Tag Archive for: Minnesota National Guard

Memorial Day Live 2026

On this special Memorial Day broadcast of Minnesota Military Radio, host Doug Wortham and co-host Tom Lyons are joined by Chaplain Tim Usset, State Chaplain for the Minnesota National Guard, and Chaplain Justin Fenger, Division Chaplain for the 34th Infantry Division.

The conversation centers on the true meaning of Memorial Day—honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice—and the importance of remembering the service members who never returned home.

Chaplain Usset shares his perspective as part of a Gold Star family and reflects on how personal and military experiences shape the way we honor loss. Chaplain Fenger discusses returning to Minnesota to serve and emphasizes the importance of remembrance through reflection, presence, and community.

Together, they explore how chaplains support service members and families through grief, the role of spiritual resilience, and why taking time to intentionally remember the fallen is essential.

Guests

In Hour 2 of this Memorial Day special, host Doug Wortham and co-host Tom Lyons are joined by Brad Lindsay, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, along with key leaders supporting veterans across the state.

The conversation highlights the importance of remembrance while also recognizing the ongoing work to serve Minnesota’s Veteran community.

The Commissioner reflects on Memorial Day as both a personal and professional responsibility, shaped by years of military service and decades working alongside Veterans. The discussion emphasizes the importance of honoring past generations while continuing to support today’s service members and their families.

Additional perspectives come from leaders across the Veterans system:

  • Pat Kelly, Director of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, discusses the significance of the Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Snelling National Cemetery and shares ways families can honor loved ones through the VA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial.
  • David Swantek, Director of Memorial Affairs for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, highlights the role of Minnesota’s state veterans cemeteries and the importance of giving families meaningful places to remember and reflect.

Throughout the hour, the focus remains on remembrance, community, and ensuring that the stories of those who served—and those who never returned—are not forgotten.

Hour 3In Hour 3 of this Memorial Day broadcast, host Doug Wortham and co-host Tom Lyons are joined by Major General Shawn Manke, Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, along with remarks from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Governor Tim Walz.

Major General Manke reflects on the meaning of Memorial Day through personal experience, emphasizing the importance of remembering those who gave their lives in service—both in combat and during training. He highlights the responsibility leaders carry to care for service members and their families, and the importance of maintaining trust within the force and with the public.

The conversation also underscores the critical role of leadership presence—ensuring soldiers and airmen feel supported, connected, and prepared for their missions.

Additional perspectives include:

  • Senator Amy Klobuchar, who shares reflections on honoring fallen service members, supporting Gold Star families, and encouraging Americans to pause for the National Moment of Remembrance.
  • Governor Tim Walz, who discusses the lasting impact of military service, the importance of supporting military families, and maintaining a strong commitment to veterans beyond their time in uniform.

Throughout the final hour, the message remains clear: Memorial Day is a time to pause, reflect, and honor those whose sacrifice made our freedoms possible.

 

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Military Spouse Appreciation Month and Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp

Military Spouse Appreciation Month and Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp

This week, Minnesota Military Radio recognizes Military Spouse Appreciation Month and Military Spouse Appreciation Day with a meaningful conversation focused on the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of military spouses. This episode highlights life on the home front, including the realities of deployments, long separations, family responsibilities, and the importance of strong support networks for military families.

Military spouses often serve without wearing the uniform, yet their role is essential to mission readiness and sustained service. This discussion offers firsthand insight into navigating military life, maintaining communication during separations, and reintegrating after deployments.

In the second segment, we highlight the Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp, a long-standing program that supports military-connected youth by providing connection, structure, and shared experience at Camp Ripley. The camp helps children build resilience while bringing together peers who understand the unique challenges of military life.

This Week’s Guests

  • Christina Rost – A former Minnesota National Guard Soldier and military spouse sharing perspectives on service, family life, and resilience on the home front.
  • Ron Stenger – A retired Minnesota National Guard Soldier discussing life as a military spouse, parent, and the importance of communication and support during deployments.
  • Rich Kemp – A retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sergeant highlighting the mission and impact of the Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp.
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Serving Here, Living Here: SSG Joe Hance Shares His Path with the Minnesota National Guard

Serving Here, Living Here: SSG Joe Hance Shares His Path with the Minnesota National Guard

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham welcomes back Staff Sergeant Joe Hance, a recruiter with the Minnesota Army National Guard. In this anniversary revisit from his previous appearance, SSG Hance shares his full story—from enlisting as a high school junior through the split-option program, serving as an infantryman with multiple assignments and an overseas deployment, transitioning to full-time Active Guard Reserve (AGR) status, mentoring future officers in the University of Minnesota Army ROTC program, and now recruiting in his hometown area.

He reflects on his lifelong draw to military service (always Army, never other branches), the pivotal moment a recruiter contacted him after a strong ASVAB score, choosing the Guard to balance a civilian career goal in law enforcement with part-time military duty, the essential support from his family amid young children at home, and why the motto “We live here, we work here, we serve here” truly captures the Minnesota National Guard experience.

The conversation also dives into the recruiting process: basic qualifications, the ASVAB’s role in job placement, what to expect at MEPS (including the two-day physical and oath), current enlistment incentives and bonuses in select fields, education benefits like Minnesota tuition assistance and the GI Bill, and the kind of motivated, patriotic individuals the Guard is seeking—no need to be a perfect student, just ready to serve and grow.

Interested in exploring service with the Minnesota Army National Guard? Get started today or connect directly with a local recruiter in the Cottage Grove area at recruiting.minnesotaarmynationalguard.com/local-recruiters/cottage-grove.

Whether you’re considering enlisting, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in stories of service, this honest discussion highlights the opportunities, camaraderie, and community impact of the Minnesota National Guard.

Listen now and hear firsthand about building a future while serving your state and nation.

 

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Chaplains of the Minnesota National Guard: Service, Sacrifice, and the Legacy of the Four Chaplains

Chaplains of the Minnesota National Guard: Service, Sacrifice, and the Legacy of the Four Chaplains

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham is joined by special co-host Tom Lyons and Minnesota National Guard chaplains:

The guests share their personal paths into chaplaincy, how their civilian experiences—from civil engineering and youth ministry to healthcare chaplaincy and veteran-focused research—strengthen their ministry, and the essential spiritual, emotional, and family support they provide to soldiers, airmen, and loved ones amid the demands of service, moral injury, and life’s hardships.

The episode also honors the powerful legacy of the Four Chaplains of World War II, whose interfaith selfless sacrifice aboard the sinking USAT Dorchester in 1943—giving away their life jackets and standing together in prayer as the ship went down—continues to inspire unity, faith, and service in military chaplaincy today.

 

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Going Beyond: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s 2025 Impact and 2026 Vision

Going Beyond: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's 2025 Impact and 2026 Vision

In this special segment of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham welcomes the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) outreach team for a comprehensive 2025 year-in-review. The discussion covers the program’s statewide impact, key initiatives, the power of community and corporate volunteers, distinctions from the federal Yellow Ribbon program, and exciting goals for 2026.Guests:

Key Highlights from 2025:

  • Helped approximately 76,000 service members, veterans, and families across Minnesota — equivalent to filling U.S. Bank Stadium!
  • Statewide initiatives including Operation Kinship (themed care packages for military families left behind during deployments) and Hero Meals (Thanksgiving/Christmas support, especially vital during challenging times).
  • Reboot success since 2022: Unified community and corporate sides, fostering stronger partnerships and resource sharing.
  • No government funding/red tape — support comes from private donations, volunteers, and companies, enabling quick, flexible aid (e.g., coffee and muffins at Camp Ripley polar plunges, emergency assistance, job connections).
  • New corporate partners joined, including Walser Automotive Group (first automotive group in the program, offering military discounts and potential repair support).
  • Emphasis on volunteers as the “heartbeat” — patriots helping patriots, with opportunities for all ages and commitment levels.

Looking Ahead to 2026:

  • Expanding to over 100 Beyond the Yellow Ribbon companies, including all Minnesota state colleges and universities.
  • Growing volunteer numbers and statewide momentum through more combined initiatives.
  • Continued focus on supporting all branches, families, and filling gaps for those in need — from rural wood delivery to metro job placement.
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