WKZE’s “Voices of Valor” Connects Generations Through Local Radio This Veterans Day
WKZE 98.1 FM, Red Hook, NY is showing how local radio can unite a community through storytelling with “Voices of Valor” — a month-long series honoring Hudson Valley veterans and celebrating the power of service across generations. Airing throughout November in recognition of Veterans Day, “Voices of Valor“ features heartfelt, first-person stories from members of Red Hook’s VFW Post 7765, giving listeners a direct connection to the men and women who’ve proudly served their country and community.
Produced by Red Hook High School student Olive Haley (pictured above interviewing local vet, Enrique Flores) and supervised by station staff member and recent SUNY New Paltz graduate Alyssa Sciarrone, “Voices of Valor“ was recorded at WKZE’s Red Hook studios and blends authentic veteran narratives with the station’s signature AAA / Americana sound. The project highlights how local media, students, and community organizations can come together to preserve local stories while engaging the next generation of broadcasters.
“It’s inspiring to see young, talented storytellers like Olive take up the mantle of local broadcasting,” said Dr. Andy Gladding, WKZE’s new co-owner. “Projects like ‘Voices of Valor‘ show that local radio remains a powerful bridge – connecting young storytellers, community institutions, and listeners through shared experience.”
This initiative also marks a new era for the heritage AAA station – now under new ownership for the first time in 20 years – as WKZE expands its mission to foster hands-on opportunities for students and aspiring broadcasters to engage with local radio. According to station co-owner Katie Gladding, this is just the beginning. “Andy and I want WKZE to be a place for all members of the community to feel welcome to share and connect. Our doors and airwaves are open to anyone who wants to experience the magic of FM, and there is no better place for that than WKZE. Dr. Andy Gladding is also chief engineer at Hofstra University’s WRHU-FM and Salem NY’s WMCA 570 / WNYM 970.
Listeners can hear “Voices of Valor” throughout November on 98.1 FM and via wkze.com.
the chief engineer for Cumulus Media in Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola, Florida. Beasley says Ringer will be responsible for transmitter and studio maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs of the market’s RF systems, maintaining and utilizing Wheatstone and WheatNet for audio routing and broadcasting, and other related duties. Ringer comments, “Having been raised in studios and transmitter sites, I feel that broadcast engineering is in my DNA. My father has been a broadcast engineer for more than 40 years and has taught me most of what I know. I credit him with instilling an unwavering work ethic in me as I watched him work tirelessly through my childhood years. I have been working in radio for more than 25 years and love every aspect of what I do.”