written and narrated by Bill Risen • Wednesday 9:40am • KLPZ

Hello, my name is Bill Risen, host of The Ultimate Sacrifice here on KLPZ. Several years ago I retired from a Southern California Police Department after thirty years. During that time, I saw many things that shaped my perspective on life.

Since 1969 I have been a part-time resident of the Parker area and for the last four years I have been a full-time resident. I served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, however I was fortunate enough to have been stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

The Ultimate Sacrifice was born with the help of Keith and Juanita. I had become upset upon hearing the term ‘hero’ attributed to Hollywood actors and various sports figures. I have seen my share of heroes over the years, and these heroes were not celebrities. They were ordinary people who stepped forward to risk their lives to save the lives of others.

I wrote a letter to Keith and Juanita and expressed my feelings that listeners should be given the opportunity to hear the stories of true American Heroes. I suggested that the stories of our service men and women who were awarded the Medal of Honor be highlighted each week.

Keith and Juanita both liked the idea, but there was one condition for this show to go on the air. That condition would be that I had to prepare it and present it on the air. Keith felt that the listeners hear enough of him each day and he wanted a different voice to tell the stories. This has been a real challenge for me, because I have never been a great speaker. Since The Ultimate Sacrifice started there have been stories of those who did not receive the Medal of Honor, stories of the Holocaust, and local servicemen who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Juanita picked the name of the show: The Ultimate Sacrifice. I research each show during the week. The show is recorded at a KLPZ studio prior to Wednesday of each week and the show is then edited for broadcasting. It is necessary to do it this way because there are many places and names that I have never heard of and have difficulty pronouncing. Also if you have listened to the Ultimate Sacrifice you know that many of the stories are very emotional. I have had the honor of talking with a Medal of Honor recipient as well as the daughter of another recipient who was killed in Vietnam. I try to give you the human side of what took place. In some stories I am able to give to you accounts of the family members and their emotions.

I am biased: I love the Unites States of America and I am proud of our military and the daily sacrifices that they and their families make every day for you and I. I see our flag as the most important symbol of our great nation.

If you know of a hero, please email me at KLPZ and I will make every attempt possible to tell their story.

-Bill Risen

Click here to read a transcript of this week's show.