In this episode of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham sits down with Sherry Schultz, Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President, and Greg Davis, General Manager and Vice President of Walser Toyota in Bloomington. They discuss Walser’s journey to this milestone, driven by employee-led initiatives like the Veterans at Walser resource group (now nearly 200 members), leadership commitment, and practical programs that make a difference.

Key highlights from the conversation include:

Sherry Schultz, a military spouse herself, emphasized creating structure, empathy, and purpose for transitions, while Greg Davis shared insights as a parent of active-duty service members, noting the value of veterans’ discipline, efficiency, and purpose-driven mindset in Walser’s transparent, customer-focused environment.

For more details on Walser’s commitment, read their official announcement: Walser Earns Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Designation in Minnesota.

The post Walser Automotive Group: Minnesota’s First Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Automotive Company appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

This week, host Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham spotlights the incredible work of the Poly Trauma Center of Excellence at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. For veterans and service members facing complex, life-changing injuries—often involving traumatic brain injury (TBI) combined with other physical and emotional trauma—this center provides a full continuum of specialized care designed to optimize recovery and quality of life.

The episode dives deep into the Poly Trauma System of Care, which celebrated its 20th anniversary recently, with Minneapolis as one of the original five Centers of Excellence. Guests from the Minneapolis VA share insights on acute rehabilitation, transitional programs, outpatient services, recent facility renovations (including private rooms, consolidated therapy spaces, and enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration), family/caregiver support, and the innovative RENEW (Intensive Evaluation and Treatment Program) for active duty service members, including those in special operations.

Key topics covered:

Listeners hear inspiring stories of mission-driven care, long-term staff dedication (60+ combined years among guests), and real impact—helping veterans and service members reclaim their best lives after severe injuries.

For more on the Poly Trauma System of Care nationwide, visit polytrauma.va.gov. Learn about services at the Minneapolis VA here.

Or listen directly: Download MP3

Thank a veteran today—and honor those who continue to serve.

Produced in partnership with the Minnesota National Guard, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.

The post Spotlighting the Poly Trauma Center of Excellence: Lifeline for Minnesota Veterans appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham welcomes two knowledgeable guests who are deeply committed to supporting Minnesota’s veterans and their families. Through advocacy, community action, and innovative new programs, they share practical ways the state is honoring and assisting those who have served.

Barry Hendrickson, Adjutant Quartermaster and Legislative Chairman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Minnesota, shares updates on VFW advocacy, community donations (including a $100,000 gift to veterans homes and VA facilities), legislative priorities like property tax relief and the Major Richard Starr Act, membership efforts, and the VFW’s first female National Commander-in-Chief.

For more info: www.vfwmn.org (Minnesota) and www.VFW.org (national)

Raeann Murray, Veteran Health Navigator Supervisor and licensed social worker with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), introduces the new Veteran Health Navigator Program launching in 2026. The program partners with healthcare systems statewide to close gaps in care and benefits through the “Ask the Question” initiative, care coordination, and connections to resources.

For more info: www.minnesotaveteran.org and www.linkvet.org

The post Supporting Minnesota Veterans: VFW Updates and the New Health Navigator Program appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

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.

The post Serving Here, Living Here: SSG Joe Hance Shares His Path with the Minnesota National Guard appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

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.

The post Chaplains of the Minnesota National Guard: Service, Sacrifice, and the Legacy of the Four Chaplains appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

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:

Looking Ahead to 2026:

The post Going Beyond: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s 2025 Impact and 2026 Vision appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

In this episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we explore two critical advancements in Veteran healthcare at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System: a major shift toward digital pharmacy services and a proactive approach to limb preservation.

Chief of Pharmacy Dr. Lisa Anderson and Program Manager Stephanie Walek discuss the new transition to digital prescription information.

What’s Changing: Starting in early 2026, the Minneapolis VA is replacing bulky paper inserts with QR codes on prescription labels.

Why It Matters: This initiative reduces waste (saving over 34,000 sheets of paper annually) and provides Veterans with 24/7 access to instructional videos and medication guides via their smartphones.

Veteran Choice: Paper copies remain available upon request for those who prefer them.

Dr. Wei Li, the new Chief of Vascular Surgery, introduces us to two Nurse Practitioners Dawn Strief and Shanon Harper who share information about life-changing initiatives that use tele-health and focus on limb preservation.

The post Pharmacy Innovations and Amputation Prevention at the Minneapolis VA appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

In this year-end legislative wrap-up, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with key leaders to reflect on major accomplishments for Minnesota veterans in 2025 and priorities moving into 2026.

The episode features insightful conversations with:

Key 2025 Highlights Discussed:

Looking to 2026:

This episode showcases how Minnesota continues to lead in supporting those who served—through collaboration, empathy, and putting veterans first.

The post 2025 Legislative Year in Review – Bipartisan Wins for Veterans & Looking Ahead to 2026 appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

In 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:

They discuss leadership dynamics, 2025 accomplishments, domestic and international missions, and exciting plans for 2026.

The leaders emphasized trust, community connections (“We live here, we work here, we serve here”), and pride in the Guard’s motto: Always Ready, Always There

For more information or to explore service opportunities: MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil

The post Minnesota National Guard 2025 Year in Review appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

In 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), Linda Dvorak (American Legion), and Todd Kemery (Minnesota Paralyzed Veterans of America).

Commanders Task Force leaders are optimistic about growing membership, expanding community outreach and legislative advocacy, and hosting key events like the VFW’s Voice of Democracy program, Marine Corps League toy drives, and American Legion celebrations for its 107th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. The episode ends with heartfelt holiday messages emphasizing buddy checks, support for isolated veterans, and remembrance of active-duty members and fallen heroes.

The post Commander’s Task Force: 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Outlook appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.