1 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, 5 00:00:09,309 --> 00:00:12,645 and make our lives and our neighborhoods better. 6 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. 9 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. 11 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, 13 00:00:32,665 --> 00:00:35,168 the amount of failing bars is increasing 14 00:00:35,168 --> 00:00:38,104 at an alarming rate. 15 00:00:38,104 --> 00:00:40,774 When do I have you to say, that's not gonna work! 16 00:00:40,774 --> 00:00:43,843 So, I'm on a mission to save as many bars as possible, 17 00:00:43,843 --> 00:00:46,813 and give worthy owners a second chance at success. 18 00:00:46,813 --> 00:00:49,582 I'm gaining more respect for you by the minute. 19 00:00:49,582 --> 00:00:52,318 P.J. King: Now Jon's heading to Jacksonville, Florida, 20 00:00:52,318 --> 00:00:55,855 to rescue VFW Post 1689. 21 00:00:55,855 --> 00:00:58,558 We are determined to raise the bar, 22 00:00:58,558 --> 00:01:01,194 and rise to the occasion. 23 00:01:01,194 --> 00:01:06,499 P.J. King: VFW Post 1689 was established in 1921, 24 00:01:06,499 --> 00:01:09,569 and is one of the oldest VFW posts in the country. 25 00:01:09,569 --> 00:01:11,471 What branch of service was she in? 26 00:01:11,471 --> 00:01:13,406 She's not allowed in here. 27 00:01:13,406 --> 00:01:14,908 [both gasps] 28 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. 30 00:01:21,915 --> 00:01:24,584 My first tour of duty was Vietnam. 31 00:01:24,584 --> 00:01:27,287 I've been involved with the VFW as a member, 32 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? 34 00:01:32,258 --> 00:01:35,328 I joined the VFW because I thought it was a way 35 00:01:35,328 --> 00:01:37,864 to make our veterans lives better. 36 00:01:37,864 --> 00:01:40,600 P.J. King: In June of 2023, 37 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:43,770 VFW District Commander Pete Lacomb 38 00:01:43,770 --> 00:01:46,473 decided to partner with his friend Jeff Lincoln, 39 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. 41 00:01:52,545 --> 00:01:54,247 I talked with Jeff, and I said, 42 00:01:54,247 --> 00:01:56,649 "Jeff, you take over the quartermaster. 43 00:01:56,649 --> 00:01:59,419 I can assume the duties as commander. 44 00:01:59,419 --> 00:02:01,421 And I think together we make a good team." 45 00:02:01,421 --> 00:02:03,323 When Pete and I started working together, 46 00:02:03,323 --> 00:02:05,658 we wanted to make changes happen here. 47 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. 50 00:02:18,371 --> 00:02:20,507 You pain in the neck. 51 00:02:20,507 --> 00:02:21,674 Hey! 52 00:02:21,674 --> 00:02:24,744 P.J. King: VFW Post 1689 53 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 55 00:02:28,615 --> 00:02:30,884 what was left of its modest reserve. 56 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. 59 00:02:41,728 --> 00:02:44,397 P.J. King: And the aging building, and lack of upkeep 60 00:02:44,397 --> 00:02:46,966 has contributed to declining membership, 61 00:02:46,966 --> 00:02:49,235 especially, among younger veterans. 62 00:02:49,235 --> 00:02:51,604 Just about everything in this post is old. 63 00:02:51,604 --> 00:02:54,507 The chairs, the stools behind the bar. 64 00:02:54,507 --> 00:02:57,844 We don't have sodas on the gun, we're buying soda cans. 65 00:02:57,844 --> 00:02:59,646 The oven doesn't work. 66 00:02:59,646 --> 00:03:03,249 There's no coolers for the beer, we're using ice bins. 67 00:03:03,249 --> 00:03:05,885 Pete: We've got to do something to improve 68 00:03:05,885 --> 00:03:07,687 the appearance of an inside and out. 69 00:03:07,687 --> 00:03:10,490 P.J. King: Now, with an important anniversary looming, 70 00:03:10,490 --> 00:03:12,859 the pressure is on for Pete and Jeff 71 00:03:12,859 --> 00:03:14,928 to keep the post stores open, 72 00:03:14,928 --> 00:03:18,264 and the local veteran community supported. 73 00:03:18,264 --> 00:03:21,267 This post is just over five years away 74 00:03:21,267 --> 00:03:22,936 from being a hundred years old. 75 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. 77 00:03:28,575 --> 00:03:32,512 We're surviving month-to-month, just to keep the doors open. 78 00:03:32,512 --> 00:03:34,514 Jeff: But with finances and post, 79 00:03:34,514 --> 00:03:36,749 if something really bad happens, 80 00:03:36,749 --> 00:03:38,751 we're kind of done for. 81 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 104 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. 111 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. 113 00:05:15,483 --> 00:05:17,284 Jon: He's the base commander. He used to be 114 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. 116 00:05:20,921 --> 00:05:23,591 Pete came back just to save the base. 117 00:05:23,591 --> 00:05:26,427 Anthony: He's a good man. - He's a hero in this base. 118 00:05:26,427 --> 00:05:30,398 - Your next order's right here. - There's Del, canteen manager. 119 00:05:30,398 --> 00:05:31,932 Canteen is their word for restaurant. 120 00:05:31,932 --> 00:05:34,702 Right now you got one, two, three, four. 121 00:05:34,702 --> 00:05:36,604 - They're in this order. - There's Jeff. 122 00:05:36,604 --> 00:05:38,339 Jeff is the quartermaster. 123 00:05:38,339 --> 00:05:40,474 The quartermaster handles all financial matters, 124 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. 127 00:05:46,947 --> 00:05:48,783 It works. Bam! 128 00:05:48,783 --> 00:05:50,951 There's Beverly, another bartender. 129 00:05:50,951 --> 00:05:52,019 Again. Say one more time. 130 00:05:52,019 --> 00:05:54,422 - Malibu. - Malibu rum. 131 00:05:54,422 --> 00:05:57,992 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. 133 00:06:00,094 --> 00:06:02,329 It's massive. Behind the bar, you don't want to keep on 134 00:06:02,329 --> 00:06:04,565 walking, you just want to be there, reach it around, 135 00:06:04,565 --> 00:06:06,867 turn back and be done with it. 136 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. 138 00:06:11,372 --> 00:06:13,407 They're working with residential equipment. 139 00:06:13,407 --> 00:06:15,643 - Look at that taco. Anthony : It's not appetizing. 140 00:06:15,643 --> 00:06:17,611 Kudos for volunteering their time, 141 00:06:17,611 --> 00:06:19,113 but they need some correction. 142 00:06:19,113 --> 00:06:21,515 Hey, you guys, tacos are coming out, okay. 143 00:06:21,515 --> 00:06:23,984 So for recon, I got two locals. 144 00:06:23,984 --> 00:06:27,788 I have Elizabeth, whose dad was in the military, 145 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, 149 00:06:39,934 --> 00:06:42,403 and there's Misty in the dark jacket behind her. 150 00:06:42,403 --> 00:06:44,839 They've been to other VFW's, 151 00:06:44,839 --> 00:06:48,742 so they know what a post should be or what a post can be. 152 00:06:48,742 --> 00:06:50,411 Can I help you? 153 00:06:50,411 --> 00:06:52,780 Misty: Uh, do you have a drink menu? 154 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? 156 00:06:57,084 --> 00:06:58,619 Um, yes. 157 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... 160 00:07:05,092 --> 00:07:06,927 Elizabeth: That's fine. Rum and diet Coke. 161 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. 164 00:07:13,434 --> 00:07:15,002 - Pretty simple drink. - Super, super simple. 165 00:07:15,002 --> 00:07:16,737 Two ingredients, and one of the most 166 00:07:16,737 --> 00:07:18,038 popular cocktails in America. 167 00:07:20,674 --> 00:07:24,478 Look at those pores. That's terrible. 168 00:07:24,478 --> 00:07:26,981 Derrick: Your measurements is completely off. 169 00:07:26,981 --> 00:07:31,619 Jon: Okay. She's putting some olive juice. 170 00:07:31,619 --> 00:07:33,654 So did you put any vermouth in there at all? 171 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. 173 00:07:38,526 --> 00:07:39,793 It's going to get it bitter. It's not gonna be 174 00:07:39,793 --> 00:07:41,028 as flavorful if you stir it out. 175 00:07:41,028 --> 00:07:42,530 And it's gonna get watered down. 176 00:07:42,530 --> 00:07:46,000 - It's going to get bruised. - Exactly. 177 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:47,635 Derrick: Is that.. Jon: That's sweet vermouth. 178 00:07:47,635 --> 00:07:49,503 - Is that sweet vermouth? - That's sweet vermouth. 179 00:07:49,503 --> 00:07:51,205 Derrick: Oh, no, no, no, no. 180 00:07:51,205 --> 00:07:53,841 - It's completely wrong. Jon: That color on that... 181 00:07:53,841 --> 00:07:55,576 Derrick: That is the dirtiest, 182 00:07:55,576 --> 00:07:57,645 most wrong martini I've ever seen in my life. 183 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 00:08:10,791 --> 00:08:12,092 Wow. 187 00:08:12,092 --> 00:08:13,894 I hope you don't have a match. 188 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. 192 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.