Semper Try

In Episode 16 of Semper Try (Because Trying Beats Quitting), Bill sits down in an undisclosed, snow-free location with Canadian veteran Jeff McCrae. Jeff’s story is one you don’t hear every day. He served across Canada’s integrated military system, working with the Army, Navy, and Air Force—including time supporting NORAD in Colorado Springs before commissioning as a military air traffic controlle...

In Episode 015 of Semper Try , I sit down with Bill Satre from B93.3 and the Brainerd Elks to break down what the Elks organization really does and how it supports youth, veterans, and the community . We talk about programs like Hoop Shoot, scholarships, youth camps , and hands-on support for veterans—from grocery assistance to time spent at the St. Cloud Veterans Home . We also dive into a bigger...

In Episode 15 of Semper Try, I sit down with Bill from B93.3 and the Brainerd Elks to talk about what service organizations really do—and why they still matter today. We break down the Elks Lodge, how it’s different from groups like the Legion, VFW, Eagles, and JCs, and why their focus on youth and veterans continues to make a real impact in the community. From the Minnesota Elks Youth Camp to Hoo...

What drives someone to keep volunteering season after season—long after the wins fade and the time commitment grows? In this episode of Semper Try , Bill sits down with Nate Olson —coach, official, Sports Booster board member, and lifelong athlete—to talk about why coaching youth sports matters far beyond the scoreboard. Nate shares how growing up in a sports-centered family shaped his life, how c...

What drives someone to keep volunteering season after season—long after the wins fade and the time commitment grows? In this episode of Semper Try, Bill sits down with Nate Olson—coach, official, Sports Booster board member, and lifelong athlete—to talk about why coaching youth sports matters far beyond the scoreboard. Nate shares how growing up in a sports-centered family shaped his life, how coa...

In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill sits down with Deanna Olson — volunteer, wellness coach, and founder of a memorial fund inspired by her father, a 51-year employee at Camp Ripley, lifelong farmer, and amputee who defined what service to others truly looks like. After her father’s passing, Deanna and her sisters asked a simple question: How do we keep Dad’s legacy of helping people a...

In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill sits down with Deanna Olson — volunteer, wellness coach, and founder of a memorial fund inspired by her father, a 51-year employee at Camp Ripley, lifelong farmer, and amputee who defined what service to others truly looks like. After her father’s passing, Deanna and her sisters asked a simple question: How do we keep Dad’s legacy of helping people a...

In Part 2 of Episode 012 , Bill continues his conversation with Leroy, a retired Minnesota State Trooper with 36 years in law enforcement , diving into the moments that define a career — the ones you never forget. Leroy walks through life after State Patrol School, field training, and years working the interstate, including a career-defining multi-agency pursuit on Interstate 90 tied to one of the...

In Part 2 of Episode 012, Bill continues his conversation with Leroy, a retired Minnesota State Trooper with 36 years in law enforcement, diving into the moments that define a career — the ones you never forget. Leroy walks through life after State Patrol School, field training, and years working the interstate, including a career-defining multi-agency pursuit on Interstate 90 tied to one of the l...

In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast , Bill sits down with longtime friend and fellow Legion member Leroy , a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Military Police officer during the Cold War . Leroy shares how his decision to join the Army in 1974 was inspired by his father—a World War II veteran who lost his leg in combat in the Philippines and earned a Purple Heart. From basic training at Fort...

In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill sits down with longtime friend and fellow Legion member Leroy, a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Military Police officer during the Cold War. Leroy shares how his decision to join the Army in 1974 was inspired by his father—a World War II veteran who lost his leg in combat in the Philippines and earned a Purple Heart. From basic training at Fort Le...

What does perseverance look like at 84? In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast , Bill sits down with Ed Manley , a 21-year U.S. Navy veteran , former FMF Corpsman with the United States Marine Corps , educator, and author — recorded live at Podfest in Florida . Despite a recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis , Ed is still creating, still teaching, and still moving forward. From joining the Navy at 17 in...

What does perseverance look like at 84? In this episode of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill sits down with Ed Manley, a 21-year U.S. Navy veteran, former FMF Corpsman with the United States Marine Corps, educator, and author — recorded live at Podfest in Florida. Despite a recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Ed is still creating, still teaching, and still moving forward. From joining the Navy at 17 in 1959,...

In Episode 10 of the Semper Try Podcast , Bill sits down with Riley Jordan, USMC , a Marine veteran whose journey proves that trying really does beat quitting. Riley shares his path from a small-town upbringing to Marine Corps boot camp, serving as a heavy equipment operator, and deploying overseas to Okinawa and beyond. Along the way, he learned hard lessons about leadership, discipline, camarade...

In Episode 10 of the Semper Try Podcast, Bill sits down with Riley Jordan, USMC, a Marine veteran whose journey proves that trying really does beat quitting. Riley shares his path from a small-town upbringing to Marine Corps boot camp, serving as a heavy equipment operator, and deploying overseas to Okinawa and beyond. Along the way, he learned hard lessons about leadership, discipline, camaraderi...

In this episode of Semper Try, the story turns from escorting fallen Marines home… to being interrogated while still in uniform. After Vietnam, while stationed at a Naval Air Station in California, this Marine found himself under repeated investigation by the Naval Intelligence Division (NID). What started as questions turned into a sweeping probe of an entire barracks filled with decorated combat...

After the War Jon finished his Marine Corps career in California. Escorting Fallen Marines home to their final resting place. Navy CID investigation

In Part 2, John Meade, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran, continues his story with the chilling aftermath of the Christmas Eve 1966 perimeter incident—when his foxhole partner admitted, “I did it. I killed the other Marine.” John shares the unanswered questions that still haunt him: missing rounds, missing memory, and the six hours in the foxhole he cannot recall. That gap becomes a...

In Part 2 , John Meade , a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran , continues his story with the chilling aftermath of the Christmas Eve 1966 perimeter incident—when his foxhole partner admitted, “I did it. I killed the other Marine.” John shares the unanswered questions that still haunt him: missing rounds, missing memory, and the six hours in the foxhole he cannot recall. That gap become...

In Part 1 of this multi-part conversation, Bill sits down with John Meade , a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and author of Confessions of a Surviving Alien . John shares his early life growing up in Minnesota, the lessons learned from hard work at a young age, and the experiences that shaped his determination to always try . From boot camp and advanced Marine Corps infantry trainin...

Always be Kind How a few minutes of going out of your way to help someone can mean the world of difference

Navy Veteran Todd Wohl USS INGERSOLL DD-990

Be The One to talk to a Veteran Be The One to Listen to a Veteran Be The One to reach out to a Veteran Nick Nelson and struggles with mental health and how it affects everyone

In Part 1 of this multi-part conversation, Bill sits down with John Meade, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and author of Confessions of a Surviving Alien. John shares his early life growing up in Minnesota, the lessons learned from hard work at a young age, and the experiences that shaped his determination to always try. From boot camp and advanced Marine Corps infantry training t...

Nick Nelson Mn National Guard  18 Months in Iraq