Weekly radio report promotes Legion and SAL

Weekly radio report promotes Legion and SAL

Sending a press release to a radio station eight years ago was the key to starting the “Sons of the American Legion Radio Report,” a growing digital media group established by Squadron 135 in White Plains, N.Y.

In 2007, Bob Marrone, the morning host for radio station WVOX in nearby New Rochelle, asked that we come in and discuss our plans for Memorial Day and about hosting guests during Fleet Week in New York City. That first interview went well so we were asked to call in and share how everything went.

Soon after we received another call from Bob asking if we could talk about Flag Day, again, right in our wheelhouse. From that discussion we suggested conducting a weekly interview that focused on military issues, troop support and, of course, the programs and services of The American Legion and Sons of The American Legion. 

With support from WVOX owner Bill O’Shaughnessy, our “SAL Radio Report” debuted in November 2008 and airs every Monday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern throughout Westchester County and the Bronx, and on www.wvox.com.

The show has featured a range of guests and subjects, from American Legion and SAL national commanders, Boys State participants to the admiral of a U.S. Navy ship fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia. The show also has featured on-air interviews with authors, historians, politicians, actors, military support groups and others.

We also have the “West Point Football Report,” which provides in-depth coverage of the Army football program during the season. We have covered the past seven Army-Navy games where we conducted interviews with the players and took photos from the sidelines.

We have expanded “SAL Radio Report” to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (1,000 videos posted) and LinkedIn.
A smartphone is a great tool in telling the story of veterans and military members. 

This all came about from us being proactive and seeking out the media. Posts and squadrons around the country can try this same approach to get your story out to the public. 
Contact me if you have a question or would like us to provide a report from your area.

Email me at kgk914@aol.com; or find us on Twitter @SonsLegionRadio.