Meet the dedicated team

Age: 49

I was raised in a rural community in Central Sothern GA. Throughout my youth and teenage year I worked on a local farm. There I learned the value of hard work. I graduated from West Laurens High School in 1995. In July of 1995 I started my 28-year carrier serving in both the Marines and the MN Army Guard. During my tour I deployed to Kosovo and Afghanistan. I am a widower with two great children that are the light of my world, one of which is special needs. 

Interests: firearms, bush crafting and motorcycle riding. 

Age: 45

Service: MN ARNG for 21 years, Federal Tech program for 16 years at Camp Ripley

Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy Fishing, Hunting, Shooting at the Range, Smoking meats and
cheeses, and playing with my dogs. I am also a Licensed Graduate Social Worker
working on my independent licensure and am an active psychotherapist for a Geriatric
Acute Behavioral Health Hospital.

What’s my struggle: Personally I have dealt with PTSD and Substance Use Disorder
(Alcohol). I have had legal troubles due to this, and have struggled with suicidal
thoughts and actions. Through many years of therapy, and some really great friends, I
have clawed my way into some normalcy. There is light on the other side, you just have
to find it.

Age: 47

Service: I am 20 Veteran of the MNARNG and served on two deployments. Operation Iraqi Freedom, (OIF) in 2004/2005 & Operation Enduring Freedom, (OEF) in 2008/2009. I am currently a Federal Civilian employee of the MNARNG, continuing my service to the Military’s mission, working at Camp in Transportation Logistics. My current work involves managing and coordinating the required logistics of Troop and Equipment Movements in support of training exercises and Mobilizations for the MNARNG, as well as other states Units coming to Camp Ripley for Training. 

   My personal Interests and Hobbies include spending quality time with Family and friends, being active in organizations that support and give back to fellow Veterans and the Community & enjoying the outdoors. Hunting and Fishing are my true passion when it comes to my personal hobbies. Nothing helps me feel more grounded, centered and truly alive than spending time outdoors, soaking in all the beauty and wonders of nature. Nothing else quite compares to the peace, serenity and tranquility that comes from being out in the woods or on the water, enjoying all of God’s creation. 

 My biggest struggle in this adventure called life was/is communication, primarily due to dealing with the division that plagues the social landscape of our society. We’ve been programmed to believe that being open about or talking about our struggles and seeking help when we need it is a sign of weakness. Nothing could be farther from the truth. True strength is being aware of and self-conscience of our struggles, knowing when to seek the help we need to deal with them, and having the courage to follow through. All too often, it is the societally imposed perception that openly and honestly talking about our feelings is weakness, that drives people to isolate and turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. 

I personally lived and experienced this after losing my oldest brother to suicide. I blamed myself for not being there for him. This self-imposed guilt, combined with not wanting to be labeled as weak, drove me to turn to alcohol to mask the pain I felt. It wasn’t until a close friend and fellow veteran engaged me, that I realized that opening up, talking about & expressing my feelings wasn’t a weakness, rather a true strength. He saw & recognized that I was struggling with something very heavy and was willing to listen without judgement. He helped me recognize & realize the core truth, that true strength comes from within each of us. That day I regained the clarity needed to truly live each, and every day to the fullest, and it ignited a drive in myself, to be that same source of clarity for others. 

This is why I joined Operation R.E.C.O.N. when I was approached about it. I truly believe in our Mission of helping other veterans and their families reconnect after their service. The same desire to serve that drove me to enlist in the MNARNG to serve my country, still drives me today when it comes to helping others, especially Veterans and their Families. Helping other find the same kind of peace, serenity and tranquility that I’ve been blessed with through my Passion for the outdoors is my goal.