Volunteers from American Legion Post 109 in Arizona step up to assist Montel Williams’ mission to renovate a U.S. Air Force veteran’s home.
When American Legion Post 109 in Corona de Tucson, Ariz., was contacted about taking part in Montel Williams’ Military Makeover’s project assisting a local disabled veteran, it was an easy “yes.” And then the post’s American Legion Family went all in.
Multiple members of Post 109’s Legion Family were a part of the renovation that took place on the home of U.S. Air Force veteran Matt Kosto, who served multiple overseas deployments and later lost a portion of this leg due to the motorcycle accident. Later Kosto’s wife, Virginia, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer; she’s now in remission.
Kosto’s home was chosen in order to address accessibility issues. And when Post 109 Commander Roosevelt McKnight Jr. was asked by the Vail Chamber of Commerce if the post could support the project, there was no hesitation.
“I said ‘absolutely,” McKnight said. “The Legion Family 100 percent embraced this project. All the entities said they were onboard. We had an outpouring of support, and it was truly Legion Family. We are veterans now that are continuing to serve our community after serving our country.”
But it wasn’t just veterans. Matt Koch, a member of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 109 and the owner of a carpentry business, spent seven days working at the site.
McKnight said when Koch was considering joining the squadron through his grandfather’s military service, he had a conversation with him and talked about a former Sons member who had died at age 40 but said he had joined to honor his own grandfather’s service every time he came to the post.
McKnight talked to Koch about the deceased SAL member’s dedication and said, “You have the opportunity to do that as well. That guy told me when I said that to him that something hit him in his heart. Since he joined, I’ve seen him there for about every single dinner we’ve had. He’s become an honorary member of the Riders because he doesn’t ride. He heard about this (and) immediately went into the SignUpGenius and signed up all week to be out here. He left his business to go out here and serve and help this veteran.
“Every day I saw him out there he said, ‘I’m trying to honor by grandfather’s service.’ I said, ‘Brother, you’re not trying. You’re doing it. Your grandfather’s smiling down, and he’s very happy.’ Several members said he was an intricate part in the completion of the house. That guy paid it forward every single day.”
McKnight himself went to the job site multiple days, helping secure a $500 gift card for the Kostos and pizzas for the crew working on the renovation. And prior to the reveal of the renovations to the family, he was asked if he could help bring members of the community in for the final push to complete the project.
He reached out to the Vail School District, as well as to local businesses. “Within 45 minutes, we had 25 additional volunteers that showed up,” McKnight said. “We also sponsor a Boy Scout troop. (Post 109 First Vice Commander Brad Adams) reached out to them, and they had had people up there. And the Navy Junior ROTC for the Vail School District, they had additional people come out there.”
McKnight said one of the JROTC students – Issac Kusch, a student at Cienega High School – was praised by those working on the renovation for his efforts, showing up five days to assist with the renovation.
Kusch also has expressed a desire to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. McKnight said he shared that fact with Williams – a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Navy and U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former master of ceremonies of the Legion’s national convention.
“Montel shook that kid’s hand, as well as told me, ‘If you need a recommendation for that kid, get with my producer,’” McKnight said.
At the reveal, Roosevelt was there to present Williams with a plaque honoring his military service and to thank him for his continued dedication to the veteran community. “His show is paying it forward,” Williams said. “He is paying it forward every single day honoring veterans across this country.”
For McKnight, getting a chance to watch the Kostos see for the first time the work done to their home – which included a roof replacement, new flooring and landscaping – “was priceless: to see the crowd of people out there that were cheering him on, and the American flags that were waving all over the place.”
And there was a trickle-down effect after Post 109’s work with Military Makeover. McKnight said since that project ended, he’d been contacted by fellow Legionnaire Jennifer Brown, a member of Post 136, in Oro Valley, Ariz., who works for Habitat for Humanity. Brown was working at the site and met another veteran volunteering for Military Makeover.
“This veteran, father of seven, was in need of assistance,” McKnight said. “The family needed a new hot water heater. Post 109 is buying the hot water heater for the family. Helping one veteran in our community has led us to another veteran in our community that was in need.”
The Military Makeover episode featuring the Kosto family will take place later this season. Click here for episode updates.
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