Veteran's Affairs Plus W/ David L. Washington

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Unknown Speaker 0:41
You can see what's going on what's going on? What's going on? Good morning. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host. I have two guests that I'll introduce in a few but I am excited to have them to LA County one is a retired Assistant Chief Dan Scott. Then we also have Mr. Johnny gate Johnny gray president of Los Angeles County Centurions before we get started with them however, I'd like to mention Miss Regina ringana ringana Henry of Coldwell bankers 702-596-1267. She has a show and I just happen to see her out the West had finished his taping with her. And she told me about how much help they can give to veterans. So I just wanted to share that any of you vets out there looking to buy something, give this young lady a call because she obviously has done a lot of work and looking out for the interests of veterans. Thank you. Birthdays this month that we have, again, Miss Amer Aragon, my brother, buddy, his name is Leon Washington Jr. and his nickname is buddy. So those are birthdays for this month. And I would encourage those who need help. We try to plug him every so often I'm trying he's I know he's working on his certification. And that's Tony Marshall. He's our service officer. So any of you veterans out there looking to get some, some benefit squared away real 15379465. That's Tony Marshall. Once again, he is a service officer. And he has a couple of locations. I do know the works out of the American Legion Post tn over at h n Doolittle. And he has another location. I just don't recall it offhand. But certainly you want to give Tony a call. He can help to get you set up and he only operates by appointment. You can't just drop by you have to have an appointment because he's extremely busy. And again, as I mentioned, Tony is working on his certification. Even without a certification, this man has done tremendous work in terms of helping people out. So with that, once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. And of course, we had Martin Luther King's birthday celebration here and it was actually on his birthday. All the reports from what the former Assemblyman and president of that organization, Mr. Juan Williams, they did a yeoman's job. I did get a chance to go down to the parade before I hit it off to the golf course Of course. Did a great job. So window pee. Thank you, brother, City's proud of you and keep doing good work.

Unknown Speaker 3:49
Good morning, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. As I mentioned earlier, I'm very excited about the two guests that we'll be talking with this morning. We have retired Assistant Fire Chief with LA County Fire Department, Mr. Dan Scott. And then we have Mr. Johnny Ray. He's the president of Los Angeles County Centurions which is the black firefighter Association down in Southern Cal good F. Good morning, gentlemen. Good morning. Morning. All right. All right. All right. Look, Dan, knowing that you are a veteran, just give a brief military background on yourself. And then we'll get Johnny and just to give a little background on who he is personally in time with the organization with with the LA County Fire.

Unknown Speaker 4:40
I'll be glad today. My name is Daniel Scott. I spent four years of military service in the United States Air Force beginning in 1966 and was discharged in 1970.

Unknown Speaker 4:57
All right, Johnny, you have a A little bit of background on you and yours, your time frame. Were you born? In fact, before we even talk about the fire department for you, Johnny?

Unknown Speaker 5:09
Yeah, well, first of all, Dan, thank you for your service. And all those out there. You know, thank you guys for your service. I was born in Inglewood, California, in 1983 as Centinela Hospital, which in a paramedic world we call it the Tommy Lasorda Institute Heart Institute. And it sounds way better than sensimilla because no one wanted to go there during my paramedic time, who would and then from there, my father and mother moved my brother and I out of Inglewood in about 1991 92 ish to a gore hills. I did my middle school years in high school, and agora Hills, California. And I've been with the LA County Fire Department. Now for 13 years, I've been a paramedic for 11 and a half of those years. And I've been with the Los Angeles County Centurions for 12 years, because in the fire service, you have to be a booth or a rookie or probation for one year, so I couldn't do anything. But soon as my 366 day came, I joined the board on the board as the historian, and I've been on a board for 11 years, or 12 years and President for about six now. COVID kind of canceled out two of those years, but up to six years.

Unknown Speaker 6:42
Excellent. Excellent. And I admire you, because a lot of times people won't join organizations, they, for whatever reason, but you joined early on and now in a in a leadership role. That's that's very encouraging to hear me because sometimes young folks, they don't want to participate. And they think that life is good and making good money, I don't need to be in the organization. Look, I am really excited about the fact that you guys have embarked upon something that, you know, I talked to you earlier today, Johnny and I have meant to do a little bit of research. And I know googling is not totally perfect research. But even after this show, I'm going to look it up. And that is what you guys are doing in terms of getting a fire station named after someone and in this particular case, our dear friend, and now ancestor, Assistant Chief, Herschel Clady till our listening audience, when and how did this decision? come about? To name a fire station for someone? How did they come up?

Unknown Speaker 7:46
Well, I would definitely pass the mic over to the past president Dan Scott. But I will briefly just mentioned that him and I talked about this about five, six years ago. Seems like yesterday, but again, I was like around 2019 2018 is when we wanted to start this endeavor. And we kind of got the ball rolling and then COVID happen and just like the world stop, ball stop rolling with this. And then Dan, I would love to pass it on to you because this man right here is the one that spearheaded it. He's the one that lit the fire up under everyone else who helped.

Unknown Speaker 8:27
Yeah. Well, thank you, President. Great, and I do mean President Great. Dave, you've been president of a black firefighter organization in Las Vegas. And I will, since I've been President here in Southern California with a Centurions. I do believe that we're that. We have as one of the guests on this show, one of the finest presidents that I've had the pleasure to know. And that's Johnny. Great.

Unknown Speaker 9:00
Appreciate that.

Unknown Speaker 9:02
Well, in keeping with that, I don't believe this would have happened without the president Johnny great. I remember meeting with President Gray, I actually didn't know him that was the first time we had met. And that is when I approached him with the idea of, of trying to get a station, specifically fire station 3058 Kids in the name of Herschel Clady Herschel system fire chief Herschel Clady he was he had been retired for a number of years. And it so happened that he was retired well before Johnny gray entered the fire service ever. When I approached President gray on this issue. He there was no hesitation on his part and how Had it not been for COVID-19 I believe that we would have done this with Herschel still among us.

Unknown Speaker 10:08
But And to add to that with Herschel monitors and with Chief Osby as chief as well, that would definitely sell to Bill. However, on that note, when chief Maroney took oath, the very first meeting that I had with Chief Maroney, this was the number one topic. He said, How can I help you guys? What can I do? And this was the number one deal I said, we have got to get this station memorialized and dedicated to Herschel Clady. And sure enough, he was on board with it. And Dad, you you took the ball and it stepped arm everybody put it into the endzone I tell you.

Unknown Speaker 10:55
Do you say daddy's stiff arm? You ain't coming with me.

Unknown Speaker 10:59
Oh, put you down do and I'm rolling to the endzone? Yep. Yep. to the endzone.

Unknown Speaker 11:05
I love football. In handling that. Yeah.

Unknown Speaker 11:10
That's right. That's right. And so, with that being said as well, it it's definitely imperative that we have our our board of supervisors on board without the board supervisors, Chief Moroni none of this will be possible either. Like you said this has not been done before. So between supervisor Michel Horvath, Scalise Barger you know, they, they all definitely played a huge part and making this happen.

Unknown Speaker 11:46
So, so, so president, great, how many supervisors do you have on board there in the county?

Unknown Speaker 11:53
So we have supervisor Holly Mitchell. We have supervisor, Janice Hahn forgot to mention her. Obviously, she's a huge part of it. Her father also was a board supervisor. And in the past, we have supervisor Lindsay Horvath. We have supervisor, supervisor Barger, and supervisors to leave. So we have five, five ladies that are changing history.

Unknown Speaker 12:17
So wait a minute. So that's the total number of supervisors for the county is five. Five,

Unknown Speaker 12:23
yes, we are governed by the Board of Supervisors. Right? Yes. Right. Chief Moroni answers to the Board of Supervisors. And they are truly our bosses and truly make the department either fall or stand up strong. Absolutely.

Unknown Speaker 12:40
But again, my question is, you're telling me there's the total for that whole county is five supervisors. Wow. Because that's that's a mandate they have. And I'm assuming they are run by districts. Yes, sir. Man, each district man, he must have 100,000 Nope, several 100,000 people that they serve off

Unknown Speaker 13:04
easily, and not to mention fires just a little microcosm of what they do. They are responsible for everything. And Los Angeles County was in there additional, because

Unknown Speaker 13:14
I think we got seven or nine. And I Clark County is like almost 5000 square miles. But I can tell you to only have five is a good thing from in terms of what you need. So you only need three, actually. And you got all of them to support what you do.

Unknown Speaker 13:33
Every single one of them. I mean, and that's, again, LA County is one of the biggest counties in the country, right? We have over 10 million people alone. And this county, so that definitely says a lot absolutely speaks volumes of assistance she played

Unknown Speaker 13:50
Sure. So as you will still farming Dan and getting to the endzone. What was some of the obstacles that you may have run into as you were working to get this done?

Unknown Speaker 14:03
Well, as President gray indicated that on the Los Angeles County Fire Department, we only know of a few installations that are aimed at after past members. And in addition to facilities, I shouldn't say have a fire station 127 That was named after the producer of the emergency television program.

Unknown Speaker 14:31
Not a fire, not a firefighter, not a firefighter.

Unknown Speaker 14:36
We have a training center that was named after an ex fire chief of their training center. And we have our communication center with that was named after fire chief Pete Michael Freeman during his tenure as far too. So there are not that many installations, let alone fire stations. that have been named after people. That was an obstacle we overcame. And I know I sound like I'm repeating myself, but I'm not repeating myself. I'm just thankful that President Granger was extremely instrumental in getting this across the finish line.

Unknown Speaker 15:20
So, as you started out, and you President great, the first thing you did was took it to the fire chief, and then led him or did you have further meetings with the supervisors? Or did you just let the fire chief, go and preach this whole matter with with the elected officials?

Unknown Speaker 15:40
Yeah, so with that being said, we actually brought it to Chief Osby, because remember, during this time, she was he was the chief, and he was totally on board. Okay, he was ready to get started. We had a plan in place. You said, Just get supervisors on board, get letters, signed and signatures and all that good stuff. So we got that ball rolling. And with that, I approached supervisor Mitchell, and she was obviously on board. And sure enough, as we were getting the ball rolling COVID stopped, you know, and, and that is when we kind of have to press pause.

Unknown Speaker 16:24
Did you have to get any letters of support from community organizations, etc. And the reason why I'm asking because, as I told Jim, when he told me he was doing this, I mean, I gotta get y'all on the on the Veterans Affairs show. Because this is plus side information. But to me, I think there's probably other people throughout this nation called this this, in fact, can be here, anywhere from podcasts anywhere in the world. And I'm and I'm telling you guys, I believe what you have embarked upon, is so monumental. And I just believe that others will want to do this for people in their respective communities. And I'm saying that, because because I'm gonna refer people to y'all Hope y'all don't get mad. But in fact, I'm doing it right now on this show. If y'all want to know if y'all need a contact information, let me know. Because I think it's so important. There's a lot of times that and Dan and I've talked about this, Herschel was so easy going in in terms of ego, that if he, if he even boasted about anything, it was so subtle. By the time you think, Oh, he was kind of bragging a little bit, it then went over your head, because he was never one to beat his chest. That just wasn't Herschel Clady.

Unknown Speaker 17:34
That's, that's right.

Unknown Speaker 17:35
Several times and Herschel would say, if we I would look at him and say, no, no, no, no, we do do and, but he would just just go forward, go forward. And never that I don't know of one time where he wasn't. It was all about him. All right. All right. And I am I just My only regret is that the COVID came along and we weren't able to get this across the finish line before he died. Right?

Unknown Speaker 18:18
Well, this is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5, jazz and more. My guest today is Resat, retired Assistant Chief, Dan Scott, and President of the LA County Centurions Johnny gray. And we're talking about something that they have embarked upon, and in fact, it has come to fruition and will occur on your time, date and place. Either one of you.

Unknown Speaker 18:42
Yeah. So go here January,

Unknown Speaker 18:46
February to seven. Saturday, February the 17th. That's next month, on a 10 o'clock.

Unknown Speaker 18:57
Yep. And with that being said, as well as to add on to that. We also spoke about the significance of doing it during Black History Month, we thought that it was very important that we we honored this patient that LA County knows was predominantly black. To honor the man who was the trailblazer, the one who, who made the needle move forward by any means necessary not to steal a little and of Malcolm X's quote, but he really did it by any means necessary. And the significance of that station is that he was the first man to promote to engineer first master multi captain. That station was the first station to have an all black crew. So how failing to do it during Black History Month at the station, that he changed the course of this entire Fire Department. Wow. You're in our tire Fire Department, right. And one note, one little nugget that that was given to me this that, on that date 13 years ago, is when chief Osby was sworn in as the first Black Fire Chief of this department as well. So that was 17. And that was not even

Unknown Speaker 20:16
when he thought about probably just having this plan. That's the ancestors works. That's the way the ancestors and God works. I agree. 100%. And I do know that Dan had told me that, you know, that he was he wasn't even the first brother to come on to the department. Yet he was instrumental in making changes occur.

Unknown Speaker 20:40
Yeah, absolutely. Yes. Yes. And again, it's, you know, it, he and you guys, again, you guys worked with him knew him as a friend. I had the honor having breakfast with them. And Mr. Scott, prior to his passing, and we have big plans, we have conversations about doing a bunch of things and his honor, just to, to archive everything that he's done, archive, everybody that he's mentored everybody that's promoted. And not just in LA County right now, the whole entire nation. Oh, no doubt. This man has branches that reach from West Coast to east coast north to south. So the importance of that and to have all those, those retired folks in the room that day or at the station, that day is gonna be very, very touching.

Unknown Speaker 21:32
And I can tell you doing Herschel services those guys came from from the East Coast. That's how much respect he has had over the years because its impact. And I know he and Dan were were team teachers at EDI and he was extremely well respected as Dan for the work that they did. And you know, y'all la guys y'all had him I had him bagel bagel incidents that y'all have to deal with. You know, y'all deal with stuff that man that I didn't have to deal with as the the fire chief. And I used to tell her he stares at my wife talking all that talk I said but boy she let me tell you something. Herschel got Nana 10 different cities up under his umbrella as an assistant chief. I'm the fire chief I got one city and one council one council to deal with you got to deal with all them councils man and you know no disrespect to elected officials. Most are pretty good but some of them got eagles that won't allow them Biggie as a walk through a doorway because they think everybody got to kiss their ring. But what you guys have done and the impact that you have made five you got unanimous, supervisor, supervisors of your county to say yes, we're going to do this and we're gonna do it well. When Dan sent me the information man and when Dan asked me if I would you know be there to say a few words man he just dance on my emotions man because he could have picked anybody there's a whole lot of people that have nothing but love in something I must say. I remember going to Hirtshals retirement and everybody bringing up plaques this that any other so last guideline was Hispanic guy I don't remember his name. I hope he's still alive and I hope he's there. He's a Herschel he said chief lady. I don't have a gift for you physical gifts. But what I do have for you is all my little man he's a man I love you so much for all that you've done for all of us. And man, you can see the emotion in that room. That was when that was at Herschel's retirement party and Herschel know how to put on functions man at that dude. I used to watch him and him and him and trust seemed like they were competing Dan as you know, on on the retiree they trust he did his thing. When our Herschel did one BAM he was bigger than the first one that we had he actually in San Diego and in Las Vegas. And then Herschel come do he is bigger. Bam. And he entrusted at the BAM. And he entrusted in Herschel came back. He added his reception his birthday, man, we have so many people out like bed this thing is huge. But that's how Herschel row man he didn't brag about he just called me yesterday. I won't because you know, certainly I was assistant trustee by no and, and of course verjus Porter and putting the first one on in Las Vegas. So So I was involved, but it wasn't my idea. So anyway, when Herschel decided to combine all these three things, he called me you know, out of respect, I assume, and he called me in and trust in told us what he was gonna do. All I did was start laughing. Let's roll with it. He had a super super party man, and I still got videos of him man. Having a good time for his ad for 80th birthday. Yes, it was 80th birthday. But man, y'all come in y'all, man. So we still got about four minutes. So if there's anything additional you'd like to, to add to the conversation, please do and know the respect that will be had for you guys for doing this for our brother. Oh,

Unknown Speaker 25:20
yeah, no problem I like to just add at that. So I currently work in the air operations division. And we do have our Teleport is named after Roland Barton, who was a pilot, he pretty much initiated our our air ops program. So that's one other facility that's named after someone. And I would also be remiss if I didn't at least mention, working hand in hand with Dan is now our highest ranked African American firefighter on the job is Robert Harris. He also was the past president, Deputy Chief, you know, she's working from the county standpoint, making this thing move forward as well. And not to mention all of these Antonia members that had a hand in is obviously too many to name, but they know who they are. They know what signatures they got. And they know the means that they took and the road that it took to get there. So you know, it takes a complete village and our membership. Everyone got on board that retirees Lily, left this thing, but look,

Unknown Speaker 26:27
great. Look, brother, great. Let me tell you something. I heard Dan when he said it is because of your leadership, brother. You brought them together. Dan said this brother made it happen. You made it happen. And Dan took the ball and ran with it after you and him had had the discussion me and so don't shortstop, shortstop, your leadership ability at all.

Unknown Speaker 26:49
Ready, appreciate that. And then I distinctly remember that meeting, I saw guys and Carson, I distinctly remember like it was yesterday. But you know, me coming on to this job. And my first board member position, being the historian and me loving us and American history. And me learning from from past president brain burden and learning about the history. I knew about NASCAR before NASCAR even met me, I knew about Hearthstone play, you know, I knew about you know, the those before me, you know, so for me, it's just so cool to be a part of this. Now and the role as president, but coming on, as the historian I've seen where we come from, you know, I've seen what has happened in the past. You know, I met with with Arnett Hartsfield at the museum and her stories, and to see where we're going to have African American male be the first firefighters to have a station named after him is incredible. So with that being said, I'd like to thank Chief Scott, I'd like to thank you, I'd like to thank our membership. And I'd like to thank everyone that had a hand in this, you know, supervisors, Chief Moroni, everyone's active staff, all that good stuff. So

Unknown Speaker 27:59
Dan, what you got brother?

Unknown Speaker 28:02
All I can say is uh, Dave, did you hear that President talk? Like President I'm telling you, we're in good shape there in Southern

Unknown Speaker 28:09
California. Excellent.

Unknown Speaker 28:13
That's amazing. We got some more things coming from from the Centurion so just look out we got some programs coming. We got some things on the horizon. We aren't done yet. We're just getting started again COVID might knock this down but it didn't knock us out. So appreciate it.

Unknown Speaker 28:29
did hurt his wife his family and all the colleagues throughout this country will be very very pleased I trust there'll be newsletters and and again, this show will certainly be sent to everyone that I know all over this country they can also pick it up on the various podcast wherever they get their podcasts from can be picked up there. And we will definitely be promoting this because I think it's something that is so honorable and so we all deserve for hardworking guy who didn't run around beating his chest about look at me Look at me. He just did stuff man. Made it That's right. All right, gentlemen, once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus on any 1.5 Jazz and more and I want to thank you guys again and we'll get back together I'll have you guys on the show again down the road because it sounds like you're doing some spectacular things down in Southern California wants me and thanks a lot.

Unknown Speaker 29:52
All have a smile on the face

Transcribed by https://otter.ai