Indomitable Spirit; The Joy of Rebuilding a Life’s Purpose!
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Brian Jopek, reporter and news director at a newspaper in Minocqua, Wisconsin, is a veteran of the war in Iraq. His son, Ryan David Jopek, followed Brian into the Wisconsin National Guard and ultimately also was deployed to Iraq. Ryan David was killed in action in the same area where his father had served, making Brian one of the few Gold Star parents whose child was KIA in the same theater where a parent had served.
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Veteran Pam Graham of Osseo, Wisconsin, understands the importance of family in the world of military veterans. She also knows the importance of veterans’ military families, along with the need for intergenerational communications between veterans.
The daughter of two Marines, Pam enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1986 and reached the rank of E-7 – chief petty officer – before receiving a commission in 1996. She retired from the Navy in 2007 as a lieutenant, working as an air traffic control officer. She served aboard several land bases, and was the carrier air traffic control center officer aboard the USS Constellation.
She continues her service in her roles within the Osseo American Legion Post 324 and VFW Post 8514\
Pam will be joining Scott Schultz and Michael Orban as a host of Stigma Free Vet Zone.
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career combat tours her husband experience and remained state side during his one year duty station in Okinawa.
After been separated from military life for 6 years, Bonnie was drawn to the activities The Highground provides to Veterans (including her husband). She left her Occupational Therapy Assistant career of 21 years to joined The Highground in 2020 as the Event Coordinator and assists the Veteran Programming Coordinator with the Veteran Retreats. She is humbled by the passion the staff, volunteers and Veterans possess. Being around those who have served, are serving and will serve makes her feel at home.
It has been 9 years now since her husband, Chris, retired from the Marine Corps and although she misses the military life, Bonnie is proud to be a part of such a fulfilling organization and thankful for the opportunity to continue serving Veterans. “In this family, no one stands alone” – Author Unknown
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Dawn Strobel grew up in Milwaukee and Cedarburg, WI. Her parents divorced when she was young. Dawns father is a Vietnam veteran who never spoke of his military experience and who Dawn did not have much interaction with while growing up. She would come to know him later in life. Dawn’s mother remarried and yet she and her mother did not have a close mother daughter relationship. With the normal expectations of honor and a place to fit in Dawn enlisted in the United States Army knowing she would have to hide that she was gay. No amount of written English can describe the profound devastation, dishonor and depression she would experience in both military and civilian careers for over thirteen years. “I was in such a suicidal state that I couldn’t live, but I couldn’t die because I had kids. I was stuck in between”.
Only in her own words can this be described and only in her voice can we hear this indomitable spirit that has taken Dawn back into her second career in the the military to so honorably and courageously work to complete what she endeavored to achieve over a decade ago. In addition Dawn has the love and support of her wife and children who she loves so much.
DISCLAIMER: The information and content shared in each episode of the Stigma Free Vet Zone are for informational purposes only. The Stigma Free Vet Zone hosts, Mike Orban and Bob Bach are not, nor claim to be, medical doctors, psychologists, or psychiatrists and should not be held responsible for any claims, medical advice, or therapy/treatment recommendations mentioned on this podcast. Any advice mentioned or shared by Mike Orban and Bob Bach or their guests is strictly for purposes of bringing awareness to the veteran community and the services available. Please speak with a medical professional before taking any advice or starting any therapy or treatment discussed or shared on this podcast.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
DISCLAIMER: The information and content shared in each episode of the Stigma Free Vet Zone are for informational purposes only. The Stigma Free Vet Zone hosts, Mike Orban and Bob Bach are not, nor claim to be, medical doctors, psychologists, or psychiatrists and should not be held responsible for any claims, medical advice, or therapy/treatment recommendations mentioned on this podcast. Any advice mentioned or shared by Mike Orban and Bob Bach or their guests is strictly for purposes of bringing awareness to the veteran community and the services available. Please speak with a medical professional before taking any advice or starting any therapy or treatment discussed or shared on this podcast.