September 8, 2025 • 44 mins
What does it take to comfort those who've lost everything? For Tom Westall, the "Sagebrush Chaplain," it's about being present when others walk away. In this powerful conversation, Tom shares his extraordinary journey from a 17-year-old Air Force recruit to a military chaplain who escorted thousands of fallen soldiers home to their families during his 24-year service career.
Tom's stories from the frontlines of grief are both heartbreaking and inspiring. From overseeing recovery operations for 247 fallen members of the 101st Airborne to sitting with countless families in their darkest moments, his experiences reveal the profound impact of simply showing up. "Nice words are fine," Tom explains, "but the actions are really important."
After retiring from active duty, Tom channeled his compassion into founding Operation Military Blessings (OMB), now celebrating its 30th anniversary. What began as passing the hat to help struggling soldiers has expanded to 25 locations across the US and internationally, with programs addressing food insecurity, disaster relief, baby supplies, and specialized healthcare needs for military families.
The statistics driving OMB's mission are sobering: one in eight active-duty military members are on food stamps, with 31-39% considered "food insecure." As Tom puts it, "Can you imagine going to combat knowing your family's on food stamps? That's unacceptable." Unlike many organizations, OMB operates with zero overhead—every dollar donated stays in the community where it was given, with no salaries paid to anyone involved.
As Tom approaches 80, his energy remains boundless, his vision expanding to include partnerships with international designer Robert Comstock and ambitious goals to support military families worldwide. His message transcends politics and division: "Be a people helper. We're in a society that's pretty angry, and we need to tell them about hope."
Visit operationmilitaryblessings.org to learn how you can support military families and be part of this remarkable mission that exemplifies what happens when faith meets action.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Today on the Ever Onward podcast, we have Tom
Westall.
This guy's a legend.
He has served in the militaryas a chaplain for over 20 years
and has harrowing stories of hisservice there.
He then founded OperationMilitary Blessings here in Idaho
, coming up on their 30-yearanniversary.
They have a ginormous impact onthose serving, especially in
(00:22):
the first and second years ofservice, those who need help
from others, and this guy hascreated this whole thing right
here in Idaho that servesmilitary families here in Idaho,
the United States and aroundthe world.
It's going to be so fun tocatch up with him and to hear
about Operation MilitaryBlessings and all the great
things he's doing.
Tom Westall, tom man, this isgoing to be fun today.
(00:55):
It will be.
Thank you for coming on.
Hey, I just mentioned when Icame in here.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
When you come in our office now, it's like there's a
celebrity here, no, just, I'mjust a guy, sagebrush chaplain,
you know sagebrush.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Chaplain, you are a mover and a shaker and it's been
a great honor to just get toknow you better and over the
last year and and watch what youdo.
But it's, uh, it's.
I can't wait to talk about theprogram Operation Military
Blessing, but I want to, beforeyou get into that.
I don't know that I've metanyone that's as driven and
(01:34):
fired up as you.
You're a special guy.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Maybe you're looking at yourself.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
No, you're unbelievable.
So I do want to start where itall began.
Tell us a little bit aboutgrowing up and where this fire
came from.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I grew up in New Jersey.
It was still rural and mostly aRepublican state at that time
and you still have the NewJersey.
I love it.
It's like we run the R's likefor coffee.
You know it's just a joke, butI grew up in New Jersey.
My father sold petroleumproducts for Standard Oil.
(02:13):
He was an immigrant from StLucia.
My grandfather was the governordown there and during the war
he joined the RAF and gothimself shot down and went
through all that.
He married my mother in NewYork, in Manhattan, and then
(02:34):
they moved out to the suburbswhere I was raised.
It was a great time.
It was a great state.
We had great people there.
Many of our neighbors wereveterans from World War II in
Korea and they would stay inreserves after the war and they
would fly over the house.
So we always had fighter jetsor bombers buzzing our homes and
(02:58):
I said I'm going to do that,one of these.
I'm going to fly one of thesethese days.
And so even as a young kidmaybe 10 years old my goal was
to go fly bombers.
That was something I wanted todo and at 17, I joined the Air
Force and there I found out.
Well, it takes a lot to go flybombers, you know, particularly
(03:18):
when they're all jets now.
They weren't the props of WorldWar II.
It was there in the militarythat I really got a.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
So what year was it then you?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
joined the military 1963.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
1963.
A long time ago.
And when you went in go back alittle bit because I want to
understand this Was the drive.
You were a pretty unique guy.
We're going to get into yourhistory here.
But your parents, whatmotivated you as a young man?
Because at 17, going in, was itcountry?
(03:53):
Was it what was?
Speaker 2 (03:55):
it like growing up in New Jersey.
Well, our community was verypatriotic, yeah, and the state
was as well, and the nation, andso for me, joining the military
was a real honor.
I could not only serve ournation but would open up doors
of other opportunities.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
OK, so you join at 17 .
17 years old, I'm going to gobe a bomber.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Tell us about your experience early on in the
military.
Well, I trained from one job,but I really wanted to do
another job, so I startedtraining on my own and you have
a three-level and a five-leveland a seven-level and I got up
to a five-level, which is prettyunusual for a very young guy,
and it was in air police, likebeing a military policeman, and
I just loved doing that job andso that's what I did.
(04:47):
But it was there that one of myjobs that I was called to do
only because I was walking past,is we had a terrible car
accident outside the gate andtwo young Army soldiers were
killed and it was there thatthey brought them to the base
and they're in their body bagsand we had to put them back in a
(05:08):
stage wagon.
There's nobody to help that manload.
That was my first experiencedealing with situations like
that.
Then I went flying, went onflying status and uh, uh, I
found myself escorting back, youknow uh, our young men from
(05:29):
Vietnam that didn't make it.
They were KIAs and I, I've donethat ever since.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
So what you so?
So then tell us a little bitmore about that.
So you ended up escorting backthe body bags.
Kias killed in action, right,right.
And how old were you duringthat experience?
Speaker 2 (05:50):
I was 18 years old when that started and really
wasn't prepared.
It's one thing to go intocombat and there's nothing I
have to deal with as a result ofthe combat, and that became
something that was even to thisday.
I'm dealing with that.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah, and you did it for years, right I mean 24 years
, 24 years, ultimately, andstart with the end in mind here
become a chaplain and thisbecomes your mission in life.
Is comforting and helpingothers in the military for 24
years.
A legacy of service, tom, Imean you are always quick to
(06:32):
deflect to others, but anabsolute legacy of service.
What was that like?
Helping so many people and howmany body bags over those years
and how many deaths and andtragedies were you part of?
Speaker 2 (06:51):
this is not exaggerated, but we're talking
about thousands, yeah, aboutthousands.
I, one of my assignments was atdover air force base and uh,
there's that east coast mortuaryaffairs, and so anybody who
died on active duty was broughtto Dover and an autopsy would
perform, casketed and thenturned over to family or sent to
(07:13):
another state for burial.
That was a very challengingassignment.
I signed in on the base aboutthe first week in September.
I was on leave and they askedme to come off of leave.
There had been an accident inGannon, newfoundland, and then
the 101st Airborne wasredeploying from peacekeeping
(07:36):
duty and there were 247 men diedin that crash up in Gannon,
newfoundland, and I was incharge of that recovery
operation.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Wow, thousands Sobering.
You're the one that's tellingfamily members right, yes,
you're the ones bringing thenews back.
So you often have these youngsoldiers that you're.
What was that like?
Were you prepared for that?
What did you do to prepare forthat?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
God prepared me for that.
Gave me a heart for thesepeople?
Yeah, talk more about that.
Well, you know, when I became aChristian, I was raised in a
family where my father, who wasone faith, my mother was another
faith, and they agreed that I'dbe raised in an Episcopal
(08:29):
church and twice a year I'd gowhether needed or not one of
those type of deals and then oneday I realized there is a God
out there and I asked him tocome into my heart and then I
became a Christian that day andhe just changed my life and he
really had changed.
(08:49):
The point is he saw where hewas taking me back into the
military to do some of thesethings that I did.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
How important is faith during times of tragedy
for folks.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
It's the only anchor point, it's the only truth that
makes any sense.
Yeah, we think in a temporal,but we have to think in the
eternal and to tell somebodythat, particularly if you know a
lot about them, enough aboutthem where their loved one is or
providing comfort.
We don't have that information,but faith is everything I mean.
(09:34):
It's our foundation of ourlives.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I was reading somewhere I don't know it's been
busy days the last few days butI was reading something that
said life is a journey on shipand and death is that ship just
goes over that horizon.
It's still there.
It's always part of you.
Death is a.
Death is a interesting thing weface in life.
(09:58):
I don't know you can preparefor it, because it's so final
and there's a lot of you.
Just there's grief that goeswith that and I can imagine.
You know we've had a coupletragedies in our family with
young folks.
It's just different.
It's always hard.
(10:19):
But when you have someone thatlives a full life and you kind
of celebrate that life, but withyounger people that life is
ahead of them, there's an addedmeasure of tragedy and just loss
and sorrow and grief.
But that was your life wasdealing with.
It was all on that front endyoung people, so much promise,
so much Well some of these youngpeople were my age.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Yeah, and here I am caring for the families, making
notifications, but realizingthey're my age.
It was quite an experience.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
How did you?
You know, you said God preparedyou for it, you had a heart for
it.
What were those conversationslike?
Speaker 2 (11:03):
As soon as you knock on the door and meet the family,
they know you drive up with acommander and a mortuary affairs
or another staff officer with acheck for them and they don't
know what to do.
They've never really done muchof that and they always say,
chaplain, help us and I wouldtake over, I would listen, they
(11:24):
would cry and I would justlisten to them and provide
comfort where I can, because atthat moment you know they're in
shock, they're hearing verylittle, but what happens is you
build their relationship there.
They come back the next day andthe day after that as they come
(11:45):
to accept what really has takenplace.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
How did you stay strong, Tom?
How did you stay where youneeded to be for others?
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Tommy, I know you're a person of faith.
Yeah, you know you stay strongby reading the scriptures.
Yeah, god speaks through theword of God.
Faith comes by hearing the wordof Christ.
I mean that's the wholebeginning point.
There I was telling DirkKempton, which you had on this
(12:18):
morning, one of the greatestbooks I ever wrote not wrote,
but I read was a book called thePeople Hope by Gary Collins.
He was a professor of mine backin my seminary and Gary says
that was a simple little book.
I said no, it was very profound.
It goes in a book he talksabout in Romans 12, 15, rejoice
(12:39):
with those who rejoice and toweep with those who weep, it's
all relational.
Rejoice and to weep with thosewho weep, it's all relational.
And so, as God has worked, myheart prepares me, I'm ready, I
have things to say to peoplewhere other people are at loss.
The scriptures speak today.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Yeah, I mean I'm just sitting here listening to you
that comfort those and stand mein comfort more than those that
mourn Right as you weep withthem and show empathy towards
them.
Is there a greater gift we cangive another on this earth than
being there during their time ofgreatest needs and being able
to comfort them?
Tom, it's like it's a big deal,I mean, I just I'm humbled to
(13:22):
be around you when I am, becauseI know your history and uh, wow
, it's powerful.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Being there when Herb Bales leaves.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Talk more about that, cause that's often the case all
the time when, um, you know, uh, in in our, our church, I was
able to serve, and there is thephenomenon that happens
immediately after death, whereeveryone comes together and
there is an outpouring of loveand compassion, and then it is
(13:58):
often the next day and the nextday when they find themselves
alone and facing the reality ofa loss.
That's when you really do thework right.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Right, if you're going to rejoice and then weep
with them, as scriptures teachus, you've got to be there.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
You know, nice words are fine, but the actions was
really important.
There's a little verse in thescriptures.
The epistle says I'll show youmy faith by my works.
We're not talking aboutsalvation, we're talking about
because of my faith.
I'll show you what I do.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
I had a mentor once.
Tell me, if you ever say, hey,just let me know if I can do
anything for you, that you oughtto just stop in your tracks and
not say that and instead dothat's right, take them a loaf
of bread, go say hello, go callthem, text them, whatever, but
(14:57):
it's not asking, hey, can I doanything for you?
Because you know what theanswer will be there, they won't
call, they won't ask, it's thedoing right.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
I had a number of chaplains work for me in my last
assignment down at Shepherd AirForce Base and one of the first
things I said is look, I don'twant to sit in your office, I
want you out there with thetroops.
I want you out there, if you'regoing to intervene, be there in
times of crisis.
They have to know you and theonly way they know you is being
(15:24):
involved with you.
And as you build a relationshipparticularly when they're going
through you know, let's say, awife or a husband that have lost
their loved one you build thatrelationship.
So the week next week, nextmonth, next year and to this day
, I hear from quite a few peoplethat I worked with in years in
(15:45):
the military because ofrelationships, and that's what's
really important in this world.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Yeah, I'm thinking as you're talking.
Other advice early on and I gotas a young man is yeah, wear
out your jeans where your kneesare from praying, but then,
almost as important to that aswell, wear out the soles of your
shoes in the service of others.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Right, I can't help but remember I was over in sign
in a base at RAF Lincoln he's inEngland and the commander was a
friend of mine and he camethrough the chapel and I just
happened to greet him in thehallway and he said Tom, you
need a new set of trousers.
(16:29):
You know, we wore the blueuniform then.
Unlike today, people wear thefatigues, the combat fatigues.
He says, oh, look at your knees.
I said yeah.
He said why are you polishedthere?
I says I'm a chaplain.
And he still didn't get it.
I says well, first thing I doin the office, I get down on my
(16:51):
knees and I pray Right.
He thought he says no, don't buynew trousers, stay on your
knees Powerful story.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
So is there anything else you can share from 24 years
of service to our country, tothe families um, in, in, in, uh,
anything?
There's a lot of folks Uh.
I think we live in a verypatriotic town.
I, I, I just I'm really proudof of the way we respect and
honor um those who serve here.
But many people haven't servedUm.
Many people may not even haveimmediate family members that
(17:34):
serve Um.
So when I get a guy like youhere that has a legacy of being
in that environment and serving,what would you want people to
know about the country and thosewho choose to serve us and put
their lives out there for us?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
It's the showing of respect.
It's the showing of respectWhether you're serving or
sharing somebody you love.
That is serving.
Respect is so important and theword respect we get the word
trust from.
We have to trust individuals inthe military, but we have to
(18:15):
respect the high calling ofwhere they are, because they are
high calling.
How many are asked to lay theirlife down?
Not many.
When you go in the military,that can be a real possibility.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Wow, talk about your move to Idaho and how you got.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Tell us a little bit more biography here 1988, when
I—I guess it was well before itwas 1996, I came back to Idaho.
I came here originally in 79,and, you know, air Force decided
to invite me to go to differentbases for a number of years.
And then, you know, air Forceto decide to invite me to go to
(19:02):
different bases for a number ofyears.
And so I came back and I wasretired from active duty at that
point and a number of us werejust meeting, you know, for
coffee.
We heard about somebody who hadsome financial problems, so we
just reached into our pocketsand helped that young soldier
out.
Well then, there was anothersoldier after that, another
soldier after that, and so itwas decided that we would
(19:24):
incorporate as a nonprofitOperation Military Blessings.
It started as New Life FamilyMinistries and we rebranded to
OMB as we know it today, andthat all started 30 years ago.
We're coming up on our thirdyear anniversary.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
Wow, 30 years.
So talk about I know we'regoing to get into this pretty
deeply, tom, but talk aboutOperation.
So, for those that are eitherwatching or following along at
home, it's Operation MilitaryBlessings with an Sorg, and this
is the organization that Tomstarted.
30-year anniversary coming up30 years ago and you know, as I
(20:09):
have become more acquainted withit, tom, what you do is truly
God's work for these families.
So I'll let you tell the story,but it's unbelievable.
We're looking right now here onyour website, but tell us a
little bit about the journey.
Speaker 2 (20:27):
Well, we started off, I have to say, helping some
young soldiers here in Idaho,and then people said what else
could we do?
Well, we can do a toy drive.
And so churches andorganizations would put the word
out bring your toys to a pickuppoint and we'd deliver them to
the Idaho Guard and MountainHome Air Force Base.
(20:49):
Now we do hundreds of thesetoys and we say buy toys that
you'd buy for your children andbe generous, give them high-end
toys, because they're sayingsomething when you reach the
children, you reach the parentsas well.
Uh, so we started doing thatand that that toy drive is 14.
(21:10):
We've been doing that for 14years for idaho guard now and
it's become a very, very big,big deal for them as well as
down in the airbase.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
And and talk about.
I mean, what blew me away asI've dug into the organization
is you do you do a lot here,locally for our troops?
A lot of talk about thestatistics, a lot of these, a
lot of these first year, secondyear enlisted soldiers are on
(21:43):
food stamps.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
One out of eight active duty military people are
on food stamps.
This is a startling statistics,but when you look at 31 to 39
percent are food insecure.
It means somebody is going tobed hungry at night.
That's usually children, or aparent gives up, and so that's
(22:09):
totally unacceptable.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
And it is so.
You start here, but but whenyou go to your website and you
start looking, this has nowbecome a national and now
international program.
That's right here, from littleidaho and tom westall starting
this thing, the, the superchaplain.
And you start this thing andnow it's everywhere it's, it's
around the world well, we had 25locations just here in the
(22:37):
United States.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
We're caring for young active-duty people in the
Army, in the Air Force, navy,the Coast Guard, the Marines.
We're in Germany the RAF Lakeand Heath.
We funded their whole programlast year when they lost their
funding.
And what does family programsdo if they can't do family
(23:00):
programs?
Well, we made family programsoperate again, took care of kids
.
There was hundreds of them.
We took care of that's Ramstonand RAF Lakey.
We did the same thing overthere.
Now we're in the Pacific withsome bases.
We're looking at taking on Guamand Hawaii, funding dependent.
It just keeps growing, but theneed's out there and we have
(23:24):
over 800 bases.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Talk a little bit about.
I've met a few folks in yourorganization.
You have quite the team.
Talk about them a little bitand how you've been able like
the little engine that couldmaking this thing happen around
the world.
Talk about that a little bit.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
We do have a great team, but more than that we're
all friends together.
We all believe what we're doing.
General Saylor is the retiredadjutant general from the Idaho
Guard.
He's our chairman of the board.
I've known him for years.
We have Dick Turner, anothergeneral that's on our board.
We have a local pastor, jimHarris, from Heritage Bible
(24:07):
Church on our board, ike Sweezy,which is a retired major, a
pilot, a 104 and 111 pilot,combat pilot.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
Then we have Chuck Winder, you know Chuck.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
Wonderful, wonderful human being, just retired
president of the Idaho Senate.
He brings a whole other elementinto our board and remember,
our board is more than thedecision-making.
They are the boots on theground, they're doing the the
work.
I feel so honored just to carefor that, we have dirk camthorne
on the board, former governor.
(24:44):
I've known dirk since he's beena mayor and so I called him up
and I said dirk, you know, I'dlike to see you come on our
board.
And he was in washington at thetime.
He said you know, tom, I don'thave a lot of time.
I I said well, I don't likemeetings, I just send emails out
and the guys run with it.
Alright.
So for a man that didn't wantto get too involved, other than
(25:09):
maybe lend his name because hisgood friend asked him to, he's
more involved than all of us.
You can't ask him to.
He's more involved than all ofus.
You can't shut him off.
We have Mike Borner fromMission 17, another great man.
We have Tom Wilford.
Ran the Albris Foundation foryears.
He's on our board.
(25:30):
We have the past president ofBlue Cross.
Now we have the currentpresident, paul Zerlo.
He's on our board.
And so we have some prettydistinguished people, you know,
respected within the community,but respected outside the
community as well.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
It's just a fantastic organization.
I want to talk about a few ofthe initiatives that you have
the National Military DisasterRelief.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
Talk a little bit about that.
Just about everybody knowsabout FEMA, but what happens on
a military base is not like whathappens in the private sector.
They don't have too many fundsfor national disasters.
Last year, with the hurricanesin North Carolina, we helped
those in the North CarolinaNational Guard that had lost.
(26:26):
And then Florida got hit twice,not once, but twice.
We had this one family thattheir home was nine feet
underwater and took them weeksliving in hotels and their
benefits was exhausted, and sowe were paying hotel bills
because they had no place tostay.
(26:47):
And we found out that this onefamily had two disabled children
.
We had to take care of them aswell, and so we got into the
disaster relief for militarymembers.
They're out there helping thecivilian community and at the
same time they've lost a lotthemselves as well.
We bought so much food lastyear.
(27:08):
People would fill theirrefrigerators up and only lose
their electric again and loseall their food, so we'd have to
help them out.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Powerful.
How about I'm going to gothrough these?
The Endowment Fund for MilitaryHealth and Wellness is another
big one.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
That is an exciting program.
That's something that I reallyput my heart into.
Most people with privateinsurance, their benefits cover
a lot of this, but for TRICAREand for a lot of benefits are
not covered for disadvantaged,disabled children.
Very specific like therapeutichelmets for kids TRICARE does
(27:52):
not pay for, nor does theprivate insurance.
Here in Idaho we do that Now.
Each helmet's a little over$1,000, and they'll go through
three helmets like that in abouta two-year period and so we try
to help them out with that.
Or if they have specialremedial education, we help them
out with grants so they can goto school.
So anybody with a disabled or adisadvantaged child, they know
(28:16):
what the needs are out there andsometimes those resources
helping them meet those needscan be tough.
We try to be there for them.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
I love it.
I haven't heard this.
I can't wait to hear the storyfrom you.
But on your website, matthew,can you scroll down Robert
Comstock.
So I went to an event, I spokeat one of your events and he was
there and so there's aninterview here with Robert
(28:48):
Comstock and he has started thisnew.
So Robert Comstock incrediblestory A Boise guy who is an
international clothing designer.
Very, very famous guy who is aninternationally recognized
designer.
But he's part of the programnow and he has this line of
(29:10):
clothing.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
You tell the story but I can't wait to see how this
plays out.
I think it was two years ago.
He was invited to come to thefundraiser.
I didn't know anything aboutRobert Comstock.
I didn't know anything.
I had heard about his clothingsales, but I didn't know
anything about him.
(29:40):
And so he comes that evening andhe's a pretty commanding
individual.
He has a head of hair that Ihad when I was 17 years old.
He's a handsome guy, tom, andhe sat there and I get a call in
the morning.
It's seven o'clock in themorning by Dirk Kempthorne.
He says Robert just called meand at four o'clock in the
morning he wants to get together, he wants to be able to help
(30:01):
out.
I said when do you want to meetNow?
So, all right, let's go.
So we met at a restaurant and hesays I really want to do
something for these youngsoldiers and these airmen, these
Marines, to come up with theclothing line.
And so I said well, let's takea look and see whether we can
(30:23):
put this product line in ourexchanges.
Now he spent one whole yearwith his whole staff filling out
, completing the applicationprocess, going through the
things that are sometimes prettyannoying, but you got to get
(30:45):
through that.
Now we are approved to sellthis clothing line in the United
States to all Army and AirForce exchanges and those
profits that come from there, avery large percentage of them,
are going to stay at that base.
And so let's say Mississippi,we come up with so many
(31:08):
thousands of dollars in profitthat will stay in family
programs at that base in ourstructured program under the
banner of Operation MilitaryBlessings.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
And to see the clothing he's designed.
It's also very cool andfashionable.
So the idea is that he designedall this for the military bases
.
It gets sold there, the dollarsstay there.
It's genius.
I think it's going to be alsopopular everywhere because of
who he is and what he's designedand how it's going to go.
(31:39):
It's just an incredible story.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
Well, he's been talking to CEOs from Dillard's
and some of the otherorganizations, and they all want
to be a part of this.
This is just beginning now.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
What an incredible thing.
So people that want to knowmore information about that,
that will be released this year,right, I think yes, later this
year, where you can go on andbuy this clothing especially
designed by him for OperationMilitary Blessings.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
And it's a quality clothing.
Yeah, it's quality.
We're selling a bomber jacket,I think for $245, which is New
Zealand leather.
Yeah, it's just beautiful.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
I want one as soon as I can.
I'm going to wear my OMB bomberjacket, designed by Robert
Comstock.
I'll get you one.
I can't wait.
I can't wait.
That's great.
And then the next one on mylist here to talk.
Well, first of all listen.
How old do you know?
Speaker 2 (32:32):
I'll be 80 in January 80 in January.
Speaker 1 (32:37):
You have the energy of a 25-year old and you do all
this stuff.
I'm sitting here going throughall these programs.
Are you ever?
Do you ever sit back, tom andgo?
Are you ever in awe of whatyou've done and create?
I mean, I'm going through thelist of programs and this was
all ideas and you and yourpassion and your leadership it's
unbelievable, buddy.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
Well, I do sit back and I reflect, but I realize
this is something that God'sdone.
Yeah, I am not that smart, I amnot that talented, but God has
it all together.
But I'd be a willing tool andI've sat back many times and see
the hand of God doing thingsthat I don't see initially.
(33:21):
I see it come about.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Yeah, yeah.
Just listening to the humilityand the deflection of what man
does to God and giving propercredit where it's due, you're a
pretty incredible guy.
All right, next one OperationBabies, bottles and Diapers, one
(33:48):
that I was able to just help ina teeny bit with.
So tell us the problem and thenwhat we're trying to do to fix
this.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
One of our basic programs is to give these
commissary and visa gift cards,food cards, albertsons or WinCo
to these people in need.
Then we found out we give thema $100 gift card that a bag of
(34:15):
diapers's like $53.
Formula $50.
Baby wipes $35.
So more than half of theintended caring for food is
taken for children.
Well, that's not acceptable.
So we came up with what'scalled Operation Babies, Bibles
(34:37):
and Diapers, where we collectthese items and we want to
guarantee a year's supply calledOperation Babies, bibles and
Diapers, where we collect theseitems and we want to guarantee a
year's supply of these items,not only here at Gowen and all
the locations of the IdahoNational Guard, but at Mountain
Home Air Force Base as well.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
So this is a way for and so for anyone listening
today, again, there'sinformation on the website, but
you can make a donation directlyto the program.
I totally forgot one thing Earlyon, when I was young and
probably a little naive and justwanted to make a difference.
I got involved in a lot oforganizations and they were
(35:16):
great organizations.
Don't get me wrong.
I'm not going to call any ofthem out, because some of them
were national organizations withvery, very good people.
And it wasn't until I got onthe boards and kind of dug into
the finances and I'd say now,how many of these dollars stay
here was a question you'd ask.
So because we're raising moneyfrom you know, and there's
(35:37):
nothing wrong with nationalorganizations either, we need to
do both, but it's always nicewhen the dollars we spend or
donate stay in the community,where we're really affecting the
families and our neighborsaround us.
And then the second thing isyou look at administrative
overhead, right, and I won'tmention the organization I was
involved in, but one day I sawthe finances.
(35:59):
I'm like, well, wait a minute,we have to get a mountain of
donations every year just tocover our staff.
Talk a little bit about yourorganization and how much.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
Every dollar that is raised in Idaho stays in Idaho.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (36:21):
There is no exception , 100%.
If a corporation says we havethis and it in any place of need
in the nation or the world,then it goes into the general
fund.
We don't pay any salaries.
This is the part that— Nobodyon the board gets anything.
I don't get paid.
I live on my militaryretirement and my social
(36:46):
security and that's enough.
I've lived a certain lifestyleand I'm not going to change that
because I'm very comfortablewhere I am.
But it was brought up a coupleof years ago by General Saylor.
I said we need to start payingyou and I said I won't accept it
and I said if you keep that up,I'm going to resign.
Speaker 1 (37:07):
So again for listeners that are considering
where to put their donations100% here and no overhead.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
It's crazy 100% here and no overhead, and it's all
tax deductible.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
Anyway, or we have here at our office by Topgolf,
fifth floor.
We have a place you can drop itoff and we'll get it right out
there.
So we did want to give a shout.
That's a new program.
You've started Operation Babies, bottles and Diapers and it's
really helping the youngfamilies with their daily needs.
A couple of other thingsholiday giving you have the
(37:48):
Holiday Assistance Program.
Talk a little bit about thatone, and I don't know a lot
about that one.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
Well, when we started collecting toys, we found out
that the need really was prettygreat out there, because when
things happen financially, youknow you had to budget
everything and sometimesChristmas is kind of thin at
Thanksgiving.
There was a year in which theneed was great and we helped and
(38:20):
this one mother and wife saidwe wouldn't have had a Christmas
without OMB.
Not only the toys, the children, but we give them a full meal
for Christmas.
There's a 25-pound turkey inthere, there's milk in there,
there's potatoes, there'sbutters, there's vegetables.
There's a 25-pound turkey inthere, there's milk in there,
(38:40):
there's potatoes, there'sbutters, there's vegetables,
there's everything.
Speaker 1 (38:45):
Wow.
Well, our time has gone.
I want to give you a chancehere at the end to say a few
things, but I knew this would gofast Again, tom, since the day
(39:08):
I met you, I don't know that onecan fully appreciate in an hour
on a podcast what you do everyday.
You've got so much energy andagain when you get here, it's
like a celebrities in the office, cause you're just, you're a
ball of of goodness.
Um and um, I want, I want to getthe word out for this
organization in the Valleybecause, um, I'm very proud of
(39:30):
what you've done as a Idaho uhorganization around the world
and the impact you're making, um, and I think that, uh, there's
a lot of good people out therethat that can give and help you
(39:50):
out.
Um, but but to give you kind ofthe final word here, um, what
is, what does this all mean toyou?
And you know you're anincredible guy.
You've you've lived your lifeserving others and serving God
and letting him take your heartand your talents and your mind
and put it to his use.
What advice or wisdom could youimpart to those listening today
?
Speaker 2 (40:14):
Be a people helper.
We're in a society that'spretty angry and we need to tell
them about hope.
We need to tell them about wecare.
There are individuals thataren't angry, that want to come
alongside and help you with aparticular burden.
To be there, yeah, to be there.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
It christian love right.
It's modeling the savior rightthat's right it's, uh, it's.
It gets down to that.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
It's kindness, it's love, it's charity well, you
know, the adage is charity isone thing.
We want to give you a helpinghand up.
Yeah, that's what we do andit's structured to the military
the very junior grades E1through E4, that are on welfare,
that are going to food banksand things.
(41:09):
We're helping them meet thoseneeds where they can serve with
dignity.
Can you imagine going to combatknowing that your family's on
food stamps or had to go on thefood?
That's unacceptable.
We make that difference.
And how about our listeners whoare speaking to today make a
difference?
Go on to our website, operationmilitary blessings, that's with
(41:32):
an sorg, and there's a sitewhere you can go to and pay
online and and remember you candesignate that money to stay
right here in Idaho or, if youwanted to go around the world,
say so.
Speaker 1 (41:48):
That's amazing.
I want to thank you for whatyou do.
One more quick story, because Ican only imagine the impact
you've had on thousands ofpeople in your lifetime.
But after I gave that talk lastyear, you, you gave me a
present at the end of it and itwas a was a bible, and you said
I don't know how many of thoseyou've given away.
(42:09):
But you said I don't know ifit's hundreds or thousands
you've like I've given awaywe've given away 5500 of those
Bibles.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
These are $39 Bibles.
I mean it's the best MacArthurstudy Bible, the best study
Bible that's ever been done.
This year our goal is to giveaway $7,000.
Now that's a sisterorganization.
Now OMB is caring for the needsof the soldiers, airmen,
(42:41):
marines.
Then we have a sisterorganization that's completely
funded by itself calledOperation New Life.
We give away these Bibles tothe military.
All the military academies gethundreds of these Bibles every
year from us, the GeneralOfficer Corps.
They get a nice inscribed Biblewith their name on it.
The General Officer Corps.
They get a nice inscribed Biblewith a name on it.
(43:01):
We sent one to our Secretary ofDefense the.
President, former President aswell, special, you know, I was
in Special Operations for a longtime.
Part of the Rapid DeploymentForce.
Fort Bragg gets all our Biblesfrom us.
Fort Benning has receivedBibles from us.
That's the Airborne Training.
They want 3,500 Bibles from us.
Fort Benning has receivedBibles from us.
That's the Airborne Training.
(43:22):
They want 3,500 Bibles.
They have a young chaplainwho's so excited what he's doing
.
He said I'll give a Bible toeverybody who comes to my chapel
.
I said, how much is that?
We have 3,500 on the Sunday.
Speaker 1 (43:34):
It's an incredible.
It's a study Bible.
It is so I'm reading it rightnow.
It's incredible.
It's a study Bible.
It is so I'm reading it rightnow.
It's the Bible that your unclewas so involved with the Office
of Christian Fellowship.
Yeah, so my uncle, daryl Farmer, longtime Air Force pilot, was
very involved in this and youmade that connection when I
talked about him giving my talk.
(43:55):
But anyway, it's near and dearto my heart.
Thank you, and it's been anhonor having you on here.
And, uh, it's been an honorgetting to know you.
Um, you're one of my heroes.
Um, it's been my honor.
Yeah, you're the best.
You're the best of the best,and I would encourage anyone
listening to look up operationmilitary blessings with an Sorg
(44:19):
and check out Tom.
Give him a call, get yourorganization involved.
100% of those dollars.
Stay here with Idaho Families.
You are an unbelievable guy.
Thank you for your inspiration,your leadership.
You're a pillar of thiscommunity and it's an honor
having you on today.
Speaker 2 (44:36):
Thank you for inviting me.
Speaker 1 (44:37):
Tommy, Thanks everybody.
Today on the Ever Onward podcast, we have Tom
Westall.
This guy's a legend.
He has served in the militaryas a chaplain for over 20 years
and has harrowing stories of hisservice there.
He then founded OperationMilitary Blessings here in Idaho
, coming up on their 30-yearanniversary.
They have a ginormous impact onthose serving, especially in
(00:22):
the first and second years ofservice, those who need help
from others, and this guy hascreated this whole thing right
here in Idaho that servesmilitary families here in Idaho,
the United States and aroundthe world.
It's going to be so fun tocatch up with him and to hear
about Operation MilitaryBlessings and all the great
things he's doing.
Tom Westall, tom man, this isgoing to be fun today.
(00:55):
It will be.
Thank you for coming on.
Hey, I just mentioned when Icame in here.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
When you come in our office now, it's like there's a
celebrity here, no, just, I'mjust a guy, sagebrush chaplain,
you know sagebrush.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Chaplain, you are a mover and a shaker and it's been
a great honor to just get toknow you better and over the
last year and and watch what youdo.
But it's, uh, it's.
I can't wait to talk about theprogram Operation Military
Blessing, but I want to, beforeyou get into that.
I don't know that I've metanyone that's as driven and
(01:34):
fired up as you.
You're a special guy.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Maybe you're looking at yourself.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
No, you're unbelievable.
So I do want to start where itall began.
Tell us a little bit aboutgrowing up and where this fire
came from.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I grew up in New Jersey.
It was still rural and mostly aRepublican state at that time
and you still have the NewJersey.
I love it.
It's like we run the R's likefor coffee.
You know it's just a joke, butI grew up in New Jersey.
My father sold petroleumproducts for Standard Oil.
(02:13):
He was an immigrant from StLucia.
My grandfather was the governordown there and during the war
he joined the RAF and gothimself shot down and went
through all that.
He married my mother in NewYork, in Manhattan, and then
(02:34):
they moved out to the suburbswhere I was raised.
It was a great time.
It was a great state.
We had great people there.
Many of our neighbors wereveterans from World War II in
Korea and they would stay inreserves after the war and they
would fly over the house.
So we always had fighter jetsor bombers buzzing our homes and
(02:58):
I said I'm going to do that,one of these.
I'm going to fly one of thesethese days.
And so even as a young kidmaybe 10 years old my goal was
to go fly bombers.
That was something I wanted todo and at 17, I joined the Air
Force and there I found out.
Well, it takes a lot to go flybombers, you know, particularly
(03:18):
when they're all jets now.
They weren't the props of WorldWar II.
It was there in the militarythat I really got a.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
So what year was it then you?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
joined the military 1963.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
1963.
A long time ago.
And when you went in go back alittle bit because I want to
understand this Was the drive.
You were a pretty unique guy.
We're going to get into yourhistory here.
But your parents, whatmotivated you as a young man?
Because at 17, going in, was itcountry?
(03:53):
Was it what was?
Speaker 2 (03:55):
it like growing up in New Jersey.
Well, our community was verypatriotic, yeah, and the state
was as well, and the nation, andso for me, joining the military
was a real honor.
I could not only serve ournation but would open up doors
of other opportunities.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
OK, so you join at 17 .
17 years old, I'm going to gobe a bomber.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Tell us about your experience early on in the
military.
Well, I trained from one job,but I really wanted to do
another job, so I startedtraining on my own and you have
a three-level and a five-leveland a seven-level and I got up
to a five-level, which is prettyunusual for a very young guy,
and it was in air police, likebeing a military policeman, and
I just loved doing that job andso that's what I did.
(04:47):
But it was there that one of myjobs that I was called to do
only because I was walking past,is we had a terrible car
accident outside the gate andtwo young Army soldiers were
killed and it was there thatthey brought them to the base
and they're in their body bagsand we had to put them back in a
(05:08):
stage wagon.
There's nobody to help that manload.
That was my first experiencedealing with situations like
that.
Then I went flying, went onflying status and uh, uh, I
found myself escorting back, youknow uh, our young men from
(05:29):
Vietnam that didn't make it.
They were KIAs and I, I've donethat ever since.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
So what you so?
So then tell us a little bitmore about that.
So you ended up escorting backthe body bags.
Kias killed in action, right,right.
And how old were you duringthat experience?
Speaker 2 (05:50):
I was 18 years old when that started and really
wasn't prepared.
It's one thing to go intocombat and there's nothing I
have to deal with as a result ofthe combat, and that became
something that was even to thisday.
I'm dealing with that.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah, and you did it for years, right I mean 24 years
, 24 years, ultimately, andstart with the end in mind here
become a chaplain and thisbecomes your mission in life.
Is comforting and helpingothers in the military for 24
years.
A legacy of service, tom, Imean you are always quick to
(06:32):
deflect to others, but anabsolute legacy of service.
What was that like?
Helping so many people and howmany body bags over those years
and how many deaths and andtragedies were you part of?
Speaker 2 (06:51):
this is not exaggerated, but we're talking
about thousands, yeah, aboutthousands.
I, one of my assignments was atdover air force base and uh,
there's that east coast mortuaryaffairs, and so anybody who
died on active duty was broughtto Dover and an autopsy would
perform, casketed and thenturned over to family or sent to
(07:13):
another state for burial.
That was a very challengingassignment.
I signed in on the base aboutthe first week in September.
I was on leave and they askedme to come off of leave.
There had been an accident inGannon, newfoundland, and then
the 101st Airborne wasredeploying from peacekeeping
(07:36):
duty and there were 247 men diedin that crash up in Gannon,
newfoundland, and I was incharge of that recovery
operation.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Wow, thousands Sobering.
You're the one that's tellingfamily members right, yes,
you're the ones bringing thenews back.
So you often have these youngsoldiers that you're.
What was that like?
Were you prepared for that?
What did you do to prepare forthat?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
God prepared me for that.
Gave me a heart for thesepeople?
Yeah, talk more about that.
Well, you know, when I became aChristian, I was raised in a
family where my father, who wasone faith, my mother was another
faith, and they agreed that I'dbe raised in an Episcopal
(08:29):
church and twice a year I'd gowhether needed or not one of
those type of deals and then oneday I realized there is a God
out there and I asked him tocome into my heart and then I
became a Christian that day andhe just changed my life and he
really had changed.
(08:49):
The point is he saw where hewas taking me back into the
military to do some of thesethings that I did.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
How important is faith during times of tragedy
for folks.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
It's the only anchor point, it's the only truth that
makes any sense.
Yeah, we think in a temporal,but we have to think in the
eternal and to tell somebodythat, particularly if you know a
lot about them, enough aboutthem where their loved one is or
providing comfort.
We don't have that information,but faith is everything I mean.
(09:34):
It's our foundation of ourlives.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I was reading somewhere I don't know it's been
busy days the last few days butI was reading something that
said life is a journey on shipand and death is that ship just
goes over that horizon.
It's still there.
It's always part of you.
Death is a.
Death is a interesting thing weface in life.
(09:58):
I don't know you can preparefor it, because it's so final
and there's a lot of you.
Just there's grief that goeswith that and I can imagine.
You know we've had a coupletragedies in our family with
young folks.
It's just different.
It's always hard.
(10:19):
But when you have someone thatlives a full life and you kind
of celebrate that life, but withyounger people that life is
ahead of them, there's an addedmeasure of tragedy and just loss
and sorrow and grief.
But that was your life wasdealing with.
It was all on that front endyoung people, so much promise,
so much Well some of these youngpeople were my age.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Yeah, and here I am caring for the families, making
notifications, but realizingthey're my age.
It was quite an experience.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
How did you?
You know, you said God preparedyou for it, you had a heart for
it.
What were those conversationslike?
Speaker 2 (11:03):
As soon as you knock on the door and meet the family,
they know you drive up with acommander and a mortuary affairs
or another staff officer with acheck for them and they don't
know what to do.
They've never really done muchof that and they always say,
chaplain, help us and I wouldtake over, I would listen, they
(11:24):
would cry and I would justlisten to them and provide
comfort where I can, because atthat moment you know they're in
shock, they're hearing verylittle, but what happens is you
build their relationship there.
They come back the next day andthe day after that as they come
(11:45):
to accept what really has takenplace.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
How did you stay strong, Tom?
How did you stay where youneeded to be for others?
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Tommy, I know you're a person of faith.
Yeah, you know you stay strongby reading the scriptures.
Yeah, god speaks through theword of God.
Faith comes by hearing the wordof Christ.
I mean that's the wholebeginning point.
There I was telling DirkKempton, which you had on this
(12:18):
morning, one of the greatestbooks I ever wrote not wrote,
but I read was a book called thePeople Hope by Gary Collins.
He was a professor of mine backin my seminary and Gary says
that was a simple little book.
I said no, it was very profound.
It goes in a book he talksabout in Romans 12, 15, rejoice
(12:39):
with those who rejoice and toweep with those who weep, it's
all relational.
Rejoice and to weep with thosewho weep, it's all relational.
And so, as God has worked, myheart prepares me, I'm ready, I
have things to say to peoplewhere other people are at loss.
The scriptures speak today.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Yeah, I mean I'm just sitting here listening to you
that comfort those and stand mein comfort more than those that
mourn Right as you weep withthem and show empathy towards
them.
Is there a greater gift we cangive another on this earth than
being there during their time ofgreatest needs and being able
to comfort them?
Tom, it's like it's a big deal,I mean, I just I'm humbled to
(13:22):
be around you when I am, becauseI know your history and uh, wow
, it's powerful.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Being there when Herb Bales leaves.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Talk more about that, cause that's often the case all
the time when, um, you know, uh, in in our, our church, I was
able to serve, and there is thephenomenon that happens
immediately after death, whereeveryone comes together and
there is an outpouring of loveand compassion, and then it is
(13:58):
often the next day and the nextday when they find themselves
alone and facing the reality ofa loss.
That's when you really do thework right.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Right, if you're going to rejoice and then weep
with them, as scriptures teachus, you've got to be there.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
You know, nice words are fine, but the actions was
really important.
There's a little verse in thescriptures.
The epistle says I'll show youmy faith by my works.
We're not talking aboutsalvation, we're talking about
because of my faith.
I'll show you what I do.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
I had a mentor once.
Tell me, if you ever say, hey,just let me know if I can do
anything for you, that you oughtto just stop in your tracks and
not say that and instead dothat's right, take them a loaf
of bread, go say hello, go callthem, text them, whatever, but
(14:57):
it's not asking, hey, can I doanything for you?
Because you know what theanswer will be there, they won't
call, they won't ask, it's thedoing right.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
I had a number of chaplains work for me in my last
assignment down at Shepherd AirForce Base and one of the first
things I said is look, I don'twant to sit in your office, I
want you out there with thetroops.
I want you out there, if you'regoing to intervene, be there in
times of crisis.
They have to know you and theonly way they know you is being
(15:24):
involved with you.
And as you build a relationshipparticularly when they're going
through you know, let's say, awife or a husband that have lost
their loved one you build thatrelationship.
So the week next week, nextmonth, next year and to this day
, I hear from quite a few peoplethat I worked with in years in
(15:45):
the military because ofrelationships, and that's what's
really important in this world.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Yeah, I'm thinking as you're talking.
Other advice early on and I gotas a young man is yeah, wear
out your jeans where your kneesare from praying, but then,
almost as important to that aswell, wear out the soles of your
shoes in the service of others.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Right, I can't help but remember I was over in sign
in a base at RAF Lincoln he's inEngland and the commander was a
friend of mine and he camethrough the chapel and I just
happened to greet him in thehallway and he said Tom, you
need a new set of trousers.
(16:29):
You know, we wore the blueuniform then.
Unlike today, people wear thefatigues, the combat fatigues.
He says, oh, look at your knees.
I said yeah.
He said why are you polishedthere?
I says I'm a chaplain.
And he still didn't get it.
I says well, first thing I doin the office, I get down on my
(16:51):
knees and I pray Right.
He thought he says no, don't buynew trousers, stay on your
knees Powerful story.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
So is there anything else you can share from 24 years
of service to our country, tothe families um, in, in, in, uh,
anything?
There's a lot of folks Uh.
I think we live in a verypatriotic town.
I, I, I just I'm really proudof of the way we respect and
honor um those who serve here.
But many people haven't servedUm.
Many people may not even haveimmediate family members that
(17:34):
serve Um.
So when I get a guy like youhere that has a legacy of being
in that environment and serving,what would you want people to
know about the country and thosewho choose to serve us and put
their lives out there for us?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
It's the showing of respect.
It's the showing of respectWhether you're serving or
sharing somebody you love.
That is serving.
Respect is so important and theword respect we get the word
trust from.
We have to trust individuals inthe military, but we have to
(18:15):
respect the high calling ofwhere they are, because they are
high calling.
How many are asked to lay theirlife down?
Not many.
When you go in the military,that can be a real possibility.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Wow, talk about your move to Idaho and how you got.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Tell us a little bit more biography here 1988, when
I—I guess it was well before itwas 1996, I came back to Idaho.
I came here originally in 79,and, you know, air Force decided
to invite me to go to differentbases for a number of years.
And then, you know, air Forceto decide to invite me to go to
(19:02):
different bases for a number ofyears.
And so I came back and I wasretired from active duty at that
point and a number of us werejust meeting, you know, for
coffee.
We heard about somebody who hadsome financial problems, so we
just reached into our pocketsand helped that young soldier
out.
Well then, there was anothersoldier after that, another
soldier after that, and so itwas decided that we would
(19:24):
incorporate as a nonprofitOperation Military Blessings.
It started as New Life FamilyMinistries and we rebranded to
OMB as we know it today, andthat all started 30 years ago.
We're coming up on our thirdyear anniversary.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
Wow, 30 years.
So talk about I know we'regoing to get into this pretty
deeply, tom, but talk aboutOperation.
So, for those that are eitherwatching or following along at
home, it's Operation MilitaryBlessings with an Sorg, and this
is the organization that Tomstarted.
30-year anniversary coming up30 years ago and you know, as I
(20:09):
have become more acquainted withit, tom, what you do is truly
God's work for these families.
So I'll let you tell the story,but it's unbelievable.
We're looking right now here onyour website, but tell us a
little bit about the journey.
Speaker 2 (20:27):
Well, we started off, I have to say, helping some
young soldiers here in Idaho,and then people said what else
could we do?
Well, we can do a toy drive.
And so churches andorganizations would put the word
out bring your toys to a pickuppoint and we'd deliver them to
the Idaho Guard and MountainHome Air Force Base.
(20:49):
Now we do hundreds of thesetoys and we say buy toys that
you'd buy for your children andbe generous, give them high-end
toys, because they're sayingsomething when you reach the
children, you reach the parentsas well.
Uh, so we started doing thatand that that toy drive is 14.
(21:10):
We've been doing that for 14years for idaho guard now and
it's become a very, very big,big deal for them as well as
down in the airbase.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
And and talk about.
I mean, what blew me away asI've dug into the organization
is you do you do a lot here,locally for our troops?
A lot of talk about thestatistics, a lot of these, a
lot of these first year, secondyear enlisted soldiers are on
(21:43):
food stamps.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
One out of eight active duty military people are
on food stamps.
This is a startling statistics,but when you look at 31 to 39
percent are food insecure.
It means somebody is going tobed hungry at night.
That's usually children, or aparent gives up, and so that's
(22:09):
totally unacceptable.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
And it is so.
You start here, but but whenyou go to your website and you
start looking, this has nowbecome a national and now
international program.
That's right here, from littleidaho and tom westall starting
this thing, the, the superchaplain.
And you start this thing andnow it's everywhere it's, it's
around the world well, we had 25locations just here in the
(22:37):
United States.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
We're caring for young active-duty people in the
Army, in the Air Force, navy,the Coast Guard, the Marines.
We're in Germany the RAF Lakeand Heath.
We funded their whole programlast year when they lost their
funding.
And what does family programsdo if they can't do family
(23:00):
programs?
Well, we made family programsoperate again, took care of kids
.
There was hundreds of them.
We took care of that's Ramstonand RAF Lakey.
We did the same thing overthere.
Now we're in the Pacific withsome bases.
We're looking at taking on Guamand Hawaii, funding dependent.
It just keeps growing, but theneed's out there and we have
(23:24):
over 800 bases.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Talk a little bit about.
I've met a few folks in yourorganization.
You have quite the team.
Talk about them a little bitand how you've been able like
the little engine that couldmaking this thing happen around
the world.
Talk about that a little bit.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
We do have a great team, but more than that we're
all friends together.
We all believe what we're doing.
General Saylor is the retiredadjutant general from the Idaho
Guard.
He's our chairman of the board.
I've known him for years.
We have Dick Turner, anothergeneral that's on our board.
We have a local pastor, jimHarris, from Heritage Bible
(24:07):
Church on our board, ike Sweezy,which is a retired major, a
pilot, a 104 and 111 pilot,combat pilot.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
Then we have Chuck Winder, you know Chuck.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
Wonderful, wonderful human being, just retired
president of the Idaho Senate.
He brings a whole other elementinto our board and remember,
our board is more than thedecision-making.
They are the boots on theground, they're doing the the
work.
I feel so honored just to carefor that, we have dirk camthorne
on the board, former governor.
(24:44):
I've known dirk since he's beena mayor and so I called him up
and I said dirk, you know, I'dlike to see you come on our
board.
And he was in washington at thetime.
He said you know, tom, I don'thave a lot of time.
I I said well, I don't likemeetings, I just send emails out
and the guys run with it.
Alright.
So for a man that didn't wantto get too involved, other than
(25:09):
maybe lend his name because hisgood friend asked him to, he's
more involved than all of us.
You can't ask him to.
He's more involved than all ofus.
You can't shut him off.
We have Mike Borner fromMission 17, another great man.
We have Tom Wilford.
Ran the Albris Foundation foryears.
He's on our board.
(25:30):
We have the past president ofBlue Cross.
Now we have the currentpresident, paul Zerlo.
He's on our board.
And so we have some prettydistinguished people, you know,
respected within the community,but respected outside the
community as well.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
It's just a fantastic organization.
I want to talk about a few ofthe initiatives that you have
the National Military DisasterRelief.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
Talk a little bit about that.
Just about everybody knowsabout FEMA, but what happens on
a military base is not like whathappens in the private sector.
They don't have too many fundsfor national disasters.
Last year, with the hurricanesin North Carolina, we helped
those in the North CarolinaNational Guard that had lost.
(26:26):
And then Florida got hit twice,not once, but twice.
We had this one family thattheir home was nine feet
underwater and took them weeksliving in hotels and their
benefits was exhausted, and sowe were paying hotel bills
because they had no place tostay.
(26:47):
And we found out that this onefamily had two disabled children
.
We had to take care of them aswell, and so we got into the
disaster relief for militarymembers.
They're out there helping thecivilian community and at the
same time they've lost a lotthemselves as well.
We bought so much food lastyear.
(27:08):
People would fill theirrefrigerators up and only lose
their electric again and loseall their food, so we'd have to
help them out.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Powerful.
How about I'm going to gothrough these?
The Endowment Fund for MilitaryHealth and Wellness is another
big one.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
That is an exciting program.
That's something that I reallyput my heart into.
Most people with privateinsurance, their benefits cover
a lot of this, but for TRICAREand for a lot of benefits are
not covered for disadvantaged,disabled children.
Very specific like therapeutichelmets for kids TRICARE does
(27:52):
not pay for, nor does theprivate insurance.
Here in Idaho we do that Now.
Each helmet's a little over$1,000, and they'll go through
three helmets like that in abouta two-year period and so we try
to help them out with that.
Or if they have specialremedial education, we help them
out with grants so they can goto school.
So anybody with a disabled or adisadvantaged child, they know
(28:16):
what the needs are out there andsometimes those resources
helping them meet those needscan be tough.
We try to be there for them.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
I love it.
I haven't heard this.
I can't wait to hear the storyfrom you.
But on your website, matthew,can you scroll down Robert
Comstock.
So I went to an event, I spokeat one of your events and he was
there and so there's aninterview here with Robert
(28:48):
Comstock and he has started thisnew.
So Robert Comstock incrediblestory A Boise guy who is an
international clothing designer.
Very, very famous guy who is aninternationally recognized
designer.
But he's part of the programnow and he has this line of
(29:10):
clothing.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
You tell the story but I can't wait to see how this
plays out.
I think it was two years ago.
He was invited to come to thefundraiser.
I didn't know anything aboutRobert Comstock.
I didn't know anything.
I had heard about his clothingsales, but I didn't know
anything about him.
(29:40):
And so he comes that evening andhe's a pretty commanding
individual.
He has a head of hair that Ihad when I was 17 years old.
He's a handsome guy, tom, andhe sat there and I get a call in
the morning.
It's seven o'clock in themorning by Dirk Kempthorne.
He says Robert just called meand at four o'clock in the
morning he wants to get together, he wants to be able to help
(30:01):
out.
I said when do you want to meetNow?
So, all right, let's go.
So we met at a restaurant and hesays I really want to do
something for these youngsoldiers and these airmen, these
Marines, to come up with theclothing line.
And so I said well, let's takea look and see whether we can
(30:23):
put this product line in ourexchanges.
Now he spent one whole yearwith his whole staff filling out
, completing the applicationprocess, going through the
things that are sometimes prettyannoying, but you got to get
(30:45):
through that.
Now we are approved to sellthis clothing line in the United
States to all Army and AirForce exchanges and those
profits that come from there, avery large percentage of them,
are going to stay at that base.
And so let's say Mississippi,we come up with so many
(31:08):
thousands of dollars in profitthat will stay in family
programs at that base in ourstructured program under the
banner of Operation MilitaryBlessings.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
And to see the clothing he's designed.
It's also very cool andfashionable.
So the idea is that he designedall this for the military bases
.
It gets sold there, the dollarsstay there.
It's genius.
I think it's going to be alsopopular everywhere because of
who he is and what he's designedand how it's going to go.
(31:39):
It's just an incredible story.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
Well, he's been talking to CEOs from Dillard's
and some of the otherorganizations, and they all want
to be a part of this.
This is just beginning now.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
What an incredible thing.
So people that want to knowmore information about that,
that will be released this year,right, I think yes, later this
year, where you can go on andbuy this clothing especially
designed by him for OperationMilitary Blessings.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
And it's a quality clothing.
Yeah, it's quality.
We're selling a bomber jacket,I think for $245, which is New
Zealand leather.
Yeah, it's just beautiful.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
I want one as soon as I can.
I'm going to wear my OMB bomberjacket, designed by Robert
Comstock.
I'll get you one.
I can't wait.
I can't wait.
That's great.
And then the next one on mylist here to talk.
Well, first of all listen.
How old do you know?
Speaker 2 (32:32):
I'll be 80 in January 80 in January.
Speaker 1 (32:37):
You have the energy of a 25-year old and you do all
this stuff.
I'm sitting here going throughall these programs.
Are you ever?
Do you ever sit back, tom andgo?
Are you ever in awe of whatyou've done and create?
I mean, I'm going through thelist of programs and this was
all ideas and you and yourpassion and your leadership it's
unbelievable, buddy.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
Well, I do sit back and I reflect, but I realize
this is something that God'sdone.
Yeah, I am not that smart, I amnot that talented, but God has
it all together.
But I'd be a willing tool andI've sat back many times and see
the hand of God doing thingsthat I don't see initially.
(33:21):
I see it come about.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Yeah, yeah.
Just listening to the humilityand the deflection of what man
does to God and giving propercredit where it's due, you're a
pretty incredible guy.
All right, next one OperationBabies, bottles and Diapers, one
(33:48):
that I was able to just help ina teeny bit with.
So tell us the problem and thenwhat we're trying to do to fix
this.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
One of our basic programs is to give these
commissary and visa gift cards,food cards, albertsons or WinCo
to these people in need.
Then we found out we give thema $100 gift card that a bag of
(34:15):
diapers's like $53.
Formula $50.
Baby wipes $35.
So more than half of theintended caring for food is
taken for children.
Well, that's not acceptable.
So we came up with what'scalled Operation Babies, Bibles
(34:37):
and Diapers, where we collectthese items and we want to
guarantee a year's supply calledOperation Babies, bibles and
Diapers, where we collect theseitems and we want to guarantee a
year's supply of these items,not only here at Gowen and all
the locations of the IdahoNational Guard, but at Mountain
Home Air Force Base as well.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
So this is a way for and so for anyone listening
today, again, there'sinformation on the website, but
you can make a donation directlyto the program.
I totally forgot one thing Earlyon, when I was young and
probably a little naive and justwanted to make a difference.
I got involved in a lot oforganizations and they were
(35:16):
great organizations.
Don't get me wrong.
I'm not going to call any ofthem out, because some of them
were national organizations withvery, very good people.
And it wasn't until I got onthe boards and kind of dug into
the finances and I'd say now,how many of these dollars stay
here was a question you'd ask.
So because we're raising moneyfrom you know, and there's
(35:37):
nothing wrong with nationalorganizations either, we need to
do both, but it's always nicewhen the dollars we spend or
donate stay in the community,where we're really affecting the
families and our neighborsaround us.
And then the second thing isyou look at administrative
overhead, right, and I won'tmention the organization I was
involved in, but one day I sawthe finances.
(35:59):
I'm like, well, wait a minute,we have to get a mountain of
donations every year just tocover our staff.
Talk a little bit about yourorganization and how much.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
Every dollar that is raised in Idaho stays in Idaho.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (36:21):
There is no exception , 100%.
If a corporation says we havethis and it in any place of need
in the nation or the world,then it goes into the general
fund.
We don't pay any salaries.
This is the part that— Nobodyon the board gets anything.
I don't get paid.
I live on my militaryretirement and my social
(36:46):
security and that's enough.
I've lived a certain lifestyleand I'm not going to change that
because I'm very comfortablewhere I am.
But it was brought up a coupleof years ago by General Saylor.
I said we need to start payingyou and I said I won't accept it
and I said if you keep that up,I'm going to resign.
Speaker 1 (37:07):
So again for listeners that are considering
where to put their donations100% here and no overhead.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
It's crazy 100% here and no overhead, and it's all
tax deductible.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
Anyway, or we have here at our office by Topgolf,
fifth floor.
We have a place you can drop itoff and we'll get it right out
there.
So we did want to give a shout.
That's a new program.
You've started Operation Babies, bottles and Diapers and it's
really helping the youngfamilies with their daily needs.
A couple of other thingsholiday giving you have the
(37:48):
Holiday Assistance Program.
Talk a little bit about thatone, and I don't know a lot
about that one.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
Well, when we started collecting toys, we found out
that the need really was prettygreat out there, because when
things happen financially, youknow you had to budget
everything and sometimesChristmas is kind of thin at
Thanksgiving.
There was a year in which theneed was great and we helped and
(38:20):
this one mother and wife saidwe wouldn't have had a Christmas
without OMB.
Not only the toys, the children, but we give them a full meal
for Christmas.
There's a 25-pound turkey inthere, there's milk in there,
there's potatoes, there'sbutters, there's vegetables.
There's a 25-pound turkey inthere, there's milk in there,
(38:40):
there's potatoes, there'sbutters, there's vegetables,
there's everything.
Speaker 1 (38:45):
Wow.
Well, our time has gone.
I want to give you a chancehere at the end to say a few
things, but I knew this would gofast Again, tom, since the day
(39:08):
I met you, I don't know that onecan fully appreciate in an hour
on a podcast what you do everyday.
You've got so much energy andagain when you get here, it's
like a celebrities in the office, cause you're just, you're a
ball of of goodness.
Um and um, I want, I want to getthe word out for this
organization in the Valleybecause, um, I'm very proud of
(39:30):
what you've done as a Idaho uhorganization around the world
and the impact you're making, um, and I think that, uh, there's
a lot of good people out therethat that can give and help you
(39:50):
out.
Um, but but to give you kind ofthe final word here, um, what
is, what does this all mean toyou?
And you know you're anincredible guy.
You've you've lived your lifeserving others and serving God
and letting him take your heartand your talents and your mind
and put it to his use.
What advice or wisdom could youimpart to those listening today
?
Speaker 2 (40:14):
Be a people helper.
We're in a society that'spretty angry and we need to tell
them about hope.
We need to tell them about wecare.
There are individuals thataren't angry, that want to come
alongside and help you with aparticular burden.
To be there, yeah, to be there.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
It christian love right.
It's modeling the savior rightthat's right it's, uh, it's.
It gets down to that.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
It's kindness, it's love, it's charity well, you
know, the adage is charity isone thing.
We want to give you a helpinghand up.
Yeah, that's what we do andit's structured to the military
the very junior grades E1through E4, that are on welfare,
that are going to food banksand things.
(41:09):
We're helping them meet thoseneeds where they can serve with
dignity.
Can you imagine going to combatknowing that your family's on
food stamps or had to go on thefood?
That's unacceptable.
We make that difference.
And how about our listeners whoare speaking to today make a
difference?
Go on to our website, operationmilitary blessings, that's with
(41:32):
an sorg, and there's a sitewhere you can go to and pay
online and and remember you candesignate that money to stay
right here in Idaho or, if youwanted to go around the world,
say so.
Speaker 1 (41:48):
That's amazing.
I want to thank you for whatyou do.
One more quick story, because Ican only imagine the impact
you've had on thousands ofpeople in your lifetime.
But after I gave that talk lastyear, you, you gave me a
present at the end of it and itwas a was a bible, and you said
I don't know how many of thoseyou've given away.
(42:09):
But you said I don't know ifit's hundreds or thousands
you've like I've given awaywe've given away 5500 of those
Bibles.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
These are $39 Bibles.
I mean it's the best MacArthurstudy Bible, the best study
Bible that's ever been done.
This year our goal is to giveaway $7,000.
Now that's a sisterorganization.
Now OMB is caring for the needsof the soldiers, airmen,
(42:41):
marines.
Then we have a sisterorganization that's completely
funded by itself calledOperation New Life.
We give away these Bibles tothe military.
All the military academies gethundreds of these Bibles every
year from us, the GeneralOfficer Corps.
They get a nice inscribed Biblewith their name on it.
The General Officer Corps.
They get a nice inscribed Biblewith a name on it.
(43:01):
We sent one to our Secretary ofDefense the.
President, former President aswell, special, you know, I was
in Special Operations for a longtime.
Part of the Rapid DeploymentForce.
Fort Bragg gets all our Biblesfrom us.
Fort Benning has receivedBibles from us.
That's the Airborne Training.
They want 3,500 Bibles from us.
Fort Benning has receivedBibles from us.
That's the Airborne Training.
(43:22):
They want 3,500 Bibles.
They have a young chaplainwho's so excited what he's doing
.
He said I'll give a Bible toeverybody who comes to my chapel
.
I said, how much is that?
We have 3,500 on the Sunday.
Speaker 1 (43:34):
It's an incredible.
It's a study Bible.
It is so I'm reading it rightnow.
It's incredible.
It's a study Bible.
It is so I'm reading it rightnow.
It's the Bible that your unclewas so involved with the Office
of Christian Fellowship.
Yeah, so my uncle, daryl Farmer, longtime Air Force pilot, was
very involved in this and youmade that connection when I
talked about him giving my talk.
(43:55):
But anyway, it's near and dearto my heart.
Thank you, and it's been anhonor having you on here.
And, uh, it's been an honorgetting to know you.
Um, you're one of my heroes.
Um, it's been my honor.
Yeah, you're the best.
You're the best of the best,and I would encourage anyone
listening to look up operationmilitary blessings with an Sorg
(44:19):
and check out Tom.
Give him a call, get yourorganization involved.
100% of those dollars.
Stay here with Idaho Families.
You are an unbelievable guy.
Thank you for your inspiration,your leadership.
You're a pillar of thiscommunity and it's an honor
having you on today.
Speaker 2 (44:36):
Thank you for inviting me.
Speaker 1 (44:37):
Tommy, Thanks everybody.
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