Lexington Resident Honored for Helping Veterans

Photo: Mastoran founders Paige and Larry Kohler receive standing ovation at VFW National Convention in New Orleans.

At their 118th National Convention, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States honored Larry Kohler, a Vietnam Veteran and CEO of Mastoran Corp., for his work raising money to help military families and veterans through the VFW’s Unmet Needs program.

VFW National Commander Brian Duffy presented Larry with the award in recognition of his leadership promoting the Unmet Needs program in Burger King restaurants across New England, which to date have raised more than $200,000 for veterans and families who face economic hardships related to military service.

“I appreciate this honor from the VFW, but the recognition really belongs to the thousands of patriotic customers in New England who enthusiastically support the Unmet Needs program by donating their hard-earned money through our restaurants,” Larry Kohler said.

Larry Kohler is a veteran of the U.S. Army who earned a Bronze Star for service as an infantry sergeant in Vietnam. In 1985 Larry and his wife Paige founded Mastoran Corp. which operates Burger King restaurants in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including restaurants in Waltham and Winchester, Mass.

In his remarks accepting the award at the convention in New Orleans, Larry called Paige to the stage to thank her publically for her weekly letters of support that helped him get through his tour in Vietnam, and for their 47-year marriage. Larry also recognized Mike and Sherry DeRosa, Burger King franchisees from Wisconsin, who first proposed the idea of sponsoring the Unmet Needs program. “Mike and Sherry were the ones who said Burger King should grab on to this effort,” Larry said. “This wasn’t my idea originally, I just jump on good ideas and try to make them even better.”

Watch the presentation ceremony and Larry’s remarks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-L0Zga_ek8

Established in 2004, the VFW Unmet Needs program provides grants of up to $5,000 to service members and military to help cover necessities like rent, mortgage and utility payments, vehicle repair, medical expenses and food. Since its inception, the program has distributed more than $7.9 million in aid. Burger King became a national sponsor in 2007. Throughout the month of November, participating Burger King restaurants promote the Unmet Needs program, asking customers to donate $1 or more, with 100 percent of that money going directly to the VFW program. In 2016 the Unmet Needs program hit a new record for annual support, distributing more than $2 million that year to help nearly 900 families.

“I believe deeply we need to reach out to all our veterans, and let them know there is help when they need it,” Larry Kohler said. “And we look forward to another strong effort this year, as we ask people across New England, and across the country, to help veterans and their families by contributing to Unmet Needs throughout the month of November.”