Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
I look forward to this show every single year.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
As you know, today is the.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Annual radiothon here on WRKO to benefit Disabled American Veterans.
Are incredible vets, World War Two veterans, Korean War veterans,
Vietnam veterans, obviously, those who served in Afghanistan, any rock,
all of our incredible vets and service members. And as
(00:32):
I say this a million times and God willing, I'll
say it another million times before I pass away, they
were here for us.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
It is now our turn to be here for them.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
And for those of you that don't know, the DAV,
the Disabled American Veterans is an absolutely incredible organization. We
have been working with them now for so many years.
And the head of the Massachusetts Department of the DAV,
many of you know him. He's been on this show
(01:07):
countless times.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
He has.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
He's a former Vietnam veteran himself.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
He spent time in the Air Force, and Dan Stack
he has worked for the DAV for over fifty years.
He is the chief executive Officer for the DAV Department
of Massachusetts. Dan as always, it is a true honor
and pleasure. And I've got to ask you, how are you.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
I am fantastic. I mean you just said I was.
I've been here for fifty years, so everybody knows I'm ancient.
So anyway, it's just great to be up and alive
in here this morning. Jeff.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Well, look, Dan, I know a lot of people at
least in this audience for sure, very happy. This is
a very good week for them. I don't want to
get into politics, but they're feeling very good. Things are
going to turn around, I'll knock on wood, So hopefully
they'll be in a very generous mood to start, you know,
writing some checks and making some nice generous donations. Then
(02:10):
before we start asking people to call and to or
email or go on the website to start donating money,
for people who don't know the DAV, why should they
donate to Disabled American Veterans? What does the DAV do
for our wounded and maimed vets?
Speaker 5 (02:30):
Well?
Speaker 4 (02:30):
The Disabled American Veterans is a nonprofit federally chartered veterans organization.
It has been inough basically in existence since nineteen twenty one.
It was established due to the fact that when veterans
were returning from World War One, there was no veterans administration,
(02:51):
there was literally no benefit for veterans to even partake of.
Veterans were in more or less welfare line more than
anything else, or having to panhandle in order to try
to exist due to the injuries that they had. So
the DAV was formed and then literally started arguing with
(03:14):
Congress in order to get benefits for veterans, and not
only the DAV, but the American Legion and the Veterans
of Formal Wars all combined together to literally have Congress
then establish the Veterans Administration. And we have been working
continuously with the VA to make sure that veterans are
well taken care of for all the injuries that they have,
(03:38):
not just their physical injuries, but more or less the
hidden wounds that come to be known as post traumatic
stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, those type of wounds that
people don't see readily but do effect not only the
veteran but his family.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Man.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Thank you very much for that, because one of the
points I want to stress to everybody, Look, I have
wounded veterans literally behind me in the studio. That's you know,
they come throughout, you know for four hours they come in,
they're going to be telling their stories. These are people
in wheelchairs, quadriplegics, paraplegics, maimed, crippled, serious PTSD, mental health issues,
(04:23):
you name it. It goes across the gamut, across the
entire spectrum. And these are people who put everything on
the line for us, everything, and you know, they need help.
They need medical assistance, they need healthcare assistance, they need
to be driven to doctor's appointments. That may seem to
(04:44):
many of us, you know, well, you know who can't
get a lift. They can't get a lift. They can't.
So I'm just giving you a little bit of what
the DAV does. They are there giving full service, taking
care of our wounded, maimed, disabled veterans three hundred and
(05:04):
sixty five days a year, twenty four hours a day,
seven days a week. To donate, I'm urging all of
you whatever you can give. I can tell you this
from the bottom of my heart. All the vets tell
me this. It's not the size of the donation. Of course,
the bigger the donation the better, But honestly, it's just
(05:24):
that call.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
It's just that you care.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It could be five dollars, twenty dollars, fifty dollars, one
hundred dollars whatever you can afford. The number to call
nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five nine
seven eight six three two one nine eight five, or
if you prefer giving through the website, you can visit
(05:48):
DAV five k dot Boston. So that's DAV the number,
five five k dot Boston.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Dan.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Currently, how is the situation for the DAV and are
you able to still provide the necessary resources and services
for so many disabled veterans who obviously need help.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
We have been holding our own, as you know, Unfortunately,
inflation has also hit us with what we have to
purchase and provide to the veterans that we house.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
It also has affected.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
The veterans that unfortunately have to survive on their VA compensation,
so that everything digs into that particular amount. So yeah,
the DAV currently today we're holding our own. We certainly
still need much more support. We have a housing program
out there in Gardner, Mass and I know later on
(06:51):
Mike Viella will be coming in to talk about exactly
what we're doing with them. We still have our transportation
program that's going daily transporting veterans to and from their
VA medical appointments. As you know, Jeff. Getting people to
the VA for their wellness care prevents long term sometimes
hospitalization because they are constantly being looked at, and you know,
(07:14):
it's preventive care more than anything, and that's what we're
so proud of in the DAV. We provide that transportation
so veterans have that kind of care so that their
disabilities don't get much more worse than they already are.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
One of the things that they do so many I
mean I can spend four hours telling everything that they do.
But one of the things the DAV does homeless veterans.
They will do everything in their power to try to
find housing for homeless veterans. Then very modestly and humbly said,
you know, we get them rights to the hospital, to
(07:49):
the VA, to their doctor's appointments. They do so much
more than that. They make sure that they get the
medical care that they need when they need it. Dan,
we've just got a couple of minutes left in this segment.
Do you get federal funding? I'm just curious, how do
you afford because this is a massively expensive operation. How
(08:11):
do you afford to run these service programs?
Speaker 4 (08:14):
The transportation program is literally run through the generosity of
the general public, we purchase the VA vehicles. We purchased
the vehicles and then we actually donate that vehicle to
the Veterans Administration so that they would and take the
maintenance and care of it. But it's our volunteers to drive.
It is basically our staff that mans and takes care
(08:36):
of all of the logistics and getting people to and from.
In regards to our housing program, we are fortunate that
we do get some funding from the state, but it's
nowhere near the amount that we need in order to
make sure every veteran that we have that we're housing
is properly teared for. Again, the general public has helped
us out in a great deal, not only from the Radiothon,
(08:59):
but from the five K road Race in all their
just their generous generosity that they provide to us on
a yearly basis.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
And Dan, I take at this the five k road
race that's going to be tomorrow, correct.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
Tomorrow, Yes, in South Boston right of Castle Island, Ford Independence.
It's going to start about nine fifteen tomorrow and we
are completely sold out. We have over fifteen hundred runners
coming and we're really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Do you have to run or can you walk?
Speaker 4 (09:30):
You can run, walk, roll, You can do everything you know.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
But what if my wife drives me?
Speaker 5 (09:35):
Dan?
Speaker 4 (09:36):
If she drives, you will make sure, Jeff, you have
your own lane so you have plenty of We'll get
you right close up to the fireboats so you can
get a little spray on you tube on that South
Boston breeze coming in.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Parent's going to be a beautiful, warm day tomorrow, so
it's going to be a perfect time to do the run. Dan,
We've got literally less than a minute. Where can people?
Where can our list go to support the dav and
all the local veterans that you serve.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
If, first of all, if any veteran out there needs
any assistance whatsoever, please go to DAVMA dot org. That
is our website. All of our telephone numbers are listed there,
all of the services are listed there. It's easier just
to remember disabled the American Veterans Massachusetts dav MA, We're
(10:26):
there to help you.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
DAVMA dot org to donate. My friends, please, I urge
all of you again, it's not the size of the amount,
it's the call. It's just the fact that you donate
a dollar, five dollars twenty dollars, twenty five fifty, one
hundred dollars, whatever you can give nine seven eight six
(10:49):
three two nineteen eighty five nine seven eight six three
two one nine eight five, or if you prefer, go
to DAV five Boston. This is my favorite show of
the year. It is our annual radiothon to benefit disabled
American veterans. Joining me now is none other than Dan Stack.
(11:14):
He is the chief executive Officer for the DAV Department
of Massachusetts. As I said in my opening monologue, Dan
has worked for the DAV for over fifty years. He
is an Air Force Vietnam veteran and someone who takes
tremendous pride in helping fellow veterans and veterans who obviously
(11:37):
have suffered major disabilities. Dan, can you just give us
a quick sense of all of the services that I
know you mentioned some of them that the DAV does,
and in particular is it just Boston or are you
all over Massachusetts.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
The DAVE Department of Massachusetts exactly that we are all
over basically Massachusetts. In Boston itself is where our National
Service Office is located, the JFK Federal Building. Our National
Service officers are paralegally trained representatives that would review the
veterans' medical records and then help and assist them in
(12:21):
finally acclaim with the VA. When that claim may not
be decided in favor of the veteran, then our National
Service officers are trained in order to appeal and basically
win that case all the way from the Boston office
through the Washington office, even to the Court of Veterans
Appeals if we have to, in order to attain the
(12:42):
benefit that the veteran is deserving of. We also, because
we are from the Department of Massachusetts, we also have
Department Service officers at all of our VA facilities via
medical facilities, and there are five of them in the
Massachusetts area that again will help a veteran by assisting
(13:04):
them filing claims or if in fact they need assistance
and making sure they're getting the proper medical care that
they needed at that particular VA medical center. We also
train Chapter service officers and we have fifty chapters within Massachusetts,
and each of these service officers would be able to
assist and help again file acclaim for the Veterans Administration
(13:29):
on a local level, So we try to we try
to work from the local level right up to the
VA medical centers, up to the up to the federal
building to make sure the veterans have access to any
assistance they may need in trying to file acclaim with
the VA, or sometimes they file it on their own,
find out they didn't get what they were looking for,
(13:51):
deserving for, and they are not sure the appellate process,
and they contact us so we can help basically navigate
through the appellate process with them.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
That's excellent.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
I mean, among one of the many things that you
do is you're there. You're the advocate for disabled veterans.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Correct, That is correct. And I want to say on
our department service officers and our chapter service officers, they
are all volunteers. We train them, but these are individuals
that give it of their own time and effort in
order to make sure that veterans are being taken care properly.
So my hat goes off to not only our department
(14:30):
and chapter service officers who are volunteers, but also our
transportation network is all volunteer drivers.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
The DAV.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
Yes, we get funds from the general public and we
try to spend that as diligently we can, but if
it weren't for our volunteers, we would not be able
to provide the services that we do.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Oh that's incredible. Really, I tip my hat off to them.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
If you want to give, please Cooner Country, give generously.
Veterans Day is on Monday, but we're gonna we're doing
our show obviously today. They've put it all on the
line for us. These are our disabled veterans. They need us,
They were there for us. Please let's be there for them.
Whatever the amount is, it will be immensely appreciated.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Trust me when I tell you this.
Speaker 1 (15:18):
You should just see their faces when they just see
that phone ring, That the fact that they know that
you care and you haven't forgotten them. So please give
nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five nine
seven eight six three two one nine eight five or
if you prefer their website da V five k dot
(15:39):
Boston DAV the number five k dot Boston and this
hour of the dav annual radiothon on WRKO is sponsored
by the Law Offices of Altman Nussbaum. They are Boston's
trial lawyers. So a big thank you to the Law
(16:01):
Offices of Altman Nussbaum. Thank you and We'll be talking
to one of their representatives in the next segment, Dan,
are you surprised how much support and enthusiasm people have
for the dav and for our veterans? Does it surprise
(16:22):
you how every year it seems people rise up to
the occasion and.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Give no Because one of the things that we have
is a great country. And I know we just went
through an election, but I don't It doesn't matter whether
you're a Republican, a Democrat, or an independent. It is
our nation and we support our veterans. We try to
make sure that we don't. When a veteran comes to us,
we could care less what their nationality is, race, or
(16:49):
their political which you would say political views. All we
care about is how do we make sure that that
veteran is taken care of because he has sacrificed for
this nation so that we can all argue, or we
can all get together, have Fourth or July celebrations, meet
what our families have, our thanksgivings, our Christmases. Those are
(17:11):
the things that when you're serving in your overseas, that's
what you cared about. How is in what is my
family doing right now? I'm are they safe and cared
for what veterans do.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Look, I've said this many, many times, and I'm going
to keep saying it. The reason why I am able
to be behind this microphone is because of the immense
sacrifices and service and patriotism of all of our veterans,
but especially our disabled veterans. So please, Cooner Country, please
(17:42):
think of them veterans days officially on Monday. Let's help
them in their hour of need, and they do need us.
Call now nine seven eight six three to two nineteen
eighty five nine seven eight six three two one nine
eight five, or if you prefer, you can go to
their website and give right there. Dav five k dot Boston.
(18:07):
Dav five k dot Boston. And again, I want to
give a big shout out to the law offices of
Altaman Nusbaum, Boston's trial lawyers for sponsoring this hour. Okay,
at Coooner Country, let's raise some money. Let's raise some cash.
I love this show. I love doing it every single year.
(18:28):
It is wrko's annual radiothon to benefit disabled American veterans.
Please Cooner Country, give generously. You've done every single year.
I know you can do it again. The number to
call if you want to donate nine seven eight six
three two nineteen eighty five nine seven eight six three
(18:49):
two one nine eight five, or if you prefer you
can visit their website. DAV five K dot Boston. DAV
the number five five K Boston. This hour of the
radiothon on WRKO is sponsored by the law offices of
(19:10):
Altaman Nousbaum, Boston's trial lawyers and joining us now in studio.
He's a couple of feet right to my left, just
a wonderful, wonderful veteran. Just met him and his a
wonderful assistant at the office. His name is Rob Santiago.
He is a Commissioner of Veteran Services for the City
(19:33):
of Boston. He is a proud DAV member. He is
a US Navy IRAQ veteran served. Listen to this in
Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Rob.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
It is a true honor.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
And privilege to be with you in the studio and
from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your service.
Speaker 6 (19:55):
Well, thank you, Jeff, thank you for having me. Now
just a little bit about myself. Joined the Navy straight
out of high school and serve twenty years. I actually
what brought me to Boston was orders to the USS Constitution,
the oldest commissioned warship afloat on in the world. And
one thing that always I always go back to when
I talk about my service is I'm also a LGBTQ plus.
(20:20):
And when I retired from the United States Navy, I
had my retirement ceremony and at that time, my fiance
was going to be there at my retirement ceremony, and
I was trying to figure out a way to talk
about him in my speech. Mind you, I'm going to
age myself here, Jeff. But this was back in two
thousand and eight, so don't ask, don't tell.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
It was still the law.
Speaker 6 (20:44):
So I was able to talk to him, not talk
to him, but talk about him in my retirement speech
because it was very important to me, very important to
me that I not only talk about my family and
my loved ones, but I talk about the person that
I'm going to spend the rest of my life with.
And I was able to do that. And one of
the greatest things about being a member of the Department
(21:05):
of Masters of the a V is that, uh, the
Department of Masters is the a V affords me the
opportunity to be who I am as a service member,
as a veteran.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
But also note that I'm.
Speaker 6 (21:17):
Also included included in the advocacy of what the Department
of Masters of the a V does, also included in
the conversation about, uh, you know what it means for
me to be a a veteran, not just an lgbt
Q veteran, but a veteran. You know, when we joined
the military, you know, as as lgbt Q plus, we
(21:39):
joined for many, many different reasons, but all those reasons
are the same reasons that everybody else joins. It could
be for patriotism, it could be for for for for college,
you know, for for a higher education. It could be
just for something as simple as commonaderty and and and
belonging and being part of that military community. So so
(21:59):
that's one thing that's one of the reason why I'm
here today is to talk about the inclusivity that the
Department of Matterchests DAVY has given me and many others
in the veterans community.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
You know, I'm just curious, Rob, you mentioned you know,
early on in your life you decided to join the military.
Can you just discuss briefly your military service and your
transition when you decided to leave the military service from
military into just becoming a general member of the population.
Speaker 6 (22:33):
So when I joined, I serve twenty years and eight days,
not that I was counting. And one of the reasons
that I joined as well was, you know, I was
born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, so please and
hold that against me. So, you know, I joined to
get out in New York, but also to be a
part of something big. And you know, back then when
(22:57):
the Navy catchwrase was you know, joined the Adventure be
you know, be you know, the adventure. And I wanted
to join the Navy because it will also afford me
the opportunity to visit the world, and it did just that.
My first duty station was on a ship out of Norfolk, Virginia,
had the opportunity to serve in the Supreme Allied Commander
for the Supreme Atlet Commander in Europe. After that went
(23:19):
to a ship in Japan. From Japan back to the
United States in Norfolk of USS George Washington, a carrier,
and then that's what brought me here to Bosson on
board the USS Constitution, where obviously I fell in love
in Boston, but also fun in love with the seat
of Boston. I've been here ever since and we're talking
back since two thousand and five. So when I started
(23:43):
my transition, I tried to start as early as possible.
And that's one thing that I tell all my adventures
is once you're ready to retire, once you're ready to
hang up the uniform, at that moment is when you
need to start your transition, and not just for yourself,
but also for your family, but also for your wife,
your kids, your husband, or or anybody that lives in
that household with you. And for me, I thought I had,
(24:06):
you know, a foot in the door because of of
my volunteerism in the community, in the veter's community and
in the community in general. But it's what was on
the other side of that door, uh, that that that
I didn't see. There was a lot of things once
you open that door wide open, that's a lot of
things that's gonna come at you when you transition, and
you have to be prepared for that. And the Department
(24:27):
of Matters of dav helped me in that transition. They
were there to to to to assist me in that transition.
Now I talked about volunteerism a couple a couple of
seconds ago, and I know Dan talked about it a
little bit in the in in the six o'clock hour,
But it's very important to state that because today I'm
the commission of Vettered Services for the City of Boston.
And how I got there was because of my volunteerism
(24:49):
in in the in in the community, in the veter's community,
was because of being active in the d a V.
You know, that all led to where I where I'm
at today. I'm not successful in my job as COMMISSI
if it wasn't for the DAV You know that that
that that that that collaboration, that partnership with the d
a V is what makes me a good commissioner. And
(25:10):
it's it's it's it's and it's all about supporting our veterans,
you know, my fellow veterans, uh their families as well. So, uh,
while that transition was a little rocky, uh, you know,
I did twenty years. I like I said, I joined
straight out of high school. So I spent pretty much
my the majority part of of of my adult life
wearing the uniform. So when you transition from marineing a
(25:31):
uniform into trying to figure out, you know, what civilians
exactly what color socks are gonna wear the next day.
It's it's it could be very daunting for a lot
of people, and for me it was daunting as well.
But you know, having the support of the veterans community,
having the support and being a part of an organization
like the da V really helped me to to be
(25:54):
where I'm at today.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
You know, Rob, you you basically answered the question I
wanted to ask. Is a follow up, but we've got
about a minute left. People listening right now, they you know,
want to dig into their pockets. Twenty five dollars, fifty dollars,
one hundred dollars.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Why the DAV. Why there's many groups out there that
help veterans. Why the DAV.
Speaker 6 (26:20):
It's pretty simple, It's pretty simple. Everything that's offered by
the DAV to our veterans is offered for free, no charge.
And the volunteers, they're just that volunteers. They want to help,
they want to be there to help our veterans. And
also in many many cases is veterans also helping veterans
(26:43):
who but else to help the veteran than a veteran
who's been there, who's done that. You know, when we
talk about filing VA claims, that is a huge process
in itself. We want to keep that claim with the
fast lane. The best way to keep that claim in
the fast claim is to go to an accredited agent
and you can find that those are credited agents in
the DAV which, by the way, do it for free.
Speaker 5 (27:05):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Again, I want to thank you for your service, not
just obviously in the military, but what you do now
for all of the service members, for all of the veterans.
You're a true patriot and I really want to thank you.
Speaker 6 (27:19):
Thank you, Jevit, thank you for you for your listeners,
thank you for supporting the DAN.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
It's my honor, truly, my honor and my pleasure. Coooner Country. Look,
let's wring their phone off the hook. Let's not forget
them in this crucial.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Time of the year.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
Veterans Day is just on Monday's. Let's reward them and
thank them for their incredible service. They were there for us.
Let's be there for them. Call now if you want
to donate nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five,
or visit DAV five k dot Boston. That's nine seven
(27:55):
eight six three two nineteen eighty five, or visit DAV
five the number five five K dot Boston. And again
I want to give a special thank you to the
law offices of Altman Nussbaum. They are Boston's trial lawyers
for sponsoring this very special hour of the radiothon here
(28:17):
on the great WRKO. Okay, my friends, many of you
are texting the Coonerman on the phone saying Jeff, I'd
love to give, but I can't give more than ten
dollars or or fifteen or twenty dollars. It's not the
amount that matters, it's the thought that matters. Whatever you
can give, trust me, is immensely appreciated. Annual radiothon to
(28:41):
benefit disabled American veterans. Please give generously, and what I
mean generously, Whatever you can give it is tremendously appreciated.
Nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five nine
seven eight six three two one nine eighty five. If
you want to donate, you can also visit their website
da V five K dot Boston, DAV the number five KT, Boston.
(29:08):
This hour of the Radio Thon is brought to you
by the law offices of Altman Nussbaum, Boston's trial lawyers.
We are trying to get in contact with the CEO
and founder of the law offices of Altman Nussbaum, Larry Nusbaum.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
But until we do, joining us now.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
And it is truly my distinct honor and pleasure is
Leo Reardon. He is a US Army veteran. He is
also a proud dav member. He did two tours of
duty in Vietnam, not one, but two. This man is
(29:49):
a true great, great patriot. He is really a very
very special American, loves this country. He's got his wonderful
cap on talking about his service America's Vietnam veteran. Leo,
thank you so much for being on the Kooner Report
(30:10):
on this very special day, and from the bottom of
my heart, I want to thank you for your service
to our country.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
God bless you well.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Thank you very much, and thanks for the invite. I'm proud.
I'm proud to be here today. It's an honor for
me too well.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
The honor is truly mine.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
I have to say, Leo, I've got to ask you,
why did you decide to serve in Vietnam and why
did you decide to serve not one, but incredibly two tours.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Well, I mean, it was pretty much still the height
of the Vietnam War, and there's a ton of a
lot of patriotism back then, and we had just lost
a neighborhood friend who was killed over there the hear before.
I was sixteen then, and I said, you know something,
I'm going to try to participate and see what I
(31:01):
can do. So right after high school, I was vice
president of my senior class, and everyone was scratching the
head wondering why why I was going overseas, but I
said it was time for me to help do something
for them anyway now.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
And apparently you've you're a disabled veteran, yes, and you
have Parkinson's correct.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
That's correct.
Speaker 1 (31:26):
Yes, And from my understanding, it looks apparently Agent Orange
was used widely in the Vietnam War and for many
veterans it led to Parkinson's. And I'm just curious, how
is it dealing with Parkinson's and what has the DAV
(31:46):
meant for you in dealing with your Parkinson's.
Speaker 3 (31:49):
Well, from the beginning, the DAV of Massachusetts has been
I've gone out of their way providing the things I
need to deal with this disease and along with everything
else too. Once you have it, you don't realize the
things that you need to move forward because you're not
used to needing, being very needy, so to speak. That
(32:15):
helped my wife received, you know, the things that make
life easier for me at home and just makes things
more comfortable. And it's an honor for them because it's
a great group of people that that keeps you going.
And it also gave me the excitement to maybe become
an officer myself, and so I did about a year ago.
(32:38):
And and and I've helped a few veterans myself, and
to me, that's that's all I wanted to do.
Speaker 1 (32:46):
You're an incredible man. Thank you, Leo. You truly are.
You're a great American and a great patriot. Leo, Please
don't go anywhere, because I want to continue talking with you.
Joining us now is the CEO the found of the
law offices of Altaman Nussbaum, Boston's trial lawyers, Larry Nussbaum. Larry,
(33:08):
thank you so much for coming on the Kooner Report
and for sponsoring this hour of our annual radio thon
to benefit disabled American Veterans. Department of Massachusetts yes.
Speaker 5 (33:20):
Thanks, thank you for having me. I'm the greatest introduction
I've ever had. Seriously, Wow, that was great. You hear
that all over again. But no, it's it's like I said,
we always try to get involved in the local community specifically,
but obviously, you know, it's a great holiday coming up,
celebrating all the veterans and everything they do for us.
Speaker 1 (33:44):
Well, you know, Larry, I'm sitting here beside Leo Rearden
in the studio, and the man's you know, served in
Vietnam for our country. Whatever you think of the war,
he served our country honorably, faithfully has Parkinson's now, probably
because of Agent Orange that was used. Uh, And this
is going to be with him and his poor wonderful
(34:04):
wife who's supporting him every step of the way. And
it's so wonderful to know that people like you have
not forgotten disabled veterans like Leo. Larry, I'm just curious,
you're obviously a very generous kind man. Why the disabled
American veterans, why do you and your law office support them?
And why should people listening support the dav.
Speaker 5 (34:28):
Well, you know, you know, it's one of those things
where I think, you know, almost all of us have
you know a family member or or someone close to
us that's served or is serving come So I think,
you know, it's one of those things that hits home
to everybody. And you know, I don't I don't, you know,
I'm grateful, and I've always tried to practice gratitude like
I do that every morning. And you know, we we
(34:49):
take for granted sometimes that we can just wake up
and go grab a coffee or go to work like
I try to do every day and do my job
because we don't have to worry about certain things that
go on in other parts of the world because we
feel very safe. But that's not just by luck or anything.
That's because of our military and our great country and
(35:12):
how we try to protect ourselves and be prepared for everything.
So I think, you know, sometimes we take for granted
every day that we get to just kind of go
about our lives, where the reality is we're protected by
all these people who devote their lives to protecting us,
and that makes every nothing works without our military, and
(35:33):
I truefully believe that. So, you know, thank you very much, sir,
and thank you very much to you know, all the
other veterans out there, and you know, even people that
are currently serving right now.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Amen, Amen, I know you're very busy, Larry.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
But Dan Stock, he is the chief executive officer of
the for the Department of Massachusetts for the dav He
just wants to give you a quick thank you, please, Dan,
go ahead.
Speaker 5 (35:58):
Okay, very very much.
Speaker 4 (36:04):
Of the radiothon. As you know, the DAV in and
of itself could not afford to be able to run
a radiothon. But with your support, every penny that is
donated by Jeff's listeners today goes directly into support of
the veterans that have served this country. So once again,
thank you very much for hosting this hour. It really
(36:26):
means a great deal to us.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
Yeah, and again I really appreciate that, and thank thank
you for having me on, Jeff. And again really thank
you to everybody that's served and is serving. And you know,
we continue to need people that want to serve, so
I think it's very important for everybody.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
God bless you. Larry.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
We have been talking with Larry Nussbaum from the in fact,
the founder and CEO of the law offices of Altiman
Nussbaumb Boston's trial lawyers. Larry have a wonderful weekend, and
thank you once again. Okay, we just got a couple
of minutes left here with Leo Leo. I want to
ask you, Leo Reardon, two tours in Vietnam battling Parkinson's
(37:07):
now probably because of Agent Orange, if you could do
it all over again, knowing what it has cost you,
knowing the price that you have paid, would you still
have signed up and served your country.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
I'm just curious, of course.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
I don't think there's too many veterans, especially combat veterans,
that wouldn't go back just to you know, and not
worry about what happens later on. It's the camaraderie. It's
what you can do makes you proud to be able
to help serve your country. And again, the camaraderie overseas
is something that you have to do it yourself in
(37:47):
order to realize how important it is. And they're closer
than brothers and an sisters, and it's just something very special.
And I'll do it all over anytime, anytime again.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
I tip my head off to you. I truly do
thank you. Kooner country. Well here you have it, Please
do it for Leo. You heard him, Leo Reardon two
tours in Vietnam battling Parkinson's probably caused by Agent Orange.
You ask him, would you do it all over again? Yes,
(38:22):
that's how much he loves our country. These are very
special patriots. We are blessed to have people like Leo Reardon.
Now you can help him, You can help his wife
who's standing beside him, shoulder to shoulder, and countless other
disabled veterans like Leo Reardon. It's not the amount, it's
the thought. I'm begging you, I'm asking you, I'm urging you.
(38:44):
Please pick up the phone call nine seven eight six
three two nineteen eighty five. Nine seven eight six three
two nineteen eighty five, or if you prefer, you can
go to their website da V five k dot Boston
da V five the number five da V five k dot, Boston,
(39:08):
Cooner Country. Let's give, and let's give generously. They were
there for us. Leo was there for us. It's now
time for us to be there for him. I want
to thank Larry Nussbaum one last time. The last hour.
We're now in the seven o'clock hour, but the last
(39:29):
hour of this annual radio fon on w r KO
to benefit disabled American Veterans was sponsored by the law
offices of Altiman Nustsbaum, Boston's trial lawyers. Leo, I want
to shake your hand, my friend.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
It's a pleasure, pleasure, true honor, true honor, sir. Thank
you very much, Leo. I'm not I'm really you need anything,
you give me a call? Okay, I will. I promise,
I'll do everything. I can do everything. Also, I can't
thank them enough. Thank you well. And on top of
the dav you need anything, you give the Coooner Man
a call.
Speaker 3 (40:05):
I will thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Thank you, Leo, thank you, and thank you, ma'am. Thank
you so much. God bless you from the bottom of
my heart.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (40:14):
Okay, my friends, so here we are second hour now
of our annual radio thon to benefit disabled American veterans.
It's my favorite show of the year. I love this show,
but I'm going to be brutally honest with you, Kooner Country,
it's the most emotionally draining show of the year. When
(40:36):
I'm done after four hours, I'm spent. I got to
be careful. I don't want to get emotional on the
air when you see these disabled veterans, as I do upfront,
face to face, and every single time, whether it's public
or private, doesn't matter. And you see them with no legs,
(40:58):
no limbs, wheelchairs, quadriplegic, paraplegic faces blown off or parts
of their faces blown off, or you name it, the
severe PTSD, metal plates in their head. I mean, you
wouldn't believe what they have endured, or agent orange and
the you know, cancer or Parkinson's or all sorts of issues,
(41:22):
and they go through hell and their life has been hell.
And you say, you know, if you could roll back
the clock, would you still do it again every single time?
For my country, for America, for my fellow Americans. Yes,
the best of the best, the most patriotic of the patriotic,
(41:46):
the best of the best, the cream of the cream.
So please cooner, country We've always given generously, Please give
whatever you can nine seven eight six ' three two
nineteen eighty five, or if you prefer, visit DAV five
k dot Boston, DAV five k dot Boston. Now, this
(42:09):
hour of the radiothon here on w RKO is sponsored. Yes,
it is brought to you by Walmart, So thank you Walmart. Anyway,
so my friends, we're just waiting to get Paul Wahlberg on.
(42:30):
We had Paul Wahlberg on what was it last week?
I love it when Paul Wahlberg comes on because we
start to raffle at dinner for Paul ten people. This time, however,
you'll be doing it at one of his restaurants, so
he's not going to be coming to your home as
he's always done every year. The logistics getting everybody to
(42:51):
agree on a certain day or time. So Paul said, look,
we're going to do ten people, full course meal. And
here's the man himself. I thought we were doing a phoner, Paul, buddy,
a phoner you call my phone, phone interview. No, you
don't phone. I'm Bob Lynch as Well is here. How
(43:15):
are you, Bob?
Speaker 2 (43:16):
Paul I was just saying, how are you, Paul buddy.
Speaker 1 (43:20):
It's a true honor and privilege to have you on again.
Take your time, no rush, come on.
Speaker 7 (43:26):
This out.
Speaker 1 (43:28):
So we're joined here by Paul Wahlberg, a big supporter
of disabled American veterans. Uh, he's there for the dav
every single year. Paul I was just saying, we always
love to raffle, and you know, do an auction on
you know, dinner with Paul Wahlberg. He cooks it for you.
(43:49):
It's a gourmet meal, six course, wine, dessert, appetizer, the whole,
the whole shebang, as they say, except this time, Paul,
you're not going to be going to people's homes. Yep,
because of logistics and getting everybody to agree to a
certain day in time.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
It's going to be done at one of your better restaurant.
Speaker 8 (44:10):
Will be done at Almanova and hing A Mask. Oh
really yep, right down right down in the water in
the Hingham shipyard.
Speaker 2 (44:16):
That's nice.
Speaker 8 (44:17):
You can actually take if you want, you can take
the ferry right to the back door of the restaurant.
Speaker 1 (44:22):
Really yep. Whoa, now, Paul, this is for ten people, right, what.
Speaker 3 (44:28):
Do we have?
Speaker 2 (44:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (44:29):
Eight ten people? I figure what the exact.
Speaker 2 (44:30):
Okay, I'm trying to go a little high to race a.
Speaker 8 (44:33):
Yeah, all right, we can get to ten people and
we'll sort it all out.
Speaker 2 (44:38):
So okay, now, Paul, just you know, people are listening. Everybody. Hey,
you cook a meal, people want to eat it. What's
going to be on you know, on on offer for
this incredible gourmet meal.
Speaker 8 (44:50):
We start out with fried spam sandwiches, and then go
to English muff and pizzas for the second course, which
is always the big hit, and then you know, it's
it depends on the.
Speaker 7 (45:01):
Season, you know.
Speaker 8 (45:01):
Obviously we try to be seasonal and fresh with everything,
and you know, if there's something special that people are
interested and will always make it because you know, at
the end of the day, you know, this is our
opportunity to say thank you, not only to the people
who donate, but to our veterans and all of the
things that are important. Because if we don't say thank you,
then you know we we have to change our mind frame,
(45:23):
that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (45:24):
Well look, it's my true honor and privilege. Paul Wahlberg
is in studio, celebrity chef. You all know him, co
founder Wallberger's franchise, and yes, Almanovi and he is really
I got to tell you.
Speaker 7 (45:40):
Dude, you got to get it right. If they're to
say it.
Speaker 1 (45:43):
Well, hold on, it's Alvanovi, right, n ov novae novae
you're a wicked close. Oh we're going a little Italian there,
wicked closer alman nov Oh So sorry, Paul, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2 (45:58):
No no, no, no, no, see I just don't run with
your kind of people.
Speaker 5 (46:01):
Paul.
Speaker 8 (46:03):
Uh, it's uh, you know, we do the best we can.
Speaker 1 (46:07):
Ye know, it's still it's still early for you now, Paul.
Is there going to be wine?
Speaker 5 (46:16):
Is there? Yes?
Speaker 8 (46:16):
Says wine included, Uh, six courses dessert, yeap dessert.
Speaker 7 (46:21):
We like you said, the whole ship bad, you know.
Speaker 8 (46:23):
And and again it's a it's a it's a great
time and a great experience. And at least that's what
I'm told.
Speaker 2 (46:30):
And they get to meet you as well.
Speaker 7 (46:31):
Right, which is usually an overrated experience. So we'll just
leave it at that.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
Paul, I've got to ask you, obviously why there are
many veterans groups out there, Why disabled American veterans.
Speaker 8 (46:48):
First of all, we try to get to you know,
you want us to put all the veterans you know
first and foremost, but the dav the work that they do,
because not only you know, the needs of the veterans
that you know, especially as they start dealing with as
they're aging and things like that, and all of the
injuries that they have, you know, and all of things
and some of the things you see some of them
(47:09):
you don't see, post traumatic stress, all of those things,
and just being able to support them to say thank you,
because at the end of the day, you know, they
make our lives possible, right, they have sacrificed, they have
done everything, you know, and they when they hear that call,
they hear that message and they get out and they
just again, we just have to say thank you.
Speaker 1 (47:32):
I couldn't agree with you more, Paul, I really couldn't,
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention this.
Alma Cares is a nonprofit that your wonderful mother started and.
Speaker 2 (47:43):
You now run.
Speaker 1 (47:44):
In a few weeks, volunteers will begin packing Thanksgiving meal
boxes that are then distributed to families in need across
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I'm just curious for the audience
out there, can you tell us more about this and
how da V volunteers have assisted Almacare's.
Speaker 8 (48:04):
So Almacare's is something I was started by my daughter
and one of her friends, and we support families at
Thanksgiving and the importance of you know, again saying thank you,
and and you know, we were we grew up very
humbly and we know, you know, we know what it
meant to be hungry at times, and so the importance
(48:26):
of that, and so we want to make sure that
everybody has a has a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, and we
support as many families as possible, and we have da
V members who come over and help and participate. Bob
Lynch is always there, always the man these and and
you know we just it's great and and we get
(48:47):
to support military families through it, needy families throughout you know, the.
Speaker 7 (48:51):
Great Boston area, the celt Shore. So it's it's very
important to us.
Speaker 1 (48:56):
You know, you're a real straight up guy, Paul, Bob
Lynch from the d a V. I know you want
to jump in quickly or Dan Stack.
Speaker 4 (49:04):
Well, first of all, Paul, one thing Bob Lynch does
show up is usually you know, he shows up to
make sure the volunteers are there.
Speaker 7 (49:16):
Yes, exactly.
Speaker 8 (49:17):
He comes by, checks the list and then off he goes,
you know, puts the roof down on the convertible and
out the door.
Speaker 7 (49:26):
You know, last week he left me here to fend
for myself.
Speaker 8 (49:29):
So it's you know, it's all good.
Speaker 2 (49:32):
Just tell coone, I'm on my way.
Speaker 8 (49:35):
I'm a good second's but I'll tell you you know, Dan,
the whole the whole group, everybody just it. We have
to say thank you every single time, every opportunity you
have to say thank you to a veteran, uh, anybody,
you know, first responders, any of that stuff, because they
keep us safe. They keep us safe, they keep us protected.
(49:57):
They do they do the hard jobs.
Speaker 1 (50:00):
Amen, very well, said Paul. We've got forty five seconds left.
What do we want to start the auction off? It's
a meal for ten people, six course dinner, wine, you,
I mean, it comes with the whole package. Should we
start it off at what? One thousand and fifteen hundred?
Speaker 7 (50:16):
You go, let's start at two thousand.
Speaker 2 (50:19):
Two thousand. I love it.
Speaker 1 (50:20):
Okay, we're going to start it off at two thousand dollars.
Speaker 8 (50:24):
Trust me, it's a steal five seconds. I don't know
how many bids you're gonna get in forty four.
Speaker 1 (50:28):
Oh no, we're going to do this the whole show,
my friend. No, No, we don't give away the winner
until the end.
I look forward to this show every single year.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
As you know, today is the.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Annual radiothon here on WRKO to benefit Disabled American Veterans.
Are incredible vets, World War Two veterans, Korean War veterans,
Vietnam veterans, obviously, those who served in Afghanistan, any rock,
all of our incredible vets and service members. And as
(00:32):
I say this a million times and God willing, I'll
say it another million times before I pass away, they
were here for us.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
It is now our turn to be here for them.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
And for those of you that don't know, the DAV,
the Disabled American Veterans is an absolutely incredible organization. We
have been working with them now for so many years.
And the head of the Massachusetts Department of the DAV,
many of you know him. He's been on this show
(01:07):
countless times.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
He has.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
He's a former Vietnam veteran himself.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
He spent time in the Air Force, and Dan Stack
he has worked for the DAV for over fifty years.
He is the chief executive Officer for the DAV Department
of Massachusetts. Dan as always, it is a true honor
and pleasure. And I've got to ask you, how are you.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
I am fantastic. I mean you just said I was.
I've been here for fifty years, so everybody knows I'm ancient.
So anyway, it's just great to be up and alive
in here this morning. Jeff.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Well, look, Dan, I know a lot of people at
least in this audience for sure, very happy. This is
a very good week for them. I don't want to
get into politics, but they're feeling very good. Things are
going to turn around, I'll knock on wood, So hopefully
they'll be in a very generous mood to start, you know,
writing some checks and making some nice generous donations. Then
(02:10):
before we start asking people to call and to or
email or go on the website to start donating money,
for people who don't know the DAV, why should they
donate to Disabled American Veterans? What does the DAV do
for our wounded and maimed vets?
Speaker 5 (02:30):
Well?
Speaker 4 (02:30):
The Disabled American Veterans is a nonprofit federally chartered veterans organization.
It has been inough basically in existence since nineteen twenty one.
It was established due to the fact that when veterans
were returning from World War One, there was no veterans administration,
(02:51):
there was literally no benefit for veterans to even partake of.
Veterans were in more or less welfare line more than
anything else, or having to panhandle in order to try
to exist due to the injuries that they had. So
the DAV was formed and then literally started arguing with
(03:14):
Congress in order to get benefits for veterans, and not
only the DAV, but the American Legion and the Veterans
of Formal Wars all combined together to literally have Congress
then establish the Veterans Administration. And we have been working
continuously with the VA to make sure that veterans are
well taken care of for all the injuries that they have,
(03:38):
not just their physical injuries, but more or less the
hidden wounds that come to be known as post traumatic
stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, those type of wounds that
people don't see readily but do effect not only the
veteran but his family.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Man.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Thank you very much for that, because one of the
points I want to stress to everybody, Look, I have
wounded veterans literally behind me in the studio. That's you know,
they come throughout, you know for four hours they come in,
they're going to be telling their stories. These are people
in wheelchairs, quadriplegics, paraplegics, maimed, crippled, serious PTSD, mental health issues,
(04:23):
you name it. It goes across the gamut, across the
entire spectrum. And these are people who put everything on
the line for us, everything, and you know, they need help.
They need medical assistance, they need healthcare assistance, they need
to be driven to doctor's appointments. That may seem to
(04:44):
many of us, you know, well, you know who can't
get a lift. They can't get a lift. They can't.
So I'm just giving you a little bit of what
the DAV does. They are there giving full service, taking
care of our wounded, maimed, disabled veterans three hundred and
(05:04):
sixty five days a year, twenty four hours a day,
seven days a week. To donate, I'm urging all of
you whatever you can give. I can tell you this
from the bottom of my heart. All the vets tell
me this. It's not the size of the donation. Of course,
the bigger the donation the better, But honestly, it's just
(05:24):
that call.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
It's just that you care.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It could be five dollars, twenty dollars, fifty dollars, one
hundred dollars whatever you can afford. The number to call
nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five nine
seven eight six three two one nine eight five, or
if you prefer giving through the website, you can visit
(05:48):
DAV five k dot Boston. So that's DAV the number,
five five k dot Boston.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Dan.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Currently, how is the situation for the DAV and are
you able to still provide the necessary resources and services
for so many disabled veterans who obviously need help.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
We have been holding our own, as you know, Unfortunately,
inflation has also hit us with what we have to
purchase and provide to the veterans that we house.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
It also has affected.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
The veterans that unfortunately have to survive on their VA compensation,
so that everything digs into that particular amount. So yeah,
the DAV currently today we're holding our own. We certainly
still need much more support. We have a housing program
out there in Gardner, Mass and I know later on
(06:51):
Mike Viella will be coming in to talk about exactly
what we're doing with them. We still have our transportation
program that's going daily transporting veterans to and from their
VA medical appointments. As you know, Jeff. Getting people to
the VA for their wellness care prevents long term sometimes
hospitalization because they are constantly being looked at, and you know,
(07:14):
it's preventive care more than anything, and that's what we're
so proud of in the DAV. We provide that transportation
so veterans have that kind of care so that their
disabilities don't get much more worse than they already are.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
One of the things that they do so many I
mean I can spend four hours telling everything that they do.
But one of the things the DAV does homeless veterans.
They will do everything in their power to try to
find housing for homeless veterans. Then very modestly and humbly said,
you know, we get them rights to the hospital, to
(07:49):
the VA, to their doctor's appointments. They do so much
more than that. They make sure that they get the
medical care that they need when they need it. Dan,
we've just got a couple of minutes left in this segment.
Do you get federal funding? I'm just curious, how do
you afford because this is a massively expensive operation. How
(08:11):
do you afford to run these service programs?
Speaker 4 (08:14):
The transportation program is literally run through the generosity of
the general public, we purchase the VA vehicles. We purchased
the vehicles and then we actually donate that vehicle to
the Veterans Administration so that they would and take the
maintenance and care of it. But it's our volunteers to drive.
It is basically our staff that mans and takes care
(08:36):
of all of the logistics and getting people to and from.
In regards to our housing program, we are fortunate that
we do get some funding from the state, but it's
nowhere near the amount that we need in order to
make sure every veteran that we have that we're housing
is properly teared for. Again, the general public has helped
us out in a great deal, not only from the Radiothon,
(08:59):
but from the five K road Race in all their
just their generous generosity that they provide to us on
a yearly basis.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
And Dan, I take at this the five k road
race that's going to be tomorrow, correct.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
Tomorrow, Yes, in South Boston right of Castle Island, Ford Independence.
It's going to start about nine fifteen tomorrow and we
are completely sold out. We have over fifteen hundred runners
coming and we're really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Do you have to run or can you walk?
Speaker 4 (09:30):
You can run, walk, roll, You can do everything you know.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
But what if my wife drives me?
Speaker 5 (09:35):
Dan?
Speaker 4 (09:36):
If she drives, you will make sure, Jeff, you have
your own lane so you have plenty of We'll get
you right close up to the fireboats so you can
get a little spray on you tube on that South
Boston breeze coming in.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
Parent's going to be a beautiful, warm day tomorrow, so
it's going to be a perfect time to do the run. Dan,
We've got literally less than a minute. Where can people?
Where can our list go to support the dav and
all the local veterans that you serve.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
If, first of all, if any veteran out there needs
any assistance whatsoever, please go to DAVMA dot org. That
is our website. All of our telephone numbers are listed there,
all of the services are listed there. It's easier just
to remember disabled the American Veterans Massachusetts dav MA, We're
(10:26):
there to help you.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
DAVMA dot org to donate. My friends, please, I urge
all of you again, it's not the size of the amount,
it's the call. It's just the fact that you donate
a dollar, five dollars twenty dollars, twenty five fifty, one
hundred dollars, whatever you can give nine seven eight six
(10:49):
three two nineteen eighty five nine seven eight six three
two one nine eight five, or if you prefer, go
to DAV five Boston. This is my favorite show of
the year. It is our annual radiothon to benefit disabled
American veterans. Joining me now is none other than Dan Stack.
(11:14):
He is the chief executive Officer for the DAV Department
of Massachusetts. As I said in my opening monologue, Dan
has worked for the DAV for over fifty years. He
is an Air Force Vietnam veteran and someone who takes
tremendous pride in helping fellow veterans and veterans who obviously
(11:37):
have suffered major disabilities. Dan, can you just give us
a quick sense of all of the services that I
know you mentioned some of them that the DAV does,
and in particular is it just Boston or are you
all over Massachusetts.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
The DAVE Department of Massachusetts exactly that we are all
over basically Massachusetts. In Boston itself is where our National
Service Office is located, the JFK Federal Building. Our National
Service officers are paralegally trained representatives that would review the
veterans' medical records and then help and assist them in
(12:21):
finally acclaim with the VA. When that claim may not
be decided in favor of the veteran, then our National
Service officers are trained in order to appeal and basically
win that case all the way from the Boston office
through the Washington office, even to the Court of Veterans
Appeals if we have to, in order to attain the
(12:42):
benefit that the veteran is deserving of. We also, because
we are from the Department of Massachusetts, we also have
Department Service officers at all of our VA facilities via
medical facilities, and there are five of them in the
Massachusetts area that again will help a veteran by assisting
(13:04):
them filing claims or if in fact they need assistance
and making sure they're getting the proper medical care that
they needed at that particular VA medical center. We also
train Chapter service officers and we have fifty chapters within Massachusetts,
and each of these service officers would be able to
assist and help again file acclaim for the Veterans Administration
(13:29):
on a local level, So we try to we try
to work from the local level right up to the
VA medical centers, up to the up to the federal
building to make sure the veterans have access to any
assistance they may need in trying to file acclaim with
the VA, or sometimes they file it on their own,
find out they didn't get what they were looking for,
(13:51):
deserving for, and they are not sure the appellate process,
and they contact us so we can help basically navigate
through the appellate process with them.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
That's excellent.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
I mean, among one of the many things that you
do is you're there. You're the advocate for disabled veterans.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Correct, That is correct. And I want to say on
our department service officers and our chapter service officers, they
are all volunteers. We train them, but these are individuals
that give it of their own time and effort in
order to make sure that veterans are being taken care properly.
So my hat goes off to not only our department
(14:30):
and chapter service officers who are volunteers, but also our
transportation network is all volunteer drivers.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
The DAV.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
Yes, we get funds from the general public and we
try to spend that as diligently we can, but if
it weren't for our volunteers, we would not be able
to provide the services that we do.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Oh that's incredible. Really, I tip my hat off to them.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
If you want to give, please Cooner Country, give generously.
Veterans Day is on Monday, but we're gonna we're doing
our show obviously today. They've put it all on the
line for us. These are our disabled veterans. They need us,
They were there for us. Please let's be there for them.
Whatever the amount is, it will be immensely appreciated.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Trust me when I tell you this.
Speaker 1 (15:18):
You should just see their faces when they just see
that phone ring, That the fact that they know that
you care and you haven't forgotten them. So please give
nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five nine
seven eight six three two one nine eight five or
if you prefer their website da V five k dot
(15:39):
Boston DAV the number five k dot Boston and this
hour of the dav annual radiothon on WRKO is sponsored
by the Law Offices of Altman Nussbaum. They are Boston's
trial lawyers. So a big thank you to the Law
(16:01):
Offices of Altman Nussbaum. Thank you and We'll be talking
to one of their representatives in the next segment, Dan,
are you surprised how much support and enthusiasm people have
for the dav and for our veterans? Does it surprise
(16:22):
you how every year it seems people rise up to
the occasion and.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
Give no Because one of the things that we have
is a great country. And I know we just went
through an election, but I don't It doesn't matter whether
you're a Republican, a Democrat, or an independent. It is
our nation and we support our veterans. We try to
make sure that we don't. When a veteran comes to us,
we could care less what their nationality is, race, or
(16:49):
their political which you would say political views. All we
care about is how do we make sure that that
veteran is taken care of because he has sacrificed for
this nation so that we can all argue, or we
can all get together, have Fourth or July celebrations, meet
what our families have, our thanksgivings, our Christmases. Those are
(17:11):
the things that when you're serving in your overseas, that's
what you cared about. How is in what is my
family doing right now? I'm are they safe and cared
for what veterans do.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Look, I've said this many, many times, and I'm going
to keep saying it. The reason why I am able
to be behind this microphone is because of the immense
sacrifices and service and patriotism of all of our veterans,
but especially our disabled veterans. So please, Cooner Country, please
(17:42):
think of them veterans days officially on Monday. Let's help
them in their hour of need, and they do need us.
Call now nine seven eight six three to two nineteen
eighty five nine seven eight six three two one nine
eight five, or if you prefer, you can go to
their website and give right there. Dav five k dot Boston.
(18:07):
Dav five k dot Boston. And again, I want to
give a big shout out to the law offices of
Altaman Nusbaum, Boston's trial lawyers for sponsoring this hour. Okay,
at Coooner Country, let's raise some money. Let's raise some cash.
I love this show. I love doing it every single year.
(18:28):
It is wrko's annual radiothon to benefit disabled American veterans.
Please Cooner Country, give generously. You've done every single year.
I know you can do it again. The number to
call if you want to donate nine seven eight six
three two nineteen eighty five nine seven eight six three
(18:49):
two one nine eight five, or if you prefer you
can visit their website. DAV five K dot Boston. DAV
the number five five K Boston. This hour of the
radiothon on WRKO is sponsored by the law offices of
(19:10):
Altaman Nousbaum, Boston's trial lawyers and joining us now in studio.
He's a couple of feet right to my left, just
a wonderful, wonderful veteran. Just met him and his a
wonderful assistant at the office. His name is Rob Santiago.
He is a Commissioner of Veteran Services for the City
(19:33):
of Boston. He is a proud DAV member. He is
a US Navy IRAQ veteran served. Listen to this in
Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Rob.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
It is a true honor.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
And privilege to be with you in the studio and
from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your service.
Speaker 6 (19:55):
Well, thank you, Jeff, thank you for having me. Now
just a little bit about myself. Joined the Navy straight
out of high school and serve twenty years. I actually
what brought me to Boston was orders to the USS Constitution,
the oldest commissioned warship afloat on in the world. And
one thing that always I always go back to when
I talk about my service is I'm also a LGBTQ plus.
(20:20):
And when I retired from the United States Navy, I
had my retirement ceremony and at that time, my fiance
was going to be there at my retirement ceremony, and
I was trying to figure out a way to talk
about him in my speech. Mind you, I'm going to
age myself here, Jeff. But this was back in two
thousand and eight, so don't ask, don't tell.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
It was still the law.
Speaker 6 (20:44):
So I was able to talk to him, not talk
to him, but talk about him in my retirement speech
because it was very important to me, very important to
me that I not only talk about my family and
my loved ones, but I talk about the person that
I'm going to spend the rest of my life with.
And I was able to do that. And one of
the greatest things about being a member of the Department
(21:05):
of Masters of the a V is that, uh, the
Department of Masters is the a V affords me the
opportunity to be who I am as a service member,
as a veteran.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
But also note that I'm.
Speaker 6 (21:17):
Also included included in the advocacy of what the Department
of Masters of the a V does, also included in
the conversation about, uh, you know what it means for
me to be a a veteran, not just an lgbt
Q veteran, but a veteran. You know, when we joined
the military, you know, as as lgbt Q plus, we
(21:39):
joined for many, many different reasons, but all those reasons
are the same reasons that everybody else joins. It could
be for patriotism, it could be for for for for college,
you know, for for a higher education. It could be
just for something as simple as commonaderty and and and
belonging and being part of that military community. So so
(21:59):
that's one thing that's one of the reason why I'm
here today is to talk about the inclusivity that the
Department of Matterchests DAVY has given me and many others
in the veterans community.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
You know, I'm just curious, Rob, you mentioned you know,
early on in your life you decided to join the military.
Can you just discuss briefly your military service and your
transition when you decided to leave the military service from
military into just becoming a general member of the population.
Speaker 6 (22:33):
So when I joined, I serve twenty years and eight days,
not that I was counting. And one of the reasons
that I joined as well was, you know, I was
born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, so please and
hold that against me. So, you know, I joined to
get out in New York, but also to be a
part of something big. And you know, back then when
(22:57):
the Navy catchwrase was you know, joined the Adventure be
you know, be you know, the adventure. And I wanted
to join the Navy because it will also afford me
the opportunity to visit the world, and it did just that.
My first duty station was on a ship out of Norfolk, Virginia,
had the opportunity to serve in the Supreme Allied Commander
for the Supreme Atlet Commander in Europe. After that went
(23:19):
to a ship in Japan. From Japan back to the
United States in Norfolk of USS George Washington, a carrier,
and then that's what brought me here to Bosson on
board the USS Constitution, where obviously I fell in love
in Boston, but also fun in love with the seat
of Boston. I've been here ever since and we're talking
back since two thousand and five. So when I started
(23:43):
my transition, I tried to start as early as possible.
And that's one thing that I tell all my adventures
is once you're ready to retire, once you're ready to
hang up the uniform, at that moment is when you
need to start your transition, and not just for yourself,
but also for your family, but also for your wife,
your kids, your husband, or or anybody that lives in
that household with you. And for me, I thought I had,
(24:06):
you know, a foot in the door because of of
my volunteerism in the community, in the veter's community and
in the community in general. But it's what was on
the other side of that door, uh, that that that
I didn't see. There was a lot of things once
you open that door wide open, that's a lot of
things that's gonna come at you when you transition, and
you have to be prepared for that. And the Department
(24:27):
of Matters of dav helped me in that transition. They
were there to to to to assist me in that transition.
Now I talked about volunteerism a couple a couple of
seconds ago, and I know Dan talked about it a
little bit in the in in the six o'clock hour,
But it's very important to state that because today I'm
the commission of Vettered Services for the City of Boston.
And how I got there was because of my volunteerism
(24:49):
in in the in in the community, in the veter's community,
was because of being active in the d a V.
You know, that all led to where I where I'm
at today. I'm not successful in my job as COMMISSI
if it wasn't for the DAV You know that that
that that that that collaboration, that partnership with the d
a V is what makes me a good commissioner. And
(25:10):
it's it's it's it's and it's all about supporting our veterans,
you know, my fellow veterans, uh their families as well. So, uh,
while that transition was a little rocky, uh, you know,
I did twenty years. I like I said, I joined
straight out of high school. So I spent pretty much
my the majority part of of of my adult life
wearing the uniform. So when you transition from marineing a
(25:31):
uniform into trying to figure out, you know, what civilians
exactly what color socks are gonna wear the next day.
It's it's it could be very daunting for a lot
of people, and for me it was daunting as well.
But you know, having the support of the veterans community,
having the support and being a part of an organization
like the da V really helped me to to be
(25:54):
where I'm at today.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
You know, Rob, you you basically answered the question I
wanted to ask. Is a follow up, but we've got
about a minute left. People listening right now, they you know,
want to dig into their pockets. Twenty five dollars, fifty dollars,
one hundred dollars.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Why the DAV. Why there's many groups out there that
help veterans. Why the DAV.
Speaker 6 (26:20):
It's pretty simple, It's pretty simple. Everything that's offered by
the DAV to our veterans is offered for free, no charge.
And the volunteers, they're just that volunteers. They want to help,
they want to be there to help our veterans. And
also in many many cases is veterans also helping veterans
(26:43):
who but else to help the veteran than a veteran
who's been there, who's done that. You know, when we
talk about filing VA claims, that is a huge process
in itself. We want to keep that claim with the
fast lane. The best way to keep that claim in
the fast claim is to go to an accredited agent
and you can find that those are credited agents in
the DAV which, by the way, do it for free.
Speaker 5 (27:05):
Rob.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Again, I want to thank you for your service, not
just obviously in the military, but what you do now
for all of the service members, for all of the veterans.
You're a true patriot and I really want to thank you.
Speaker 6 (27:19):
Thank you, Jevit, thank you for you for your listeners,
thank you for supporting the DAN.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
It's my honor, truly, my honor and my pleasure. Coooner Country. Look,
let's wring their phone off the hook. Let's not forget
them in this crucial.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Time of the year.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
Veterans Day is just on Monday's. Let's reward them and
thank them for their incredible service. They were there for us.
Let's be there for them. Call now if you want
to donate nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five,
or visit DAV five k dot Boston. That's nine seven
(27:55):
eight six three two nineteen eighty five, or visit DAV
five the number five five K dot Boston. And again
I want to give a special thank you to the
law offices of Altman Nussbaum. They are Boston's trial lawyers
for sponsoring this very special hour of the radiothon here
(28:17):
on the great WRKO. Okay, my friends, many of you
are texting the Coonerman on the phone saying Jeff, I'd
love to give, but I can't give more than ten
dollars or or fifteen or twenty dollars. It's not the
amount that matters, it's the thought that matters. Whatever you
can give, trust me, is immensely appreciated. Annual radiothon to
(28:41):
benefit disabled American veterans. Please give generously, and what I
mean generously, Whatever you can give it is tremendously appreciated.
Nine seven eight six three two nineteen eighty five nine
seven eight six three two one nine eighty five. If
you want to donate, you can also visit their website
da V five K dot Boston, DAV the number five KT, Boston.
(29:08):
This hour of the Radio Thon is brought to you
by the law offices of Altman Nussbaum, Boston's trial lawyers.
We are trying to get in contact with the CEO
and founder of the law offices of Altman Nussbaum, Larry Nusbaum.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
But until we do, joining us now.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
And it is truly my distinct honor and pleasure is
Leo Reardon. He is a US Army veteran. He is
also a proud dav member. He did two tours of
duty in Vietnam, not one, but two. This man is
(29:49):
a true great, great patriot. He is really a very
very special American, loves this country. He's got his wonderful
cap on talking about his service America's Vietnam veteran. Leo,
thank you so much for being on the Kooner Report
(30:10):
on this very special day, and from the bottom of
my heart, I want to thank you for your service
to our country.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
God bless you well.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Thank you very much, and thanks for the invite. I'm proud.
I'm proud to be here today. It's an honor for
me too well.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
The honor is truly mine.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
I have to say, Leo, I've got to ask you,
why did you decide to serve in Vietnam and why
did you decide to serve not one, but incredibly two tours.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Well, I mean, it was pretty much still the height
of the Vietnam War, and there's a ton of a
lot of patriotism back then, and we had just lost
a neighborhood friend who was killed over there the hear before.
I was sixteen then, and I said, you know something,
I'm going to try to participate and see what I
(31:01):
can do. So right after high school, I was vice
president of my senior class, and everyone was scratching the
head wondering why why I was going overseas, but I
said it was time for me to help do something
for them anyway now.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
And apparently you've you're a disabled veteran, yes, and you
have Parkinson's correct.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
That's correct.
Speaker 1 (31:26):
Yes, And from my understanding, it looks apparently Agent Orange
was used widely in the Vietnam War and for many
veterans it led to Parkinson's. And I'm just curious, how
is it dealing with Parkinson's and what has the DAV
(31:46):
meant for you in dealing with your Parkinson's.
Speaker 3 (31:49):
Well, from the beginning, the DAV of Massachusetts has been
I've gone out of their way providing the things I
need to deal with this disease and along with everything
else too. Once you have it, you don't realize the
things that you need to move forward because you're not
used to needing, being very needy, so to speak. That
(32:15):
helped my wife received, you know, the things that make
life easier for me at home and just makes things
more comfortable. And it's an honor for them because it's
a great group of people that that keeps you going.
And it also gave me the excitement to maybe become
an officer myself, and so I did about a year ago.
(32:38):
And and and I've helped a few veterans myself, and
to me, that's that's all I wanted to do.
Speaker 1 (32:46):
You're an incredible man. Thank you, Leo. You truly are.
You're a great American and a great patriot. Leo, Please
don't go anywhere, because I want to continue talking with you.
Joining us now is the CEO the found of the
law offices of Altaman Nussbaum, Boston's trial lawyers, Larry Nussbaum. Larry,
(33:08):
thank you so much for coming on the Kooner Report
and for sponsoring this hour of our annual radio thon
to benefit disabled American Veterans. Department of Massachusetts yes.
Speaker 5 (33:20):
Thanks, thank you for having me. I'm the greatest introduction
I've ever had. Seriously, Wow, that was great. You hear
that all over again. But no, it's it's like I said,
we always try to get involved in the local community specifically,
but obviously, you know, it's a great holiday coming up,
celebrating all the veterans and everything they do for us.
Speaker 1 (33:44):
Well, you know, Larry, I'm sitting here beside Leo Rearden
in the studio, and the man's you know, served in
Vietnam for our country. Whatever you think of the war,
he served our country honorably, faithfully has Parkinson's now, probably
because of Agent Orange that was used. Uh, And this
is going to be with him and his poor wonderful
(34:04):
wife who's supporting him every step of the way. And
it's so wonderful to know that people like you have
not forgotten disabled veterans like Leo. Larry, I'm just curious,
you're obviously a very generous kind man. Why the disabled
American veterans, why do you and your law office support them?
And why should people listening support the dav.
Speaker 5 (34:28):
Well, you know, you know, it's one of those things
where I think, you know, almost all of us have
you know a family member or or someone close to
us that's served or is serving come So I think,
you know, it's one of those things that hits home
to everybody. And you know, I don't I don't, you know,
I'm grateful, and I've always tried to practice gratitude like
I do that every morning. And you know, we we
(34:49):
take for granted sometimes that we can just wake up
and go grab a coffee or go to work like
I try to do every day and do my job
because we don't have to worry about certain things that
go on in other parts of the world because we
feel very safe. But that's not just by luck or anything.
That's because of our military and our great country and
(35:12):
how we try to protect ourselves and be prepared for everything.
So I think, you know, sometimes we take for granted
every day that we get to just kind of go
about our lives, where the reality is we're protected by
all these people who devote their lives to protecting us,
and that makes every nothing works without our military, and
(35:33):
I truefully believe that. So, you know, thank you very much, sir,
and thank you very much to you know, all the
other veterans out there, and you know, even people that
are currently serving right now.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Amen, Amen, I know you're very busy, Larry.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
But Dan Stock, he is the chief executive officer of
the for the Department of Massachusetts for the dav He
just wants to give you a quick thank you, please, Dan,
go ahead.
Speaker 5 (35:58):
Okay, very very much.
Speaker 4 (36:04):
Of the radiothon. As you know, the DAV in and
of itself could not afford to be able to run
a radiothon. But with your support, every penny that is
donated by Jeff's listeners today goes directly into support of
the veterans that have served this country. So once again,
thank you very much for hosting this hour. It really
(36:26):
means a great deal to us.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
Yeah, and again I really appreciate that, and thank thank
you for having me on, Jeff. And again really thank
you to everybody that's served and is serving. And you know,
we continue to need people that want to serve, so
I think it's very important for everybody.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
God bless you. Larry.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
We have been talking with Larry Nussbaum from the in fact,
the founder and CEO of the law offices of Altiman
Nussbaumb Boston's trial lawyers. Larry have a wonderful weekend, and
thank you once again. Okay, we just got a couple
of minutes left here with Leo Leo. I want to
ask you, Leo Reardon, two tours in Vietnam battling Parkinson's
(37:07):
now probably because of Agent Orange, if you could do
it all over again, knowing what it has cost you,
knowing the price that you have paid, would you still
have signed up and served your country.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
I'm just curious, of course.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
I don't think there's too many veterans, especially combat veterans,
that wouldn't go back just to you know, and not
worry about what happens later on. It's the camaraderie. It's
what you can do makes you proud to be able
to help serve your country. And again, the camaraderie overseas
is something that you have to do it yourself in
(37:47):
order to realize how important it is. And they're closer
than brothers and an sisters, and it's just something very special.
And I'll do it all over anytime, anytime again.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
I tip my head off to you. I truly do
thank you. Kooner country. Well here you have it, Please
do it for Leo. You heard him, Leo Reardon two
tours in Vietnam battling Parkinson's probably caused by Agent Orange.
You ask him, would you do it all over again? Yes,
(38:22):
that's how much he loves our country. These are very
special patriots. We are blessed to have people like Leo Reardon.
Now you can help him, You can help his wife
who's standing beside him, shoulder to shoulder, and countless other
disabled veterans like Leo Reardon. It's not the amount, it's
the thought. I'm begging you, I'm asking you, I'm urging you.
(38:44):
Please pick up the phone call nine seven eight six
three two nineteen eighty five. Nine seven eight six three
two nineteen eighty five, or if you prefer, you can
go to their website da V five k dot Boston
da V five the number five da V five k dot, Boston,
(39:08):
Cooner Country. Let's give, and let's give generously. They were
there for us. Leo was there for us. It's now
time for us to be there for him. I want
to thank Larry Nussbaum one last time. The last hour.
We're now in the seven o'clock hour, but the last
(39:29):
hour of this annual radio fon on w r KO
to benefit disabled American Veterans was sponsored by the law
offices of Altiman Nustsbaum, Boston's trial lawyers. Leo, I want
to shake your hand, my friend.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
It's a pleasure, pleasure, true honor, true honor, sir. Thank
you very much, Leo. I'm not I'm really you need anything,
you give me a call? Okay, I will. I promise,
I'll do everything. I can do everything. Also, I can't
thank them enough. Thank you well. And on top of
the dav you need anything, you give the Coooner Man
a call.
Speaker 3 (40:05):
I will thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Thank you, Leo, thank you, and thank you, ma'am. Thank
you so much. God bless you from the bottom of
my heart.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (40:14):
Okay, my friends, so here we are second hour now
of our annual radio thon to benefit disabled American veterans.
It's my favorite show of the year. I love this show,
but I'm going to be brutally honest with you, Kooner Country,
it's the most emotionally draining show of the year. When
(40:36):
I'm done after four hours, I'm spent. I got to
be careful. I don't want to get emotional on the
air when you see these disabled veterans, as I do upfront,
face to face, and every single time, whether it's public
or private, doesn't matter. And you see them with no legs,
(40:58):
no limbs, wheelchairs, quadriplegic, paraplegic faces blown off or parts
of their faces blown off, or you name it, the
severe PTSD, metal plates in their head. I mean, you
wouldn't believe what they have endured, or agent orange and
the you know, cancer or Parkinson's or all sorts of issues,
(41:22):
and they go through hell and their life has been hell.
And you say, you know, if you could roll back
the clock, would you still do it again every single time?
For my country, for America, for my fellow Americans. Yes,
the best of the best, the most patriotic of the patriotic,
(41:46):
the best of the best, the cream of the cream.
So please cooner, country We've always given generously, Please give
whatever you can nine seven eight six ' three two
nineteen eighty five, or if you prefer, visit DAV five
k dot Boston, DAV five k dot Boston. Now, this
(42:09):
hour of the radiothon here on w RKO is sponsored. Yes,
it is brought to you by Walmart, So thank you Walmart. Anyway,
so my friends, we're just waiting to get Paul Wahlberg on.
(42:30):
We had Paul Wahlberg on what was it last week?
I love it when Paul Wahlberg comes on because we
start to raffle at dinner for Paul ten people. This time, however,
you'll be doing it at one of his restaurants, so
he's not going to be coming to your home as
he's always done every year. The logistics getting everybody to
(42:51):
agree on a certain day or time. So Paul said, look,
we're going to do ten people, full course meal. And
here's the man himself. I thought we were doing a phoner, Paul, buddy,
a phoner you call my phone, phone interview. No, you
don't phone. I'm Bob Lynch as Well is here. How
(43:15):
are you, Bob?
Speaker 2 (43:16):
Paul I was just saying, how are you, Paul buddy.
Speaker 1 (43:20):
It's a true honor and privilege to have you on again.
Take your time, no rush, come on.
Speaker 7 (43:26):
This out.
Speaker 1 (43:28):
So we're joined here by Paul Wahlberg, a big supporter
of disabled American veterans. Uh, he's there for the dav
every single year. Paul I was just saying, we always
love to raffle, and you know, do an auction on
you know, dinner with Paul Wahlberg. He cooks it for you.
(43:49):
It's a gourmet meal, six course, wine, dessert, appetizer, the whole,
the whole shebang, as they say, except this time, Paul,
you're not going to be going to people's homes. Yep,
because of logistics and getting everybody to agree to a
certain day in time.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
It's going to be done at one of your better restaurant.
Speaker 8 (44:10):
Will be done at Almanova and hing A Mask. Oh
really yep, right down right down in the water in
the Hingham shipyard.
Speaker 2 (44:16):
That's nice.
Speaker 8 (44:17):
You can actually take if you want, you can take
the ferry right to the back door of the restaurant.
Speaker 1 (44:22):
Really yep. Whoa, now, Paul, this is for ten people, right, what.
Speaker 3 (44:28):
Do we have?
Speaker 2 (44:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (44:29):
Eight ten people? I figure what the exact.
Speaker 2 (44:30):
Okay, I'm trying to go a little high to race a.
Speaker 8 (44:33):
Yeah, all right, we can get to ten people and
we'll sort it all out.
Speaker 2 (44:38):
So okay, now, Paul, just you know, people are listening. Everybody. Hey,
you cook a meal, people want to eat it. What's
going to be on you know, on on offer for
this incredible gourmet meal.
Speaker 8 (44:50):
We start out with fried spam sandwiches, and then go
to English muff and pizzas for the second course, which
is always the big hit, and then you know, it's
it depends on the.
Speaker 7 (45:01):
Season, you know.
Speaker 8 (45:01):
Obviously we try to be seasonal and fresh with everything,
and you know, if there's something special that people are
interested and will always make it because you know, at
the end of the day, you know, this is our
opportunity to say thank you, not only to the people
who donate, but to our veterans and all of the
things that are important. Because if we don't say thank you,
then you know we we have to change our mind frame,
(45:23):
that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (45:24):
Well look, it's my true honor and privilege. Paul Wahlberg
is in studio, celebrity chef. You all know him, co
founder Wallberger's franchise, and yes, Almanovi and he is really
I got to tell you.
Speaker 7 (45:40):
Dude, you got to get it right. If they're to
say it.
Speaker 1 (45:43):
Well, hold on, it's Alvanovi, right, n ov novae novae
you're a wicked close. Oh we're going a little Italian there,
wicked closer alman nov Oh So sorry, Paul, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2 (45:58):
No no, no, no, no, see I just don't run with
your kind of people.
Speaker 5 (46:01):
Paul.
Speaker 8 (46:03):
Uh, it's uh, you know, we do the best we can.
Speaker 1 (46:07):
Ye know, it's still it's still early for you now, Paul.
Is there going to be wine?
Speaker 5 (46:16):
Is there? Yes?
Speaker 8 (46:16):
Says wine included, Uh, six courses dessert, yeap dessert.
Speaker 7 (46:21):
We like you said, the whole ship bad, you know.
Speaker 8 (46:23):
And and again it's a it's a it's a great
time and a great experience. And at least that's what
I'm told.
Speaker 2 (46:30):
And they get to meet you as well.
Speaker 7 (46:31):
Right, which is usually an overrated experience. So we'll just
leave it at that.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
Paul, I've got to ask you, obviously why there are
many veterans groups out there, Why disabled American veterans.
Speaker 8 (46:48):
First of all, we try to get to you know,
you want us to put all the veterans you know
first and foremost, but the dav the work that they do,
because not only you know, the needs of the veterans
that you know, especially as they start dealing with as
they're aging and things like that, and all of the
injuries that they have, you know, and all of things
and some of the things you see some of them
(47:09):
you don't see, post traumatic stress, all of those things,
and just being able to support them to say thank you,
because at the end of the day, you know, they
make our lives possible, right, they have sacrificed, they have
done everything, you know, and they when they hear that call,
they hear that message and they get out and they
just again, we just have to say thank you.
Speaker 1 (47:32):
I couldn't agree with you more, Paul, I really couldn't,
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention this.
Alma Cares is a nonprofit that your wonderful mother started and.
Speaker 2 (47:43):
You now run.
Speaker 1 (47:44):
In a few weeks, volunteers will begin packing Thanksgiving meal
boxes that are then distributed to families in need across
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I'm just curious for the audience
out there, can you tell us more about this and
how da V volunteers have assisted Almacare's.
Speaker 8 (48:04):
So Almacare's is something I was started by my daughter
and one of her friends, and we support families at
Thanksgiving and the importance of you know, again saying thank you,
and and you know, we were we grew up very
humbly and we know, you know, we know what it
meant to be hungry at times, and so the importance
(48:26):
of that, and so we want to make sure that
everybody has a has a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, and we
support as many families as possible, and we have da
V members who come over and help and participate. Bob
Lynch is always there, always the man these and and
you know we just it's great and and we get
(48:47):
to support military families through it, needy families throughout you know, the.
Speaker 7 (48:51):
Great Boston area, the celt Shore. So it's it's very
important to us.
Speaker 1 (48:56):
You know, you're a real straight up guy, Paul, Bob
Lynch from the d a V. I know you want
to jump in quickly or Dan Stack.
Speaker 4 (49:04):
Well, first of all, Paul, one thing Bob Lynch does
show up is usually you know, he shows up to
make sure the volunteers are there.
Speaker 7 (49:16):
Yes, exactly.
Speaker 8 (49:17):
He comes by, checks the list and then off he goes,
you know, puts the roof down on the convertible and
out the door.
Speaker 7 (49:26):
You know, last week he left me here to fend
for myself.
Speaker 8 (49:29):
So it's you know, it's all good.
Speaker 2 (49:32):
Just tell coone, I'm on my way.
Speaker 8 (49:35):
I'm a good second's but I'll tell you you know, Dan,
the whole the whole group, everybody just it. We have
to say thank you every single time, every opportunity you
have to say thank you to a veteran, uh, anybody,
you know, first responders, any of that stuff, because they
keep us safe. They keep us safe, they keep us protected.
(49:57):
They do they do the hard jobs.
Speaker 1 (50:00):
Amen, very well, said Paul. We've got forty five seconds left.
What do we want to start the auction off? It's
a meal for ten people, six course dinner, wine, you,
I mean, it comes with the whole package. Should we
start it off at what? One thousand and fifteen hundred?
Speaker 7 (50:16):
You go, let's start at two thousand.
Speaker 2 (50:19):
Two thousand. I love it.
Speaker 1 (50:20):
Okay, we're going to start it off at two thousand dollars.
Speaker 8 (50:24):
Trust me, it's a steal five seconds. I don't know
how many bids you're gonna get in forty four.
Speaker 1 (50:28):
Oh no, we're going to do this the whole show,
my friend. No, No, we don't give away the winner
until the end.
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