He’s a broadcasting legend.
But now, retired baseball announcer Vin Scully is volunteering his instantly recognizable voice to help veterans in Ventura County.
Scully was the broadcast voice of the Dodgers for 67 years. He was a teenager during World War II, and says the sacrifices made by those who served in uniform, like during the Allied invasion of Europe on D-Day, really stuck with him:
"June 6th, 1944, I was 17, and I was amazed at the sacrifice at Normandy," said Scully. "It left a heavy weight in my heart. I've never forgotten it. I've never forgotten the veterans who came home wounded."
Now, Scully is serving as the voice of the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation, which is focused on helping homeless veterans. It’s currently trying to get a site for a permanent veterans village, which would provide transitional housing and services for veterans in need.
Last month, KCLU News told you the story of how the Veterans Foundation, the Ventura County Sheriff’s office, and others teamed up to help a woman in need. Rose Burgess is 94, and legally blind. She lost two military veteran husbands, and when her daughter unexpectedly died, she was about to become homeless when the community rallied to find her senior housing.
Scully has now recorded a poem telling Rose’s story.
"I was glad to salute her," said Scully. "She's gone through a lot."
And, Scully says the best part is that it’s a poem with a happy ending.
But, Scully says there are many veterans in Ventura County who still need help, something the foundation is trying to do.
"Anytime you have the opportunity to spread the word about someone who's having difficulty, I think we all jump at the opportunity to help," said Scully.
Scully, who lives in Ventura County, is hoping that lending his voice to the effort will encourage more people to support Gold Coast and its projects to help veterans in need.
