Semper Try

In Episode 19 of the Semper Try Podcast, Wayne Harting returns to talk about what’s happening at the Brainerd American Legion, why membership matters, and how local posts can continue making a real difference for veterans and their families.

Bill and Wayne talk about new events, live music, fish fries, growing membership, and the importance of keeping organizations like the Legion strong. They also dig into the role of the honor guard, why more volunteers are needed, and how veterans' groups need to work together instead of apart.

The heart of this episode is the upcoming Benghazi Memorial event in Little Falls. Wayne shares the story behind the memorial bench, how it came to be, and why honoring the four Americans lost in Benghazi still matters. They also reflect on the sacrifice of Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty, and discuss this year’s special memorial event that will include Tyrone Woods’ mother.

This episode is about remembrance, service, community, and making sure the stories of those who gave everything are never forgotten.

This week on the Semper Try Podcast, Bill runs a solo episode after completing his 15th Polar Plunge for the Minnesota Special Olympics with the Brainerd American Legion and CTC team, raising over $5,000 for an incredible cause.

Bill then dives into military history surrounding March 9th, including Operation Meetinghouse, the devastating B-29 firebombing of Tokyo in 1945, one of the deadliest air raids in history.

He also shares fascinating facts about the B-29 Superfortress, the massive bomber that carried out the largest bombing campaign of World War II and delivered the atomic bombs that helped end the war.

Finally, Bill shares a personal story from his time in Marine Corps boot camp — explaining why his training took nearly seven months instead of thirteen weeks after failing the initial physical test and suffering severe stress fractures in both feet.

Most people would have quit.

He didn’t.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

On this episode of Semper Try, I’m joined by Tom Getty — Air Force veteran and longtime Minnesota National Guard soldier who’s also serving with me on the Brainerd American Legion board. We recorded this one on a windy “no snow” vacation, but the stories are worth it.

Tom comes from a strong military family (WWII Navy, Vietnam-era Air Force, sons and grandsons serving today), and he takes us inside what it was really like working aircraft maintenance in the late 70s — including T-39s and the legendary C-141 Starlifter. We talk about crawling inside wings, inspection work, rotating through shops, and the kind of responsibility young service members carry way earlier than most people realize.

Then we shift into his National Guard years at Camp Ripley — night vision (NVG) flying, flight-following, restricted airspace headaches, and the story you’ve gotta hear: Tom’s “high-speed low pass” tower moment with a C-130.

We also talk about something personal and powerful: Color Guard — why it matters, why volunteers are needed, and why it’s truly a veteran’s final honor.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

In Episode 16 of Semper Try (Because Trying Beats Quitting), Bill sits down in an undisclosed, snow-free location with Canadian veteran Jeff McCrae.

Jeff’s story is one you don’t hear every day. He served across Canada’s integrated military system, working with the Army, Navy, and Air Force—including time supporting NORAD in Colorado Springs before commissioning as a military air traffic controller.

We talk about what makes the Canadian military different, what life was like on a Canadian destroyer, and the reality of working in air traffic control—where teamwork, precision, and pressure all collide. Jeff shares stories from training, life at sea, and even what it’s like handling aircraft in ways that would never happen in the civilian world.

We also get into 9/11’s impact on aviation, Canada’s role in supporting diverted flights, and the respect and camaraderie between Canadian and American forces.

At the core of it all—this is a story about adapting, taking opportunities, and finding your path… even when it doesn’t go the way you planned.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

In Episode 15 of Semper Try, I sit down with Bill from B93.3 and the Brainerd Elks to talk about what service organizations really do—and why they still matter today.

We break down the Elks Lodge, how it’s different from groups like the Legion, VFW, Eagles, and JCs, and why their focus on youth and veterans continues to make a real impact in the community.

From the Minnesota Elks Youth Camp to Hoop Shoot, Batters Up, scholarships, and programs supporting veterans—from grocery assistance to bingo at the St. Cloud Veterans Home—this episode shows how one organization can change lives locally.

We also tackle a bigger question:

With more nonprofits, fundraisers, and causes than ever before, we talk about how collaboration—not competition—is what keeps communities strong. From the Thanksgiving meals to shared fundraisers, it’s proof that when organizations work together, they can do more than any one group alone.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved but weren’t sure where to start—this episode is for you.

Because trying beats quitting.

What drives someone to keep volunteering season after season—long after the wins fade and the time commitment grows?

In this episode of Semper Try, Bill sits down with Nate Olson—coach, official, Sports Booster board member, and lifelong athlete—to talk about why coaching youth sports matters far beyond the scoreboard.

Nate shares how growing up in a sports-centered family shaped his life, how coaching his own kids turned into mentoring dozens more, and why raising your hand to help is sometimes the most important thing an adult can do for a young person.

They dive into:

The real impact coaches have on kids’ lives

Why sports shape character more than championships

The rising cost of youth sports—and how communities can help

Why some kids just need a place to belong

The role of Brainerd Sports Boosters in keeping opportunities open

How volunteering teaches responsibility, confidence, and resilience

This conversation is about more than baseball, football, or basketball—it’s about showing up, staying consistent, and being the adult a kid remembers years later.

Because sometimes, trying beats quitting—and sometimes, it changes a life.

In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill sits down with Deanna Olson — volunteer, wellness coach, and founder of a memorial fund inspired by her father, a 51-year employee at Camp Ripley, lifelong farmer, and amputee who defined what service to others truly looks like.

After her father’s passing, Deanna and her sisters asked a simple question: How do we keep Dad’s legacy of helping people alive?

From organizing a yearly memorial walk on her dad’s favorite road at Camp Ripley, to helping a veteran with a traumatic brain injury secure an ADA-compliant bathroom when no program would approve it, Deanna shares how compassion, flexibility, and local connections are changing lives quietly and powerfully.

You’ll also hear about:

The Memorial Walk at Camp Ripley (Sept 26)

Why volunteerism still matters

The Make It OK mental health program

Understanding ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

Preventative health and community wellness

And the unforgettable story of two one-armed coworkers who could “share a pair of gloves”

This is a story about legacy, service, and how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference for veterans.

Because Trying Beats Quitting.

In Part 2 of Episode 012, Bill continues his conversation with Leroy, a retired Minnesota State Trooper with 36 years in law enforcement, diving into the moments that define a career — the ones you never forget.

Leroy walks through life after State Patrol School, field training, and years working the interstate, including a career-defining multi-agency pursuit on Interstate 90 tied to one of the largest counterfeiters in U.S. history. He shares the real story behind the pursuit later portrayed in the movie Flag Day, explaining what actually happened versus what Hollywood showed.

The episode explores critical incident response, the mental and emotional weight of policing, and how training, instinct, and decision-making collide in real time. Leroy reflects on his years as a State Trooper, working traffic enforcement, crash investigations, and protecting the public — along with the responsibility that comes with wearing the badge.

Beyond law enforcement, the conversation shifts to service after retirement, family, and Leroy’s 21-year involvement with Special Olympics Minnesota, including leading the Brainerd Lakes Polar Plunge, participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and helping raise over $1.5 million for Special Olympics athletes.

This episode is about service, pressure, and perspective — and why some shifts stay with you long after the uniform comes off. Because at the end of the day, trying still beats quitting.

In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill sits down with longtime friend and fellow Legion member Leroy, a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Military Police officer during the Cold War.

Leroy shares how his decision to join the Army in 1974 was inspired by his father—a World War II veteran who lost his leg in combat in the Philippines and earned a Purple Heart. From basic training at Fort Leonard Wood to MP school at Fort Gordon, Leroy takes us through his early days in uniform and the realities of Army life in the 1970s.

Much of the conversation focuses on Leroy’s time in Cold War Germany as an Army Military Police officer with the 1st Armored Division, where he patrolled off-base alongside German police, guarded missile sites, responded to bar fights downtown, and trained for a possible conflict with the Soviet Union. He describes Cold War tensions, NATO training exercises, riding with German police units, and being among the few soldiers authorized to carry live ammunition during field operations.

Leroy also recounts unforgettable moments, including responding to a Canadian military jet crash near a German town that happened to be the sister city of his hometown in Minnesota. He explains the difference between divisional and garrison MPs, crash investigation duties, and stepping into an acting sergeant role late in his enlistment.

After completing active duty in Germany, Leroy continued serving through the Army Reserves, training in South Korea, Pennsylvania, and Fort McCoy, Wisconsin—building a lifetime connection to service that continues today through the American Legion.

This episode is a powerful reminder that service doesn’t always happen in combat zones—but it always matters.

What does perseverance look like at 84?

In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill sits down with Ed Manley, a 21-year U.S. Navy veteran, former FMF Corpsman with the United States Marine Corps, educator, and author — recorded live at Podfest in Florida.

Despite a recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Ed is still creating, still teaching, and still moving forward. From joining the Navy at 17 in 1959, serving during the Cold War, working alongside Marines, rising from enlisted sailor to commissioned officer, and later educating thousands of military members, Ed’s story is a powerful example of perseverance, resilience, leadership, lifelong learning, and never quitting.

Because trying beats quitting.