Veterans of the North

Oather Martin was 17 when he joined the Army and was recruited for missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. In this unfiltered conversation, Oather recounts 15 months of deniable operations, advising the teenage soldiers of the 36th Vietnamese Rangers and vanishing across the Cambodian border. He describes two combat wounds—one from a bamboo booby trap to the face, the second when a rocket attack buried him beneath fallen comrades. Af...

Host Trent sits down with DAV Minnesota service officer Tony and VA Service Officer Charles for an essential conversation on VA survivor benefits—centered on Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and how veterans can protect their loved ones long after service. The episode clearly explains DIC’s two qualification paths: the 10-year 100% rule or death from a service-connected condition. It shares powerful real-life stories of ...

Join the "Veterans of the North" podcast, recorded live from Iowa City during the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and VA National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic. In this uplifting episode, the host connects with inspiring veterans from across the country to share their experiences at this transformative event. A proud sponsor, the DAV Minnesota supports this clinic, now in its fourth year, fostering camaraderie, socializa...

In this powerful episode of Veterans of the North, host Trent Dilks explores the critical issue of veteran suicide prevention from the Magnus Veterans Wellness Campus in Dayton, Minnesota. Joined by Dr. Sean Alderman, founder and medical director of the Magnus Veterans Foundation—and a veteran of 31 years in the U.S. Army, including Special Forces—Trent delves into the origins of the foundation, inspired by Dr. Alderman's e...

In this episode of "Veterans of the North," host Trent Dilks sits down with Andrea Perry and Julia Pawlenty from the VA's Veterans Suicide Prevention team at the DAV convention. They dive into the ongoing crisis, sharing insights on community outreach, SAFE training, crisis intervention, and practical steps to support veterans at risk. From identifying warning signs and reducing access to lethal means to normalizing c...

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Green Beret Mark Nutsch on Veterans of the North. Mark shares his journey from 12 years of active duty and four combat deployments to building a life—and a business—after service. Hear about his work as a defense contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan, launching a craft bourbon brand with fellow veterans, and leading protective details for world leaders. Mark also reflects on humanitarian mission...

Dive into the powerful stories of courage and resilience in this episode of , a DAV of Minnesota podcast dedicated to honoring disabled veterans and their families. Join hosts Mike McElhiney and retired U.S. Army Major Mark Nutsch, a Special Forces veteran and the real-life inspiration behind 12 Strong, as they recount their gripping experiences in the post-9/11 fight in Afghanistan. From uniting rival tribal factions to leading th...

In this segment, Butch Whitehead hosts Department Commander Oather Martin and National Commander Dan Contreras to reflect on the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization's centennial anniversary. They highlight key services, notably the transportation program, which operates 39 vehicles statewide to provide free rides for veterans to medical appointments, a unique service no other organization offers. The discussion emphas...

Host Butch Whitehead interviews Department Commander Martin and National Commander Dan Contreras on the "Veterans of the North" podcast, coinciding with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Minnesota chapter’s centennial celebration. Commander Martin, nearing the end of his term, shares his rewarding experience traveling across Minnesota, meeting volunteers, and addressing veterans’ top concern: disability claims. He prai...

In this exciting episode of Veterans of the North, we dive deep into the remarkable world of the DAV Winter Sports Clinic, a transformative event that empowers and upliftsVeterans with disabilities. Through in-depth interviews, we hear firsthand from a courageous Veteran amputee who has participated in the clinic, sharing their personal journey of resilience, adaptation, and triumph on the slopes. Additionally, we sit down with the...

In this episode of "Veterans of the North," we have the honor of meeting 99-year-old WWII veteran and Navy Combat Medic, Bob Brix. Bob takes us back to his formative years, sharing stories of his childhood in North Minneapolis, painting a picture of life in those times. We then delve into his experiences during WWII, focusing on his deployment to the Pacific Theater where he served courageously. Bob's narrative extends to his tra...

We had the privilege of sitting down with the remarkable 98-year-old WWII veteran, Bill Homan, to delve into his rich tapestry of life experiences. Our conversation began with his vivid memories of the day World War II erupted, capturing the emotions, the fear, and the sudden change in life's rhythm that came with the war's outbreak. Bill shared with us his journey from a young man in his community to a soldier on the front lines...