04,400 --> 00:41:07,200 Speaker 1: what your podcast is a voice. We all need to 760 00:41:07,239 --> 00:41:09,960 Speaker 1: be out there doing our part because the need is great, 761 00:41:10,080 --> 00:41:12,960 Speaker 1: it's real. Uh And I don't think there's a worthier 762 00:41:13,080 --> 00:41:17,000 Speaker 1: cause than than the veterans. Well, I can't agree with 763 00:41:17,120 --> 00:41:19,800 Speaker 1: you more on that one. Please tell all our listeners 764 00:41:20,440 --> 00:41:23,799 Speaker 1: how they can donate and where to check out your 765 00:41:23,840 --> 00:41:26,760 Speaker 1: website and all the stuff that you do, especially on Twitter. 766 00:41:27,920 --> 00:41:30,760 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, codavet dot com is our website. So veterans, 767 00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:32,440 Speaker 1: if you are out there in need, or if you 768 00:41:32,640 --> 00:41:34,880 Speaker 1: have a family member who is a veteran that's struggling 769 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:39,000 Speaker 1: due to the COVID restrictions and shut down, just let 770 00:41:39,120 --> 00:41:42,000 Speaker 1: us know feel out of that need form. We will 771 00:41:42,080 --> 00:41:43,880 Speaker 1: get you in mind and we will get to you. 772 00:41:44,520 --> 00:41:46,480 Speaker 1: Our line is long, but we actually get through it 773 00:41:46,560 --> 00:41:49,880 Speaker 1: fairly quickly. Uh and follow us on Twitter codea vets 774 00:41:49,960 --> 00:41:52,279 Speaker 1: at code of vat um. If you do not have 775 00:41:52,360 --> 00:41:55,799 Speaker 1: a Twitter account, I'm telling you you would. You would 776 00:41:55,880 --> 00:41:59,200 Speaker 1: enjoy creating account just to follow the work that we do, 777 00:41:59,400 --> 00:42:02,000 Speaker 1: because I have to tell you it's pretty darn phenomenal. 778 00:42:02,120 --> 00:42:04,600 Speaker 1: We and I couldn't do it without the followers. Like 779 00:42:04,719 --> 00:42:08,960 Speaker 1: we're all a team. I've got over three thousand followers 780 00:42:09,040 --> 00:42:11,680 Speaker 1: and there's there are the digital soldiers out there pishing 781 00:42:12,040 --> 00:42:15,839 Speaker 1: each individual mission out there every day and we get 782 00:42:15,880 --> 00:42:18,160 Speaker 1: it done and it's a beautiful thing to see and 783 00:42:18,239 --> 00:42:21,600 Speaker 1: to be a part of. Oh. We want to thank 784 00:42:21,640 --> 00:42:24,400 Speaker 1: you very much for all the work that you do, 785 00:42:24,600 --> 00:42:27,799 Speaker 1: and especially today for you know, coming up to bat 786 00:42:27,960 --> 00:42:32,160 Speaker 1: for us such short notice. We greatly appreciate that we 787 00:42:32,320 --> 00:42:34,840 Speaker 1: appreciate all the work that you're doing for CODA Vets 788 00:42:35,160 --> 00:42:37,480 Speaker 1: and uh, we want to thank you for joining us 789 00:42:37,560 --> 00:42:41,239 Speaker 1: this afternoon. I encourage all our listeners out there and 790 00:42:41,320 --> 00:42:45,560 Speaker 1: the readers of soft rep if you know, if veterans 791 00:42:45,640 --> 00:42:47,440 Speaker 1: are near and dear to you hard, which we know 792 00:42:47,640 --> 00:42:49,880 Speaker 1: that they are because you wouldn't be reading and listening 793 00:42:49,960 --> 00:42:53,320 Speaker 1: to soft up dot com about that, please donate. This 794 00:42:53,480 --> 00:42:57,000 Speaker 1: is a very worthy cause and as Gretchen just told you, 795 00:42:57,080 --> 00:43:01,719 Speaker 1: all you know, sence on the dollar is going to 796 00:43:01,840 --> 00:43:04,920 Speaker 1: the veterans, which is where it belongs. And that, my friends, 797 00:43:05,040 --> 00:43:08,320 Speaker 1: is the way it's supposed to be. So for myself, 798 00:43:08,400 --> 00:43:12,040 Speaker 1: Steve Blastrari, Cretchen Sman, thank you for joining us. We 799 00:43:12,120 --> 00:43:15,000 Speaker 1: want to thank everyone for listening this afternoon. It's been 800 00:43:15,040 --> 00:43:19,560 Speaker 1: a lot of fun and uh keep that uh dial 801 00:43:19,680 --> 00:43:22,680 Speaker 1: tune folks will be back with another podcast real soon 802 00:43:23,480 --> 00:43:27,359 Speaker 1: Software Radio on time on target and we'll be back soon. 803 00:43:27,600 --> 00:43:45,520 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening, love them, listening to self