October 16, 2024 • 9 mins
"The greatest Miss America in the history of our republic" Heather French Henry discusses why veterans issues are so important to her, the upcoming Kilroy Military Vehicle Show And Swap Meet, and the impact of honor flights on various segments of veterans...
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ladies and gentlemen. The greatest Miss America in the history
of our Republic is in the studio again, Heather Frinch Henry.
Always great to see.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
You, Miners. You know you're my favorite human ever.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
I've told you this before. But your photo is allowed
to be in our clause that my wife does not
complain because we have a whole gallery of like family photos,
and then there's one of the two of us.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
There's one of me.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Yes, that's right. My wife says, Oh, I love her,
that's fine.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Oh she's pretty great herself.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Yeah, she is pretty great. Mary's doing great right now.
I don't know what the heck's up, pickleball or something.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's Wednesday, Wednesday, pickleball is at the new thing.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Are you a pick a ball person?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I'm not.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
I'm a tennis player by heart, so I'm not sure
I've made that transition.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
That might be a little tough for me.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
I hate to see those tennis courts that have been
shrunk down, but they're everywhere.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
They are everywhere.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Businesses are opening and they're they're opening those pickleball courts
there were, so I guess people feel.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Like this, yeah a lot when they're playing ros it's
crazy more more ever, so than I did playing tennis,
So I don't know.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Well tennis is so that's crueling.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
It is that lateral movement. But you know, activities activity,
I guess you know. I take more walks these days
through Cherokee Park than I play tennis.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
So that's all good. Yeah, sure, you're still Miss America,
still the greatest Miss America of all time.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Minors, you just you make my head get larger and larger.
I do have to go home and probably cook dinner
this evening. I don't know what you're doing.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
You're a public servant, but you're beloved in the Commonwealth.
You do great work for us because of your love
and respect for military veterans through your father's service.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
That's right, he's a marine. I almost said former marine.
You know, once a marine, always a marine, so there's
no such thing as former. But yes, you know that
was My platform is Miss America, and it has just
become my life's passion, you know, of and beyond a title.
Always being the daughter of a veteran is very important,
but it's more so now you think about what are
you going to do for the next generations of kids
(02:01):
growing up? How are you going to represent those veterans
to them, because you know, George Washington once said, the
willingness of future generations to serve will be directly dependent
on how we treat those who have already served. So
when we talk about holding events or memorials or you know,
concerts whatever that are honoring veterans, it's very important more
so for young kids to see that. And so out
(02:23):
the Bullet County fair Grounds this weekend there's going to
be this wonderful that's the third annual Kilroy Military Vehicle
Show and Swap Meet. And what's really great about this
is you can bring the family out there. There's all
types of historic vehicles that are military. The Kilroy Chapter
of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association is putting this on.
(02:44):
There's a Huey helicopter, there are tank rides that they
can do, and it's really about seeing that living history,
much like I do at the fair grounds with the
Military Educational Display.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yes, and then.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
I actually just did a military display in the Capitol
for or the Commission on Military Fears, which I sit on.
So these types of events are really great to show
people the history, but to also make it accessible. So
we want to honor veterans but also make that history
accessible to children as well.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
It's Friday and Saturday, the third annual kill Roy And
by the way, Kilroy is a character from World War Two.
It's a caricature of a guy looking over a fence.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Right, it was, yes, and you see that on the
side of playing World War Two plaips yes. And in fact,
when you come out to our educational display the State
Fair each year, you'll see little insignias throughout the display
that have Kilroy was here.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Yeah, exactly right. That was a thing in the nineteen forties.
I'm so glad that they latched onto that title. That's
just brilliant.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
It really is brilliant and these guys do an outstanding job.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
They're also going to have our Huie.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
So we actually funded getting a Huey to the State
Fair this year and it's going to be refurbished throughout
the year so people can go out there and actually
not only see a hue that's going to be flying,
because there's a great from Indiana that comes in and
you can take trips on that during the day, but
you're going to be able to see a really vintage
antique Huey that has been sort of pieced together. We
(04:10):
call that sort of Frankenstein together. And then hopefully next
year the State Fair, through some of the generous donations
we've been getting at different shows, we'll have that fully
refurbished with the blades and the rotors on it. And
again it's about bringing history to life. So veterans get
in free at everybody else it's five dollars per day,
but also veterans World War Two and Korean veterans get
(04:31):
a chance to fly in the Hui for free as well.
So I know we don't have a lot of World
War Two veterans out there. I was just on an
honor flight. We had three actually on that flight, fifteen
Korean veterans and about sixty eight Vietnam veterans. So we're
starting to see that large transition into the Vietnam era.
You know, men and women taking over is.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
An amazing when you're there with those veterans in DC
and they're at those memorials and you just kind of
look into their eyes and see that they're they don't
want praise, but what they went through to save America.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
It is interesting the stories, the stories they share. Although
it's different for each one of the war. So like
the World War Two guys, they told a lot of
funny stories. I heard more about the Red Light district
in the Philippines, I think I wanted to hear. And
they also when you go to kiss them on the cheek,
they're also the guys are going to turn their head
and all of a sudden.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
You try to get one on the list.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Absolutely they will. And the Korean War veterans are kind
of the same. The Vietnam veterans not so much. That's
where you get into a lot of emotional stories because
of the wall. And I just had the chance to
be a guardian for a Vietnam veteran on this last
honor flight and you go to the wall, you find
the names that they want on the wall.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
You get a chance to.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Hear the stories and listen to them. That's the important
thing about when you thank a veteran for their service.
When you see a veteran, you know, shake their hand,
thank them, But if they have stories to share, listen
exactly right.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
That was my experience on the honor flight. Is the
Vietnam Memorial guys, it was so somber for a lot
of them because they remembered buddies that were whose names
were on that wall, and they remembered the moments with
them laughing, carrying. On. Next thing you know, they're gone,
their buddy's gone, and here they are back, so many
decades later, looking for their name, and it's overpowering.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Well, and we're still living with those ripple effects, right
because you have so many families, you know, like me,
where you've got children who still remember the scars that
their parents came home with and some of those are
still dealing with a lot of PTSD and agent orange exposure,
I mean, the health issues that are just kind of
run rampant. And of course now we're seeing are nine
to eleven post nine to eleven vets as well taking
(06:43):
in some of the leadership roles, which I love to
see a lot of those younger veterans generations coming up
and now they're stepping into their place because when I
was miss America, there was a void. There really wasn't
that national movement because you were in between.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Sort of conflicts with the first goal for but people.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Start to stigma around Vietnam, and so to have somebody
stand up and kind of shout from the rooftops about
things that needed to be done, and then nine to
eleven happens. And now that generation has gotten out of
the military, now they're entrenched in our society. I just
love seeing them take the leadership roles that they deserve.
And so again that's why when you think about having
(07:23):
military displays, military events, military ceremonies, I mean, I just
didn't want for Texas Roadhouse for Founder's Day and they
were able to give a home to a veteran and
it was called Homes for Troops. And I just love
the fact that we've got so many more resources today,
so much more outpouring and patriotism. But I just want
people to know that, no matter how many resources we've
(07:45):
got and how many things we do, every day is
a day to say thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Bullet County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday, nine am to six pm.
And like Heather mentioned, the Huey helicopter rides could be
there so you could work your way into one of
those things.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Are going to tank ry too, Oh yeah, right, in
a tank cool? That is really cool? Makes it great?
That might make a great Christmas card.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
What do you think, minors, we should get you out
there in a tank in a tank just parading around.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
That should be your vehicle.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
I've done a Hueiye ride before. They're fantastic. Sound of that.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
What's iconic for Vietnam right when you think of the
Vietnam more, you think a fortunate son and you think
of the sound of a Huey helicopters.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Yeah. Indeed, it's the third annual Kilroy Military Vehicle Show
and swap me Friday Saturday, Bullet County fair Grounds. Veterans
in free of course, and five dollars for everybody else
each day. Heather and is great. See how your daughters.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Daughters are great, they're twenty one and twenty three. It
is so crazy.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
It is nuts.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
One that's going into the area of law and one's
going into the area of medicine. So a doctor or
a lawyer, I cannot complain, No, you can at all.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
And I remember you winning Miss America as the first
eight months pregnant winter and I, oh wait they were
re born a few years after.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
That might have been a thing that might be in
Miss America. I think that's still a rule. You can't
really do that, but thank you for bringing that up.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
And doctor Steve's doing well.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
He's doing great, still fighting the good fight of faith
for the Floyd's four Initiative, trying to keep development out
of the floodplain, which is an ongoing issue here. I
know it is for some crazy reason we are trending
backwards on that issue.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
I know, I know you guys have worked hard on that,
but that's important and it yeah, reservation work for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Thanks for dropping by Heather French Henry. Miss America the
greatest Miss America in the history of our republic. I
just want to make sure that you understand that and
don't miss this thirty annual Kilroy Military Vehicle Show Swap Meet.
It is Friday and Saturday at the Bullet County Fairgrounds.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
You're the best, Oh you are and I can't wait
for my Miss America's sisters to hear that.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
The greatest Miss Amara.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
That's right. I'd play that. I'd make that your ring
tone on your fad.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
I should Miners. You know I love you, love you more.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
We're coming right back on news radio. Wait forty whas
Ladies and gentlemen. The greatest Miss America in the history
of our Republic is in the studio again, Heather Frinch Henry.
Always great to see.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
You, Miners. You know you're my favorite human ever.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
I've told you this before. But your photo is allowed
to be in our clause that my wife does not
complain because we have a whole gallery of like family photos,
and then there's one of the two of us.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
There's one of me.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Yes, that's right. My wife says, Oh, I love her,
that's fine.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Oh she's pretty great herself.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Yeah, she is pretty great. Mary's doing great right now.
I don't know what the heck's up, pickleball or something.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It's Wednesday, Wednesday, pickleball is at the new thing.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Are you a pick a ball person?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I'm not.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
I'm a tennis player by heart, so I'm not sure
I've made that transition.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
That might be a little tough for me.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
I hate to see those tennis courts that have been
shrunk down, but they're everywhere.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
They are everywhere.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Businesses are opening and they're they're opening those pickleball courts
there were, so I guess people feel.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Like this, yeah a lot when they're playing ros it's
crazy more more ever, so than I did playing tennis,
So I don't know.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Well tennis is so that's crueling.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
It is that lateral movement. But you know, activities activity,
I guess you know. I take more walks these days
through Cherokee Park than I play tennis.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
So that's all good. Yeah, sure, you're still Miss America,
still the greatest Miss America of all time.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Minors, you just you make my head get larger and larger.
I do have to go home and probably cook dinner
this evening. I don't know what you're doing.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
You're a public servant, but you're beloved in the Commonwealth.
You do great work for us because of your love
and respect for military veterans through your father's service.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
That's right, he's a marine. I almost said former marine.
You know, once a marine, always a marine, so there's
no such thing as former. But yes, you know that
was My platform is Miss America, and it has just
become my life's passion, you know, of and beyond a title.
Always being the daughter of a veteran is very important,
but it's more so now you think about what are
you going to do for the next generations of kids
(02:01):
growing up? How are you going to represent those veterans
to them, because you know, George Washington once said, the
willingness of future generations to serve will be directly dependent
on how we treat those who have already served. So
when we talk about holding events or memorials or you know,
concerts whatever that are honoring veterans, it's very important more
so for young kids to see that. And so out
(02:23):
the Bullet County fair Grounds this weekend there's going to
be this wonderful that's the third annual Kilroy Military Vehicle
Show and Swap Meet. And what's really great about this
is you can bring the family out there. There's all
types of historic vehicles that are military. The Kilroy Chapter
of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association is putting this on.
(02:44):
There's a Huey helicopter, there are tank rides that they
can do, and it's really about seeing that living history,
much like I do at the fair grounds with the
Military Educational Display.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yes, and then.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
I actually just did a military display in the Capitol
for or the Commission on Military Fears, which I sit on.
So these types of events are really great to show
people the history, but to also make it accessible. So
we want to honor veterans but also make that history
accessible to children as well.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
It's Friday and Saturday, the third annual kill Roy And
by the way, Kilroy is a character from World War Two.
It's a caricature of a guy looking over a fence.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Right, it was, yes, and you see that on the
side of playing World War Two plaips yes. And in fact,
when you come out to our educational display the State
Fair each year, you'll see little insignias throughout the display
that have Kilroy was here.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Yeah, exactly right. That was a thing in the nineteen forties.
I'm so glad that they latched onto that title. That's
just brilliant.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
It really is brilliant and these guys do an outstanding job.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
They're also going to have our Huie.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
So we actually funded getting a Huey to the State
Fair this year and it's going to be refurbished throughout
the year so people can go out there and actually
not only see a hue that's going to be flying,
because there's a great from Indiana that comes in and
you can take trips on that during the day, but
you're going to be able to see a really vintage
antique Huey that has been sort of pieced together. We
(04:10):
call that sort of Frankenstein together. And then hopefully next
year the State Fair, through some of the generous donations
we've been getting at different shows, we'll have that fully
refurbished with the blades and the rotors on it. And
again it's about bringing history to life. So veterans get
in free at everybody else it's five dollars per day,
but also veterans World War Two and Korean veterans get
(04:31):
a chance to fly in the Hui for free as well.
So I know we don't have a lot of World
War Two veterans out there. I was just on an
honor flight. We had three actually on that flight, fifteen
Korean veterans and about sixty eight Vietnam veterans. So we're
starting to see that large transition into the Vietnam era.
You know, men and women taking over is.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
An amazing when you're there with those veterans in DC
and they're at those memorials and you just kind of
look into their eyes and see that they're they don't
want praise, but what they went through to save America.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
It is interesting the stories, the stories they share. Although
it's different for each one of the war. So like
the World War Two guys, they told a lot of
funny stories. I heard more about the Red Light district
in the Philippines, I think I wanted to hear. And
they also when you go to kiss them on the cheek,
they're also the guys are going to turn their head
and all of a sudden.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
You try to get one on the list.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Absolutely they will. And the Korean War veterans are kind
of the same. The Vietnam veterans not so much. That's
where you get into a lot of emotional stories because
of the wall. And I just had the chance to
be a guardian for a Vietnam veteran on this last
honor flight and you go to the wall, you find
the names that they want on the wall.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
You get a chance to.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Hear the stories and listen to them. That's the important
thing about when you thank a veteran for their service.
When you see a veteran, you know, shake their hand,
thank them, But if they have stories to share, listen
exactly right.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
That was my experience on the honor flight. Is the
Vietnam Memorial guys, it was so somber for a lot
of them because they remembered buddies that were whose names
were on that wall, and they remembered the moments with
them laughing, carrying. On. Next thing you know, they're gone,
their buddy's gone, and here they are back, so many
decades later, looking for their name, and it's overpowering.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Well, and we're still living with those ripple effects, right
because you have so many families, you know, like me,
where you've got children who still remember the scars that
their parents came home with and some of those are
still dealing with a lot of PTSD and agent orange exposure,
I mean, the health issues that are just kind of
run rampant. And of course now we're seeing are nine
to eleven post nine to eleven vets as well taking
(06:43):
in some of the leadership roles, which I love to
see a lot of those younger veterans generations coming up
and now they're stepping into their place because when I
was miss America, there was a void. There really wasn't
that national movement because you were in between.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Sort of conflicts with the first goal for but people.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Start to stigma around Vietnam, and so to have somebody
stand up and kind of shout from the rooftops about
things that needed to be done, and then nine to
eleven happens. And now that generation has gotten out of
the military, now they're entrenched in our society. I just
love seeing them take the leadership roles that they deserve.
And so again that's why when you think about having
(07:23):
military displays, military events, military ceremonies, I mean, I just
didn't want for Texas Roadhouse for Founder's Day and they
were able to give a home to a veteran and
it was called Homes for Troops. And I just love
the fact that we've got so many more resources today,
so much more outpouring and patriotism. But I just want
people to know that, no matter how many resources we've
(07:45):
got and how many things we do, every day is
a day to say thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Bullet County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday, nine am to six pm.
And like Heather mentioned, the Huey helicopter rides could be
there so you could work your way into one of
those things.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Are going to tank ry too, Oh yeah, right, in
a tank cool? That is really cool? Makes it great?
That might make a great Christmas card.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
What do you think, minors, we should get you out
there in a tank in a tank just parading around.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
That should be your vehicle.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
I've done a Hueiye ride before. They're fantastic. Sound of that.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
What's iconic for Vietnam right when you think of the
Vietnam more, you think a fortunate son and you think
of the sound of a Huey helicopters.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Yeah. Indeed, it's the third annual Kilroy Military Vehicle Show
and swap me Friday Saturday, Bullet County fair Grounds. Veterans
in free of course, and five dollars for everybody else
each day. Heather and is great. See how your daughters.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Daughters are great, they're twenty one and twenty three. It
is so crazy.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
It is nuts.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
One that's going into the area of law and one's
going into the area of medicine. So a doctor or
a lawyer, I cannot complain, No, you can at all.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
And I remember you winning Miss America as the first
eight months pregnant winter and I, oh wait they were
re born a few years after.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
That might have been a thing that might be in
Miss America. I think that's still a rule. You can't
really do that, but thank you for bringing that up.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
And doctor Steve's doing well.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
He's doing great, still fighting the good fight of faith
for the Floyd's four Initiative, trying to keep development out
of the floodplain, which is an ongoing issue here. I
know it is for some crazy reason we are trending
backwards on that issue.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
I know, I know you guys have worked hard on that,
but that's important and it yeah, reservation work for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Thanks for dropping by Heather French Henry. Miss America the
greatest Miss America in the history of our republic. I
just want to make sure that you understand that and
don't miss this thirty annual Kilroy Military Vehicle Show Swap Meet.
It is Friday and Saturday at the Bullet County Fairgrounds.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
You're the best, Oh you are and I can't wait
for my Miss America's sisters to hear that.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
The greatest Miss Amara.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
That's right. I'd play that. I'd make that your ring
tone on your fad.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
I should Miners. You know I love you, love you more.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
We're coming right back on news radio. Wait forty whas
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!