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.
Supporting Minnesota Veterans: VFW Updates and the New Health Navigator Program
Serving Here, Living Here: SSG Joe Hance Shares His Path with the Minnesota National Guard
This week on Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham welcomes back Staff Sergeant Joe Hance, a recruiter with the Minnesota Army National Guard. In this anniversary revisit from his previous appearance, SSG Hance shares his full story—from enlisting as a high school junior through the split-option program, serving as an infantryman […]
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Chaplains of the Minnesota National Guard: Service, Sacrifice, and the Legacy of the Four Chaplains
This week on Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham is joined by special co-host Tom Lyons and Minnesota National Guard chaplains: CH (LTC) Tim Usset (State Chaplain) CH (MAJ) Justin Lansdonne (full-time support chaplain and deputy division chaplain for the 34th Infantry Division) CH (CPT) Charles Kim (chaplain for the 34th […]
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Going Beyond: Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’s 2025 Impact and 2026 Vision
In this special segment of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham welcomes the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) outreach team for a comprehensive 2025 year-in-review. The discussion covers the program’s statewide impact, key initiatives, the power of community and corporate volunteers, distinctions from the federal Yellow Ribbon program, and exciting goals […]
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Pharmacy Innovations and Amputation Prevention at the Minneapolis VA
In this episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we explore two critical advancements in Veteran healthcare at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System: a major shift toward digital pharmacy services and a proactive approach to limb preservation. Guests Include: Dr. Lisa Anderson – Chief of Pharmacy, Minneapolis VA Stephanie Walek – Pharmacy Program Manager, Minneapolis […]
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2025 Legislative Year in Review – Bipartisan Wins for Veterans & Looking Ahead to 2026
In this year-end legislative wrap-up, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with key leaders to reflect on major accomplishments for Minnesota veterans in 2025 and priorities moving into 2026. The episode features insightful conversations with: Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud, Chair of the Veterans Subcommittee) – Discussing funding boosts for veterans homes, […]
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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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