Strength From Service

Tony Dickmeyer a Navy vet who was inspired to serve after 9-11 talks about his journey and struggles of transitioning to civilian life after his Navy service.  From Vets Court, A.A., mentoring and sponsoring others in recovery to his new podcast “2 Dudes That Don’t Drink”, Tony is on a newer more fulfilling path to life.

Meghan Murphy is a Neurosurgeon who played D1 La Crosse at Notre Dame, attended Medical School at Georgetown, did her residency at the famed Mayo Hospital in Rochester, MN.  Wife and mother of two Meghan now works at Mayo Clinic in Mankato, MN, and it probably the smartest guest we've had on SFS.

Brady Hahn - School Teacher, Firefighter, First Responder, High School Football Coach, Father, and all around good guy had dedicated his life to service.   From nurturing the future of his community as a teacher and coach, to literally saving their lives as Chief of the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department.  Brady epitomizes what it means to serve.

After losing his leg in Vietnam, Tom McLaughlin finds a way to overcome his disability, his life after the Marine Corps, and his alcoholism while becoming a mentor in his community through service organizations & Clubs lie American Legion, V.F.W., Vets Court, & A.A. just to name a few.  Tom McLaughlin - USMC - Retired, husband, father, mentor, sponsor - is truly awe-inspiring to everyone he has touched through out his amazing life.

Pat McDermott has a long and distinguished history in public safety and public service

●  For over 20 years, Pat has served the people of Blue Earth County both in the capacity of Assistant County Attorney and, for over eleven years, as a Chief Assistant County Attorney.  During that
time, Pat has prosecuted most of the serious cases in Blue Earth County. 
●  Pat’s community service engagement is grounded in community public safety and public service projects. Pat has extensively engaged in community public safety. 
●  He established the Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office Veterans Program, which was embraced by the 5th Judicial District, and now serves veterans in 7 counties.  The 5th Judicial District Veterans Court was the second Veterans Court adopted in the state, and the first multi-jurisdictional Veterans Court in the state.  Re-entry into civilian life can be challenging for veterans returning from duty.  Homelessness, substance abuse, traumatic brain injury, sexual trauma and PTSD are all too often collateral consequences of service that can contribute to entry into the criminal justice system. Now, public agencies have teamed up to
help.
●  He serves as a board member of the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force which covers nine law enforcement agencies in a four county area. 
● He was instrumental in establishing the Blue Earth County Adult Drug Court which targets non-violent felony drug users and holds them accountable - a proven way to save tax payer dollars and reduce recidivism. 
●  He assisted with the local Blue Print for Safety, and has assisted with many mental health, social service, child protection, and other health and human services programs.
●  Pat has taught law enforcement officers and prosecutors throughout the state on behalf of numerous agencies, including:
     The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
     The Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association
     The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and
     The Minnesota County Attorneys Association
●  Pat is an advisor to, and provides training for the Minnesota South Central Investigators Coalition;
a group of more than 70 area Investigators and Detectives. 
●  For over fourteen years, Pat has served as an adjunct professor with the Department of Government at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
●  Pat came to Mankato well experienced in public safety, having served previously as Assistant City Attorney with the City of Shakopee, and gaining experience, there, with civil law matters relating to tax appeals and government finance. Pat also has extensive litigation and civil experience in private practice with the Minneapolis firm of Lommen, Nelson, Cole & Stageberg, P.A

Zimmerman, who was raised in a small town in Minnesota, joined the U.S. Army and became an Airborne Infantryman. He deployed in 2010 with the legendary 101st Airborne Division. After spending nine months in heavy combat, Zimmerman, while on a foot patrol, stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and suffered catastrophic injuries. As he lie there, his own life flashed before his eyes, while the platoon medic and teammates worked to save him and the rest of his team engaged the enemy. Zimmerman was not expected to survive that day, but twenty surgeries and two years later, he left the San Antonio Military Medical Center and medically retired from the U.S. Army.

Welcome to Strength From Service (SFS).  Too many of our service stories lately revolve around mental health, PSTD, or the negative dark side of service.  SFS is the untold stories from those who serve.  Todays show is an introduction to our hosts Jake Palmer, Jack Zimmerman, and Mike McLaughlin. {{Jake Palmer, Jack Zimmerman, Mike McLaughlin}}