November 7, 2025 • 33 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You are listening to wrko's annual radiothon to benefit the
Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts, and this hour is
brought to you by Kelly Financial Services. We are now
joined again, very special guest. This is Irwin Frankel. He
(00:20):
is a Marine Corps veteran, Day Transportation Network driver and
a DAV volunteer.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Irwin, how are you.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I'm great, Thanks for you.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Well, you sounds so cheery, it's infectious. I'm very good, Irwin.
I've got to ask you. I've asked this almost of
everybody who's called in today, but to me, it's the
seminal question. What drove you or motivated you after you
left military service, you know, when you started to transition
(00:56):
to domestic life.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Why the DAV.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Why were you drawn to the DAV and why do
you support the DAV.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Oh, let me just say, my three years of service
in the military, in the Marine Corps were three of
the best years of my life. My best friends till
this day, and I've got a few days behind me
(01:27):
were Marine F four pilots and these people were special,
lend and they're special today. So what it was to
me friendship just was the number one thing in my life,
and these people we formed a bond, especially when we
(01:51):
were over in Vietnam, that was you couldn't top it.
So I owed to the Marine Corps for these three years,
I owed something to the United States of America, and
by giving something back, it just meant so much to me.
(02:17):
I got more from giving something back that I got
from taking and that was the reason.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Wow er wow erwin. I know.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
I'm here with Dan Stack, CEO of the dav for
the Department of Massachusetts, and he wants to say a
few words. Dan, We're very short on time, but please,
if you could just say a word or two.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
If it weren't for individuals such as irv IRV is
one of our best volunteers. He is there constantly driving
patients to and from the VA in order to make
sure that they get their healthcare. A veteran, a Marine
Corps veteran is also very proud Marine Corps veteranis and
so happy birthday to her Halft year he'll be He'll
(03:04):
be attending the Marine Corps luncheon this afternoon and he
has a table there and he's always invited other disabled
veterans to join him.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
IRV.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
Thank you for all you do for the DAV and
God bless.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
You, Erwin. God bless you, and thank you for your service.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. Erwin.
Have a wonderful, wonderful day and a wonderful weekend. Okay,
my friends, please, if you want to donate, donate. The
lines are open now nine seven eight six three two
nineteen eighty five nine seven eight six three two one
nine eighty five uh, and a lot more to come,
(03:43):
believe me.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Special guests next, welcome.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Back to the annual Radiothon to benefit the dav Department
of Massachusetts, and this hour of our radio thon is
brought to you by Kelly Financial Services. We're joined here
by Dan Stack, CEO of the Disabled American Veterans and
(04:08):
joining us now in studio as well very special guest
Mike Vaalilla, adjutant for the dav Department of Massachusetts, US
Army and Prout, a Rock War veteran. I want to
welcome all of you and two very special guests. Well
one we've kind of introduced already, but the other one
(04:32):
and your father is definitely looking down from heaven with
tremendous Pride. We are joined now by William Kelly Junior.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
How are you, William A fantastic thank you for asking.
How are you? Very very good?
Speaker 1 (04:46):
And you know, Dan Stack and I were just talking
off the air a couple of five minutes ago, looking
at you talking to my son Ashton outside the studio,
and he says, you know, he remembers you guys when
you were small. And he looks at you. You're built
like a you know, you're built like a truck. He
looks at Ashton, He's built.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Like a tank. Oh yeah, you know.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
And the two of you are talking and he says, boy,
they grow up so fast, and they both of you
really do. So I've got Ashton in studio with me.
I've got you, William. I got to ask you. You're
Kelly Financial, big supporter, you're obviously sponsoring this hour. Why
do you, in particular, why does Kelly Financial care so
(05:31):
much about our veterans and especially the dav.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
Well for starters. I'll say that without our veterans, and
without our armed forces in general, we would not have
the things that we have today.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
And I know that we hear that.
Speaker 5 (05:45):
A lot, We say it a lot, but we literally
wouldn't like if we did not take up arms during
the Revolutionary War, we wouldn't have our country. So it's
our fighters who protect us and keep us in this
way of life. And you guys have probably heard that
a million times now, but truthfully, that's the ethos of
it pretty much, that's the core. And my father understood
that him being a veteran himself. And truly, we just
(06:07):
love veterans and we love the military.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
There are many organizations and I know you give a lot.
You're very generous, Kelly Financial is very generous. Why the
disabled American veterans.
Speaker 5 (06:21):
It's focused and it's local. My brother's keeper, for example,
same way I've worked with them before. I volunteered for them.
And you see it with dav Massachusetts. You see it
as well. And it's completely focused, and it's it's in
an area in our community. And I think one of
the best things you can do as an American citizen
is help your community. Obviously helping the grand scheme of
(06:42):
things is great as well. I'm not denouncing that at all,
but I am saying that I think a community focus
is what makes it very special, and I have a
lot of respect for that and also, we've known you
guys forever. You guys are amazing folks.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
So before I go to Dan Stack and Mike Valilla, Ashton,
you and William have grown up together. You guys knew
each other when you were both very very small. How
does it feel to see William Kelly Junior in studio
(07:13):
making a donation to the disabled American Veterans? How does
it feel right now?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Ashton?
Speaker 6 (07:19):
Well, I'm very impressed by him, and I'm very proud
of him. I kind of wish I was kind of
in his situation because I do not have a job,
and I kind of well not yet, okay, but I
do not have any money really to my name, and
if I had money, I probably donated to a lot
of veteran communities, to the DAV to help other people
(07:43):
all the time. I love helping people. But I'm very
proud because like he's like a cousin to me. I
see him as a cousin, I see him as families. Likewise,
I love him, I'm very proud of him. He's like
my mentor in my life. I care from very deeply,
(08:08):
and I'm very happy that he donated money to the DA.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Yeah, we're going to ask him how much his donation is.
In fact, maybe you can do the you can ask
the question, Ashton. But just before you do so, the
audience knows how old are you Ashton.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
I'm fifteen years old.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Now apparently though don't say where. Don't say where. But
you're going to be sixteen in March, and I think
hater is out there. But you're going to be getting
a job at sixteen. Correct, that is correct. I will
get a job at sixteen, Okay, good, all right, yeah, yeah,
(08:45):
we don't want you dosing yourself there, Ashton.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
So, and so when you start making your own money
and you get your job, which I believe you will,
you're saying you're going to start making donations out of
your own pocket to the DAV.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Correct.
Speaker 6 (09:00):
Of course, I will donate as much as I can
to the DAV to help them, to help disabled veterans,
to help veterans in general. I'm gonna do it my
best to help veterans that fought for this country. And
I just care about people and I wish that they
(09:21):
have a great life. I just like love people and
wish that everybody didn't fight. In my personal opinion, I
don't know why we fight. But I'm still young. I
don't know everything about life. I can't I can do
simple bath, but I can't say. Oh, I know about marriage.
I'm not married yet. I can't do that, but I
(09:44):
wish that.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Okay, all right, so okay, Ashton Sandy is giving me
the hook here. So I want you to ask William
what his donation is.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Go ahead, how much did he donate?
Speaker 5 (09:58):
William Kelly Services would like to donate three thousand dollars
to the additional one. Yeah, and on top of the sponsorship,
I would also like to donate an additional two thousand dollars.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Are you serious? Out of your own this, out of
your own bank account? Yes, sir, two thousand dollars. Yeah,
why not?
Speaker 2 (10:16):
God bless you? Mice been good?
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Hey, I only have ice for my wife. But I
love you in a non sexual way, my friend. We
got less than a minute dance stack. Anything you want
to say to William.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
I don't know what to say to William, to be
quite honest with you, because you made me cry the
first time you called in just after your dad had passed,
And your dad has been a sponsor of our program
since we started, and I can't thank him enough, but
I know he's looking down very proud of you. That
(10:51):
day that you called in as a young young man
and donated what you had saved was something that broke
my heart. And you have done that every year since. William,
thank you so.
Speaker 5 (11:04):
Much, Thanks Asha, Thank you guys for this opportunity.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
William, thank you again, truly from the bottom of my heart,
thank you so much. Six one seven two six six
sixty eight sixty eight is the number. Okay, welcome back
to wrko's annual radio fond to benefit the Disabled American
Veterans Department of Massachusetts, and this hour is brought to
(11:29):
you by Kelly Financial Services. Now we want to go,
obviously to Mike Valilla. He is the adjutant for the
dav Department of Massachusetts US Army, proud of Rock War veteran.
He's with me right on my left in the studio.
But before we go to Mike, we're joined by uh
(11:51):
Betty in Quinsy. Betty, thank you so much for calling in.
How are you hey.
Speaker 7 (12:01):
Jeff, I'm great, great, How are you listen? I can't
thank you enough. This is so amazing that you do
this for our heroes. It's totally amazing. And I just
hold on.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
This is Ginger Betty.
Speaker 7 (12:17):
Ginger Betty Betty.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Hey, I'm saying I heard I said Betty and Quinsy
and the way you were talking, I'm like, that sounds
like Ginger Betty.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
It is Ginger Betty, Ginger Betty.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Uh. I'm so happy that you called so uh. I
know you're a big supporter of the vets. Uh. I'm
not surprised now why you called. Please keep going. I
didn't mean to interrupt you. Go ahead, Ginger Betty.
Speaker 7 (12:44):
Yeah, you got a Ginger Jeff. I want to say,
this is so amazing. You know, all the veterans in
you know, the military have such a special and sweet
place in my heart. We have the Gi Ginger Betty Foundation,
and it's like the best thing about Ginger Betties. We
love sharing cookies, making friends with our soldiers, and we
(13:04):
have operations Sweet Salute, And you know I love the
dav Jeff, because I've been involved with them for many years.
A friend of mine, Mike Cheney, he brings them out
on a boat every year at Harvey's Fishing Pierre down
here in Quincy. Everybody has a great time, and you know,
for us to just give a little sweet salute cookie
(13:25):
metal to them. You know, it just warms my heart
really unbelievable. And you know, we've been doing this since
two thousand and seven. We've traveled all around the country,
like Knoxville, Tennessee. Some of the soldiers who you know
passed in the.
Speaker 8 (13:41):
You know, on the.
Speaker 7 (13:43):
Coming out of what you call it. Oh my gosh,
I'm covered here in frost, and Jeff, I'm trying to
get this story out in Knockbell. You know the people,
and it's the families that are left behind the withdrawal
of afghanisty. And I mean I go out to Knoxville
and you know the look on the mother's face. We're
just trying to create miles of smiles in operation Sweet
(14:07):
Salute and the flavor of freedom. We want to share
that all around the world and especially here at home
with our soldiers. And listen, I would love to sweeten
the pot over down the Nomays. I love peppermint, Paul,
and I'd be willing to send a sweet salute cookie
break to you know, the guess that he has when
(14:29):
the dinner. I would love to do that.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
You are very kind. You are so kind, Ginger Betty.
Before I let you go. Look, you're obviously well known
on Cooner Country, on the Kooner Report around Boston. Why
do you in particular care so much about veterans and
especially our disabled veterans?
Speaker 7 (14:54):
Jeff, Well, you know, our veterans, they are the single
reason why we are walking around here living our lives free.
You know, they put their lives on their lines. They
don't even know people, and it's just that that proud
American and they just do it. They don't ask for anything,
and I think we owe them the world. I really do.
(15:16):
And so these disabled veterans, you know, just to know
that somebody cares. I mean, it really warms my heart.
Every time I go to a dav event. We bring
the cookies and stuff, and you know, I love getting
these letters in pictures, you know, when we ship out
the care packages and people can go to Ginger bettys
dot com if they want to sponsor a soldier. Jeff,
(15:39):
We we love doing that. And I just want to
say it's all about and I'm going to dedicate this
Veteran's Day to WALTA met him a couple of weeks
ago and unfortunately he passed, But it was about a
handshake and a cookie break.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Jeff God bless you, God bless you.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Ginger Betty. Where can people go to buy your cookies?
I want people to support you because you do so
much for our vets in our military.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
Where can people.
Speaker 7 (16:08):
Go, thanks Jeffer. They can come down to Ginger Betty's
Bakery at two fifteen santaset Ad and Quinsey and if
they can't get here, they can go to ginger Betties
dot com and we can ship cookies out. We will
have an event we're going to kick off that people
can come down, help package boxes for the soldiers and
the help write letters. They can look on our website
(16:31):
ginger Betties dot com.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
Oh beautiful, beautiful Ginger Betty again, thank you, thank you,
thank you. You can go to Gingerbetties dot com Gingerbetties
dot com. I've had her cookies. I'm telling you they're
the best, the best cookies period.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Full stop.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Okay, let's go right now to Mike Villilla on my
left again, the adjutant for the dav Department of Massachusetts,
US Army, Iraq war veterans, and Mike, I've got to
ask you. I ask everybody why the DAV and what
Drew you to the DAV after your service.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (17:11):
Thanks, thanks for having me, Jeff, my pleasure. So my
story is not much unlike most of the stories we've
heard today. I served my time in service. Coming home,
you know, I dealt with some of the effects of
my service. I was going through some mental health issues.
(17:33):
I had some physical health issues. I wasn't sure where
to go and address these. I went to the v
A on on my own right and and there I
ran into some other veterans and got to talking, as
as veterans tend to do, and and somebody said, are
you connected with DAV. I hadn't heard of DAV at
(17:55):
that point. So they connected me with a service officer
that kind of laid the road before me of what
was available to me, where to go and seek the
proper treatment care, et CETERA. Long story short. A few
years later, while I was working in grant management helping
(18:18):
veterans in my capacity there, one of the former national
commanders of DAV kind of scouted me, poached me, and
brought me into DAV as a National Service officer at
the time. So now I was the guy helping other
veterans with their claims and benefits. You know, fast forward
a few years later, I came over to the department
(18:39):
end of things as Dan's assistant, and then when Dan
stepped out of that role, I became the adjudant for
the department. So now as the adjutant of DAV Massachusetts,
I oversee virtually the entirety of it. Our our transportation network,
our our housing program, food pantry. We assist veterans with
(19:07):
really any need that they may have, claims and benefits.
Obviously in our service Corps is a huge piece of it.
We go to the VA's and the soldiers' homes, nursing homes,
out in the community wherever veterans are. We are to
ask what is your need and then we provide that
service to assist them.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Oh that's incredible. Honestly, it's incredible. Look, I want to
urge everybody, Veterans Day is right around the corner. It's next,
you know, Tuesday, next week's let's not forget our veterans.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
You just heard Mike. The DAV.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
They've been with us now for how many years. They
do incredible work. They're there for our veterans. They're there
for them when it comes for healthcare, mental health, food, transportation,
helping them get the benefits that they've earned, that they've deserve. Please,
whatever you can give, call be generous. Give as much
(20:04):
as you can nine seven eight six three two nineteen
eighty five nine seven eight six three two one nine
eight five. If you prefer you can vote online or sorry,
you can donate online.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
My bad. You can donate online.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
DAV five k dot Boston, DAV the number five, the
letter K DAV five k dot Boston. Mike, what is
the DAV doing. I know you cater to all veterans obviously,
but especially younger veterans. What is the DAV doing to
(20:40):
help younger veterans?
Speaker 9 (20:42):
Yeah, so great question. Across the board, all all veterans
service organizations have been increasingly having a harder time reaching
that that younger generation of veteran. What DAV has kind
of done to step outside of that. Like I mentioned earlier,
we go with the veteran is to meet them. So
now we're doing a lot of outreach events in the community,
(21:07):
We're doing a lot of service projects in the community.
We're getting hands on and making creating opportunities for veterans
to put a helping hand in. So, whether it's installing
a handicap, ramp on a veteran in needs household helping
clean up or repair or landscape a local playground in
(21:33):
the community, working out a veterans stand down, and giving
out food, clothing, et cetera, essential needs to veterans in need.
We're kind of at the forefront of all of that,
and given these younger veterans something they can come and
participate in, be proud of doing. Instead of just sitting in,
you know, a smoky old hall bsing one another, We're
(21:57):
giving them a mission to continue serving good I mean excellent.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Mike.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
I've got to ask you. We hear a lot, we
see a lot homeless veterans, veterans who aren't being given
their health care that they didn't that they need, that
they deserve. How much is that is real? How much
of that does the da V help? How many homeless
veterans have you encountered the DAV has encountered, and what
(22:24):
does the d a V DAV do to help our
homeless veterans?
Speaker 9 (22:29):
Great question, Veterans homelessness is real. It's it's an astronomical
number in comparison to our civilian counterpart. What DAV is
doing is we're sending our members out almost as street teams,
where finding these veterans where they're at on the street.
We're letting them know that DAV is there for them.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
A lot of times we.
Speaker 9 (22:53):
Put care packages together, you know, with basic hygiene supply,
you know, warm blankets, jackets, et cetera. But we're educating
them on where they can go and seek mental health
and physical health care, letting them know that we're they're
to provide transportation them at no cost, making them aware
(23:16):
of our housing programs that we have here within the state,
and that you know, we can bring them in, put
a roof over their head, put a warm meal in
their belly, help get them, you know, to that next
step that they need to be to in Our housing
programs are one of a kind. You know, DAV is
a national entity here in Massachusetts. We are the only
(23:37):
state that is into housing and I'm proud to say that,
you know, of all the veterans that we take into
these housing programs, we have over ninety five percent of
them that are leaving as first time home buyers. Because
we take them in, we treat everybody as an individual.
We don't put timelines on them. We charge them as
little as we can so that we're not impacting their finances.
(24:01):
We help them with repairing and rebuilding credit, accessing all
of their benefits, assistan them and filing their claims and
getting those through the finishing line, connecting them with any
state or federal benefits that they've earned. Outside of that,
if their goal is to go to school, we help
them with those educational benefits. We're also able to help
their spouses and dependents along the way with any of
(24:22):
the needs that they have. So we're helping repair that
entire family unit and take them to that next step
in life. And it's a wonderful program.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Oh God, bless you really look Please to everyone listening,
Cooner country, no Americans should be homeless. Don't misunderstand me,
but no veteran should ever be homeless on our streets.
And to me, it is a national disgrace, it is
a national shame, It is a national tragedy. And that's
(24:52):
another reason why I strongly support the dav We can
get our homeless veterans. We can give them a place
to stay, we can put them in a home, we
can put them in an apartment or whatever. Put a
roof over their head. That's what the DAV does. It
helps get homeless people off the streets, It helps feed them,
it helps clothe them, it helps give them the mental
(25:14):
health and the healthcare that they need, and that again
that they have earned. So please, whatever you can give,
it's not the amount, it's the thought behind the call.
Uh nine seven eight sixty three to two nineteen eighty
five is the number nine seven eight six three two
one nine eight five. You can also give online DAV
(25:38):
five k dot Boston, DAV five k dot Boston.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Again.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Please every a dollar, five dollars, ten dollars, twenty dollars,
fifty dollars, whatever you can give is so tremendously appreciated.
And joining me now where just yeah, the General as
they call them, he's going to be sitting down right
next to me. We've had him on a couple of times.
Great to see you, General Johnson. General Ron Johnson is
(26:10):
joining us. And by the way, this hour of our
radiothon to benefit disabled American veterans of Massachusetts is brought
to you by Post nineteen seventeen Steakhouse in Reading and Lexington.
We're now joined by General Ron Johnson, retired US Army Iraq, Afghanistan.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Not retired US Army. That's what it says here us hearty.
Speaker 10 (26:38):
Well, they got it wrong.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Okay, I'm sorry. It's Marine Mrius Marines. I'm sorry. Oh,
I didn't mean to offend you. I'm so sorry.
Speaker 9 (26:47):
Coming up on the two hundred and fiftieth.
Speaker 5 (26:50):
Your darn right mean, Oh my god, I want to
know who wrote those notes.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
I want to be here standing to that wasn't me.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
And if that name rings a bell, and it should
ring a bell, he was the general that helped us
take Fallujah in Iraq, really one of the biggest battles
of the war, General Johnson, true honor and privilege to
have you on as always. I've got to ask you, sir,
you always come out to support disabled American veterans.
Speaker 10 (27:22):
Why you know, Jeff, Now as you should start getting older,
you start to reflect back on what I have, what
I've gotten. You know, the men and women who died
in battle wounded in battle were young people seventeen, eighteen,
(27:45):
twenty years old, Max. They didn't get to enjoy the
same opportunities that I have back here living with a
great family, my children, my grandchildren, and enjoy life. They
sacrifice so much for us, and it's nothing for me
(28:06):
to come back and try to give and to support
those veterans that gave so much to our country.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
You support many causes, obviously military, you're a military man
to your core. Why disabled American veterans? What stands out
for you about the.
Speaker 10 (28:24):
DAV What I like most about the DAV is that
they give. They're not takers to the givers. You know,
the return on your dollar, you return on your investment,
goes directly to support the disabled American veterans. As we
start to look, we got to have to take care
of our own. That's what we're here for. I feel
(28:45):
blessed to be here, be able to give just an
ounce of my time in order to support those that
give them so much to us.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Oh amen, Please donate generously. You heard the general nine
seven eighths six three to two nineteen eighty five. Uh,
they're standing by waiting to take your calls. Nine seven
eight six three two one nine eight five. Again, you
can donate online DAV five k dot Boston, DAV five
(29:15):
k dot Boston, General Johnson. Okay, they're for the General
for him. Okay, I was going to ask you a
question follow up. But apparently we've got people on the
line for you. That's you're a popular guy. They're not
calling for me, they're calling for you.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (29:37):
Next week, I'm going to have my own radio show.
Jeff Cooner is no longer going to be done w RKO.
You're gonna be able.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
To talk to me.
Speaker 10 (29:45):
No, I'm kidding. Jeah's a great American. We'd love to
have them. No, Jeff, I probably have some of the
best friends in the world, and they're great Americans and
always willing the help and support uh the dav annually
uh And I'd like to throw them back on just
(30:06):
to uh let our audience know what true Americans are
there to help support us.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Oh great, great, Okay, who do you want to get
on first? Mike, all right, let's go to uh Paul
in Salem.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Paul Paul is Paul Is okay?
Speaker 1 (30:26):
Sorry, because the way we have it on the board,
you have the name and then the city beside it.
But that's Paul Salem. Okay, Paul, thank you so much
for calling in to w r K O the Cooner
Report on our annual radio fon to benefit dav of Massachusetts.
You are on with General Ron Johnson. How are you, Paul.
Speaker 8 (30:46):
I'm doing great. Hello, General, how are you?
Speaker 2 (30:49):
Thanks Paul for coming on with me today.
Speaker 8 (30:52):
Mike Pleasure, Mike Pleasure. It's uh, it's always a privilege.
Speaker 7 (30:55):
You know.
Speaker 8 (30:56):
The General is a true leader, so you know when he's.
Speaker 7 (30:58):
On, we follow.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
Paul, is there a specific question you have for the
General or do you want to make a donation or both?
Speaker 8 (31:12):
I want to I obviously want to make a donation,
but I I do want to say that, you know,
when you have someone like General Ron Johnson, who is
from Massachusetts, just like I was born in Worcester, you know,
these people like the General don't come around every time,
and and there's such great Americans that we're just so
(31:35):
lucky to have people like General Ron Johnson.
Speaker 3 (31:38):
Let's let's let's us sleep.
Speaker 8 (31:40):
In a comfort of our own bed while he's out there,
you know, when he was out there in Iraq and
in helping protect America. And I'm just privileged to know
someone like General Johnson. And I definitely want to make
a donation. And and and Ron, you get to pick
the number.
Speaker 7 (31:54):
How's that?
Speaker 1 (31:56):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (31:58):
Go high? Don't go long, go high?
Speaker 7 (32:01):
Paul?
Speaker 10 (32:02):
All right, I'm on Paul, so Kath and I gave stix.
How about fifty?
Speaker 1 (32:10):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (32:11):
Is that too much dash for you? Paul?
Speaker 3 (32:14):
How about twenty?
Speaker 10 (32:15):
How about twenty?
Speaker 2 (32:16):
How about twenty five? How about twenty five?
Speaker 7 (32:20):
I got?
Speaker 8 (32:21):
I thought, Ron, what did you say? Did you say fifteen?
Speaker 2 (32:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (32:24):
No?
Speaker 1 (32:25):
No, no, he said fifty. Then you went to twenty.
Now going to twenty five?
Speaker 8 (32:33):
No, we got how about twenty five?
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Oh? My god, I.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
Love you, Jezon, I love you. I love you, Paul Salem.
I love you, my friend. I can't thank you enough.
We all love you.
Speaker 7 (32:46):
Paul.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
You are a great American. My god, man, you deliver well.
I could see how you kicked all that ass.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
In the rock.
Speaker 1 (32:52):
Man, you deliver, buddy. All right, we're talking at General
Ron Johnson. I promise you you're getting the last word.
I promise we're going to come back. We're up against
the heartbreak. Other people want to talk to the General.
Paul Salem. God bless you, and thank you, sir,
You are listening to wrko's annual radiothon to benefit the
Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts, and this hour is
brought to you by Kelly Financial Services. We are now
joined again, very special guest. This is Irwin Frankel. He
(00:20):
is a Marine Corps veteran, Day Transportation Network driver and
a DAV volunteer.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Irwin, how are you.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I'm great, Thanks for you.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Well, you sounds so cheery, it's infectious. I'm very good, Irwin.
I've got to ask you. I've asked this almost of
everybody who's called in today, but to me, it's the
seminal question. What drove you or motivated you after you
left military service, you know, when you started to transition
(00:56):
to domestic life.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Why the DAV.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Why were you drawn to the DAV and why do
you support the DAV.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Oh, let me just say, my three years of service
in the military, in the Marine Corps were three of
the best years of my life. My best friends till
this day, and I've got a few days behind me
(01:27):
were Marine F four pilots and these people were special,
lend and they're special today. So what it was to
me friendship just was the number one thing in my life,
and these people we formed a bond, especially when we
(01:51):
were over in Vietnam, that was you couldn't top it.
So I owed to the Marine Corps for these three years,
I owed something to the United States of America, and
by giving something back, it just meant so much to me.
(02:17):
I got more from giving something back that I got
from taking and that was the reason.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Wow er wow erwin. I know.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
I'm here with Dan Stack, CEO of the dav for
the Department of Massachusetts, and he wants to say a
few words. Dan, We're very short on time, but please,
if you could just say a word or two.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
If it weren't for individuals such as irv IRV is
one of our best volunteers. He is there constantly driving
patients to and from the VA in order to make
sure that they get their healthcare. A veteran, a Marine
Corps veteran is also very proud Marine Corps veteranis and
so happy birthday to her Halft year he'll be He'll
(03:04):
be attending the Marine Corps luncheon this afternoon and he
has a table there and he's always invited other disabled
veterans to join him.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
IRV.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
Thank you for all you do for the DAV and
God bless.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
You, Erwin. God bless you, and thank you for your service.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. Erwin.
Have a wonderful, wonderful day and a wonderful weekend. Okay,
my friends, please, if you want to donate, donate. The
lines are open now nine seven eight six three two
nineteen eighty five nine seven eight six three two one
nine eighty five uh, and a lot more to come,
(03:43):
believe me.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Special guests next, welcome.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Back to the annual Radiothon to benefit the dav Department
of Massachusetts, and this hour of our radio thon is
brought to you by Kelly Financial Services. We're joined here
by Dan Stack, CEO of the Disabled American Veterans and
(04:08):
joining us now in studio as well very special guest
Mike Vaalilla, adjutant for the dav Department of Massachusetts, US
Army and Prout, a Rock War veteran. I want to
welcome all of you and two very special guests. Well
one we've kind of introduced already, but the other one
(04:32):
and your father is definitely looking down from heaven with
tremendous Pride. We are joined now by William Kelly Junior.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
How are you, William A fantastic thank you for asking.
How are you? Very very good?
Speaker 1 (04:46):
And you know, Dan Stack and I were just talking
off the air a couple of five minutes ago, looking
at you talking to my son Ashton outside the studio,
and he says, you know, he remembers you guys when
you were small. And he looks at you. You're built
like a you know, you're built like a truck. He
looks at Ashton, He's built.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Like a tank. Oh yeah, you know.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
And the two of you are talking and he says, boy,
they grow up so fast, and they both of you
really do. So I've got Ashton in studio with me.
I've got you, William. I got to ask you. You're
Kelly Financial, big supporter, you're obviously sponsoring this hour. Why
do you, in particular, why does Kelly Financial care so
(05:31):
much about our veterans and especially the dav.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
Well for starters. I'll say that without our veterans, and
without our armed forces in general, we would not have
the things that we have today.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
And I know that we hear that.
Speaker 5 (05:45):
A lot, We say it a lot, but we literally
wouldn't like if we did not take up arms during
the Revolutionary War, we wouldn't have our country. So it's
our fighters who protect us and keep us in this
way of life. And you guys have probably heard that
a million times now, but truthfully, that's the ethos of
it pretty much, that's the core. And my father understood
that him being a veteran himself. And truly, we just
(06:07):
love veterans and we love the military.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
There are many organizations and I know you give a lot.
You're very generous, Kelly Financial is very generous. Why the
disabled American veterans.
Speaker 5 (06:21):
It's focused and it's local. My brother's keeper, for example,
same way I've worked with them before. I volunteered for them.
And you see it with dav Massachusetts. You see it
as well. And it's completely focused, and it's it's in
an area in our community. And I think one of
the best things you can do as an American citizen
is help your community. Obviously helping the grand scheme of
(06:42):
things is great as well. I'm not denouncing that at all,
but I am saying that I think a community focus
is what makes it very special, and I have a
lot of respect for that and also, we've known you
guys forever. You guys are amazing folks.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
So before I go to Dan Stack and Mike Valilla, Ashton,
you and William have grown up together. You guys knew
each other when you were both very very small. How
does it feel to see William Kelly Junior in studio
(07:13):
making a donation to the disabled American Veterans? How does
it feel right now?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Ashton?
Speaker 6 (07:19):
Well, I'm very impressed by him, and I'm very proud
of him. I kind of wish I was kind of
in his situation because I do not have a job,
and I kind of well not yet, okay, but I
do not have any money really to my name, and
if I had money, I probably donated to a lot
of veteran communities, to the DAV to help other people
(07:43):
all the time. I love helping people. But I'm very
proud because like he's like a cousin to me. I
see him as a cousin, I see him as families. Likewise,
I love him, I'm very proud of him. He's like
my mentor in my life. I care from very deeply,
(08:08):
and I'm very happy that he donated money to the DA.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Yeah, we're going to ask him how much his donation is.
In fact, maybe you can do the you can ask
the question, Ashton. But just before you do so, the
audience knows how old are you Ashton.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
I'm fifteen years old.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Now apparently though don't say where. Don't say where. But
you're going to be sixteen in March, and I think
hater is out there. But you're going to be getting
a job at sixteen. Correct, that is correct. I will
get a job at sixteen, Okay, good, all right, yeah, yeah,
(08:45):
we don't want you dosing yourself there, Ashton.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
So, and so when you start making your own money
and you get your job, which I believe you will,
you're saying you're going to start making donations out of
your own pocket to the DAV.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Correct.
Speaker 6 (09:00):
Of course, I will donate as much as I can
to the DAV to help them, to help disabled veterans,
to help veterans in general. I'm gonna do it my
best to help veterans that fought for this country. And
I just care about people and I wish that they
(09:21):
have a great life. I just like love people and
wish that everybody didn't fight. In my personal opinion, I
don't know why we fight. But I'm still young. I
don't know everything about life. I can't I can do
simple bath, but I can't say. Oh, I know about marriage.
I'm not married yet. I can't do that, but I
(09:44):
wish that.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Okay, all right, so okay, Ashton Sandy is giving me
the hook here. So I want you to ask William
what his donation is.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Go ahead, how much did he donate?
Speaker 5 (09:58):
William Kelly Services would like to donate three thousand dollars
to the additional one. Yeah, and on top of the sponsorship,
I would also like to donate an additional two thousand dollars.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Are you serious? Out of your own this, out of
your own bank account? Yes, sir, two thousand dollars. Yeah,
why not?
Speaker 2 (10:16):
God bless you? Mice been good?
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Hey, I only have ice for my wife. But I
love you in a non sexual way, my friend. We
got less than a minute dance stack. Anything you want
to say to William.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
I don't know what to say to William, to be
quite honest with you, because you made me cry the
first time you called in just after your dad had passed,
And your dad has been a sponsor of our program
since we started, and I can't thank him enough, but
I know he's looking down very proud of you. That
(10:51):
day that you called in as a young young man
and donated what you had saved was something that broke
my heart. And you have done that every year since. William,
thank you so.
Speaker 5 (11:04):
Much, Thanks Asha, Thank you guys for this opportunity.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
William, thank you again, truly from the bottom of my heart,
thank you so much. Six one seven two six six
sixty eight sixty eight is the number. Okay, welcome back
to wrko's annual radio fond to benefit the Disabled American
Veterans Department of Massachusetts, and this hour is brought to
(11:29):
you by Kelly Financial Services. Now we want to go,
obviously to Mike Valilla. He is the adjutant for the
dav Department of Massachusetts US Army, proud of Rock War veteran.
He's with me right on my left in the studio.
But before we go to Mike, we're joined by uh
(11:51):
Betty in Quinsy. Betty, thank you so much for calling in.
How are you hey.
Speaker 7 (12:01):
Jeff, I'm great, great, How are you listen? I can't
thank you enough. This is so amazing that you do
this for our heroes. It's totally amazing. And I just
hold on.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
This is Ginger Betty.
Speaker 7 (12:17):
Ginger Betty Betty.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Hey, I'm saying I heard I said Betty and Quinsy
and the way you were talking, I'm like, that sounds
like Ginger Betty.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
It is Ginger Betty, Ginger Betty.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Uh. I'm so happy that you called so uh. I
know you're a big supporter of the vets. Uh. I'm
not surprised now why you called. Please keep going. I
didn't mean to interrupt you. Go ahead, Ginger Betty.
Speaker 7 (12:44):
Yeah, you got a Ginger Jeff. I want to say,
this is so amazing. You know, all the veterans in
you know, the military have such a special and sweet
place in my heart. We have the Gi Ginger Betty Foundation,
and it's like the best thing about Ginger Betties. We
love sharing cookies, making friends with our soldiers, and we
(13:04):
have operations Sweet Salute, And you know I love the
dav Jeff, because I've been involved with them for many years.
A friend of mine, Mike Cheney, he brings them out
on a boat every year at Harvey's Fishing Pierre down
here in Quincy. Everybody has a great time, and you know,
for us to just give a little sweet salute cookie
(13:25):
metal to them. You know, it just warms my heart
really unbelievable. And you know, we've been doing this since
two thousand and seven. We've traveled all around the country,
like Knoxville, Tennessee. Some of the soldiers who you know
passed in the.
Speaker 8 (13:41):
You know, on the.
Speaker 7 (13:43):
Coming out of what you call it. Oh my gosh,
I'm covered here in frost, and Jeff, I'm trying to
get this story out in Knockbell. You know the people,
and it's the families that are left behind the withdrawal
of afghanisty. And I mean I go out to Knoxville
and you know the look on the mother's face. We're
just trying to create miles of smiles in operation Sweet
(14:07):
Salute and the flavor of freedom. We want to share
that all around the world and especially here at home
with our soldiers. And listen, I would love to sweeten
the pot over down the Nomays. I love peppermint, Paul,
and I'd be willing to send a sweet salute cookie
break to you know, the guess that he has when
(14:29):
the dinner. I would love to do that.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
You are very kind. You are so kind, Ginger Betty.
Before I let you go. Look, you're obviously well known
on Cooner Country, on the Kooner Report around Boston. Why
do you in particular care so much about veterans and
especially our disabled veterans?
Speaker 7 (14:54):
Jeff, Well, you know, our veterans, they are the single
reason why we are walking around here living our lives free.
You know, they put their lives on their lines. They
don't even know people, and it's just that that proud
American and they just do it. They don't ask for anything,
and I think we owe them the world. I really do.
(15:16):
And so these disabled veterans, you know, just to know
that somebody cares. I mean, it really warms my heart.
Every time I go to a dav event. We bring
the cookies and stuff, and you know, I love getting
these letters in pictures, you know, when we ship out
the care packages and people can go to Ginger bettys
dot com if they want to sponsor a soldier. Jeff,
(15:39):
We we love doing that. And I just want to
say it's all about and I'm going to dedicate this
Veteran's Day to WALTA met him a couple of weeks
ago and unfortunately he passed, But it was about a
handshake and a cookie break.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Jeff God bless you, God bless you.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Ginger Betty. Where can people go to buy your cookies?
I want people to support you because you do so
much for our vets in our military.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
Where can people.
Speaker 7 (16:08):
Go, thanks Jeffer. They can come down to Ginger Betty's
Bakery at two fifteen santaset Ad and Quinsey and if
they can't get here, they can go to ginger Betties
dot com and we can ship cookies out. We will
have an event we're going to kick off that people
can come down, help package boxes for the soldiers and
the help write letters. They can look on our website
(16:31):
ginger Betties dot com.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
Oh beautiful, beautiful Ginger Betty again, thank you, thank you,
thank you. You can go to Gingerbetties dot com Gingerbetties
dot com. I've had her cookies. I'm telling you they're
the best, the best cookies period.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Full stop.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Okay, let's go right now to Mike Villilla on my
left again, the adjutant for the dav Department of Massachusetts,
US Army, Iraq war veterans, and Mike, I've got to
ask you. I ask everybody why the DAV and what
Drew you to the DAV after your service.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (17:11):
Thanks, thanks for having me, Jeff, my pleasure. So my
story is not much unlike most of the stories we've
heard today. I served my time in service. Coming home,
you know, I dealt with some of the effects of
my service. I was going through some mental health issues.
(17:33):
I had some physical health issues. I wasn't sure where
to go and address these. I went to the v
A on on my own right and and there I
ran into some other veterans and got to talking, as
as veterans tend to do, and and somebody said, are
you connected with DAV. I hadn't heard of DAV at
(17:55):
that point. So they connected me with a service officer
that kind of laid the road before me of what
was available to me, where to go and seek the
proper treatment care, et CETERA. Long story short. A few
years later, while I was working in grant management helping
(18:18):
veterans in my capacity there, one of the former national
commanders of DAV kind of scouted me, poached me, and
brought me into DAV as a National Service officer at
the time. So now I was the guy helping other
veterans with their claims and benefits. You know, fast forward
a few years later, I came over to the department
(18:39):
end of things as Dan's assistant, and then when Dan
stepped out of that role, I became the adjudant for
the department. So now as the adjutant of DAV Massachusetts,
I oversee virtually the entirety of it. Our our transportation network,
our our housing program, food pantry. We assist veterans with
(19:07):
really any need that they may have, claims and benefits.
Obviously in our service Corps is a huge piece of it.
We go to the VA's and the soldiers' homes, nursing homes,
out in the community wherever veterans are. We are to
ask what is your need and then we provide that
service to assist them.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Oh that's incredible. Honestly, it's incredible. Look, I want to
urge everybody, Veterans Day is right around the corner. It's next,
you know, Tuesday, next week's let's not forget our veterans.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
You just heard Mike. The DAV.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
They've been with us now for how many years. They
do incredible work. They're there for our veterans. They're there
for them when it comes for healthcare, mental health, food, transportation,
helping them get the benefits that they've earned, that they've deserve. Please,
whatever you can give, call be generous. Give as much
(20:04):
as you can nine seven eight six three two nineteen
eighty five nine seven eight six three two one nine
eight five. If you prefer you can vote online or sorry,
you can donate online.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
My bad. You can donate online.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
DAV five k dot Boston, DAV the number five, the
letter K DAV five k dot Boston. Mike, what is
the DAV doing. I know you cater to all veterans obviously,
but especially younger veterans. What is the DAV doing to
(20:40):
help younger veterans?
Speaker 9 (20:42):
Yeah, so great question. Across the board, all all veterans
service organizations have been increasingly having a harder time reaching
that that younger generation of veteran. What DAV has kind
of done to step outside of that. Like I mentioned earlier,
we go with the veteran is to meet them. So
now we're doing a lot of outreach events in the community,
(21:07):
We're doing a lot of service projects in the community.
We're getting hands on and making creating opportunities for veterans
to put a helping hand in. So, whether it's installing
a handicap, ramp on a veteran in needs household helping
clean up or repair or landscape a local playground in
(21:33):
the community, working out a veterans stand down, and giving
out food, clothing, et cetera, essential needs to veterans in need.
We're kind of at the forefront of all of that,
and given these younger veterans something they can come and
participate in, be proud of doing. Instead of just sitting in,
you know, a smoky old hall bsing one another, We're
(21:57):
giving them a mission to continue serving good I mean excellent.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Mike.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
I've got to ask you. We hear a lot, we
see a lot homeless veterans, veterans who aren't being given
their health care that they didn't that they need, that
they deserve. How much is that is real? How much
of that does the da V help? How many homeless
veterans have you encountered the DAV has encountered, and what
(22:24):
does the d a V DAV do to help our
homeless veterans?
Speaker 9 (22:29):
Great question, Veterans homelessness is real. It's it's an astronomical
number in comparison to our civilian counterpart. What DAV is
doing is we're sending our members out almost as street teams,
where finding these veterans where they're at on the street.
We're letting them know that DAV is there for them.
Speaker 2 (22:52):
A lot of times we.
Speaker 9 (22:53):
Put care packages together, you know, with basic hygiene supply,
you know, warm blankets, jackets, et cetera. But we're educating
them on where they can go and seek mental health
and physical health care, letting them know that we're they're
to provide transportation them at no cost, making them aware
(23:16):
of our housing programs that we have here within the state,
and that you know, we can bring them in, put
a roof over their head, put a warm meal in
their belly, help get them, you know, to that next
step that they need to be to in Our housing
programs are one of a kind. You know, DAV is
a national entity here in Massachusetts. We are the only
(23:37):
state that is into housing and I'm proud to say that,
you know, of all the veterans that we take into
these housing programs, we have over ninety five percent of
them that are leaving as first time home buyers. Because
we take them in, we treat everybody as an individual.
We don't put timelines on them. We charge them as
little as we can so that we're not impacting their finances.
(24:01):
We help them with repairing and rebuilding credit, accessing all
of their benefits, assistan them and filing their claims and
getting those through the finishing line, connecting them with any
state or federal benefits that they've earned. Outside of that,
if their goal is to go to school, we help
them with those educational benefits. We're also able to help
their spouses and dependents along the way with any of
(24:22):
the needs that they have. So we're helping repair that
entire family unit and take them to that next step
in life. And it's a wonderful program.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Oh God, bless you really look Please to everyone listening,
Cooner country, no Americans should be homeless. Don't misunderstand me,
but no veteran should ever be homeless on our streets.
And to me, it is a national disgrace, it is
a national shame, It is a national tragedy. And that's
(24:52):
another reason why I strongly support the dav We can
get our homeless veterans. We can give them a place
to stay, we can put them in a home, we
can put them in an apartment or whatever. Put a
roof over their head. That's what the DAV does. It
helps get homeless people off the streets, It helps feed them,
it helps clothe them, it helps give them the mental
(25:14):
health and the healthcare that they need, and that again
that they have earned. So please, whatever you can give,
it's not the amount, it's the thought behind the call.
Uh nine seven eight sixty three to two nineteen eighty
five is the number nine seven eight six three two
one nine eight five. You can also give online DAV
(25:38):
five k dot Boston, DAV five k dot Boston.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Again.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Please every a dollar, five dollars, ten dollars, twenty dollars,
fifty dollars, whatever you can give is so tremendously appreciated.
And joining me now where just yeah, the General as
they call them, he's going to be sitting down right
next to me. We've had him on a couple of times.
Great to see you, General Johnson. General Ron Johnson is
(26:10):
joining us. And by the way, this hour of our
radiothon to benefit disabled American veterans of Massachusetts is brought
to you by Post nineteen seventeen Steakhouse in Reading and Lexington.
We're now joined by General Ron Johnson, retired US Army Iraq, Afghanistan.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Not retired US Army. That's what it says here us hearty.
Speaker 10 (26:38):
Well, they got it wrong.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Okay, I'm sorry. It's Marine Mrius Marines. I'm sorry. Oh,
I didn't mean to offend you. I'm so sorry.
Speaker 9 (26:47):
Coming up on the two hundred and fiftieth.
Speaker 5 (26:50):
Your darn right mean, Oh my god, I want to
know who wrote those notes.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
I want to be here standing to that wasn't me.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
And if that name rings a bell, and it should
ring a bell, he was the general that helped us
take Fallujah in Iraq, really one of the biggest battles
of the war, General Johnson, true honor and privilege to
have you on as always. I've got to ask you, sir,
you always come out to support disabled American veterans.
Speaker 10 (27:22):
Why you know, Jeff, Now as you should start getting older,
you start to reflect back on what I have, what
I've gotten. You know, the men and women who died
in battle wounded in battle were young people seventeen, eighteen,
(27:45):
twenty years old, Max. They didn't get to enjoy the
same opportunities that I have back here living with a
great family, my children, my grandchildren, and enjoy life. They
sacrifice so much for us, and it's nothing for me
(28:06):
to come back and try to give and to support
those veterans that gave so much to our country.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
You support many causes, obviously military, you're a military man
to your core. Why disabled American veterans? What stands out
for you about the.
Speaker 10 (28:24):
DAV What I like most about the DAV is that
they give. They're not takers to the givers. You know,
the return on your dollar, you return on your investment,
goes directly to support the disabled American veterans. As we
start to look, we got to have to take care
of our own. That's what we're here for. I feel
(28:45):
blessed to be here, be able to give just an
ounce of my time in order to support those that
give them so much to us.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Oh amen, Please donate generously. You heard the general nine
seven eighths six three to two nineteen eighty five. Uh,
they're standing by waiting to take your calls. Nine seven
eight six three two one nine eight five. Again, you
can donate online DAV five k dot Boston, DAV five
(29:15):
k dot Boston, General Johnson. Okay, they're for the General
for him. Okay, I was going to ask you a
question follow up. But apparently we've got people on the
line for you. That's you're a popular guy. They're not
calling for me, they're calling for you.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (29:37):
Next week, I'm going to have my own radio show.
Jeff Cooner is no longer going to be done w RKO.
You're gonna be able.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
To talk to me.
Speaker 10 (29:45):
No, I'm kidding. Jeah's a great American. We'd love to
have them. No, Jeff, I probably have some of the
best friends in the world, and they're great Americans and
always willing the help and support uh the dav annually
uh And I'd like to throw them back on just
(30:06):
to uh let our audience know what true Americans are
there to help support us.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Oh great, great, Okay, who do you want to get
on first? Mike, all right, let's go to uh Paul
in Salem.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Paul Paul is Paul Is okay?
Speaker 1 (30:26):
Sorry, because the way we have it on the board,
you have the name and then the city beside it.
But that's Paul Salem. Okay, Paul, thank you so much
for calling in to w r K O the Cooner
Report on our annual radio fon to benefit dav of Massachusetts.
You are on with General Ron Johnson. How are you, Paul.
Speaker 8 (30:46):
I'm doing great. Hello, General, how are you?
Speaker 2 (30:49):
Thanks Paul for coming on with me today.
Speaker 8 (30:52):
Mike Pleasure, Mike Pleasure. It's uh, it's always a privilege.
Speaker 7 (30:55):
You know.
Speaker 8 (30:56):
The General is a true leader, so you know when he's.
Speaker 7 (30:58):
On, we follow.
Speaker 2 (31:06):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
Paul, is there a specific question you have for the
General or do you want to make a donation or both?
Speaker 8 (31:12):
I want to I obviously want to make a donation,
but I I do want to say that, you know,
when you have someone like General Ron Johnson, who is
from Massachusetts, just like I was born in Worcester, you know,
these people like the General don't come around every time,
and and there's such great Americans that we're just so
(31:35):
lucky to have people like General Ron Johnson.
Speaker 3 (31:38):
Let's let's let's us sleep.
Speaker 8 (31:40):
In a comfort of our own bed while he's out there,
you know, when he was out there in Iraq and
in helping protect America. And I'm just privileged to know
someone like General Johnson. And I definitely want to make
a donation. And and and Ron, you get to pick
the number.
Speaker 7 (31:54):
How's that?
Speaker 1 (31:56):
Wow?
Speaker 2 (31:58):
Go high? Don't go long, go high?
Speaker 7 (32:01):
Paul?
Speaker 10 (32:02):
All right, I'm on Paul, so Kath and I gave stix.
How about fifty?
Speaker 1 (32:10):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (32:11):
Is that too much dash for you? Paul?
Speaker 3 (32:14):
How about twenty?
Speaker 10 (32:15):
How about twenty?
Speaker 2 (32:16):
How about twenty five? How about twenty five?
Speaker 7 (32:20):
I got?
Speaker 8 (32:21):
I thought, Ron, what did you say? Did you say fifteen?
Speaker 2 (32:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (32:24):
No?
Speaker 1 (32:25):
No, no, he said fifty. Then you went to twenty.
Now going to twenty five?
Speaker 8 (32:33):
No, we got how about twenty five?
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Oh? My god, I.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
Love you, Jezon, I love you. I love you, Paul Salem.
I love you, my friend. I can't thank you enough.
We all love you.
Speaker 7 (32:46):
Paul.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
You are a great American. My god, man, you deliver well.
I could see how you kicked all that ass.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
In the rock.
Speaker 1 (32:52):
Man, you deliver, buddy. All right, we're talking at General
Ron Johnson. I promise you you're getting the last word.
I promise we're going to come back. We're up against
the heartbreak. Other people want to talk to the General.
Paul Salem. God bless you, and thank you, sir,
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