Military Reunion Network Radio

In 2023, Heritage Distilling Company proudly launched its Special Operations Salute™ product line to honor, celebrate, and raise funds for organizations that support our US Special Operations Forces. Their latest product line, Service to America Salute™ honors, celebrates, and raises funds for organizations that support those amazing heroes who willingly place their lives on the line to protect, defend, and serve their fellow Americans.

Sara and Drew Kellerman, Veterans and HDC Co-Founders, shared how they got started and how the Salute Series came about. Their passion and dedication to serve and support Veteran and Military Non-Profits, is inspiring. (and yes, the whiskey is pretty amazing).

Visit their website for the full series product line.

Never Home Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned.

I fear that the world wars are drifting into history for adolescents in America—the overwhelming majority have never been enriched by a conversation with a great uncle or aunt, a grandfather or grandmother, who served in World War II. For without direct interaction, these events, these sacrifices, these achievements, become nebulous, untethered, disorganized, ambiguous, incomprehensible. It is often said, “We shall never forget,” but how can someone “not forget” if he or she has not been taught in the first place? So in my journey of gratitude, I have also realized, “Never Home Heroes” is also a duty, an obligation to those who perished in war.

This project could not have been possible without the outstanding men and women of the American Battle Monuments Commission who are dedicated to honoring those who served our country in battle overseas. They have been generous in supporting this work, are steeped in knowledge, and have been friendly and welcoming throughout.

In gratitude,

Richard Sherman

We were honored to spend time with Three Star General Ret. Gary Volesky. His passion not only for serving our Country for 36 years but also for continuing to support the Veteran Community is inspiring.

He is a "must book" keynote speaker!

Lt General Ret. Gary Volesky Bio:

Gary is a passionate leader with thirty-six years of service to our Nation. He has extensive experience leading Soldiers in the accomplishment of critical, time sensitive and high-risk operations at home and abroad.

He spent five years in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan leading Soldiers at every level from company through division command. Most notably, a book and National Geographic mini-series entitled “The Long Road Home,” detailed his unit’s fight with the Mahdi Army and rescue of an isolated platoon in Sadr City Iraq in 2004.

Gary led the Department of Defense’s military effort to contain the Ebola Virus outbreak in Liberia, in which he developed the US military’s support plan for the US Ambassador, the US Agency for International Development and the Government of Liberia. As the Commanding General for all ground operations in Iraq, he led a multi-national coalition of 10,000 military professionals from 10 different countries enabling Iraqi and special operations forces to seize Mosul and defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

As the Army’s Chief of Public Affairs, Gary advised both the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army for all strategic communications and public affairs messaging, as well as being the Army’s chief communicator for a global 1.5-million-person force during a dynamic wartime period.

Gary retired from the Army as a 3-star General after having led the Army’s First Corps, where he was responsible for the combat readiness of 100,000 Soldiers in units in Washington State, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as running the fourth largest military installation in the Department of Defense. He is happily married to his wife LeAnn and they have a son named Alex who is a Soldier in the US Army

We sat down with Jessica Settje about bringing military reunions to her city. Her enthusiasm for military reunions AND Omaha is infectious! Wait until you hear about the cool attractions!

Want more information? Visit the Military Reunion Network website.

Helpers are everywhere especially those that want to help our Veteran Community. In our series, Look for the Helpers, we will introduce you to the missions of those supporting Veterans locally and across the Country.

Today, we visited with Sonia Jorgenson, Founder of Hooves and Heroes located in Stanwood WA, about 40 miles north of Seattle. Hooves and Heroes provides equine therapy to Veterans and First Responders. hoovesandheroes.org

Jonathan Neis with Go Providence shares why the smallest state in the union is one of the most popular places to hold your reunion.

More information about GO Providence

It is hard to miss the enthusiasm Leanne Calderwood has for the LinkedIn platform. She shares how she mastered the art of building an online community and why it is so important for organizations of all industries to have a presence.

If you want to elevate your profile or just better understand how to connect and build your own network, Leanne can get you started.

Visit her website: LeanneCalderwood.com or better yet reach out directly on LinkedIn

Mallari Ackerman with the Fargo-Moorehead Convention Visitor Bureau shares how her team helps military reunion planners have a great reunion! Click Here for More information

Dan Miller Best Western Multi Property Sales Manager shares his personal views of what is happening in the hotel industry. Please note, our conversation represents his views only. He is not speaking for Best Western Hotels.

We sat down with Joan Eisenstodt an industry expert with hotel contracts, to talk about the importance of a dual cancellation clause.

(Disclaimer, Joan and host Sharon Danitschek are sharing their opinion regarding contract language. They comment and conversation should not be considered legal advice. Military Reunion Planners should always seek the advice of an attorney before signing a contract)

Reference Links

MRN Resources

Destinations/Hotels committed to supporting military reunions