Honoring Those Who Served: A Week of Stories, Support, and Salute
During Veterans Week, 102.9 W4 Country is dedicating airtime to honoring the service, sacrifice, and strength of our nation’s veterans. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, Bank of Ann Arbor and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, we’re proud to present a week of special programming that highlights the voices of those who’ve worn the uniform and the people and programs working to support them today. And with continued support from Callaghan’s Coffee Co., through interviews of old friends and new we will share powerful personal stories and highlight resources that make a real difference.
VETERANS WEEK CELEBRATION ~ FEATURES FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Nov. 14, 2025 ~ John Kinzinger, a Vietnam veteran raised in Belleville, Michigan, has spent more than 35 years serving veterans in our community. Drafted into the Army after high school, John served in Vietnam from 1966–67 and later helped establish the Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans Memorial honoring 76 local men. He authored a book about the memorial, participated in over 2,100 military funerals, and now leads Warriors and Caregivers United (WACU), a nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicide among combat warriors and supporting caregivers. Learn more or get involved at https://wacu.org.
Nov. 14, 2025 ~ Abby Briggs stopped by to represent the Dexter American Legion Post 557, a very active legion where you don’t have to be a member to join the fun! Thanks to their wonderful and active members and volunteers, most events are open to the public, including Taco Tuesdays, Burger Thursdays, Karaoke Fridays, and live bands on Saturdays. This Sunday, don’t miss the Dexter American Legion Holiday Craft Show—shop local, enjoy holiday music, and support community artisans. Admission is free! There are three ways to become a legion member:
- American Legion Membership – For veterans who served at least one day of active duty during a conflict and were honorably discharged or are currently serving.
- American Legion Auxiliary – For those with a parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, or child who is a veteran or currently serving.
- Sons of The American Legion – For males with a parent or grandparent who served in the U.S. military.
One of VETLIFE’s most impactful initiatives is the Battle Buddy Program, a peer-to-peer support system designed to help veterans stay connected, accountable, and mentally healthy. The program includes a free app that allows veterans to track wellness goals, access crisis resources, and stay in touch with their support team.
Learn more and download the Battle Buddy App here.
ON THE SHOW: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Catch up on highlights from our monthly W4 Veterans interviews with Joshua Parish and special guests. Find links, resources, and more details from each on-air conversation below.
Sep. 3, 2025 ~ Rob Gonczy from Veterans of the Game joins ‘Rally & Welch‘ to talk about their efforts to honor veterans at U of M football games. https://veteransofthegame.org/
Joshua Parish also joins the show with special guest Kate Melcher from Fisher House Michigan. Fisher House is a “home away from home” where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. https://www.fisherhousemichigan.org/
Joshua Parish joins Rally & Welch to talk about the success of Vet Fest and ongoing efforts to expand veteran services across Michigan.
Joshua Parish from VetLife discussed the importance of military families and how they can support their active duty or veteran family member. We also discussed Vet Fest coming up on Saturday, August 2nd.
Joshua Parish from VetLife interviews Joe Provost from Northwestern Mutual about financial management for veterans. Joe advises veterans who receive a large disability compensation check to consult with a financial advisor. The Battle Buddy app connects veterans with resources like financial advisors and information on benefits.
Joshua Parrish from VetLife joined the show to discuss mental health awareness for veterans. He emphasized the importance of year-round support and the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life, such as loss of purpose and lack of community. Parrish highlighted VetLife’s resources, including the Battle Buddy app, and the significance of veterans connecting with others who share similar experiences for mental well-being.
Joshua Parish and State Representative Jason Woolford joined us for W4 Veterans to discuss resources available for veterans. Woolford shared insights on Mission Cry, an organization providing free Bibles and Christian books worldwide, and his work on veteran-related legislation, including adding military branch designations to license plates. He also honored Lance Corporal Michael Wayne Hanks and advocated for increased funding for VetLife to connect veterans with benefits.
Details: Josh Parish from VetLife and Tim Barry, CEO of Lit Financial, joined us to discuss VA home loans and their partnership in assisting veterans. Tim shares a story about helping a Vietnam veteran at Vet Fest, highlighting the event’s impact. They promote the BattleBuddy app, Lit Financial services, and VetLife’s upcoming Vet Fest 2025, featuring a possible appearance by Hulk Hogan.
Details: We talk with Joshua Parish from VetLife about how to connect veterans and their families with the resources and benefits they’ve earned through their service. VetLife was created to bridge the gap between veterans and available resources, addressing the issue of low connection rates to military benefits among Michigan veterans. For more information, visit VetLifeToday.org and download the Battle Buddy App!
Have a resource, event, or organization that supports veterans? We’d love to hear about it! Email us at promotions@cumulusannarbor.com to share details and help us spotlight it through W4 Veterans.
PODCASTS:
Take a listen to the W4 Country Podcasts if you missed anything from the interviews or would like to share the information with the veteran in your life!
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