As many of you know, from some of the conversations I’ve had on this program, my first love was the United States Army. The love of country; the desire to serve and to protect; the brotherhood and comradery you shared.

The missions. The dangers. The highs and lows. The struggles. Everyone was going through it together. Everyone was enduring the same thing. Everyone hated it and still loved it at the same time.

For those that served, you know what I’m talking about. For those that did not serve, it is hard for me or anyone else to put into words.

I left service in 1989 after 12 years. I left the Cavalry, I was a CAV officer, and went into business and somehow found my way into law enforcement – and the rest is history. Amen! Those that have been listening to this program for any length of time knows the story. For those that are new, just keep listening or go the archives and you’ll know.

The reason I’m bringing this up, especially around the 4th of July holiday, is because each and every man and woman who signed up and served, did so voluntarily. They volunteered to protect this nation and the freedoms we enjoy.

Many, many of them who came in after I left service, served their entire careers during conflict. Many served in hazardous areas their entire time in service. Witnessing things that no human being should witness. Participating in action that has left huge, emotional scars that haunt them to this day.

Our guest today is a veteran and part of a group that you just need to know about. It is the “Mighty Oaks Foundation” and our guest today is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Jeremy Stalnecker. Jeremy was a Marine Corps Infantry Officer with the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division as a platoon commander in various positions.

In January 2003, his unit was deployed to become part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As the war began, his unit was the first to breach the berm separating Kuwait and Iraq and they were able to secure the first military objective of the war.

Continuing, they road marched forward and ended up in Baghdad and were able to seize control of the Presidential Palace in northern Baghdad on the Tigris River.

Throughout this mission, Jeremy and his unit provided navigation and security for the battalion.

One month after returning from war, he became the assistant pastor at his church and gained ministry experience that would equip to doing what he is doing now, serving the Lord and furthering his ministerial responsibilities.

In 2008, Jeremy took on the role of senior pastor of the Bay Area Baptist Church in Freemont, California. After serving there for seven years, he accepted a full time position with the Mighty Oaks Foundation where he is able to use both, his military background and his ministry experience to help many hurting veterans, service members, their families as well as first responders and their families.

The “Mighty Oaks Foundation” is committed to serving the brokenhearted by providing intensive peer-based discipleship through a series of programs, outpost meetings and speaking events..

Help me welcome to the program, Jeremy Stalnecker!

First question, other than that brief information I just shared, can you tell us in your own words, “Who is Jeremy Stalnecker?”