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CHRIS "BOOM BOOM" CANNON
GENERAL MANAGER/PROGRAMMING/MORNING HOST/TRAFFIC & BUSINESS - KFLW 98.9 The FORT
Chris "Boom Boom" Cannon was born and raised in Bettendorf, Iowa along the Mighty Mississippi River. College took him to Springfield, Missouri where he majored in Broadcast Communications. That degree got him a job in a silly industry called radio. His passion for entertaining on the radio lasted 30 years in Springfield, 3 years in Little Rock, Arkansas, and now the Morning Show on KFLW in St. Robert. He likes to golf, read, cook and sleep. Wake up weekday mornings Monday-Friday from 6-9 AM on 98.9 The Fort!
Hershel "Woody" WIlliams
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Warrant Officer and Medal of honor recipient
Hershel "Woody" Williams was born on a dairy farm in 1923 in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. During the battle, Mr. Williams displayed “valiant devotion to duty” and service above self as he “enabled his company to reach its objective”. Mr. Williams’ actions, commitment to his fellow service members, and heroism were recognized on October 5, 1945, when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman at the White House. Mr. Williams is the sole surviving Marine from WWII, to wear the Medal of Honor.
Mr. Williams’ devotion to duty, service members, veterans and their families began long before that battle and before he entered the Corps. As World War II began, Woody came into direct contact with families in his own community when he delivered Western Union telegrams informing the Gold Star families of the death of their loved one. Woody says that those experiences gave him a “greater appreciation for life and an understanding of a difference in death in the normal world as expected in life, and those lost serving in the military for their country". He noted that “consideration and recognition of the families of those lost in military service was very inadequate.” This observation and his personal commitment to veterans and their families brought about the creation of the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation. The activities of this foundation allow Mr. Williams to continue his devotion and commitment to those who have served and the Gold Star families who have lost Loved Ones to that service above self.
To date, Woody and his foundation are responsible for establishing 73 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments across the United States with more than 72 additional monuments underway in 49 states. The Foundation continues to grow its reach by being involved in multiple initiatives across the country.
Mr. Williams began his military career with a commitment to country, service members, veterans and families. He continues that commitment through his active engagement with local communities in recognizing and commemorating the service and devotion to duty of our service men and women.
Mr. Williams’ devotion to duty, service members, veterans and their families began long before that battle and before he entered the Corps. As World War II began, Woody came into direct contact with families in his own community when he delivered Western Union telegrams informing the Gold Star families of the death of their loved one. Woody says that those experiences gave him a “greater appreciation for life and an understanding of a difference in death in the normal world as expected in life, and those lost serving in the military for their country". He noted that “consideration and recognition of the families of those lost in military service was very inadequate.” This observation and his personal commitment to veterans and their families brought about the creation of the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation. The activities of this foundation allow Mr. Williams to continue his devotion and commitment to those who have served and the Gold Star families who have lost Loved Ones to that service above self.
To date, Woody and his foundation are responsible for establishing 73 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments across the United States with more than 72 additional monuments underway in 49 states. The Foundation continues to grow its reach by being involved in multiple initiatives across the country.
Mr. Williams began his military career with a commitment to country, service members, veterans and families. He continues that commitment through his active engagement with local communities in recognizing and commemorating the service and devotion to duty of our service men and women.
Captain Jay tiegs
U.S. Army - Fort leonard Wood
Captain Jay Tiegs believes taking on difficult challenges in life with persistence and commitment enables people to find great success in life. His mantra "Do Hard Things" has enabled him to overcome many struggles in life and achieve success completing difficult challenges. This shift in perspective allowed him to go from a directionless teenager who grew up in a fatherless home to a commissioned officer in the United States Army, where he successfully commanded two units that specialize in leadership development of our nation's next generation of emerging military leaders. He now shares his outlook on personal transformation as a speaker, trainer, and high performance coach for audiences ranging from elementary school children to executive level leaders. He helps people raise their ambition and inspires people to reach heightened levels of performance through amplifying 5 key areas in their life: Clarity, Energy, Courage, Productivity, and Influence. Before entering the arena of personal development coaching, speaking and training, Jay honed his skills from his service in the United States Army. During his 23 year career, he served in positions from private through Sergeant First Class, before commissioning as an officer in the Corps of Engineers. Jay has completed numerous marathons and ultra length events in a variety of disciplines. He is x2 time finisher of the Dirty Kanza 200 bicycle race, a x2 finisher of the Missouri River 340 and countless adventure races, You can typically training for his next endurance event, spending quality time with his triplet pre-teen daughters, or planning his next outdoor/overland adventure in his 4Runner- all while coaching and serving clients.
ERNIE ANDRUS
WORLD WAR II NAVy VETERAN
My name is Ernie Andrus. I ran across the U. S. from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. I turned 90, August of 2013. I started by touching the Pacific ocean at Mission Beach, San Diego, CA on October 7, 2013 and reached the Atlantic ocean at the old Coast Guard Station, Saint Simons Island on August 20, 2016 (one day after my 93rd birthday).
After two years running the same course in Banning California I got bored and decided to run back the other way. I will start my run at the old Coast Guard Station on Saint Simons Island on March 16, 2019. I am 95 years old now and only running 13 miles per week so it will take me five years to reach the Pacific.
The feat is undertaken to raise money for the LST 325 Ship Memorial. I was one of the crew that brought the ship back from the Isle of Crete, Greece in 2000/2001 as aired on the History Chanel “The Return of LST 325”. One thousand fifty one LST’s were built during World War II. The 325 is the only one left that is fully restored and operational. It is my dream to take the ship back to Normandy for a D-Day Memorial.
After two years running the same course in Banning California I got bored and decided to run back the other way. I will start my run at the old Coast Guard Station on Saint Simons Island on March 16, 2019. I am 95 years old now and only running 13 miles per week so it will take me five years to reach the Pacific.
The feat is undertaken to raise money for the LST 325 Ship Memorial. I was one of the crew that brought the ship back from the Isle of Crete, Greece in 2000/2001 as aired on the History Chanel “The Return of LST 325”. One thousand fifty one LST’s were built during World War II. The 325 is the only one left that is fully restored and operational. It is my dream to take the ship back to Normandy for a D-Day Memorial.
DR. DENNIS ATKINS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO of disabled citizens alliance for independence
Dr. Atkins talks about how his faith has strengthened him throughout his 36 year ordeal of fighting blindness. He talks about living with challenges and overcoming those challenges to have a productive life. Dr. Atkins had the great opportunity in October 2012 to be hired as the Executive Director/CEO for Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence in Viburnum, Missouri. Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence is a large, rural non-profit organization that provides services annually for over 2,000 individuals with disabilities. Dennis has established a home in the Viburnum area by purchasing 12 1/2 acres and building a new house. His new career as Executive Director/CEO gives him daily the opportunity to encourage and motivate others that are facing huge life challenges.
Dennis was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in July 1979. The eye disease started with night blindness, destroyed his peripheral vision and finally the central vision. Dennis can no longer see faces or read print. His vision has diminished to only distinguishing light and dark. While fighting the eye disease he has continued to run, which he started in April 1978. He still runs in unassisted, on his own daily, averaging between 8 - 9 miles per day. Recently, he has surpassed 98,000 mile mark, working towards 100,000 mile goal! To his credit, he has run 83 marathons and numerous half marathons. Many of these marathons have been for charity, raising money to help individuals with disabilities continue to live in their homes. With the accommodation of speaking engagements and community fundraising events and running events, he has raised over $200,000.00 for charity. All the money received by Dr. Atkins for speaking events have been donated. The special fundraising events have allowed organizations to be used to build wheelchair ramps, widen doors, purchase wheelchairs and lift chairs, and to make home modifications which allow an individual to choose to continue to live in their own home. The annual Viburnum Community Fundraising Event has helped fund our Backpack Program serving currently 51 children, purchase winter coats, boots, hats, gloves and tennis shoes for 51 children in need and purchase school supplies for over 180 kids yearly.
Dennis was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in July 1979. The eye disease started with night blindness, destroyed his peripheral vision and finally the central vision. Dennis can no longer see faces or read print. His vision has diminished to only distinguishing light and dark. While fighting the eye disease he has continued to run, which he started in April 1978. He still runs in unassisted, on his own daily, averaging between 8 - 9 miles per day. Recently, he has surpassed 98,000 mile mark, working towards 100,000 mile goal! To his credit, he has run 83 marathons and numerous half marathons. Many of these marathons have been for charity, raising money to help individuals with disabilities continue to live in their homes. With the accommodation of speaking engagements and community fundraising events and running events, he has raised over $200,000.00 for charity. All the money received by Dr. Atkins for speaking events have been donated. The special fundraising events have allowed organizations to be used to build wheelchair ramps, widen doors, purchase wheelchairs and lift chairs, and to make home modifications which allow an individual to choose to continue to live in their own home. The annual Viburnum Community Fundraising Event has helped fund our Backpack Program serving currently 51 children, purchase winter coats, boots, hats, gloves and tennis shoes for 51 children in need and purchase school supplies for over 180 kids yearly.
