Minnesota Military Radio
By: Minnesota Military Radio
Language: en-US
Categories: News, Politics, Business, Careers, Education, Government
Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those who serve, veterans and their families, Minnesota Military Radio brings you the latest news from Minnesota's proud military community including; the Minnesota National Guard, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and the Minneapolis VA. Whether it's the latest on veterans' benefits, stories of service or how you can help our troops and their families, this is your best source to stay up to speed.
Episodes
2025 Legislative Year in Review – Bipartisan Wins for Veterans & Looking Ahead to 2026
Jan 10, 2026In this year-end legislative wrap-up, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with key leaders to reflect on majo
Duration: 00:00:00Minnesota National Guard 2025 Year in Review
Jan 03, 2026In this special Year in Review episode (recorded late 2025), retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with the Minnesota National Guard’s command team:
Major General Shawn Manke, Adjutant General Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Rost, Command Senior Enlisted LeaderThey discuss leadership dynamics, 2025 accomplishments, domestic and international missions, and exciting plans for 2026.
Duration: 00:00:00Commander’s Task Force: 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Outlook
Dec 27, 2025In this special Year in Review episode of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham sits down with leaders from the Minnesota Commanders Task Force (CTF) — a coalition of congressionally chartered veterans service organizations working together on legislative priorities and support for Minnesota’s veterans.
The episode features discussions with CTF Chair Stewart Mednick (Jewish War Veterans of Minnesota), Vice Chair John Walker (Disabled American Veterans), Willie Pargo (Military Order of the Purple Heart), Barry Henriksen (Veterans of Foreign Wars), Andrew McCormick (Marine Corps League), Lin
Duration: 00:00:00Minneapolis VA 2025 Year in Review
Dec 20, 2025
This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we host our annual Minneapolis VA Health Care System 2025 year in review.
The episode covers Duration: 00:00:00Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs: 2025 Year in Review & Vision for 2026
Dec 13, 2025This week we kick off our annual series of Year-in-Review shows with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
Duration: 00:00:0034th Military Police Company Heads to the Middle East
Dec 06, 2025This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we sit down with the Commander and First Sergeant of the 34th Military Police Com
Duration: 00:00:00Sailors in the Heartland and Minnesota National Guard Community Relations
Nov 29, 2025This week, Twin Cities U.S. Navy recruiters share real stories from submarines and carriers — plus how Minnesotans can join today. Then, hear how the Minnesota National Guard teams up with the Vikings, Twins, Wild, Wolves, and local communities to honor service members. Guests include:
Lt. J Duration: 00:00:00Disabled Veteran Hunt and Tribal Veteran Service Officer
Nov 22, 2025This week, we meet members of the Sons of the American Legion Detachment of Minnesota to hear about their annual disabled veterans deer hunt and fall turkey hunt held at Legionville, plus we sit down with a Tribal Veteran Service Officer supervisor to learn how the program serves Native veterans across all 11 tribal nations in Minnesota. Guests include:
Chuck Stoney – Sons of the American Legion, Detachment of Minnesota Steve Bilderbac Duration: 00:00:00Minneapolis VA Patient Advocacy Team
Nov 15, 2025This week, we meet members of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System’s Patient Advocate Team and learn that the Patient Advocacy Program is for all Veterans and their families who receive care at VA health care facilities. What can the patient advocate do? What are their limitations? And what do patients bring into the relationship when it comes to resolving an issue they may have in the country’s largest health care system. Guests include:
Director Patrick Kelly – Minneapolis VA Health Care System Program Director Stephanie Bertucci – Minneapolis VA Health Care System Lead Patient Advocate Nikki Ja Duration: 00:00:00ESGR and Support the Troops MN
Nov 08, 2025This week, discover how the Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) bridges the gap between military service and civilian workplaces, ensuring Guard and Reserve members keep their jobs while serving our nation. Then, meet the team at Support the Troops MN and learn how they deliver rapid, 24-hour financial aid to Minnesota military heroes and their families facing crisis—paying rent, fixing cars, and restoring hope when it’s needed most. Guests include:
COL (ret) Chad Sackett – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve SGM (ret) Jon Solberg – Employer Support of the Guard and Rese... Duration: 00:00:002025 Veterans Day in Mankato & USMC 250th Anniversary
Nov 01, 2025This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we sit down with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to preview the Official 2025 State Veterans Day Celebration in Mankato. Then, hear from the MCL-Dept of Minnesota as they mark 250 years of the USMC and invite you to their November 15 cake-cutting celebration. Guests include:
Dave Bellefeuille – Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Andrew McCormick – Marine Corps League, Departme Duration: 00:00:00Honoring Veterans and First Responders
Oct 25, 2025This week, Minnesota Military
Duration: 00:00:00VA, DAV & Second Harvest: Ending Food Insecurity for MN Vets
Oct 18, 2025This week we discuss the Minnesota Veterans Pantry co-hosted with the director of Center For Development & Civic Engagement, we meet with leadership from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Second Harvest Heartland, DAV Department of Minnesota, and Community Resource & Referral Center to learn how the Veterans Food Pantry is going and where it is expanding in 2026. Guests include:
Rachel Hammer – Minneapolis VA Health Care System Director Patrick Kelly – Minneapolis VA H Duration: 00:00:00DAV & MACV: Honoring Veterans
Oct 11, 2025This week, we sit down with the DAV Department of Minnesota Commander to explore their 100-year legacy, time capsule, and essential veteran transportation program. Plus, the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans shares their mission to end veteran homelessness and details on the Winter Salute event! Guests include:
Commander John Walker – DAV Department of Minnesota Shaun Riffe – Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans Duration: 00:00:00Navigating Navy Opportunities and Honoring Heroes
Oct 04, 2025This week, we sit down with the Commanding Officer of NTAG Northern Plains and the U.S. Navy ROTC Scholarship Coordinator to explore exciting Navy career opportunities and the ROTC program. Plus, hear the latest from the MN Patriot Guard. Guests include:
Duration: 00:00:00Command Sergeants Major Roundtable: Leadership, Legacy, and the Red Bull Spirit
Sep 27, 2025This week on Minnesota Military Radio join us for an engaging roundtable discussion featuring three Command Sergeants Major from the Minnesota National Guard. We interview the incoming Command Senior Enlisted Leader, joined by two retired CSMs to discuss service evolution, leadership shifts, and NCO advice. Plus, an update from the current Command Senior Enlisted Leader. Guests include:
Co-Host CSM Jason Rost – Minnesota National Guard CSM(ret) Edward “Scott” Mills – Minnesota National Guard CSM(ret) Harlod Sommerfeldt – Minnesota National Guard CMSgt Lisa Erikson – Duration: 00:00:00Veteran Suicide Prevention – Experts Unite for Awareness & Hope
Sep 20, 2025This week on Minnesota Military Radio: We’re sitting down with top experts from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Minnesota National Guard, and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education to spotlight veteran suicide awareness, essential prevention resources, and game-changing collaborations that shatter stigma and uplift service members and their families. Guests include:
Eric Wittenberg – Minneapolis VA Health Care System Rachel Johnson – Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Megan McEvoy – Duration: 00:00:00Shoot for the Troops and MN Patriot Guard
Sep 13, 2025This week we feature Shoot for the Troops – a dedicated nonprofit fueling aid for service members, veterans, and their families. Listen to insights from its president (a Minnesota Army National Guard Colonel), the Veteran Resilience Project’s executive director on transformative trauma care, and Wilson Tool International – USA’s global VP of innovation and technology on impactful corporate philanthropy. Guests include:
COL Eduardo Suarez Duration: 00:00:00Military Appreciation Day 2025: Minnesota National Guard Leadership Insights
Sep 06, 2025This week we are recorded live at the Minnesota State Fair, features inspiring insights from the Minnesota National Guard’s leadership on service, recruitment, and veteran benefits. From the first female field artillery warrant officer to the future of the Guard, this episode is a must listen! Guests include:
Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke – Minnesota National Guard Cmd. Chief Lisa E Duration: 00:00:00Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair 2025
Aug 30, 2025This week, we’re recorded live from the Minnesota State Fair with our co-host, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. We kick off with the MDVA Chief of Staff providing an overview of the department. We’ll also dive into a Veteran apprenticeship program with Building Strong Communities and meet with leaders from the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum to discuss construction updates and the relocation of the USS Ward gun, commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end
Duration: 00:00:00Ribs for the Ribbon and VA Vaccine Insights
Aug 23, 2025This week: Dive into the Ribs for the Ribbon event from Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, chat with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System about flu and COVID vaccines. Guests include:
Bruce Brown – Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Doug Schultz – Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Megan Daman – Duration: 00:00:00The 16th Annual MMFF Golf Classic
Aug 16, 2025This week, we’re recorded live from the 16th Annual Minnesota Military Family Foundation Golf Classic. Join us as we speak with MMFF leadership and board members, and connect with the Chanhassen American Legion Post 580 and Volunteers for American Veterans to explore how their golf events support the MMFF. Guests include:
Chairman Bill Popp – Minnesota Military Family Foundation Vice President Tom Lyons – Minnesota Military Family Foundation Jason Burley – Minnesota Military Family Foundation Denny Angel – Minnesota Military Family Fou Duration: 00:00:00U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Managing Floods and Recreation
Aug 09, 2025This week on Minnesota Military Radio, explore the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District’s vital mission. Learn about their efforts in flood management, environmental restoration, and overseeing extensive public lands and waters for recreation. From campgrounds to boat ramps, discover how they support communities and provide veterans with free military passes at recreation.gov. Guests include:
Randy Urich – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District Jim Rand – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District Duration: 00:00:00Serving Minnesota Veterans: The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Aug 02, 2025This week, discover how the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) supports our heroes with benefits like state veterans homes and suicide prevention programs, and explore the vital role of the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers in partnering with MDVA. Guests include:
Anne Sonnee – Duration: 00:00:00National Veterans Wheelchair Games
Jul 26, 2025This week, we’re recorded live from the National Veterans Wheelchair Games! Join us as we connect with leaders from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, explore logistics and medical support with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, and meet two inspiring athletes. Guests include:
Dave Tostenrude – National Veterans Wheelchair Games Jen Purser – Paralyzed Veterans of America Jerry Gunn – Minneapolis VA Health Care System Dr. Alex Senk – Duration: 00:00:00