December 19, 2025 • 13 mins
It is the final day of The Show's Military Christmas Bonus. Every year we like to give back to our military and hook them up with a huge prize pack to make their holidays just a little bit better
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
So this is always kind of like a bittersweet moment
for us. You know, it's been an incredible week hearing
some of these stories for our military Christmas Bonus and
their families, and you know, obviously they're very happy winning
the Military Christmas Bonus and we're thrilled to be able
to help them out for the holidays. But it's very
sweet because it's the last one. I would love to
be able to give everybody that writes in everything, I mean, honestly,
(00:23):
anything that you want, I wish I could help, but
you know, we have to choose five, and it's it
is a tough call. But you know, hopefully if you've
written us, and you know you're listening to us right now,
hopefully you've had it and you know, I know you've
had a tough time, but hopefully you have a great
holiday season and we wish nothing but the best for you.
And again, we wish we could help everybody, but it's
kind of the way it goes. So this final one
(00:46):
is a wild story. We're very well aware of it,
and you actually may be well aware of it because
it was a pretty big news story earlier in the year.
And I'm so glad that they've written us because we're
well aware of it, because it literally happened down the
street from us. Let's talk to William right now. William
(01:08):
is a neighbor of the person that this happened to.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
How's it going, William, Hey, good morning.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Good morning, William. I'm really really glad you reached out
because we obviously are well aware of this story and
well aware of your guys' situation because it happened down
the street. Our radio station is right here, you know,
in Karnie, Mesa, and this whole crazy situation happened down
the street. I remember that morning very vividly, very well.
(01:35):
We all do, because we were obviously talking about it
and it was a massive news story. So William, why
don't you explain to everybody what exactly is going on
and what happened.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Yeah, so back in May, a private plane was landing
here at the airfield right after the fifteen work clothom
used to be. I can't remember the name of the airfield,
but like three point thirty in the morning, crash landed
into Murphy Canyon Military housing and like it had a
(02:09):
light fixture and sheer off a wing and went between
a couple of buildings and set a bunch of stuff
on fires.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Yeah, I mean it was It was a crazy story,
crazy situation. Yeah, it hit a house and you know,
obviously jet fuel you get into that and you know
it caught on fire. They were evacuating the whole neighborhood
because you know, jet fuel, it was toxic.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Oh, I was so wild.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Like I was driving in. I saw the big glow
when it crashs because we're right on the other side
of the fifteen from you, right on the on the
west side of it. And then you just heard siren
after siren after siren, And I mean it went on
for days in that neighborhood because, like Eddie said, with
the jet fuel, it was so tragic.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Well, it turns out, you know that's military housing. Yeah,
over there. So William, tell us a little bit about
your neighbor.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Uh yeah, my neighbor Ben and Strojan and McCarty. He's
in the Navy like I am. His house was that
that corner unit that had the big hole in it
you can see from all the all the pictures. My
house was the one directly next to his, and and
(03:24):
so yeah, when the when the plane came in his
his unit was pretty much completely destroyed. The Luckily the
dogs they had them in the bedroom that night because
that that corner of the building was their living room,
so there was no one sleeping there and they had
(03:44):
the dogs in the bedroom that night, and so no
one on the ground was hurt. But yeah, you know, Ben,
Ben's a pretty awesome dude. He and his wife were
you know, super supportive, you know, even of my family
during their struggle because I was deployed when all this happened. Ye,
(04:04):
scary man.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Yeah, so my my wife and kids, we were at
home in bed when it happened, and despite everything going on,
you know, they were reaching out to my wife, you know,
saying like asking what she needed.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
And they lost their house.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, they lost their house exactly. And so yeah, he's
just he's been a really solid dude and a great
neighbor and a good friend.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
That's awesome. Well, let's let's talk to him. Ben is
on the line with us right now. Let's talk to
Ben this morning. How you doing, Ben, Good morning, man. Yeah,
we are obviously are well aware of your story. It
literally happened a couple of miles away from us, So
that morning was was insanity and I can't even imagine
what you guys were going through because you have kids,
(04:52):
don't you.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
Yes, yes, we have two boys. There were two and
four at the time.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Oh my god, Now talk me through that morning. What
what exactly did you hear and see and what exactly happened?
Speaker 5 (05:06):
I woke up to my wife, she like sat up
in bed, she screamed. I ran out of the living room,
looked around. I saw a big hole in my living room,
and then there was smoke and fire everywhere, and I
was very confused. We ran, We grabbed the boys and
(05:28):
went and got the dogs, and we had we had
to head out the back because the front of the
house was gone fire. Yeah, and then we got to
the back and we couldn't get out the back gate
because the gate exit was towards the fraud and off
the back, so we actually ended up in a Will's backyard.
We had to open the continuing gate and we got
into Will's backyard and uh, we tried.
Speaker 6 (05:49):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (05:50):
We were banging on their screen door trying to make
sure that they were out of their house. And then
someone had to get a ladder and get us, me
and the kids and the two dogs out of the
My life over the fence and down the street. I
didn't really know where it happened as far as it
being a plane or anything. This is about four forty
five in the morning. I didn't find out until about
(06:10):
six am that my house had even actually been hit.
I was really confused trying to find my car. I
was like, I know, I parked my car there at
the corner.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Where did it go?
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Man, what's going on?
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Yeah, because the jack hit your car and pushed it
all the way into your house, right something like that.
Speaker 5 (06:27):
Yeah, the white truck that was in the front, it
was parked on the corner, and I knew I'd parked
it there, And I was like, I wonder if they
towed it out of the way to get ah to
get to the fire.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
See dude, Wow, yeah, Ben, that is unbelievable. So I
gotta imagine you probably lost quite a bit of stuff
in that fire and in the crash, right, Yeah.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
I mean we it definitely was a pretty like a
start over point for sure. I mean, there wasn't a
whole lot. We could say, a tub or two we
were able.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
To get out.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
The garage wasn't so damaged. Tools didn't melt, so we
were able to save those, but there was a few
things unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
That's good obviously. That's the most important thing is you know,
you and your family and dogs are all safe, and
you know it's it's still tough. I mean, that's that's
an unbelievable thing to have to go through, and you know,
we're devastating obviously, and of course typical military guy downplaying it.
I've seen photos well, and then also him worried about
(07:21):
other people going over the neighborhood, you know, going over
Will's house. I mean, just crazy stuff. So Ben, I'd
like to let you know that you know, I go know,
this isn't going to replace everything, but you are the
winner of today's Military Christmas Bonus, and you did win
a lot, so hopefully this helps out with the kids
in the holidays a little bit from what you guys
went through. This is all that you won. I'm gonna
(07:42):
name everything that you've won here, and it's a lot.
You got a two hundred dollars OG's Pizza and Brew
House gift card, a four pack of San Diego Goals tickets,
a two hundred dollars gift card from Sadano Auto Group,
a gift card at Windmill Farms, a hundred dollars Sombrero's
Mexican Food gift card, a one hundred dollars gift card
from AIS Insurance, a four pack of San Diego Seals tickets,
(08:03):
a four pack of SeaWorld San Diego tickets, a four
pack of Lego Land California tickets, a four pack of
Disney on Ice tickets, a three hundred dollars gift card
at Minor Key Carcare and Oceanside and Escondido, A gift
card at ocean Side Gymnastics, one hundred dollars Curbside Eatery
and Drinkery gift card, family Portraits at Cosma Studios, gift
(08:24):
card from Nothing but Cakes and Mission Valley, one hundred
dollars Amazon gift card from Grey Coca and Family, a
two hundred dollars visa gift card from p One Ryan Lewis,
and a pair of Padres tickets to a military Sunday game.
You've won all of that, Wow, I know it's a lot.
That's a lot, Ben, Like I said, Man, Yeah, you
(08:47):
guys went through a lot, man, and obviously we appreciate
you and your sacrifice and you're serving our country. So
hopefully that helps out just a little bit this holiday season.
Speaker 5 (08:56):
Okay, yeah, thank you. That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Thank you guys, absolutely will yeah, thanks thanks for letting
us know. Will we appreciate you too.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Man and my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
There you go, there you go. That was a very
very cool way to end our military Christmas ponency here
and openly everybody who served as a very merry Christmas.
Speaker 6 (09:23):
Because the night before Christmas he lived all alone in
a one bedroom house made of plaster stone. I had
come down the chimney with presents to give to see
just who in this dwelling did live. I looked all around,
(09:43):
strange sight to see no tensil, no presence, not even
a tree, no stockings on the matle, just boots filled
with sand. When the wall hung pictures of far to lands,
medals and badges wards of every kind, A sobering thought
(10:10):
came alive in my mind. This house was different. It
was dark, it was dreary. I had found the home
of a soldier. I could see that most clearly. The
soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor
(10:32):
in this one bedroom home. His face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder, not at all how I
pictured a United States soldier? Was this the hero of
whom I just read curled up on a poncho the
(10:52):
floor for a bed. Then I realized the other families
that I saw this night hold their lives to soldiers
who are willing to fight. In the morning. Around the world,
children would play, grown ups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day,
(11:14):
but they all enjoy freedom each month of the year
because of soldiers like the one line year. I couldn't
help but wonder how many lay alone a cold Christmas eve.
It lands far from home, the very thought, but a
tear to my eye. When I dropped to my knees,
(11:38):
I started to cry. The soldier awakened. I heard his
rough voice, shata, don't cry. This life is my choice.
I fight for freedom. They don't ask for more. My
life is my God, my country, my core. And the
(12:03):
soldier rolled over and drifted asleep. But I couldn't control
with my continued to weep, and I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still was both of us shivered from
the cold night's chill. I didn't want to leave him
on that cold, dark night, this guardian of honor, so
(12:28):
willing to fight then the soldier rode over. With a
voice soft and pure, he whispered, carry on a saddam
Christmas day, all secure. One look at my watch, I
knew he was right. Merry Christmas, my father, May.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
God bless you.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
The spight
So this is always kind of like a bittersweet moment
for us. You know, it's been an incredible week hearing
some of these stories for our military Christmas Bonus and
their families, and you know, obviously they're very happy winning
the Military Christmas Bonus and we're thrilled to be able
to help them out for the holidays. But it's very
sweet because it's the last one. I would love to
be able to give everybody that writes in everything, I mean, honestly,
(00:23):
anything that you want, I wish I could help, but
you know, we have to choose five, and it's it
is a tough call. But you know, hopefully if you've
written us, and you know you're listening to us right now,
hopefully you've had it and you know, I know you've
had a tough time, but hopefully you have a great
holiday season and we wish nothing but the best for you.
And again, we wish we could help everybody, but it's
kind of the way it goes. So this final one
(00:46):
is a wild story. We're very well aware of it,
and you actually may be well aware of it because
it was a pretty big news story earlier in the year.
And I'm so glad that they've written us because we're
well aware of it, because it literally happened down the
street from us. Let's talk to William right now. William
(01:08):
is a neighbor of the person that this happened to.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
How's it going, William, Hey, good morning.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Good morning, William. I'm really really glad you reached out
because we obviously are well aware of this story and
well aware of your guys' situation because it happened down
the street. Our radio station is right here, you know,
in Karnie, Mesa, and this whole crazy situation happened down
the street. I remember that morning very vividly, very well.
(01:35):
We all do, because we were obviously talking about it
and it was a massive news story. So William, why
don't you explain to everybody what exactly is going on
and what happened.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Yeah, so back in May, a private plane was landing
here at the airfield right after the fifteen work clothom
used to be. I can't remember the name of the airfield,
but like three point thirty in the morning, crash landed
into Murphy Canyon Military housing and like it had a
(02:09):
light fixture and sheer off a wing and went between
a couple of buildings and set a bunch of stuff
on fires.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Yeah, I mean it was It was a crazy story,
crazy situation. Yeah, it hit a house and you know,
obviously jet fuel you get into that and you know
it caught on fire. They were evacuating the whole neighborhood
because you know, jet fuel, it was toxic.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Oh, I was so wild.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Like I was driving in. I saw the big glow
when it crashs because we're right on the other side
of the fifteen from you, right on the on the
west side of it. And then you just heard siren
after siren after siren, And I mean it went on
for days in that neighborhood because, like Eddie said, with
the jet fuel, it was so tragic.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Well, it turns out, you know that's military housing. Yeah,
over there. So William, tell us a little bit about
your neighbor.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Uh yeah, my neighbor Ben and Strojan and McCarty. He's
in the Navy like I am. His house was that
that corner unit that had the big hole in it
you can see from all the all the pictures. My
house was the one directly next to his, and and
(03:24):
so yeah, when the when the plane came in his
his unit was pretty much completely destroyed. The Luckily the
dogs they had them in the bedroom that night because
that that corner of the building was their living room,
so there was no one sleeping there and they had
(03:44):
the dogs in the bedroom that night, and so no
one on the ground was hurt. But yeah, you know, Ben,
Ben's a pretty awesome dude. He and his wife were
you know, super supportive, you know, even of my family
during their struggle because I was deployed when all this happened. Ye,
(04:04):
scary man.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Yeah, so my my wife and kids, we were at
home in bed when it happened, and despite everything going on,
you know, they were reaching out to my wife, you know,
saying like asking what she needed.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
And they lost their house.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Yeah, they lost their house exactly. And so yeah, he's
just he's been a really solid dude and a great
neighbor and a good friend.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
That's awesome. Well, let's let's talk to him. Ben is
on the line with us right now. Let's talk to
Ben this morning. How you doing, Ben, Good morning, man. Yeah,
we are obviously are well aware of your story. It
literally happened a couple of miles away from us, So
that morning was was insanity and I can't even imagine
what you guys were going through because you have kids,
(04:52):
don't you.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
Yes, yes, we have two boys. There were two and
four at the time.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Oh my god, Now talk me through that morning. What
what exactly did you hear and see and what exactly happened?
Speaker 5 (05:06):
I woke up to my wife, she like sat up
in bed, she screamed. I ran out of the living room,
looked around. I saw a big hole in my living room,
and then there was smoke and fire everywhere, and I
was very confused. We ran, We grabbed the boys and
(05:28):
went and got the dogs, and we had we had
to head out the back because the front of the
house was gone fire. Yeah, and then we got to
the back and we couldn't get out the back gate
because the gate exit was towards the fraud and off
the back, so we actually ended up in a Will's backyard.
We had to open the continuing gate and we got
into Will's backyard and uh, we tried.
Speaker 6 (05:49):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (05:50):
We were banging on their screen door trying to make
sure that they were out of their house. And then
someone had to get a ladder and get us, me
and the kids and the two dogs out of the
My life over the fence and down the street. I
didn't really know where it happened as far as it
being a plane or anything. This is about four forty
five in the morning. I didn't find out until about
(06:10):
six am that my house had even actually been hit.
I was really confused trying to find my car. I
was like, I know, I parked my car there at
the corner.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Where did it go?
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Man, what's going on?
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Yeah, because the jack hit your car and pushed it
all the way into your house, right something like that.
Speaker 5 (06:27):
Yeah, the white truck that was in the front, it
was parked on the corner, and I knew I'd parked
it there, And I was like, I wonder if they
towed it out of the way to get ah to
get to the fire.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
See dude, Wow, yeah, Ben, that is unbelievable. So I
gotta imagine you probably lost quite a bit of stuff
in that fire and in the crash, right, Yeah.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
I mean we it definitely was a pretty like a
start over point for sure. I mean, there wasn't a
whole lot. We could say, a tub or two we
were able.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
To get out.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
The garage wasn't so damaged. Tools didn't melt, so we
were able to save those, but there was a few
things unfortunately.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
That's good obviously. That's the most important thing is you know,
you and your family and dogs are all safe, and
you know it's it's still tough. I mean, that's that's
an unbelievable thing to have to go through, and you know,
we're devastating obviously, and of course typical military guy downplaying it.
I've seen photos well, and then also him worried about
(07:21):
other people going over the neighborhood, you know, going over
Will's house. I mean, just crazy stuff. So Ben, I'd
like to let you know that you know, I go know,
this isn't going to replace everything, but you are the
winner of today's Military Christmas Bonus, and you did win
a lot, so hopefully this helps out with the kids
in the holidays a little bit from what you guys
went through. This is all that you won. I'm gonna
(07:42):
name everything that you've won here, and it's a lot.
You got a two hundred dollars OG's Pizza and Brew
House gift card, a four pack of San Diego Goals tickets,
a two hundred dollars gift card from Sadano Auto Group,
a gift card at Windmill Farms, a hundred dollars Sombrero's
Mexican Food gift card, a one hundred dollars gift card
from AIS Insurance, a four pack of San Diego Seals tickets,
(08:03):
a four pack of SeaWorld San Diego tickets, a four
pack of Lego Land California tickets, a four pack of
Disney on Ice tickets, a three hundred dollars gift card
at Minor Key Carcare and Oceanside and Escondido, A gift
card at ocean Side Gymnastics, one hundred dollars Curbside Eatery
and Drinkery gift card, family Portraits at Cosma Studios, gift
(08:24):
card from Nothing but Cakes and Mission Valley, one hundred
dollars Amazon gift card from Grey Coca and Family, a
two hundred dollars visa gift card from p One Ryan Lewis,
and a pair of Padres tickets to a military Sunday game.
You've won all of that, Wow, I know it's a lot.
That's a lot, Ben, Like I said, Man, Yeah, you
(08:47):
guys went through a lot, man, and obviously we appreciate
you and your sacrifice and you're serving our country. So
hopefully that helps out just a little bit this holiday season.
Speaker 5 (08:56):
Okay, yeah, thank you. That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Thank you guys, absolutely will yeah, thanks thanks for letting
us know. Will we appreciate you too.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Man and my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
There you go, there you go. That was a very
very cool way to end our military Christmas ponency here
and openly everybody who served as a very merry Christmas.
Speaker 6 (09:23):
Because the night before Christmas he lived all alone in
a one bedroom house made of plaster stone. I had
come down the chimney with presents to give to see
just who in this dwelling did live. I looked all around,
(09:43):
strange sight to see no tensil, no presence, not even
a tree, no stockings on the matle, just boots filled
with sand. When the wall hung pictures of far to lands,
medals and badges wards of every kind, A sobering thought
(10:10):
came alive in my mind. This house was different. It
was dark, it was dreary. I had found the home
of a soldier. I could see that most clearly. The
soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor
(10:32):
in this one bedroom home. His face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder, not at all how I
pictured a United States soldier? Was this the hero of
whom I just read curled up on a poncho the
(10:52):
floor for a bed. Then I realized the other families
that I saw this night hold their lives to soldiers
who are willing to fight. In the morning. Around the world,
children would play, grown ups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day,
(11:14):
but they all enjoy freedom each month of the year
because of soldiers like the one line year. I couldn't
help but wonder how many lay alone a cold Christmas eve.
It lands far from home, the very thought, but a
tear to my eye. When I dropped to my knees,
(11:38):
I started to cry. The soldier awakened. I heard his
rough voice, shata, don't cry. This life is my choice.
I fight for freedom. They don't ask for more. My
life is my God, my country, my core. And the
(12:03):
soldier rolled over and drifted asleep. But I couldn't control
with my continued to weep, and I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still was both of us shivered from
the cold night's chill. I didn't want to leave him
on that cold, dark night, this guardian of honor, so
(12:28):
willing to fight then the soldier rode over. With a
voice soft and pure, he whispered, carry on a saddam
Christmas day, all secure. One look at my watch, I
knew he was right. Merry Christmas, my father, May.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
God bless you.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
The spight
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