With nearly 308,000 veterans and tens of thousands of guard and reserve troops, Minnesota is a state committed to supporting our friends and neighbors who serve and their families. Minnesota Military Radio is a reflection of that commitment.
With a team of producers from the Minnesota National Guard, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Minneapolis V.A., volunteer host and Vietnam veteran Tom Lyons strives to inform and entertain listeners in this weekly syndicated radio show and podcast.
Through captivating, historic interviews with veterans of all eras, we also endeavor to preserve their stories of heroism before they are forgotten.
2025 Legislative Year in Review – Bipartisan Wins for Veterans & Looking Ahead to 2026
Minnesota National Guard 2025 Year in Review
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: Major General Shawn Manke, Adjutant General Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Rost, Command Senior Enlisted Leader They discuss leadership dynamics, 2025 accomplishments, domestic and international missions, and exciting plans for 2026. […]
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Commander’s Task Force: 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Outlook
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 […]
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Minneapolis VA 2025 Year in Review
This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we host our annual Minneapolis VA Health Care System 2025 year in review. The episode covers major accomplishments from the past year, including earning a second consecutive 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This top honor recognizes outstanding quality care, placing the Minneapolis VA […]
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Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs: 2025 Year in Review & Vision for 2026
This week we kick off our annual series of Year-in-Review shows with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. In a full-hour conversation, the Commissioner, Brad Lindsey walks us through the major accomplishments of 2025 and lays out priorities for 2026, including: Three new State Veterans Homes now open and serving residents in Preston, Montevideo, and […]
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34th Military Police Company Heads to the Middle East
This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we sit down with the Commander and First Sergeant of the 34th Military Police Company (Stillwater, MN) as the unit prepares to deploy in early January 2026 to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Mission: Customs operations The 34th will screen returning U.S. personnel and equipment for prohibited […]
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Sailors in the Heartland and Minnesota National Guard Community Relations
This week, Twin Cities U.S. Navy recruiters share real stories from submarines and carriers — plus how Minnesotans can join today. Then, hear how the Minnesota National Guard teams up with the Vikings, Twins, Wild, Wolves, and local communities to honor service members. Guests include: Lt. John Gillotte – United States Navy Counselor 1st Class […]
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Disabled Veteran Hunt and Tribal Veteran Service Officer
This week, we meet members of the Sons of the American Legion Detachment of Minnesota to hear about their annual disabled veterans deer hunt and fall turkey hunt held at Legionville, plus we sit down with a Tribal Veteran Service Officer supervisor to learn how the program serves Native veterans across all 11 tribal nations […]
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Minneapolis VA Patient Advocacy Team
This week, we meet members of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System’s Patient Advocate Team and learn that the Patient Advocacy Program is for all Veterans and their families who receive care at VA health care facilities. What can the patient advocate do? What are their limitations? And what do patients bring into the relationship […]
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ESGR and Support the Troops MN
This week, discover how the Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) bridges the gap between military service and civilian workplaces, ensuring Guard and Reserve members keep their jobs while serving our nation. Then, meet the team at Support the Troops MN and learn how they deliver rapid, 24-hour financial aid to Minnesota […]
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