Our Veterans, Our Stories

Have questions about this episode? For more than 50 years, Dr. Bur Schilling’s family did not fully know the heroic actions of his brother, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dean Shilling. In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories , Bur shares the emotional story of growing up with Dean, losing him during the Vietnam War at just 19 years old, and discovering decades later that Dean had been awarded one...

Have questions about this episode? In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories , we sit down with Rick Opperman, a United States Army veteran who served as a Military Police officer with the 82nd Airborne Division from 1971 to 1974. Rick shares how his decision to join the military was shaped by personal challenges at home, and how that decision led to growth, discipline, and a lifetime of lesson...

Have questions about this episode? In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories , we feature Brian and Lara Beltz , two Navy veterans from Hancock County whose military experiences shaped not only their futures, but the life and business they built together. Lara shares her journey into the Navy, her work as a corpsman, and her time serving in Sicily, where she worked in a high stress medical envi...

Have questions about this episode? In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories , we sit down with Andy Sterling, a United States Army veteran who served over 20 years in the Army Reserves. Andy shares his experience across four combat deployments, including serving as a combat engineer during Operation Iraqi Freedom and later transitioning into intelligence work supporting Special Operations. He...

Have questions about this episode? In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories , we sit down with Kyle Russell, a United States Army veteran who served as an infantryman and deployed to Iraq in 2018. Kyle shares his journey from enlisting at 17 to serving in high-risk environments overseas, including his experiences with quick reaction force missions, convoy operations, and combat conditions. He...

Have questions about this episode? In this episode, we sit down with retired Master Sergeant (MSG) Leesha Dixson, who shares her unexpected journey into the Army—starting with a missed job opportunity at a chicken restaurant that led her to the recruiting office across the street. Leesha reflects on being part of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in the 1970s, just before women were fully integrated in...

Have questions about this episode? 🎖 From a Military Family to Veteran of the Year: Kim Williams' Story 🎖 In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories , we sit down with Kim Williams , a proud Army veteran and dedicated advocate for fellow service members. Growing up in a military family, Kim knew from a young age that she wanted to serve her country. Inspired by her grandfather’s stories, sh...

Have questions about this episode? 🎙 Episode 3:  At 98 years old, Laurence "Sliv" Lauer carries with him the memories of one of World War II’s most pivotal battles— Iwo Jima . Drafted into the United States Marine Corps at just 18, Sliv found himself in the third or fourth wave of Marines landing on the beaches of Iwo Jima , where he witnessed firsthand the horrors of war. In this episod...

Have questions about this episode? In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories , we welcome Col. (Ret.) Sue Ann Sandusky , a 37-year Army veteran whose career took her across the world—from elite marksmanship competitions to serving as a Defense Attaché in Africa and leading at West Point . Col. Sandusky shares:  🔹 How she went from Findlay High School to winning World Championship gold medals i...

Have questions about this episode? In our debut episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories , we sit down with Roger Neff , a proud United States Marine Corps Veteran and 2021 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Inductee . Roger’s impact on Northwest Ohio is nothing short of extraordinary. From forming the Findlay-Hancock County Military Affairs Committee to coordinating an annual Armed Forces Day program for 27...