Szabo Connection Marine Corps veteran Richard Szabo, recently featured by KHTS, urged me to interview his former LAPD SWAT team pal and Army veteran, Terry Speer, so I contacted Terry and we met. Terry not only honorably served his country, but he honorably served with the LAPD for 25 years and moved on to become a pastor with Grace Community ...

A Story For The Ages As director of veterans affairs for KHTS, I felt compelled to write my mother’s story, as I believe it’s one for the ages. My mom, Marie Reynolds, passed away on January 22, 2020, just three days short of her 95th birthday. My mother was a terrific role model for our entire family, as she possessed ...

Suzi Connection I’ve known Suzi Szabo for at least 10 years, and recently it came to my attention that her husband, Richard, served in the United States Marine Corps and the Los Angeles Police Department. After reaching out to Suzi, she cajoled her reluctant hubby to meet with us, where we kicked around creating Richard’s veterans page. Clearly, Suzi is ...

Facebook Connection Several months ago I bumped into my friend Robert Gardner, a popular Santa Clarita businessman, and having a vague recollection of his brother Paul’s U.S. Army service, I suggested that we create his Veterans Page. Robert followed up by sending his brother’s photos and soon I met with him and later his sisters, Kelli and DeAnna to gain ...

Veteran Services Collaborative Connection I had the pleasure of meeting Ernesto several weeks ago when the Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative selected him, his lovely wife, Alyssa, and their sons, Sonny and Zachery, among 43 applicants to receive a home at no cost. Ernesto’s heartwarming speech moved me to quickly meet him to create this Veterans page; thus we recently ...

Fighter Pilot Dan Petkunas and I met for his interview, where I found his story intriguing as we shared our Vietnam experiences. When I mentioned that he’s one of a very few fighter pilots of the Vietnam War I’ve interviewed, he calmly replied, “Cool.” Vietnam Veteran Bill Reynolds is our KHTS Director of Veteran’s Affairs. If you know a local veteran, please ...

Impromptu Meeting Several weeks ago, when stopping in at Mike Garcia’s CA-25 Congressional Campaign office in Valencia, I was introduced to John Morales, and upon learning that he served in the U.S. Air Force, I urged him to meet for an interview. Soon after, he sent me his military photos and we met for a pleasant conversation.  Here’s John’s story: ...

Veteran to Veteran Connection I’ve bumped into Jim Ventress over the years, but it was at the Canyon Theatre Guild’s 2019 “Under 40” award ceremony that I needled him about creating his veterans page. In short order, Jim succumbed to my irresistible charm and sound judgment, which led to a meeting, and man, did we hit off! We chatted for ...

Meeting Jesus While attending a “Jason Gibbs for Santa Clarita City Council” campaign event several months ago, I met Jesus Henao and learned that he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, so naturally I asked him to send me his photos. Finally, we were able to meet, where we engaged in a very entertaining conversation. Vietnam Veteran Bill Reynolds is our KHTS ...

Caesar J. Benigno, a Santa Clarita World War II veteran, died just short of his 94th birthday on Nov. 27 at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital due to heart failure. He was born Dec. 21, 1925 in New York City. Benigno graduated from Washington Irving Evening High School in 1942, and soon after, he enlisted to live out his dream of ...