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00:00:00,934 --> 00:00:02,569
The VFW is much more
than a, a bar.
2
00:00:02,569 --> 00:00:04,671
It's a philosophy of helping
3
00:00:04,671 --> 00:00:06,339
other veterans
and their families.
4
00:00:06,339 --> 00:00:09,309
It's community involvement,
pull together as a team,
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00:00:09,309 --> 00:00:12,645
and make our lives
and our neighborhoods better.
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00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:15,682
P.J. King: For over 30 years,
7
00:00:15,682 --> 00:00:18,251
Jon Taffer has traveled
the country,
8
00:00:18,251 --> 00:00:22,122
saving hundreds of bars
from failure and ruin.
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00:00:22,122 --> 00:00:24,724
Jon: I started rescuing bars
decades ago
10
00:00:24,724 --> 00:00:27,460
because they're part of
the backbone of America.
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00:00:27,460 --> 00:00:29,796
Go, we're doing it.
We're doing it.
12
00:00:29,796 --> 00:00:32,665
But as the industry
continues to explode,
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the amount of failing bars
is increasing
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00:00:35,168 --> 00:00:38,104
at an alarming rate.
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When do I have you to say,
that's not gonna work!
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So, I'm on a mission to save
as many bars as possible,
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00:00:43,843 --> 00:00:46,813
and give worthy owners
a second chance at success.
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I'm gaining more respect
for you by the minute.
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00:00:49,582 --> 00:00:52,318
P.J. King: Now Jon's heading
to Jacksonville, Florida,
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00:00:52,318 --> 00:00:55,855
to rescue VFW Post 1689.
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00:00:55,855 --> 00:00:58,558
We are determined
to raise the bar,
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and rise to the occasion.
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00:01:01,194 --> 00:01:06,499
P.J. King: VFW Post 1689
was established in 1921,
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00:01:06,499 --> 00:01:09,569
and is one of the oldest
VFW posts in the country.
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What branch of service
was she in?
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She's not allowed in here.
27
00:01:13,406 --> 00:01:14,908
[both gasps]
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00:01:14,908 --> 00:01:17,210
[laughter]
29
00:01:17,210 --> 00:01:21,915
I was in the navy from August
of '69 to August of '73.
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My first tour of duty
was Vietnam.
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00:01:24,584 --> 00:01:27,287
I've been involved with the VFW
as a member,
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00:01:27,287 --> 00:01:29,522
as an officer, for 49 years.
33
00:01:29,522 --> 00:01:32,258
Holy catfish.
Is that on your diet?
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I joined the VFW
because I thought it was a way
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00:01:35,328 --> 00:01:37,864
to make our veterans
lives better.
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P.J. King: In June of 2023,
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00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:43,770
VFW District Commander
Pete Lacomb
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00:01:43,770 --> 00:01:46,473
decided to partner
with his friend Jeff Lincoln,
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00:01:46,473 --> 00:01:49,275
and volunteer for the role
of post commander
40
00:01:49,275 --> 00:01:52,545
at the struggling
VFW Post, 1689.
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00:01:52,545 --> 00:01:54,247
I talked with Jeff,
and I said,
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00:01:54,247 --> 00:01:56,649
"Jeff, you take over
the quartermaster.
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I can assume the duties
as commander.
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00:01:59,419 --> 00:02:01,421
And I think together
we make a good team."
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00:02:01,421 --> 00:02:03,323
When Pete and I started
working together,
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we wanted to make
changes happen here.
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00:02:05,658 --> 00:02:07,760
To make the post
more appealing,
48
00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:09,662
have it more reliable
and functional,
49
00:02:09,662 --> 00:02:12,765
and have it attract
younger veterans.
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00:02:18,371 --> 00:02:20,507
You pain in the neck.
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00:02:20,507 --> 00:02:21,674
Hey!
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00:02:21,674 --> 00:02:24,744
P.J. King: VFW Post 1689
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00:02:24,744 --> 00:02:26,679
had already been
struggling financially
54
00:02:26,679 --> 00:02:28,615
when the pandemic hit,
draining
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00:02:28,615 --> 00:02:30,884
what was left
of its modest reserve.
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00:02:30,884 --> 00:02:34,921
The canteen is the main source
of revenue for this post,
57
00:02:34,921 --> 00:02:37,657
and so, we probably had about
an $18,000 deficit
58
00:02:37,657 --> 00:02:41,728
because of COVID that was
a devastating loss to the post.
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P.J. King: And the aging
building, and lack of upkeep
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has contributed
to declining membership,
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00:02:46,966 --> 00:02:49,235
especially,
among younger veterans.
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Just about everything
in this post is old.
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00:02:51,604 --> 00:02:54,507
The chairs, the stools
behind the bar.
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00:02:54,507 --> 00:02:57,844
We don't have sodas on the gun,
we're buying soda cans.
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00:02:57,844 --> 00:02:59,646
The oven doesn't work.
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00:02:59,646 --> 00:03:03,249
There's no coolers for the beer,
we're using ice bins.
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Pete: We've got to do something
to improve
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00:03:05,885 --> 00:03:07,687
the appearance
of an inside and out.
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P.J. King: Now, with an
important anniversary looming,
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00:03:10,490 --> 00:03:12,859
the pressure is on
for Pete and Jeff
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00:03:12,859 --> 00:03:14,928
to keep the post stores open,
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00:03:14,928 --> 00:03:18,264
and the local veteran
community supported.
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00:03:18,264 --> 00:03:21,267
This post is just over
five years away
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00:03:21,267 --> 00:03:22,936
from being a hundred years old.
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00:03:22,936 --> 00:03:26,506
I don't wanna be the commander
that says, "We can't make it,"
76
00:03:26,506 --> 00:03:28,575
but we're at the bottom
of the barrel now.
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We're surviving month-to-month,
just to keep the doors open.
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00:03:32,512 --> 00:03:34,514
Jeff: But with finances
and post,
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00:03:34,514 --> 00:03:36,749
if something really
bad happens,
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00:03:36,749 --> 00:03:38,751
we're kind of done for.
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00:03:38,751 --> 00:03:43,323
P.J. King: With everything
on the line for VFW Post, 1689,
82
00:03:43,323 --> 00:03:45,625
and the veterans it serves,
83
00:03:45,625 --> 00:03:48,494
Pete and Jeff have agreed
to pull back the doors,
84
00:03:48,494 --> 00:03:51,998
bust open the books,
and make a call for help...
85
00:03:51,998 --> 00:03:53,700
to "The Bar Rescue."
86
00:04:05,513 --> 00:04:07,915
Well, guys,
welcome to Jacksonville.
87
00:04:07,915 --> 00:04:11,452
P.J. King: For the bar,
Jon brings in Derrick Turner,
88
00:04:11,452 --> 00:04:13,654
a mixologist from New York City
89
00:04:13,654 --> 00:04:17,458
who's named a top ten bartender
by Time Out magazine.
90
00:04:17,458 --> 00:04:20,594
Derrick has worked with both,
Craft Spirit brands,
91
00:04:20,594 --> 00:04:23,497
and major breweries
across the country.
92
00:04:23,497 --> 00:04:25,766
This is a VFW,
veterans of foreign wars.
93
00:04:25,766 --> 00:04:27,635
I love rescuing these.
94
00:04:27,635 --> 00:04:29,003
I know you guys wanted
to help out
95
00:04:29,003 --> 00:04:31,472
on one for a long time,
so, here we are.
96
00:04:31,472 --> 00:04:33,708
P.J. King: For the kitchen,
Jon brings in
97
00:04:33,708 --> 00:04:35,476
Chef Anthony Lamas.
98
00:04:35,476 --> 00:04:37,812
As a four-time
James Beard nominee,
99
00:04:37,812 --> 00:04:41,549
and owner of Seviche Restaurant
in Louisville, Kentucky,
100
00:04:41,549 --> 00:04:43,884
Chef Lamas brings
an uncommon voice
101
00:04:43,884 --> 00:04:45,987
to any bar's menu.
102
00:04:45,987 --> 00:04:48,255
This is post 1689.
103
00:04:49,623 --> 00:04:52,293
It's one of the oldest
VFW posts
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00:04:52,293 --> 00:04:53,761
in the entire country.
105
00:04:53,761 --> 00:04:56,797
In five years, it has
its hundredth anniversary.
106
00:04:56,797 --> 00:04:58,632
- That's historic.
Jon: And look at it, guys.
107
00:04:58,632 --> 00:05:02,269
It looks like they haven't done
a damn thing to it since 1985.
108
00:05:05,306 --> 00:05:06,907
We're going to serve
some tacos tonight.
109
00:05:06,907 --> 00:05:08,809
Anybody want to place an order?
110
00:05:08,809 --> 00:05:10,745
But these aren't employees,
these are volunteers.
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00:05:10,745 --> 00:05:13,714
And you're here to serve our
veterans as we are this week.
112
00:05:13,714 --> 00:05:15,483
- Absolutely.
Jon: So there's Pete.
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00:05:15,483 --> 00:05:17,284
Jon: He's the base commander.
He used to be
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00:05:17,284 --> 00:05:19,653
a district commander,
and during the pandemic
115
00:05:19,653 --> 00:05:20,921
they almost didn't make it.
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00:05:20,921 --> 00:05:23,591
Pete came back
just to save the base.
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00:05:23,591 --> 00:05:26,427
Anthony: He's a good man.
- He's a hero in this base.
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00:05:26,427 --> 00:05:30,398
- Your next order's right here.
- There's Del, canteen manager.
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00:05:30,398 --> 00:05:31,932
Canteen is their word
for restaurant.
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00:05:31,932 --> 00:05:34,702
Right now you got one,
two, three, four.
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00:05:34,702 --> 00:05:36,604
- They're in this order.
- There's Jeff.
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00:05:36,604 --> 00:05:38,339
Jeff is the quartermaster.
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00:05:38,339 --> 00:05:40,474
The quartermaster handles
all financial matters,
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00:05:40,474 --> 00:05:42,443
the business end of the base.
125
00:05:42,443 --> 00:05:44,845
Alright. Mudslide-ish.
126
00:05:44,845 --> 00:05:46,947
There's Kirsten.
She's one of our bartenders.
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00:05:46,947 --> 00:05:48,783
It works. Bam!
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00:05:48,783 --> 00:05:50,951
There's Beverly,
another bartender.
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00:05:50,951 --> 00:05:52,019
Again. Say one more time.
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00:05:52,019 --> 00:05:54,422
- Malibu.
- Malibu rum.
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And pineapple juice
in a tall glass.
132
00:05:57,992 --> 00:06:00,094
Jon: Look at the size
of the back of that bar.
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It's massive. Behind the bar,
you don't want to keep on
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00:06:02,329 --> 00:06:04,565
walking, you just want to
be there, reach it around,
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00:06:04,565 --> 00:06:06,867
turn back and be done with it.
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00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:08,569
We have two tacos.
137
00:06:08,569 --> 00:06:11,372
And there's Danny, who's both
a bartender and a cook.
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00:06:11,372 --> 00:06:13,407
They're working with
residential equipment.
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00:06:13,407 --> 00:06:15,643
- Look at that taco.
Anthony : It's not appetizing.
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Kudos for volunteering
their time,
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00:06:17,611 --> 00:06:19,113
but they need some correction.
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00:06:19,113 --> 00:06:21,515
Hey, you guys,
tacos are coming out, okay.
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00:06:21,515 --> 00:06:23,984
So for recon,
I got two locals.
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00:06:23,984 --> 00:06:27,788
I have Elizabeth, whose dad
was in the military,
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00:06:27,788 --> 00:06:30,891
and she manages a construction
company that hires vets.
146
00:06:30,891 --> 00:06:34,929
And then Misty Brochart
was deployed in Iraq
147
00:06:34,929 --> 00:06:36,530
and was a service person.
148
00:06:36,530 --> 00:06:39,934
So there's Elizabeth
in the vest,
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00:06:39,934 --> 00:06:42,403
and there's Misty
in the dark jacket behind her.
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00:06:42,403 --> 00:06:44,839
They've been to other VFW's,
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00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:48,742
so they know what a post should
be or what a post can be.
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00:06:48,742 --> 00:06:50,411
Can I help you?
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00:06:50,411 --> 00:06:52,780
Misty: Uh, do you have
a drink menu?
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00:06:52,780 --> 00:06:54,582
Uh, no.
155
00:06:54,582 --> 00:06:57,084
What type of rum cocktails
can you do?
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00:06:57,084 --> 00:06:58,619
Um, yes.
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00:06:58,619 --> 00:07:00,154
[laughs]
158
00:07:00,154 --> 00:07:02,523
Do you have to have any rum,
like a cocktail special,
159
00:07:02,523 --> 00:07:05,092
or like, uh...
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00:07:05,092 --> 00:07:06,927
Elizabeth: That's fine.
Rum and diet Coke.
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00:07:06,927 --> 00:07:08,162
Beverly: Can I help you?
162
00:07:08,162 --> 00:07:11,732
- Can I get a dirty martini?
- Okay.
163
00:07:11,732 --> 00:07:13,434
- Dirty martini.
- Dirty martini.
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00:07:13,434 --> 00:07:15,002
- Pretty simple drink.
- Super, super simple.
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00:07:15,002 --> 00:07:16,737
Two ingredients,
and one of the most
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00:07:16,737 --> 00:07:18,038
popular cocktails in America.
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Look at those pores.
That's terrible.
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00:07:24,478 --> 00:07:26,981
Derrick: Your measurements
is completely off.
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00:07:26,981 --> 00:07:31,619
Jon: Okay. She's putting
some olive juice.
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00:07:31,619 --> 00:07:33,654
So did you put any vermouth
in there at all?
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00:07:33,654 --> 00:07:36,891
No. And she's shaking the
cocktail, what's happening right
172
00:07:36,891 --> 00:07:38,526
now, you're going to break up
those molecules.
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It's going to get it bitter.
It's not gonna be
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as flavorful
if you stir it out.
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00:07:41,028 --> 00:07:42,530
And it's gonna get
watered down.
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- It's going to get bruised.
- Exactly.
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00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:47,635
Derrick: Is that..
Jon: That's sweet vermouth.
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00:07:47,635 --> 00:07:49,503
- Is that sweet vermouth?
- That's sweet vermouth.
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00:07:49,503 --> 00:07:51,205
Derrick: Oh, no, no, no, no.
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00:07:51,205 --> 00:07:53,841
- It's completely wrong.
Jon: That color on that...
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00:07:53,841 --> 00:07:55,576
Derrick: That is the dirtiest,
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00:07:55,576 --> 00:07:57,645
most wrong martini
I've ever seen in my life.
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00:07:57,645 --> 00:07:59,480
I do make them a little strong.
184
00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:03,717
That's okay. A little bit
strong. Here's our warning.
185
00:08:03,717 --> 00:08:05,019
Here we go.
Let's see what we got here.
186
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Wow.
187
00:08:12,092 --> 00:08:13,894
I hope you don't have a match.
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00:08:13,894 --> 00:08:17,064
You'll light my breath on fire.
189
00:08:17,064 --> 00:08:19,099
This is the quality that's
being served to our vets.
190
00:08:19,099 --> 00:08:20,834
That's a big problem.
191
00:08:20,834 --> 00:08:22,970
- Where would... Navy, army...?
- Army.
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00:08:22,970 --> 00:08:24,538
Man 1: Oh, really?
We're both army.
193
00:08:24,538 --> 00:08:26,740
- Oh, really? Oh, did you?
- Somalia.
194
00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:28,876
See this is what's great
about a VFW Post.
195
00:08:28,876 --> 00:08:30,678
Those women came in
and sat down
196
00:08:30,678 --> 00:08:33,781
and within minutes
they're talking to another vet.
197
00:08:33,781 --> 00:08:38,219
What makes VFW Post so
important is the camaraderie.
198
00:08:38,219 --> 00:08:40,254
They've been through hell,
these guys and these women.
199
00:08:40,254 --> 00:08:42,223
So being able to talk
to each other,
200
00:08:42,223 --> 00:08:44,191
relate to each other,
care about each other
201
00:08:44,191 --> 00:08:47,194
is a very, very powerful thing.
202
00:08:47,194 --> 00:08:48,963
You were the Division
Ready Brigade or whatever...
203
00:08:48,963 --> 00:08:50,864
We had,
we had signed it Friday,
204
00:08:50,864 --> 00:08:53,767
and on Monday
we were on the ground.
205
00:08:53,767 --> 00:08:55,000
Without these VFW Post,
this peer support disappears.
206
00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,171
Without these VFW Post,
this peer support disappears.
207
00:08:57,171 --> 00:08:58,639
That's why the work
that we're doing
208
00:08:58,639 --> 00:09:00,140
is so critically important.
209
00:09:00,140 --> 00:09:01,609
It's more than food
and beverage.
210
00:09:01,609 --> 00:09:03,010
It's the conversation
that happens
211
00:09:03,010 --> 00:09:05,179
over that food and beverage.
212
00:09:05,179 --> 00:09:08,582
I have a bug in my drink.
213
00:09:08,582 --> 00:09:11,252
Eli: It has a bug hanging out.
Misty: That is a bug.
214
00:09:11,252 --> 00:09:13,654
- It is a bug..
Beverly: Okay, hold on.
215
00:09:13,654 --> 00:09:16,890
- They don't have the skills...
- Whoopsie!
216
00:09:16,890 --> 00:09:18,826
Jon: But it's more than that
guys. Look at the kitchen
217
00:09:18,826 --> 00:09:20,828
we're dealing with,
look at the dining room guys.
218
00:09:20,828 --> 00:09:23,063
Look at the bar
we're dealing with.
219
00:09:23,063 --> 00:09:24,865
We got to deal
with these physical issues.
220
00:09:24,865 --> 00:09:28,869
And most important,
we got to make them proficient.
221
00:09:28,869 --> 00:09:31,105
I'm gonna go talk
to the commander.
222
00:09:31,105 --> 00:09:33,073
Let me find out
some objectives from him
223
00:09:33,073 --> 00:09:34,908
and then let the three of us
huddle after,
224
00:09:34,908 --> 00:09:36,677
and then we'll come up
with a plan.
225
00:09:36,677 --> 00:09:38,779
Derrick: Sounds great.
- Alright? Let's go do it, guys.
226
00:09:38,779 --> 00:09:41,115
Elizabeth: Thank you, ma'am.
- There we go. Try again.
227
00:09:41,115 --> 00:09:43,217
Let's see if we have
any friends in this one.
228
00:09:43,217 --> 00:09:45,753
[upbeat music]
229
00:09:48,856 --> 00:09:51,025
Woman 1: I think we're clear.
- Thank you. That's okay.
230
00:09:51,025 --> 00:09:54,261
It's clear as a martini
is gonna look at the VFW.
231
00:09:54,261 --> 00:09:56,130
- Commander.
- Pete: Jon.
232
00:09:56,130 --> 00:09:57,798
- Pete Lacomb, how do you do?
- Pleasure.
233
00:09:57,798 --> 00:09:59,733
- My pleasure, sir.
- My pleasure. Have a seat.
234
00:09:59,733 --> 00:10:01,168
I'll sit and talk with you
if that's okay?
235
00:10:01,168 --> 00:10:02,970
Sure.
236
00:10:02,970 --> 00:10:05,005
Jon: You know, I don't want
to make you blush,
237
00:10:05,005 --> 00:10:07,241
but I've done my homework
on you,
238
00:10:07,241 --> 00:10:10,044
I know about the problems this
post had during pandemic
239
00:10:10,044 --> 00:10:11,979
and stuff, you almost went
bankrupt, didn't you?
240
00:10:11,979 --> 00:10:13,647
- Almost did, yeah.
- Yeah.
241
00:10:13,647 --> 00:10:16,216
We took everything we had
out of reserves.
242
00:10:16,216 --> 00:10:19,320
And then you came back now
as commander
243
00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,122
and you're committed
to turning us around.
244
00:10:22,122 --> 00:10:23,824
Pete: Part of the reason
I did that was
245
00:10:23,824 --> 00:10:26,927
I'm gonna lose
my World War II veteran.
246
00:10:26,927 --> 00:10:30,831
My mentor,
he's in specialized care.
247
00:10:30,831 --> 00:10:34,601
He mentored me when I first
came into the VFW.
248
00:10:34,601 --> 00:10:37,905
- He's 98 years old, though.
- God bless him.
249
00:10:37,905 --> 00:10:40,641
So he's another reason why
this post is still here today.
250
00:10:40,641 --> 00:10:43,010
Oh, yes, yes.
A big reason.
251
00:10:43,010 --> 00:10:45,846
Pete: He mentored me
and I felt I was obligated
252
00:10:45,846 --> 00:10:48,349
to carry on the friendship
and pay him back.
253
00:10:48,349 --> 00:10:50,317
Jon: We need to up everything.
- Yeah.
254
00:10:50,317 --> 00:10:52,152
- Is Jeff here now?
- Sure. I'll get him.
255
00:10:52,152 --> 00:10:54,254
I'll get him. Jeff.
256
00:10:54,254 --> 00:10:55,789
How are you, sir? Jeff Lincoln.
257
00:10:55,789 --> 00:10:58,125
Nice to meet you, Jeff.
Please grab a seat.
258
00:10:58,125 --> 00:10:59,960
So, Jeff, if I were to ask you,
259
00:10:59,960 --> 00:11:02,162
what are the three biggest
issues in your opinion,
260
00:11:02,162 --> 00:11:04,965
that we need to work on
to turn this post around?
261
00:11:04,965 --> 00:11:07,801
We need to make the inside
look better.
262
00:11:07,801 --> 00:11:09,703
Jon: Not so dated.
Jeff: We need to make the bar...
263
00:11:09,703 --> 00:11:12,973
Jeff: more functional and we
need to make sure the equipment,
264
00:11:12,973 --> 00:11:15,309
the facility is reliable.
265
00:11:15,309 --> 00:11:17,411
What do you think are the
three biggest problems, Pete?
266
00:11:17,411 --> 00:11:22,750
I think the inside appearance.
We need more of a social media,
267
00:11:22,750 --> 00:11:25,386
an Internet, uh, image.
268
00:11:25,386 --> 00:11:27,821
The third is
the air conditioners in here.
269
00:11:27,821 --> 00:11:32,226
You know what surprises me?
None of you mention training.
270
00:11:32,226 --> 00:11:33,994
Jon: None of you
mentioned staff.
271
00:11:33,994 --> 00:11:35,763
You got a bartender back there
272
00:11:35,763 --> 00:11:38,265
who's making a martini
with sweet vermouth.
273
00:11:38,265 --> 00:11:40,067
It was served with a bug in it.
274
00:11:40,067 --> 00:11:42,669
It had to be dumped down the
drain and remade a second time.
275
00:11:42,669 --> 00:11:44,371
She has no idea
what she's doing.
276
00:11:44,371 --> 00:11:46,340
You got guys in the kitchen,
you were one of them.
277
00:11:46,340 --> 00:11:48,242
You got a bunch of vets
trying to come through
278
00:11:48,242 --> 00:11:52,913
for each other, but they
don't know what they're doing.
279
00:11:52,913 --> 00:11:55,816
If we don't make the
staff capable
280
00:11:55,816 --> 00:11:58,786
of delivering the experience,
281
00:11:58,786 --> 00:12:01,822
we cannot take this
to the next level, guys.
282
00:12:01,822 --> 00:12:04,858
People will not come,
and this post will close.
283
00:12:09,330 --> 00:12:12,066
If we don't make the
staff capable
284
00:12:12,066 --> 00:12:15,069
of delivering the experience,
285
00:12:15,069 --> 00:12:19,207
we cannot take this
to the next level, guys.
286
00:12:19,207 --> 00:12:23,144
So, I look at this as
two issues, physical is easy.
287
00:12:23,144 --> 00:12:26,347
Our biggest challenge
is going to be staff.
288
00:12:26,347 --> 00:12:29,383
They're volunteers,
and we have to train them
289
00:12:29,383 --> 00:12:31,185
and get their expertise up one,
290
00:12:31,185 --> 00:12:34,822
so we sell more,
and we sell more profitably.
291
00:12:34,822 --> 00:12:36,390
Yeah. We've let training slip
292
00:12:36,390 --> 00:12:37,758
just because it seems
like we're always
293
00:12:37,758 --> 00:12:39,227
fighting the nearest fire.
294
00:12:39,227 --> 00:12:41,829
Well, I got to get you
out of that mode, don't I?
295
00:12:41,829 --> 00:12:43,798
This means very much to me,
and I can see
296
00:12:43,798 --> 00:12:45,399
it means very much to you.
297
00:12:45,399 --> 00:12:46,968
These guys risk their lives.
298
00:12:46,968 --> 00:12:48,336
Look at the environment
they're in.
299
00:12:48,336 --> 00:12:50,204
They deserve better than this.
300
00:12:50,204 --> 00:12:53,207
Look at the food they're eating,
they deserve better than this.
301
00:12:53,207 --> 00:12:55,143
Let's make it happen.
302
00:12:55,143 --> 00:12:59,147
It's hard to believe
that this is going to happen.
303
00:12:59,147 --> 00:13:00,781
I'll see you guys
in the morning.
304
00:13:00,781 --> 00:13:03,317
This post is in dire need
of some assistance,
305
00:13:03,317 --> 00:13:07,121
and-- and we're welcoming
everything he brings to us.
306
00:13:07,121 --> 00:13:08,890
I'm looking forward to it.
307
00:13:08,890 --> 00:13:11,292
Um, I think I'm ready
for the challenge.
308
00:13:11,292 --> 00:13:12,293
Bring it on.
309
00:13:15,396 --> 00:13:17,031
I spent 20 years
in the military,
310
00:13:17,031 --> 00:13:19,267
I've spent ten years
in the Marine Corps,
311
00:13:19,267 --> 00:13:21,369
and then I transferred
to the chaplain's office
312
00:13:21,369 --> 00:13:25,373
in the navy,
and retired in 1991.
313
00:13:25,373 --> 00:13:28,376
I am the chaplain of post 1689.
314
00:13:28,376 --> 00:13:32,180
We're a support group.
We love the veterans.
315
00:13:32,180 --> 00:13:36,851
We want to provide the kind
of support that is needed.
316
00:13:36,851 --> 00:13:39,320
But to do that, we have
to have a good place to come.
317
00:13:50,164 --> 00:13:52,900
Jon: Last night, I saw all
the operational shortcomings
318
00:13:52,900 --> 00:13:55,269
that are causing
this post to fail.
319
00:13:55,269 --> 00:13:59,507
But you know what, VFW posts
are all about membership.
320
00:13:59,507 --> 00:14:02,843
- Hello. Hi, there. I'm Jon.
- Hey. Barbara.
321
00:14:02,843 --> 00:14:04,111
- Barbara, nice to meet you.
- Hey, Jon. Nice to meet you.
322
00:14:04,111 --> 00:14:06,013
Jon: What's your name?
- Steve.
323
00:14:06,013 --> 00:14:10,785
So I've asked a few members to
come sit and talk with me
324
00:14:10,785 --> 00:14:12,420
before I meet with management.
325
00:14:12,420 --> 00:14:14,222
So how long have you been
a member here?
326
00:14:14,222 --> 00:14:17,458
- For about a year and a half.
- How long have you been?
327
00:14:17,458 --> 00:14:19,493
- Also a year and a half.
- Year and a half?
328
00:14:19,493 --> 00:14:21,229
- Three, almost four.
Jon: Almost four.
329
00:14:21,229 --> 00:14:23,130
- Twenty.
- Twenty!
330
00:14:23,130 --> 00:14:25,066
So how do you feel when you see
what's happened here?
331
00:14:25,066 --> 00:14:26,801
Sad.
332
00:14:26,801 --> 00:14:30,238
It's the second oldest post
in the state of Florida.
333
00:14:30,238 --> 00:14:33,874
And my dad actually belonged
to this post at one time,
334
00:14:33,874 --> 00:14:36,544
and so it's...
335
00:14:36,544 --> 00:14:38,512
means a whole lot to me.
336
00:14:38,512 --> 00:14:40,414
How often do you come here?
337
00:14:40,414 --> 00:14:43,384
At least, uh,
every Taco Tuesday.
338
00:14:43,384 --> 00:14:46,120
You tend to come more
when there's an event,
339
00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,823
or something going on,
like a Taco Tuesday.
340
00:14:48,823 --> 00:14:52,126
- I guess most of the time, yes.
- Yeah? How often do you come?
341
00:14:52,126 --> 00:14:54,362
Oh, I'm the senior vice,
so I come
342
00:14:54,362 --> 00:14:56,030
probably
four times a week, at least.
343
00:14:56,030 --> 00:14:57,365
Take care of a lot
of the stuff in the building.
344
00:14:57,365 --> 00:14:59,467
Like fix it, like,
you know, just stuff.
345
00:14:59,467 --> 00:15:01,902
When was the last time
you came here and just had fun?
346
00:15:04,071 --> 00:15:06,907
Hmm. I don't know.
347
00:15:06,907 --> 00:15:08,576
Jon: That hesitation
says everything, doesn't it?
348
00:15:08,576 --> 00:15:10,578
Yeah. It's not inviting.
first of all I walked in here
349
00:15:10,578 --> 00:15:12,213
I was like,
but why would I want to
350
00:15:12,213 --> 00:15:14,382
eat or drink anything in here,
it's disgusting.
351
00:15:14,382 --> 00:15:16,250
Jon: In essence, we're chasing
them away, aren't we?
352
00:15:16,250 --> 00:15:18,486
- We are. We are.
- Yeah. Yeah.
353
00:15:18,486 --> 00:15:20,054
Steve: I know. I would like it
to where we could
354
00:15:20,054 --> 00:15:22,390
watch a football game
with a bunch of people.
355
00:15:22,390 --> 00:15:24,225
And in the past,
this place used to be
356
00:15:24,225 --> 00:15:25,926
shoulder to shoulder
with steak night.
357
00:15:25,926 --> 00:15:27,161
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
358
00:15:27,161 --> 00:15:30,197
Other VFW Posts
were able to go in
359
00:15:30,197 --> 00:15:31,932
and renovate during COVID.
360
00:15:31,932 --> 00:15:34,468
And they've got
beautiful bars now.
361
00:15:34,468 --> 00:15:38,239
And ours needs, you know,
so much work done to it.
362
00:15:38,239 --> 00:15:40,341
[somber music]
363
00:15:40,341 --> 00:15:43,344
It's, it's really nice
that he's here.
364
00:15:43,344 --> 00:15:46,480
If we bring back the fun,
we bring back the money,
365
00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:48,516
we bring back the resources,
366
00:15:48,516 --> 00:15:50,251
and we have
a successful post again.
367
00:15:50,251 --> 00:15:52,153
- Absolutely.
Barbara: Yeah.
368
00:15:52,153 --> 00:15:54,622
There's a lot of young guys
that would love to talk to you.
369
00:15:54,622 --> 00:15:57,625
And if we're not there,
where do they go?
370
00:15:57,625 --> 00:16:00,628
Well, unfortunately,
a lot of them are
371
00:16:00,628 --> 00:16:04,031
taking the wrong path
and, or committing suicide.
372
00:16:04,031 --> 00:16:08,135
I know there are veterans of my
era that post 9/11, 9/11 vets,
373
00:16:08,135 --> 00:16:11,372
some of them saw way more combat
than some of us.
374
00:16:11,372 --> 00:16:15,509
And I feel we owe it to them
to make a place that is
375
00:16:15,509 --> 00:16:17,978
great for them to come hang out
and feel safe.
376
00:16:17,978 --> 00:16:20,214
Place like this, it's,
it has a social element.
377
00:16:20,214 --> 00:16:21,682
So you might come here
to kind of relax
378
00:16:21,682 --> 00:16:23,417
and be around people
who understand you,
379
00:16:23,417 --> 00:16:24,985
especially when you're
first coming out,
380
00:16:24,985 --> 00:16:27,088
because you're trained
to sort of repress
381
00:16:27,088 --> 00:16:28,589
some of those emotions.
382
00:16:28,589 --> 00:16:31,325
And then along the way, you get
this wisdom from these
383
00:16:31,325 --> 00:16:34,161
other vets, so that
by the time, you know,
384
00:16:34,161 --> 00:16:36,664
maybe life starts changing or
some of these smaller injuries
385
00:16:36,664 --> 00:16:37,965
turn into bigger injuries,
386
00:16:37,965 --> 00:16:39,367
you'll have what you need.
387
00:16:39,367 --> 00:16:42,169
That's why this is so
darn important
388
00:16:42,169 --> 00:16:44,372
and I am so committed
to doing this.
389
00:16:44,372 --> 00:16:46,474
This means so much.
390
00:16:46,474 --> 00:16:48,609
And the fact
that it got away this bad
391
00:16:48,609 --> 00:16:51,011
is a terrible, terrible thing.
392
00:16:52,213 --> 00:16:55,015
We're going to fix it. Okay?
393
00:16:55,015 --> 00:16:56,717
Would a hug make you
feel better?
394
00:16:56,717 --> 00:16:57,952
- Yeah.
Jon: Let's do it.
395
00:16:57,952 --> 00:16:59,086
[chuckles]
396
00:17:02,022 --> 00:17:04,625
Talking with some of the members
I can see these people
397
00:17:04,625 --> 00:17:05,000
really care about this place.
398
00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:06,627
really care about this place.
399
00:17:06,627 --> 00:17:07,695
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Jon.
400
00:17:07,695 --> 00:17:09,330
I'm going to go to work.
401
00:17:09,330 --> 00:17:11,298
They just need a reason to come.
402
00:17:11,298 --> 00:17:12,366
- See you guys later, okay?
- Alright.
403
00:17:12,366 --> 00:17:13,667
- Yeah.
- Looking forward to it.
404
00:17:13,667 --> 00:17:15,736
Without membership,
they don't come.
405
00:17:15,736 --> 00:17:17,638
And if they don't come,
there's no money.
406
00:17:17,638 --> 00:17:19,940
The entire post can unravel.
407
00:17:22,476 --> 00:17:24,445
- Hello!
Danny: Hello.
408
00:17:24,445 --> 00:17:25,746
- Hey.
Danny: Hello!
409
00:17:25,746 --> 00:17:28,449
This post needs to be
reignited.
410
00:17:28,449 --> 00:17:29,483
Who's ready to go to work?
411
00:17:29,483 --> 00:17:30,684
- Us.
- We all are!
412
00:17:30,684 --> 00:17:32,486
I know you guys are,
so come on over.
413
00:17:32,486 --> 00:17:33,521
- Let's do it.
- Come on over.
414
00:17:33,521 --> 00:17:35,222
We need to take this hill again
415
00:17:35,222 --> 00:17:37,224
and turn this into
a winning environment
416
00:17:37,224 --> 00:17:39,160
with dynamic leadership.
417
00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:41,061
And that's what I'm working on.
418
00:17:41,061 --> 00:17:43,364
- Del: Good to see you, Pete.
- Good to see you. Thank you.
419
00:17:43,364 --> 00:17:47,067
- I'm happy to be here.
- We're glad you're here.
420
00:17:47,067 --> 00:17:48,469
Jon: Hi. What's your name?
- Hi. How're you doing?
421
00:17:48,469 --> 00:17:50,204
- I'm Beverly.
Jon: Hi, Beverly.
422
00:17:50,204 --> 00:17:52,006
Jon: Nice to meet you.
- It's nice meeting you, too.
423
00:17:52,006 --> 00:17:53,641
And are you a member?
You auxiliary?
424
00:17:53,641 --> 00:17:56,610
Beverly: I'm a lifetime member,
and I also am auxiliary.
425
00:17:56,610 --> 00:17:57,778
Jon: Wow.
- Mm-hmm.
426
00:17:57,778 --> 00:17:59,180
- Hi, what's your name?
- Del.
427
00:17:59,180 --> 00:18:00,514
Hi, Del.
And what do you do here?
428
00:18:00,514 --> 00:18:03,751
Canteen manager.
And I cook and bartend.
429
00:18:03,751 --> 00:18:05,419
- Hi, what's your name?
Kirsten: Kirsten.
430
00:18:05,419 --> 00:18:07,321
I've been
in the industry before,
431
00:18:07,321 --> 00:18:10,057
so if you have time
to volunteer,
432
00:18:10,057 --> 00:18:12,393
why not do it for people
that saves our lives?
433
00:18:12,393 --> 00:18:13,794
- I'm Danny.
- Hey, Danny.
434
00:18:13,794 --> 00:18:16,597
- And what do you do here?
- Kitchen manager.
435
00:18:16,597 --> 00:18:18,566
- Are you a vet?
- No, I'm not.
436
00:18:18,566 --> 00:18:20,601
So you're donating your time
to support our vets?
437
00:18:20,601 --> 00:18:22,436
Danny: Yes, sir.
438
00:18:22,436 --> 00:18:23,504
I had an opportunity to meet
with some of
439
00:18:23,504 --> 00:18:25,506
your members a couple hours ago.
440
00:18:25,506 --> 00:18:29,210
The one thing that came
out of that discussion
441
00:18:29,210 --> 00:18:31,612
is a three letter word, fun.
442
00:18:31,612 --> 00:18:33,147
[chuckles]
443
00:18:33,147 --> 00:18:35,516
Jon: None of them come here
to have fun.
444
00:18:39,487 --> 00:18:42,089
I think when you walk
into this building
445
00:18:42,089 --> 00:18:44,058
and you're dealing with
air conditioning issues
446
00:18:44,058 --> 00:18:46,727
and filth issues,
and refrigeration issues,
447
00:18:46,727 --> 00:18:48,562
I'm going to dare say that
maybe you've lost
448
00:18:48,562 --> 00:18:51,165
a little motivation.
449
00:18:51,165 --> 00:18:52,800
You know, one of the people
I was speaking to said to me
450
00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:54,768
"First time I came here,
I thought it was dirty
451
00:18:54,768 --> 00:18:56,470
and blah, blah, blah,
I wouldn't have come back."
452
00:18:58,739 --> 00:19:02,409
Think of how many people have
come here and not come back.
453
00:19:02,409 --> 00:19:04,612
- It weighs down on you.
- It's distracting.
454
00:19:04,612 --> 00:19:06,380
That's my point.
455
00:19:06,380 --> 00:19:09,383
So maybe if we didn't
lose that fire in our belly
456
00:19:09,383 --> 00:19:11,318
we'd still have a steak night,
we'd still have
457
00:19:11,318 --> 00:19:14,522
something on Thursday nights,
we'd still have football events.
458
00:19:14,522 --> 00:19:15,656
That's what we got to get back.
459
00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:22,255
Jon: So I have
to fix the building,
460
00:19:22,255 --> 00:19:24,557
and I have to elevate
our experience
461
00:19:24,557 --> 00:19:27,093
and make it fun again.
Let me bring my experts in.
462
00:19:27,093 --> 00:19:29,429
- I want to go to work.
Beverly: Oh, here they come.
463
00:19:29,429 --> 00:19:31,264
Pete: We incorporate fun
464
00:19:31,264 --> 00:19:33,833
we're going to draw in
the younger veterans.
465
00:19:33,833 --> 00:19:35,435
Good to see you, Jon.
466
00:19:35,435 --> 00:19:36,769
Pete: That will increase
our membership
467
00:19:36,769 --> 00:19:39,339
and keep the fun going.
468
00:19:39,339 --> 00:19:41,174
Funny thing that you guys
have Taco Tuesdays
469
00:19:41,174 --> 00:19:44,511
'cause the best taco
I ever had in my life
470
00:19:44,511 --> 00:19:46,779
was made by Anthony Lamas.
471
00:19:46,779 --> 00:19:49,249
Derrick must have called me 20
times. "Jon, I want to do this."
472
00:19:49,249 --> 00:19:50,717
"I want to do this.
I want to do this."
473
00:19:50,717 --> 00:19:52,452
So we're here
'cause we want to be.
474
00:19:52,452 --> 00:19:53,786
- Okay.
- Thank you.
475
00:19:53,786 --> 00:19:55,588
- You guys ready to do it?
- We're ready.
476
00:19:55,588 --> 00:19:57,257
You ready? Alright, go to work.
- Ready.
477
00:19:57,257 --> 00:19:59,125
[drum roll]
478
00:19:59,125 --> 00:20:01,461
[military music]
479
00:20:05,832 --> 00:20:07,567
Del: Come on!
- How are we doing?
480
00:20:07,567 --> 00:20:09,502
- Good.
- Doing good?
481
00:20:09,502 --> 00:20:11,871
Last night I saw martini
with sweet vermouth being made.
482
00:20:11,871 --> 00:20:14,407
I saw a fly,
I saw inconsistencies.
483
00:20:14,407 --> 00:20:16,643
I saw just people that didn't
have any skill sets.
484
00:20:16,643 --> 00:20:19,178
So today I'm running the staff
through basic boot camp,
485
00:20:19,178 --> 00:20:21,681
learning how to stir a cocktail,
how to build one.
486
00:20:21,681 --> 00:20:23,383
You need these
to actually make drinks.
487
00:20:23,383 --> 00:20:24,617
You're doing it with your heart,
but you don't have
488
00:20:24,617 --> 00:20:26,519
the skill set to do it
correctly.
489
00:20:26,519 --> 00:20:28,221
We're not going to give them
too many ingredients
490
00:20:28,221 --> 00:20:29,556
for these cocktails, but we're
going to make something
491
00:20:29,556 --> 00:20:32,225
that's delicious
and eye appealing.
492
00:20:32,225 --> 00:20:34,794
Now, why do we stir cocktails?
493
00:20:34,794 --> 00:20:37,330
I don't know about stirring,
I like mine shaked.
494
00:20:37,330 --> 00:20:41,334
Typically, when you shake a
martini, it's by request.
495
00:20:41,334 --> 00:20:43,269
And the reason
why you stir a martini
496
00:20:43,269 --> 00:20:44,637
is because you don't want to
bruise the molecules,
497
00:20:44,637 --> 00:20:45,805
making it a little bit bitter.
498
00:20:45,805 --> 00:20:48,875
You want to dilute
and not air it.
499
00:20:48,875 --> 00:20:51,711
Start with a quarter
of an ounce of dry vermouth,
500
00:20:51,711 --> 00:20:54,380
and then two ounces of vodka.
501
00:20:54,380 --> 00:20:56,883
Add your ice...
stir the martini.
502
00:20:56,883 --> 00:20:58,618
And you want to do this
for about ten seconds.
503
00:20:58,618 --> 00:21:01,154
And again, we're just diluting,
we're not bruising.
504
00:21:01,154 --> 00:21:04,223
And this is going to go
into a stemless martini glass.
505
00:21:04,223 --> 00:21:05,858
And then you're going
to get your nice lemon.
506
00:21:05,858 --> 00:21:07,660
And we're going
to take the oils.
507
00:21:07,660 --> 00:21:10,363
Just do a pinch, place it in.
508
00:21:10,363 --> 00:21:13,833
And ladies and gentlemen,
that is a classic martini.
509
00:21:13,833 --> 00:21:17,403
- Let's taste it.
- Pretty good.
510
00:21:17,403 --> 00:21:19,272
In fact, the lemon
adds something to it.
511
00:21:19,272 --> 00:21:20,907
I've never had it
with lemon before.
512
00:21:20,907 --> 00:21:22,642
Alright. But, Miss Beverly,
I'm going to have you
513
00:21:22,642 --> 00:21:25,578
come behind the bar
and make the classic martini.
514
00:21:25,578 --> 00:21:26,879
Beverly: I learned a lot
from Derrick.
515
00:21:26,879 --> 00:21:28,615
He's a great teacher.
516
00:21:28,615 --> 00:21:30,783
- Okay. One, two, three...
- One, two, three, four...
517
00:21:30,783 --> 00:21:32,185
Derrick: five six.
Beverly: five six.
518
00:21:32,185 --> 00:21:34,287
I never think as drinks,
as building.
519
00:21:34,287 --> 00:21:37,256
And I thought it was very
interesting. That was new to me.
520
00:21:37,256 --> 00:21:39,592
I need to prove to Derrick
I can do it.
521
00:21:39,592 --> 00:21:41,260
That's very important.
522
00:21:41,260 --> 00:21:45,365
I would get a shot
at redemption from last night.
523
00:21:45,365 --> 00:21:47,600
- It's better than yours.
- Hey, man..
524
00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:50,737
Then-- then-- then
she's doing her job, man.
525
00:21:50,737 --> 00:21:51,804
Anthony: Gentlemen, how are you?
526
00:21:51,804 --> 00:21:53,373
- Good.
- Great.
527
00:21:53,373 --> 00:21:55,808
First of all, I want to say
thank you
528
00:21:55,808 --> 00:21:57,777
for everything you do
for our country.
529
00:21:57,777 --> 00:22:00,346
This means a lot to me.
So last night with Jon,
530
00:22:00,346 --> 00:22:01,914
we noticed
they were cooking tacos.
531
00:22:01,914 --> 00:22:04,484
So the taco was wrong
in so many ways.
532
00:22:04,484 --> 00:22:06,853
They had tortillas that,
they weren't even warming up.
533
00:22:06,853 --> 00:22:09,722
So I'm going to do
two shells per taco.
534
00:22:09,722 --> 00:22:12,492
The tortilla has to cook to get
softened up a little bit.
535
00:22:12,492 --> 00:22:14,460
These are veterans,
they deserve so much more.
536
00:22:14,460 --> 00:22:16,229
I just took some hash browns.
537
00:22:16,229 --> 00:22:18,631
We're going to drop it
right down in here. Okay?
538
00:22:18,631 --> 00:22:22,435
Today, I want to show them
the difference of a fresh taco
539
00:22:22,435 --> 00:22:24,003
than something
just right out of the package.
540
00:22:24,003 --> 00:22:25,738
I'm just going to break
some of this hot potato
541
00:22:25,738 --> 00:22:27,540
and put it right on there.
That's going to add
542
00:22:27,540 --> 00:22:30,643
a little bit of texture, right?
I made a little queso sauce,
543
00:22:30,643 --> 00:22:32,578
just to give some
richness to it.
544
00:22:32,578 --> 00:22:35,615
We have our ground beef
right on there. Okay?
545
00:22:35,615 --> 00:22:39,485
And then pico de gallo, that's
going to add a little freshness.
546
00:22:39,485 --> 00:22:40,953
You're going
to have a nice, soft,
547
00:22:40,953 --> 00:22:43,022
crispy potato and beef taco.
548
00:22:43,022 --> 00:22:45,591
A simple taco, but just
a little bit different.
549
00:22:45,591 --> 00:22:47,694
Danny: I think people
will appreciate the new taco.
550
00:22:47,694 --> 00:22:50,630
This was tasteful, was creative,
551
00:22:50,630 --> 00:22:53,833
Was amazing how it elevates the,
the flavor, the smell.
552
00:22:53,833 --> 00:22:55,401
I can eat ten of them.
553
00:22:55,401 --> 00:22:56,936
We are going
to get ready for stress test.
554
00:22:56,936 --> 00:22:59,439
We got a lot of work to do.
We'll get prepped up...
555
00:22:59,439 --> 00:23:01,040
- and get ready for tonight.
- Sure.
556
00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:02,542
Anthony: I appreciate it,
gentleman.
557
00:23:02,542 --> 00:23:03,509
- Thank you.
Anthony: Thank you.
558
00:23:06,546 --> 00:23:11,484
I was stationed in Guantanamo,
Spain. I was a coxswain.
559
00:23:11,484 --> 00:23:15,421
I drove boats in the med. I was
an anti-terrorism specialist.
560
00:23:15,421 --> 00:23:17,724
I witnessed a lot along
the way.
561
00:23:17,724 --> 00:23:19,926
Place like this
shows these vets that
562
00:23:19,926 --> 00:23:23,296
they are actually cared about,
and they have a place to go.
563
00:23:23,296 --> 00:23:25,932
What you did matter
and what you do still matters.
564
00:23:33,372 --> 00:23:37,910
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to VFW Post 1689.
565
00:23:37,910 --> 00:23:38,945
Please come in.
566
00:23:38,945 --> 00:23:40,279
[all cheering]
567
00:23:42,849 --> 00:23:46,519
Hey. Nice seeing you again.
How you doing?
568
00:23:46,519 --> 00:23:48,020
Woman 2: I'll have
a blood orange mojito.
569
00:23:48,020 --> 00:23:50,590
- Mozzarella and John Daly?
- Please.
570
00:23:50,590 --> 00:23:51,724
Good Lord!
571
00:23:53,326 --> 00:23:55,294
There are a lot of people here.
572
00:23:58,731 --> 00:24:00,933
- Hey, Jon. How are you?
- Good.
573
00:24:00,933 --> 00:24:02,668
There we go.
Isn't that pretty?
574
00:24:02,668 --> 00:24:05,772
Jeff: Remember to slap that.
- I forgot to slap it.
575
00:24:05,772 --> 00:24:07,774
I'm going to do it now.
576
00:24:07,774 --> 00:24:09,408
Oh, boy, Beverly,
look at that.
577
00:24:09,408 --> 00:24:10,743
Woman 3: Oh, my God.
578
00:24:10,743 --> 00:24:13,479
That cocktail is almost
as beautiful as you are.
579
00:24:13,479 --> 00:24:14,680
- Not quite.
- Oh, is it?
580
00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:16,816
But almost as beautiful
as you are.
581
00:24:16,816 --> 00:24:18,000
This is volunteer stress test.
582
00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:19,352
This is volunteer stress test.
583
00:24:19,352 --> 00:24:22,755
Nobody here is making
any payroll dollars at all.
584
00:24:22,755 --> 00:24:25,892
They're all volunteering
to serve our vets.
585
00:24:25,892 --> 00:24:27,860
So I don't expect them to be
the best bartenders
586
00:24:27,860 --> 00:24:31,097
in the world, but I want to see
their skills get better.
587
00:24:31,097 --> 00:24:33,900
It's all about
building their skills.
588
00:24:33,900 --> 00:24:36,602
And with a heart they have,
the skills are going to come.
589
00:24:36,602 --> 00:24:40,873
Five good pushes.
Boom, boom, boom, boom.
590
00:24:40,873 --> 00:24:43,810
Derrick: That's it. Good.
- Who's thirsty?
591
00:24:43,810 --> 00:24:45,812
Alright, there we go.
Come on, let's move.
592
00:24:45,812 --> 00:24:50,883
This is a limited menu tonight.
We're trying to train the staff.
593
00:24:50,883 --> 00:24:53,853
Woman 4: Nice job.
594
00:24:53,853 --> 00:24:56,422
Yeah, we got chicken strips,
chicken strips,
595
00:24:56,422 --> 00:24:58,691
mozzarella, mozzarella.
596
00:24:58,691 --> 00:25:00,526
- And two chicken strips.
- Just lay 'em down there.
597
00:25:00,526 --> 00:25:02,995
Hey, speed now. You got it.
Let's move.
598
00:25:02,995 --> 00:25:05,031
Set 'em right here, Jeff.
599
00:25:05,031 --> 00:25:08,134
We have to start from...
600
00:25:08,134 --> 00:25:10,002
Okay. I don't know
what's going on there.
601
00:25:10,002 --> 00:25:11,971
Anthony: They have tickets
being brought back.
602
00:25:11,971 --> 00:25:13,706
Some tickets
are on pieces of paper,
603
00:25:13,706 --> 00:25:15,575
some are
on handwritten tickets.
604
00:25:15,575 --> 00:25:18,110
They're just dropping them.
So it's just chaos.
605
00:25:18,110 --> 00:25:19,979
And not controlled chaos.
606
00:25:19,979 --> 00:25:22,582
We have about 15, 16 people
that still don't have cocktails.
607
00:25:22,582 --> 00:25:24,050
Jon: Yeah. So they're still
making them one at a time?
608
00:25:24,050 --> 00:25:25,451
Derrick: One at a time.
They can double up.
609
00:25:25,451 --> 00:25:26,619
- These are easy cocktails.
- Yeah.
610
00:25:26,619 --> 00:25:28,688
- They're ones and ones.
- Yeah.
611
00:25:28,688 --> 00:25:32,191
- What are you making?
- A bloody orange mojito.
612
00:25:32,191 --> 00:25:33,659
A bloody orange mojito.
613
00:25:33,659 --> 00:25:35,962
Who else wants
a bloody orange mojito?
614
00:25:35,962 --> 00:25:37,864
- Whoo-hoo!
- Now, see, if you did that...
615
00:25:37,864 --> 00:25:40,066
you could be making three at
once. And one at a time,
616
00:25:40,066 --> 00:25:41,534
you know how long
it's going to take
617
00:25:41,534 --> 00:25:43,836
by the time
she gets down to you?
618
00:25:43,836 --> 00:25:47,506
Four at a time. Boom, boom,
we're there.
619
00:25:47,506 --> 00:25:50,209
So let's make three at a time.
Four at a time.
620
00:25:50,209 --> 00:25:51,978
Let's go to cocktail war.
621
00:25:51,978 --> 00:25:53,613
[all cheering]
622
00:25:53,613 --> 00:25:56,749
- I'm going to need more mint.
Del: Right.
623
00:25:56,749 --> 00:25:59,685
Del: See that's not... I know.
Danny: That's not ready yet.
624
00:25:59,685 --> 00:26:01,153
But it's not getting
there because...
625
00:26:01,153 --> 00:26:03,122
And these are not even
getting brown now.
626
00:26:03,122 --> 00:26:05,691
Anthony: Right. It's 'cause
the-- the oil's dropped.
627
00:26:05,691 --> 00:26:08,828
There's no way to recover.
You don't have the capacity.
628
00:26:08,828 --> 00:26:09,929
You don't have
the right equipment.
629
00:26:09,929 --> 00:26:11,197
It's what it comes down to.
630
00:26:11,197 --> 00:26:13,032
Derrick: Hold on,
hold on, hold on.
631
00:26:13,032 --> 00:26:16,135
You're doing three, right?
But you have to do it in a ten.
632
00:26:16,135 --> 00:26:18,070
These are shaking cocktails,
remember?
633
00:26:18,070 --> 00:26:20,039
Clear this off the top
of the bar.
634
00:26:20,039 --> 00:26:22,041
Jon: How are we doing?
- You know, the fryers...
635
00:26:22,041 --> 00:26:24,043
it's a residential,
so it's not holding the heat.
636
00:26:24,043 --> 00:26:25,945
But I think they just need
a little direction.
637
00:26:25,945 --> 00:26:28,781
- And maybe a new fryer.
Anthony: And maybe a new fryer.
638
00:26:28,781 --> 00:26:30,750
Ounce and a half, ounce and a
half, ounce and a half.
639
00:26:30,750 --> 00:26:32,852
Two ounces. two ounces,
two ounces, every one.
640
00:26:32,852 --> 00:26:34,754
Remember, bottoms up.
Thumbs down. Come on.
641
00:26:34,754 --> 00:26:37,056
I want to see that speed.
I know you got it.
642
00:26:37,056 --> 00:26:39,759
- I need two more. Two more.
- You need two more?
643
00:26:39,759 --> 00:26:43,996
Here we go. We're making
money for a change.
644
00:26:43,996 --> 00:26:47,266
I appreciate
you all coming by tonight.
645
00:26:47,266 --> 00:26:50,069
I got the mojito,
and the cheese sticks.
646
00:26:50,069 --> 00:26:52,939
You'll like that. Normally,
we wouldn't have this
647
00:26:52,939 --> 00:26:55,107
big of a crowd all at one time,
648
00:26:55,107 --> 00:26:58,244
but that's what we need
to learn to be able to handle.
649
00:26:58,244 --> 00:27:00,079
Who's doing the food?
650
00:27:00,079 --> 00:27:02,715
- Del, Russ...
- Danny.
651
00:27:02,715 --> 00:27:05,851
- Oh, Danny's in there.
- Okay.
652
00:27:05,851 --> 00:27:08,821
Can they get on
three orders of cheese sticks?
653
00:27:08,821 --> 00:27:12,892
- Have you ordered them yet?
- Thirty minutes ago.
654
00:27:12,892 --> 00:27:16,996
I need four mojitos. Is there
a button for mojitos?
655
00:27:16,996 --> 00:27:19,532
Beverly: No, I'm trying
to figure this thing out.
656
00:27:20,599 --> 00:27:22,902
You got to stir it here.
657
00:27:22,902 --> 00:27:25,071
- Here and here.
- Excuse me.
658
00:27:25,071 --> 00:27:27,206
- And then hit, um...
Jon: Come on, guys.
659
00:27:27,206 --> 00:27:31,944
- Don't get hung up back here.
Beverly: 6.25, 6.25... Okay.
660
00:27:31,944 --> 00:27:33,779
Guys, there's people
on the other end of the bar
661
00:27:33,779 --> 00:27:36,015
haven't been served yet, and we
got to serve the tables.
662
00:27:36,015 --> 00:27:39,151
- Let's go.
Beverly: Okay. Food.
663
00:27:39,151 --> 00:27:40,987
Jon: Come on, guys. We got
a whole side of the bar
664
00:27:40,987 --> 00:27:42,288
here without drinks.
665
00:27:42,288 --> 00:27:45,291
[indistinct chatter]
666
00:27:45,291 --> 00:27:46,859
Beverly: I need to tell
somebody.
667
00:27:48,961 --> 00:27:51,063
But I'm trying
to get this done here.
668
00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:56,235
Come on, guys.
We got a whole side of the bar
669
00:27:56,235 --> 00:27:57,837
here without drinks.
670
00:27:57,837 --> 00:27:59,872
[indistinct chatter]
671
00:27:59,872 --> 00:28:02,942
Yeah, I know, but I'm
trying to get this done here.
672
00:28:02,942 --> 00:28:04,577
Come on, guys,
don't get hung up back here.
673
00:28:04,577 --> 00:28:06,712
Beverly: Oh, I need to tell
somebody.
674
00:28:06,712 --> 00:28:07,813
[indistinct chatter]
675
00:28:10,683 --> 00:28:13,052
So, guys, no matter how fast you
are, we keep getting
676
00:28:13,052 --> 00:28:15,955
backed up there, and you've got
to come serve here and then
677
00:28:15,955 --> 00:28:18,958
go to the kitchen, so you're
running all over the place.
678
00:28:18,958 --> 00:28:21,894
We have one POS terminal,
so we're standing in line here
679
00:28:21,894 --> 00:28:23,963
because we don't
have the equipment
680
00:28:23,963 --> 00:28:25,698
to serve our guests properly.
681
00:28:25,698 --> 00:28:26,766
Well, I don't know what
all these tickets are.
682
00:28:26,766 --> 00:28:28,601
I don't know either.
683
00:28:28,601 --> 00:28:31,070
Anthony: They've all been taken
out, but some are drinks.
684
00:28:31,070 --> 00:28:33,272
- But this is kind of the issue.
Del: He needs to run these..
685
00:28:33,272 --> 00:28:35,107
Del: in the register, we're
going to set these aside.
686
00:28:35,107 --> 00:28:37,643
Right, so they haven't
even been in the register yet.
687
00:28:37,643 --> 00:28:39,612
- That's what the problem is.
- Yeah, so writing down.
688
00:28:39,612 --> 00:28:42,581
- Yeah, that is a problem.
- The equipment is killing us.
689
00:28:42,581 --> 00:28:43,983
They can't fry the food
690
00:28:43,983 --> 00:28:45,751
in the kitchen
'cause the fryer is too small.
691
00:28:45,751 --> 00:28:47,686
Anthony: Yeah, these are still
frozen in the middle.
692
00:28:47,686 --> 00:28:48,821
We can't produce the
drinks because
693
00:28:48,821 --> 00:28:50,022
we don't have the workstations
694
00:28:50,022 --> 00:28:51,757
behind the bar
or the POS system.
695
00:28:51,757 --> 00:28:52,858
Oh, you've got to put
the name in last.
696
00:28:52,858 --> 00:28:54,794
I'll put these in.
697
00:28:54,794 --> 00:28:58,264
Jon: No matter what area we
look at equipment and setup
698
00:28:58,264 --> 00:29:01,834
is destroying our chance of
serving our members properly.
699
00:29:01,834 --> 00:29:04,804
You know, they're all backed
up at the POS system, Pete,
700
00:29:04,804 --> 00:29:07,840
and that's our point of delay,
so I've got to get you a good
701
00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:09,675
POS system and more than one.
702
00:29:09,675 --> 00:29:11,710
I've got to get the printers in
the kitchen and everything
703
00:29:11,710 --> 00:29:14,313
that we need to do to
run it properly.
704
00:29:14,313 --> 00:29:15,714
We're going to get there, buddy.
I promise you.
705
00:29:15,714 --> 00:29:18,017
Okay. Thank you.
706
00:29:18,017 --> 00:29:20,920
Folks, I've seen
what I need to see.
707
00:29:20,920 --> 00:29:23,622
Bar setup,
point of failure one.
708
00:29:23,622 --> 00:29:26,325
POS system,
point of failure two.
709
00:29:26,325 --> 00:29:29,728
The equipment in the kitchen
is another obstacle.
710
00:29:29,728 --> 00:29:32,932
So we have a great staff here.
You guys know that.
711
00:29:32,932 --> 00:29:35,901
We have great members.
And how about our bartenders?
712
00:29:35,901 --> 00:29:37,036
[applause]
713
00:29:39,738 --> 00:29:42,875
So we have heart,
we have commitment.
714
00:29:42,875 --> 00:29:46,412
We don't have equipment,
and we don't have systems.
715
00:29:46,412 --> 00:29:48,147
I'll take care of that.
716
00:29:48,147 --> 00:29:49,281
[cheering]
717
00:29:51,750 --> 00:29:58,257
Alright, guys. Thank you all.
Well, we knew they had heart.
718
00:29:58,257 --> 00:29:59,959
- Yeah. For sure.
- The bar is a nightmare.
719
00:29:59,959 --> 00:30:01,760
We have to change the bar setup.
720
00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:04,263
We've got to get them
a POS system. How are skills?
721
00:30:04,263 --> 00:30:06,132
Derrick: Skills, it needs
to be worked on.
722
00:30:06,132 --> 00:30:08,334
You need to be able to push
these cocktails out be
723
00:30:08,334 --> 00:30:10,769
consistent at the same time give
that smile give that energy.
724
00:30:10,769 --> 00:30:12,071
Jon: So we've got to
come up with
725
00:30:12,071 --> 00:30:13,772
a few more signature drinks
for them.
726
00:30:13,772 --> 00:30:15,274
Derrick: Absolutely.
- And they need to be easy.
727
00:30:15,274 --> 00:30:17,243
- We can't complicate this.
- Derrick: No. No.
728
00:30:17,243 --> 00:30:19,211
Go classic, simple,
but interesting,
729
00:30:19,211 --> 00:30:20,779
vibrant,
that bring in new blood.
730
00:30:20,779 --> 00:30:22,381
Bring in people that
actually want to have
731
00:30:22,381 --> 00:30:25,885
something a little bit different
than just, you know, a beer.
732
00:30:25,885 --> 00:30:27,186
- Exactly right.
Anthony: Alright!
733
00:30:27,186 --> 00:30:29,121
What did you think
about the kitchen, chef?
734
00:30:29,121 --> 00:30:31,857
They work together,
the effort's there.
735
00:30:31,857 --> 00:30:33,259
They just don't
have the equipment.
736
00:30:33,259 --> 00:30:35,127
So we'll give you
a few more menu items
737
00:30:35,127 --> 00:30:37,763
that fit that comfort
category for them.
738
00:30:37,763 --> 00:30:39,698
And train all day
tomorrow, guys.
739
00:30:39,698 --> 00:30:41,066
- Yeah.
- Alright?
740
00:30:41,066 --> 00:30:42,701
Let's go finish up
the menus, guys.
741
00:30:42,701 --> 00:30:45,271
- I'll buy the coffee. Alright.
- Sounds great.
742
00:30:45,271 --> 00:30:46,639
[instrumental music]
743
00:30:49,074 --> 00:30:51,210
In the service,
I was deployed to Somalia,
744
00:30:51,210 --> 00:30:54,113
Mogadishu, Somalia,
the day after Black Hawk Down.
745
00:30:54,113 --> 00:30:55,781
I was with the 24th
ID, and we were
746
00:30:55,781 --> 00:30:57,816
the first heavy mechanized
infantry unit
747
00:30:57,816 --> 00:31:00,119
to be in theater in 24 hours.
748
00:31:00,119 --> 00:31:01,987
So I was, you know,
I'm pretty proud of that.
749
00:31:01,987 --> 00:31:04,223
This post means to me
is the camaraderie
750
00:31:04,223 --> 00:31:07,026
I was missing in the military,
I can get it here.
751
00:31:07,026 --> 00:31:09,228
I just want to see this place
come back to life.
752
00:31:09,228 --> 00:31:14,200
Um, it's old. It just needs,
it needs a refurbishment
753
00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:16,168
so that we can focus
on helping vets instead of
754
00:31:16,168 --> 00:31:18,470
focusing on trying to put
the building back together.
755
00:31:18,470 --> 00:31:21,006
[upbeat music]
756
00:31:26,879 --> 00:31:29,114
Last night was stress test.
What I saw was
757
00:31:29,114 --> 00:31:32,051
simply one of everything,
one POS, one well.
758
00:31:32,051 --> 00:31:34,887
One drink being made at a time.
There's not a lot of efficiency
759
00:31:34,887 --> 00:31:37,323
that's happening behind this
bar, and that's one of the big
760
00:31:37,323 --> 00:31:39,491
reasons why it failed
last night.
761
00:31:39,491 --> 00:31:41,827
- How are we feeling?
- Doing okay.
762
00:31:41,827 --> 00:31:43,028
Doing good.
763
00:31:43,028 --> 00:31:44,230
So tell me about
what you-- what you
764
00:31:44,230 --> 00:31:46,298
experienced,
what you saw last night.
765
00:31:46,298 --> 00:31:50,903
Well, we got to get
a better system in there.
766
00:31:50,903 --> 00:31:52,805
Derrick: So Jon is going to
address equipment
767
00:31:52,805 --> 00:31:56,275
but, it's my job to address the
skill set and cocktail program.
768
00:31:56,275 --> 00:31:57,910
You guys have the love
and the spirit,
769
00:31:57,910 --> 00:31:59,178
you just need the skill set to
770
00:31:59,178 --> 00:32:01,981
actually be comfortable
with doing it.
771
00:32:01,981 --> 00:32:04,216
So ready for the next cocktail?
It's a classic.
772
00:32:04,216 --> 00:32:06,518
We're going to be making
a Manhattan.
773
00:32:06,518 --> 00:32:10,155
It's three ingredients. it's
fast, it's easy to push out.
774
00:32:10,155 --> 00:32:11,890
And it's delicious.
775
00:32:11,890 --> 00:32:14,493
The Manhattan. In a mixing
glass, add five dashes
776
00:32:14,493 --> 00:32:17,196
of aromatic bitters,
three-fourths of an ounce of
777
00:32:17,196 --> 00:32:21,200
sweet vermouth, two ounces of
bourbon, ice, and stir it.
778
00:32:21,200 --> 00:32:22,868
Use those grooves.
779
00:32:22,868 --> 00:32:25,304
You see that color
start to change?
780
00:32:25,304 --> 00:32:26,772
Strain into a 10-ounce
rocked glass.
781
00:32:26,772 --> 00:32:31,076
Garnish with dehydrated orange
slice and then put a cherry
on top.
782
00:32:31,076 --> 00:32:34,880
And ladies and gentlemen,
that is a classic Manhattan.
783
00:32:34,880 --> 00:32:37,149
One of your biggest
sellers at your bar is whiskey,
784
00:32:37,149 --> 00:32:38,951
so you have to give them
something that they want,
785
00:32:38,951 --> 00:32:40,519
but also have something that
786
00:32:40,519 --> 00:32:42,321
you can make a little
bit more money with and you have
787
00:32:42,321 --> 00:32:44,556
a little bit more pride
to actually make.
788
00:32:44,556 --> 00:32:47,126
So, we have a lot of work
we have to do.
789
00:32:47,126 --> 00:32:49,061
We have to be able to
double up on these cocktails.
790
00:32:49,061 --> 00:32:51,397
We have to be more efficient
and take this to the next level.
791
00:32:51,397 --> 00:32:52,000
- You guys ready?
Kirsten: Yeah.
792
00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:52,831
- You guys ready?
Kirsten: Yeah.
793
00:32:52,831 --> 00:32:53,799
- We're ready.
- We're ready.
794
00:32:55,434 --> 00:32:56,769
[upbeat music]
795
00:32:59,004 --> 00:33:01,307
When we look at this building,
obviously everything is
796
00:33:01,307 --> 00:33:03,175
just ridiculously old.
797
00:33:03,175 --> 00:33:04,310
[vacuum whirring]
798
00:33:06,845 --> 00:33:10,249
How do we make the front
look meaningful?
799
00:33:10,249 --> 00:33:12,418
Then we got this huge
massive bar here.
800
00:33:12,418 --> 00:33:16,588
So, or I was thinking about
putting a wall in, right there.
801
00:33:16,588 --> 00:33:19,058
Now we have a real
back bar and we can build
802
00:33:19,058 --> 00:33:21,293
a normal bar and get rid of
all that floor space.
803
00:33:21,293 --> 00:33:24,196
- It's terrible.
- It's huge.
804
00:33:24,196 --> 00:33:26,398
Let's talk about the kitchen.
They've got no professional
805
00:33:26,398 --> 00:33:29,435
equipment back in those old
days, so you got to get
806
00:33:29,435 --> 00:33:31,136
pretty much all new bar
equipment
807
00:33:31,136 --> 00:33:32,471
and all new kitchen equipment.
808
00:33:32,471 --> 00:33:34,006
Yeah, it's going to be
a lot in--
809
00:33:34,006 --> 00:33:36,508
in the short time frame
that we have.
810
00:33:36,508 --> 00:33:39,311
Well, these guys are
talented and we've never
811
00:33:39,311 --> 00:33:42,147
let a VFW post down before,
so we'll have to
812
00:33:42,147 --> 00:33:45,417
[indistinct]
Whatever it takes, we'll do it.
813
00:33:45,417 --> 00:33:47,186
- Thanks for your help. Alright.
- Alright, guys, let's do it.
814
00:33:52,291 --> 00:33:54,827
[trumpeting]
815
00:34:12,478 --> 00:34:16,382
Jon: Commander! You know,
when I get to do a VFW post,
816
00:34:16,382 --> 00:34:18,050
it's a labor of love.
817
00:34:18,050 --> 00:34:20,953
Your love of each other,
your love of the community.
818
00:34:20,953 --> 00:34:23,155
Your love of service
are all the reasons
819
00:34:23,155 --> 00:34:26,692
why it's my honor
to do this for you guys.
820
00:34:26,692 --> 00:34:29,628
Uh, I've been educated
a whole bunch.
821
00:34:29,628 --> 00:34:32,197
- Yeah. Yeah.
- I'm feeling good.
822
00:34:32,197 --> 00:34:33,999
Here it comes, commander.
Are you ready?
823
00:34:33,999 --> 00:34:36,368
- I'm ready. Are we all ready?
Jon: Okay.
824
00:34:36,368 --> 00:34:37,669
Pete: Yeah.
- Everybody ready?
825
00:34:37,669 --> 00:34:38,704
All: Yeah!
Jon: Alright.
826
00:34:38,704 --> 00:34:40,038
[applause]
827
00:34:41,273 --> 00:34:43,509
Here we go!
828
00:34:43,509 --> 00:34:47,179
One, two, three.
829
00:34:49,381 --> 00:34:51,417
- Whoa!
- My God!
830
00:34:51,417 --> 00:34:52,418
- Holy catfish!
Del: Oh, my God!
831
00:34:57,598 --> 00:35:01,969
two, three.
832
00:35:01,969 --> 00:35:05,639
- Whoa! Oh, my God!
- Holy catfish!
833
00:35:05,639 --> 00:35:07,641
Beverly: Oh, the color!
Kirsten: Oh, my gosh!
834
00:35:07,641 --> 00:35:10,644
Del: This is wild.
Kirsten: I didn't expect that.
835
00:35:10,644 --> 00:35:12,446
- Love that stone.
- Yeah.
836
00:35:12,446 --> 00:35:16,150
Hopefully, this outside
attracts those new members.
837
00:35:16,150 --> 00:35:18,352
I had people
working all night long
838
00:35:18,352 --> 00:35:21,355
from all over the city,
all for you.
839
00:35:21,355 --> 00:35:23,524
That mural over there
was done by a dear friend
840
00:35:23,524 --> 00:35:25,659
of mine, Jason Holford.
841
00:35:25,659 --> 00:35:28,162
Jon: Ready to see the inside?
Pete: We are ready.
842
00:35:28,162 --> 00:35:30,964
- Alright, go ahead.
Danny: Wow.
843
00:35:30,964 --> 00:35:32,099
[indistinct chatter]
844
00:35:34,535 --> 00:35:38,505
Oh, that is beautiful.
Oh, that's nice.
845
00:35:38,505 --> 00:35:41,408
Pete: We couldn't have done
this in a dozen years.
846
00:35:41,408 --> 00:35:43,110
It's an eye-opener, isn't it?
847
00:35:43,110 --> 00:35:45,546
- Holy crap!
- This is amazing.
848
00:35:45,546 --> 00:35:47,081
Are you kidding me right now?
849
00:35:47,081 --> 00:35:49,983
Del: Hey look,
they kept the past too.
850
00:35:49,983 --> 00:35:52,019
Del: I can't believe it.
Danny: Oh my God, the bar.
851
00:35:52,019 --> 00:35:56,056
- The bar!
- Yeah, the way it should be.
852
00:35:56,056 --> 00:35:59,393
Del: This is crazy.
Danny: I love it. I love it.
853
00:35:59,393 --> 00:36:01,228
Del: They are not gonna
believe this.
854
00:36:01,228 --> 00:36:02,730
Well, what do you think?
855
00:36:02,730 --> 00:36:05,499
I was here a day and a half ago.
I don't believe this.
856
00:36:05,499 --> 00:36:08,702
I'm not easily wowed,
I was freaking wowed.
857
00:36:08,702 --> 00:36:10,237
So everybody,
grab a seat at the bar.
858
00:36:10,237 --> 00:36:12,072
I want to show you
everything that I did.
859
00:36:12,072 --> 00:36:16,076
This is more than we could have
ever dreamed for or expected.
860
00:36:16,076 --> 00:36:19,646
It gives you a sense of pride
to walk into this room now.
861
00:36:19,646 --> 00:36:22,549
- How about this wall?
- I love. That's beautiful.
862
00:36:22,549 --> 00:36:25,052
We have a great
professional back bar.
863
00:36:25,052 --> 00:36:27,287
So the ugliness
goes behind the wall.
864
00:36:27,287 --> 00:36:30,057
BarProducts.com
gave us everything.
865
00:36:30,057 --> 00:36:32,359
Mixing cups, glassware,
strainers,
866
00:36:32,359 --> 00:36:35,429
all the supplies that we need
with backup supplies.
867
00:36:35,429 --> 00:36:39,433
I got FeverTree to give
you premium cocktail mixers
868
00:36:39,433 --> 00:36:41,702
and then I got SkyTab POS.
869
00:36:41,702 --> 00:36:45,639
You got a POS system here,
and you got a POS system there
870
00:36:45,639 --> 00:36:48,242
and you can do credit cards
and everything
871
00:36:48,242 --> 00:36:51,378
right at the table
on this tablet.
872
00:36:51,378 --> 00:36:56,517
And I got Image 360 to do
special interior vinyl wraps.
873
00:36:56,517 --> 00:36:59,653
Then I got Pixel Perfect
Installations
874
00:36:59,653 --> 00:37:02,689
to redo your entire audio
and video system.
875
00:37:02,689 --> 00:37:04,625
That looks like your
martini, doesn't it?
876
00:37:04,625 --> 00:37:05,692
It looks just like it.
877
00:37:05,692 --> 00:37:08,395
[laughter]
878
00:37:08,395 --> 00:37:12,232
Jon: I got Middleby to give you
guys a double turbo chef.
879
00:37:12,232 --> 00:37:14,101
I got Restaurant Equipment
of Savannah
880
00:37:14,101 --> 00:37:16,069
to give us
the new bar equipment.
881
00:37:16,069 --> 00:37:18,038
Coney Island Restaurant Supplies
882
00:37:18,038 --> 00:37:20,274
gave us the prep station
in the kitchen,
883
00:37:20,274 --> 00:37:23,377
The panini press
and the dual fryer unit.
884
00:37:23,377 --> 00:37:25,345
And then I got Jenkins Exhaust
885
00:37:25,345 --> 00:37:27,181
to come in
and service your hood,
886
00:37:27,181 --> 00:37:28,782
service your fire control system
887
00:37:28,782 --> 00:37:32,453
And I'm still not done. Kane's
Draft Service came in,
888
00:37:32,453 --> 00:37:35,122
cleaned and repaired all
the parts in your kegerator.
889
00:37:35,122 --> 00:37:38,592
No more foam.
Your community stepped up.
890
00:37:38,592 --> 00:37:40,360
Just like you've been
serving them,
891
00:37:40,360 --> 00:37:42,529
they were eager
to serve you guys.
892
00:37:42,529 --> 00:37:44,231
When I came here,
I promised you that
893
00:37:44,231 --> 00:37:46,200
I would leave you
in a better place.
894
00:37:46,200 --> 00:37:49,503
You've lived up to that,
way past what I ever expected.
895
00:37:49,503 --> 00:37:52,606
And for you to say that to me
means everything to me.
896
00:37:52,606 --> 00:37:55,242
So, tonight,
let's get him back.
897
00:37:55,242 --> 00:37:56,810
Let's get him talking
to other vets in town.
898
00:37:56,810 --> 00:37:59,746
Let's spread the word of
what a great post this is.
899
00:37:59,746 --> 00:38:02,716
Tonight, we impress.
900
00:38:02,716 --> 00:38:04,751
Pete: Ladies and gentlemen,
901
00:38:04,751 --> 00:38:09,289
I am to welcome you
to the new Post 1689.
902
00:38:09,289 --> 00:38:10,557
Please come in.
903
00:38:10,557 --> 00:38:13,327
[all cheering]
904
00:38:13,327 --> 00:38:16,330
Hello Barbara,
how are we doing today?
905
00:38:16,330 --> 00:38:17,498
Barbara: It's fabulous.
Kirsten: Great.
906
00:38:17,498 --> 00:38:18,699
What are we drinking, babe?
907
00:38:18,699 --> 00:38:21,235
[indistinct chatter]
908
00:38:26,406 --> 00:38:29,576
Anthony: Walking in,
one barbecue flatbread.
909
00:38:29,576 --> 00:38:31,612
Perfect. And you got your
chicken there.
910
00:38:31,612 --> 00:38:34,214
And then your onions.
And then you can go right in.
911
00:38:34,214 --> 00:38:35,782
- Table B1.
Anthony: There you go.
912
00:38:35,782 --> 00:38:38,218
Anthony: Now you got table
numbers and everything.
913
00:38:38,218 --> 00:38:40,521
We need to have
another bag of fries ready.
914
00:38:40,521 --> 00:38:43,790
Anthony: You got it, bud. Press
cook. And you're ready.
915
00:38:46,126 --> 00:38:48,495
- I had to come say hello.
- Hi.
916
00:38:48,495 --> 00:38:51,365
- What do you think?
- It's beautiful.
917
00:38:51,365 --> 00:38:53,200
I worked a little harder
because of you.
918
00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:54,468
[chuckles] Thank you.
919
00:38:54,468 --> 00:38:56,203
Beverly: That's your
first drink?
920
00:38:56,203 --> 00:38:58,171
Woman 5: Yeah.
- What do you think?
921
00:38:58,171 --> 00:39:00,307
Listen, man. From not being
able to make a martini
922
00:39:00,307 --> 00:39:01,341
to actually
pushing out martinis,
923
00:39:01,341 --> 00:39:02,843
they're actually doing it now.
924
00:39:02,843 --> 00:39:05,646
Derrick: Look at these drinks.
- We did it, buddy.
925
00:39:05,646 --> 00:39:07,781
Folks, how about
these bartenders here?
926
00:39:07,781 --> 00:39:10,317
[all cheering]
927
00:39:12,286 --> 00:39:13,720
Fresh herbs on that.
Yes, sir.
928
00:39:13,720 --> 00:39:15,455
Jon: How we doing?
- They're just on top of it.
929
00:39:15,455 --> 00:39:16,890
Anthony: With this Turbo Chef,
they're able to
930
00:39:16,890 --> 00:39:18,525
just cook things in
three minutes.
931
00:39:18,525 --> 00:39:20,160
We can get food out in what?
Five, six minutes?
932
00:39:20,160 --> 00:39:22,596
- Exactly. Yeah.
- Yeah. Perfect. Perfect.
933
00:39:22,596 --> 00:39:24,398
This is great to see.
934
00:39:24,398 --> 00:39:27,167
Drinks coming out,
food coming out.
935
00:39:27,167 --> 00:39:30,637
This is a great post now.
And it's filled with pride.
936
00:39:30,637 --> 00:39:32,439
I can see it every place I look.
937
00:39:33,640 --> 00:39:36,743
One more time for Pete and Jeff.
938
00:39:36,743 --> 00:39:40,414
For the whole team.
For the whole team.
939
00:39:40,414 --> 00:39:42,683
Holy catfish. [indistinct]
940
00:39:42,683 --> 00:39:43,817
[applause]
941
00:39:45,953 --> 00:39:49,656
So now, running this post
is a piece of cake.
942
00:39:49,656 --> 00:39:52,793
[laughter] Yeah.
943
00:39:52,793 --> 00:39:53,000
When I took over
as commander of this post,
944
00:39:53,000 --> 00:39:55,195
When I took over
as commander of this post,
945
00:39:55,195 --> 00:39:58,365
I wondered, how is this
post ever going to survive?
946
00:39:58,365 --> 00:40:02,836
Now, I am definitely
proud of 1689.
947
00:40:02,836 --> 00:40:04,805
I'm excited for the future.
948
00:40:04,805 --> 00:40:07,841
I'm wondering if I'm going to
be able to go to sleep tonight.
949
00:40:07,841 --> 00:40:13,213
Every sense of me is,
"Wow, wow, holy catfish."
950
00:40:13,213 --> 00:40:15,315
- My pleasure.
- Thank you very much.
951
00:40:15,315 --> 00:40:20,387
What an incredible opportunity
I have to come help these vets.
952
00:40:20,387 --> 00:40:23,290
- My work is done.
- We really appreciate it.
953
00:40:23,290 --> 00:40:25,225
This is a great moment for me.
954
00:40:25,225 --> 00:40:28,462
Boy, it was hard,
but worth every minute.
955
00:40:32,699 --> 00:40:35,235
[instrumental music]
956
00:40:43,477 --> 00:40:45,746
Host: Promotional consideration
provided by SkyTap POS,
957
00:40:45,746 --> 00:40:47,714
BarProducts.com,
Veterans United Craft Brewery,
958
00:40:47,714 --> 00:40:49,516
Heinz Screen
Printing and Embroidery,
959
00:40:49,516 --> 00:40:51,752
Pixel Perfect Installations,
Cane Strap Service,
960
00:40:51,752 --> 00:40:53,553
Restaurant Equipment
Company of Savannah,
961
00:40:53,553 --> 00:40:55,589
Coney Island Restaurant
Equipment, Jenkins Exhaust,
962
00:40:55,589 --> 00:40:56,957
Image 360, Fever Tree,
963
00:40:56,957 --> 00:40:59,259
Grand Theming, Middleby,
and Esri.