(light contemporary music) (light contemporary music fades) - Hello, and welcome to "Prairie Pulse."

Coming up a little bit later in the show, we'll hear music from Skarlett Woods.

But first, joining me now, our guest is First Sergeant Bradley Aune.

Thanks for joining us today.

- Thank you for having me.

- Bradley, you're retired U.S. Marine Corps and retired U.S. Army.

Spent four years in the Corps, you told me, and 18 years in the Army, past commander of Post 2, Fargo American Legion, and some other things, so many things.

So please, tell us about yourself and maybe your background.

- Sure, well, I grew up in Mayville, North Dakota.

Joined the Marine Corps outta high school, went off to boot camp and then served in the Marine Corps for four years doing security forces on the ship and infantry missions.

While in the Marine Corps, I was deployed to the Persian Gulf, and we were part of Operation Earnest Will, and that was my first combat mission.

And then came back home, went to college at Mayville State, got my degree there, and while there I joined the Army National Guard.

Spent 18 years with the Army National Guard, with a deployment to Iraq in 2004 and '05, as a first sergeant for our unit, and returned from there, and now I work with veterans as an employment counselor.

- Okay, well you're here today to talk about Memorial Day and veterans issues.

So let's start off with you yourself.

Talk about some of those various deployments you had, and some of those years of service.

And of course, you're wearing a number of medals there.

- Sure, well, in '87, we were deployed to Operation Earnest Will, while in the Marine Corps, and that was escorting oil tankers in and out of the Straits of Hormuz.

And so it was kind of a little known operation, but you know, at that time it was a pretty big deal.

The USS Stark was attacked in the Persian Gulf back then and we were in support of that.

We also, you know, went through all the different schools in the Marine Corps, the infantry school, the jungle environment survival training, Assault Climbers course, mountaineering courses, desert training, all that kinda craziness.

And then from there went into the Army Guard, and then, you know, I took various courses and trainings, leadership courses.

You know, it was Air Defense Unit by name, and we did a lot of that stuff, but once we were deployed to Iraq, we basically became an infantry company, because most everybody becomes an infantry company in Iraq.

We relieved an active duty Army infantry unit from their battle space, and then took over their mission.

And then we got another mission on top of that to train 400 Iraqi soldiers, set up an entire battalion of Iraqi troops.

So we had a very intense experience in Iraq, our unit did.

- Yeah, can you maybe share stories or about some of the more dangerous experiences you had in Iraq?

- Well, yes, we had, you know, several of our vehicles, troops were hit with IED explosions.

That was really big at that point in the war in 2004 and '05.

So a lot of IED experiences.

Rocket attacks, regular, all the time to the point where it just became routine.

You'd be worried if you didn't get rockets shot at you on the base.

And you know, it was, anyway, we had some troops that got injured.

You know, fortunate that we got all 100 North Dakota soldiers back to North Dakota.

So that's, at the end of the day, that's really all that matters.

But, you know, we were, we stood up an Iraqi Army battalion, which was typically, is what a lotta what Special Forces units do, that type of thing, but we did that.

We had a fantastic leadership team and had the best troops in the Army as far as I'm concerned.

A lotta seasoned, a lot of veterans of other services that joined the Guard.

So we had a great team of soldiers and we took on that mission, which was a pretty big deal.

- Yeah, well you were fortunate enough, it sounds like, to bring back the hundred soldiers you went with, it sounds like.

But were there some comrades who maybe didn't make it back that you might honor this Memorial Day?

- Yes, well, there was a gentleman that was from Oregon that was in the sister unit to us, and he was always kinda hanging around us guys.

And his name was Mark Ogburn, we called him Oggy.

And Oggy was killed in Iraq.

So, you know, I think about him and units, other members of the North Dakota Guard that were in Afghanistan around the same period of time, soldiers that I trained and worked with and used to be in my platoon, that went to Afghanistan with the other North Dakota unit and were killed over there in Afghanistan.

So I always honor those.

And also in Iraq, you know, and there's another former Marine slash, became an Army soldier with the Guard.

He was killed in Iraq around the same time.

So those are the folks that I honor on Memorial Day, because you know, they gave the ultimate sacrifice.

You know, I just, one thing that stands out in memorials is when you do a ramp ceremony, they call it, overseas, and they have the flag-draped casket loaded onto an aircraft, and to see one of your fellow soldiers go out that way, it really, really brings home the meaning of sacrifice.

And it's just such a powerful experience that, you know, it really does, you know, and then the next minute, load up in your trucks and go outside the wire and go do your mission.

So, you know, a lotta times you don't get the chance to process everything that's going on.

- Yeah, with Memorial Day coming up, you know, why is it so special as an observance?

- I think it's super important because, you know, some of us volunteered, some of us were drafted, but, you know, Memorial Day is to honor those that died in service, and you know, and to honor, you know, those that have gone before us.

And you know, in the military they have that tradition of honoring your past, your history, and all that type of thing, and just taking the time to stop and reflect on why we're free and who gave that freedom to us and the ultimate sacrifices that they made for us, you know, and I also throw in, you know, into that, my friends that have completed suicide since they got back, 'cause they're still fighting that war, and they couldn't quite shake it, you know?

- Yeah, and we're gonna get into that, I think, a little bit more later, but I wanna take it back to you.

Why did you join back in those high school days in Mayville?

What made you think, "I wanna join the service?"

And of course, the Marine Corps is where you started.

- Right, well, I always, you know, thought, wanted to be a Marine.

You know, growing up it's like, you know, "I'm gonna be a Marine."

And, you know, I had friends try to talk me out of it.

I had parents trying to make me go to college, and it was like, "I'm not ready for any college, none of that.

I want to go be a Marine.

I want to go be a infantry Marine."

So I enlisted infantry, you know, "Let's go and see the world."

You know, growing up on the farm in North Dakota, I wanted to go out and see the world and I wanted to be near water.

I wanted to, you know, I wanted to be everywhere.

And the Marine Corps was the best fit for my personality and for my goals at that point.

- Going back to Memorial Day then, you know, what are some of the observances or events that might be happening around the region?

- Well, I know all the local veteran posts honor the veterans at all the cemeteries in the Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo area and throughout the country.

And specifically we have the big Riverside ceremony at 11 o'clock on Memorial Day, and then that's been coordinated by the local posts.

And so that's kinda the big observance that goes on that day, you know?

I know that then the color guards go around to all the other cemeteries in town, and provide honors there.

And also on the bridge for the Navy vets.

So those type of activities go on, but that's probably the primary one that's going on.

- Mm-hmm, you know, what are the functions of area VFWs and American Legions, and maybe the distinction between?

- Sure, well, the Legion is, you know, you had to serve in the military, and that's, so that's kind of their gateway to get in.

You got the AMVETS, if you served in uniform, you can also join the AMVETS.

The VFW, you have to have a campaign badge.

So you had to serve in a theater of war, not necessarily in frontline war, but in a theater of combat, you get to join the VFW.

They have the Disabled American Veterans, the DAV.

They are, you have to have some kind of service-connected disability to be eligible to join them.

I'm also, a past commandant to the Marine Corps League.

And the Marine Corps League is, you have to have, be a Marine, veteran, and or a Navy corpsman that served with the Fleet Marines or a Navy chaplain that served with the Fleet Marines.

So those are the criteria to get into that organization.

They have Navy League.

They have, you know, several other, I'm trying to think.

I'm a member of every one of 'em.

I just don't know which, (laughs) I might be missing one here, but- - Okay.

- Yeah.

- But for the most part, they're honoring veterans in some fashion.

- Yes, yeah.

- Okay.

- What about citizens and civilians, when I say this?

What can they do on Memorial Day to show their respect?

- Well, I would encourage 'em to be, you know, at Riverside Cemetery, or go to the cemetery.

If you're visiting your loved ones, I know a lot of folks love to go visit their loved ones that are at the different cemeteries throughout the area.

And, you know, stop by a veteran grave maybe, and just thank 'em, you know.

That would be, I think, a good way to do it.

You know, support your veteran community or you know, organizations in the community when they have fundraisers, different things.

Those are all good ways to honor, and the veterans, plus and honor those that have gone, and passed on.

- Mm-hmm, and by contrast, you know, Veteran's Day is different, and some people don't realize that, "Well, why do we have the two different?"

So what's, Veteran's Day is more just celebrating or honoring veterans, and- - Yep, exactly, Veterans Day is for, to celebrate veterans, and their service.

Memorial Day is to honor those that have fallen in service.

And then you also have Armed Forces Day, which was on the 18th.

And that is to honor those that are serving.

And so those are kinda the three, you know, specific holidays.

And of course, being Marines, the Marine Corps birthday's also a big deal too.

- Yeah, November the 10th.

Throw that in there, though it comes later in the year.

You were talking, mentioned it briefly.

Talk about the things that you do with veterans in our region.

- I'm a veterans employment counselor for Job Service North Dakota.

I've been doing that about 16 years now.

And so as part of that, I get to work with veterans, specifically veterans that may have some barriers to employment.

You know, they could be prior incarcerated or they could be homeless, or they could be just, you know, switching careers or coming right out of the service or leaving college.

So all those veterans I get the opportunity to work with, and help them or guide them maybe to a different career or maybe guide 'em to some training or education.

So basically that's my role.

You know, I go to the homeless shelters here in town.

I go to the Cass County Jail and provide outreach there.

You know, working with the folks at the VA and the county service officers, you know, that's what I have the opportunity to get to help veterans.

- Yeah, can you talk and tell the folks out there what PTSD is?

- Well it's post-traumatic stress, you know, and not just, it's not just a military thing.

And people, anybody can get PTSD from a traumatic event in their life.

PTSD for me is from my service and some of the situations that I was put in while in service, and things I had to do or, and witness my troops having to do or be a part of.

And, you know, it's, causes all different types of things, but you know, a lot of stress, anxiety, trust issues, those type of things.

And 12 years ago I went through PTSD treatment at the VA myself, and I'm still involved as a peer mentor, volunteer, and meeting with veterans, you know, over a coffee.

And, you know, if they're, you know, and talking to 'em, they might get a referral from the VA saying, "This vet's thinking about treatment, but really doesn't wanna do it."

And so, I'll meet with them and try to encourage 'em to just give it a chance.

- Yeah, you know, what are the programs or services, trying to deal with the mental health issues that veterans have?

- Well, we have, you know, the VA's got their mental health clinics, mental health providers up there.

The vet center is also in town here.

You know, there's some private counseling services that can help a veteran with that.

You know, there's online resources, but you know, your best bet would be to talk to someone at the VA or at the vet center, to get kinda started on your path, if you believe or may have PTSD or a loved one that you know has it.

Those folks can also reach out to that.

- Can you talk a little bit about the suicide rate among veterans and why it's so high?

- Well, you know, they talk about 22 a day, is kind of the number that's used, and it kind of fluctuates, you know, I don't know.

But, you know, one a day is too many.

But it just, you know, sometimes folks come back from deployments or service, and they don't deal with their PTSD, or don't recognize that they even have it, and they maybe self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, and anger issues and this and that, that go on and kinda destroys their relationships, and it leads them down a path where they feel like the only way out is to kill themselves.

- Mm-hmm, and so what is your advice to a veteran if he or she has these mental health issues or suicide thoughts?

- Yeah, I would encourage them to talk to anybody, you know, another friend, vet that they trust, or anybody that they trust in their life, talk to them.

But reach out to the VA, reach out to the vet center, reach out to your county veterans service officer.

Those are all folks, you know, I've had people come to my desk and start talking to 'em, you know, at Job Service and I'm like, "Maybe we should get you connected to someone up at the VA." You know, so anybody that, you know, just talk, talk to somebody.

Don't just hold all this in.

- I assume, and then maybe I shouldn't assume, that mental health issues are why many veterans end up homeless, but how do we allow our veterans to end up homeless, and what can we do about it?

- You know, typically it's either some type of mental health issue, drugs, alcohol, something in their life spirals outta control, their relationships break up, they maybe get busted and become, you know, get a criminal record.

So it all kinda, it's a path.

You don't become homeless overnight.

Usually it's, you know, they came outta the service, may have an honorable discharge, you know, they had all these plans, and then somewhere along the line they didn't address something they needed to address mentally or addiction-wise, and they end up homeless.

You know, there's plenty of opportunities and resources for a homeless veteran in this community, more so than a civilian.

And, you know, go down, they have the CBOC, or not CBOC, CRRC, you know, center downtown here.

Stop in there, stop in at the VA, and there will be people at the, that will help you if you're a homeless vet.

Just reach out to somebody.

- Let me ask, you said, I think 12 years ago, you dealt with this.

- Yeah.

- How did you identify that you had to step up and deal with it?

- Well, I just knew that, you know, it was causing a lot of anxiety, stress in my life, my relationship.

And I knew there was something going on, you know, and I got a degree in psychology and I didn't quite figure it out myself.

So, you know, (laughs) type of thing.

So you don't always recognize it, but people around you, people I trust, they're like, "You know, maybe you should go talk to somebody," and I did, and that led me down the path where I have a lot more peace in my life because I can talk like this.

I wouldn't never be able to do that back then, talk about PTSD, suicide, this type of thing.

- Is there anything maybe you want people to know that, about the service of the armed forces that they don't know or- - Well, that, you know, all these folks come from all over the country, you know, all different shapes and sizes, walks of life.

And they're all doing it for whatever reason.

Some are, you know, doing it for patriotism, some are doing it because it's a family thing.

Some are doing it because, you know, maybe they wanna get some school money.

But at the end of the day, once you're in, you're in and you serve, and they do it, you know, it's a comradery, a brotherhood, a sisterhood.

You know, we all need to be there together, and it's a great experience.

- Finally, Bradley, here, if people want more information, where would you tell 'em to go?

- Anything veteran-related, go to your county veterans service officer.

In whatever county you're in, go talk to the county veterans service officer, ask 'em about your benefits.

A lot of people have no idea what kind of benefits are available to 'em.

Go talk to them about benefits, any kind of experiences that way, veteran-wise.

Go to the county service officer.

That's a great gateway to get into.

- Okay, well thank you so much and thank you for your service.

- [Bradley] Thank you.

- You know, freedom's not free.

- [Bradley] That's right.

- Stay tuned for more.

(light contemporary music) Skarlett Woods performs a tapestry of Americana, jazz, and rock and roll music, while her eclectic lyrics stem from her years of life and travel experiences.

(light guitar music) (fingers tapping strings lightly) ♪ Tall tales, dog roads ♪ ♪ The way is never what it seems ♪ ♪ A blind man walks alive ♪ ♪ Choosing steps he'll never see ♪ ♪ Higher tides rolling in ♪ ♪ A tree is worth more dead than alive ♪ ♪ A digital world of lies ♪ ♪ Praising greed as the bottom line ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ I hope you don't mind ♪ ♪ Working out the philosophical issues now ♪ ♪ Oh, this life somehow ♪ (fingers strumming stridently) ♪ Go chase a dream ♪ ♪ Or climb that ladder ♪ ♪ Yeah yelled out loud ♪ ♪ Either way I want you ♪ ♪ Inside my life somehow ♪ (fingers strumming lightly) ♪ Somehow ♪ (mouth blows shallowly) (fingers strum lightly) (mouth blows shallowly) ♪ Time runs in on shoes ♪ ♪ Laces break and you learn to make do ♪ ♪ A self-worth journey ♪ ♪ Befriending my enemy ♪ ♪ Lonesome make-believe ♪ ♪ Holding hands, not a blue-lit screen ♪ ♪ Breathing every chance ♪ ♪ That reminds you of what's real ♪ (hands strumming rapidly) ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ I hope you don't mind ♪ ♪ Working out the philosophical issues now ♪ ♪ Oh, this life somehow ♪ (fingers strumming rapidly) ♪ Go chase a dream or climb that ladder ♪ ♪ You yelled out loud ♪ ♪ Either way, I want you ♪ ♪ Inside my life somehow ♪ ♪ Ooh lord ♪ (fingers strumming lightly) ♪ I hope you don't mind ♪ ♪ Working out the philosophical issues now ♪ ♪ Oh, this life somehow ♪ ♪ Go chase a dream or climb that ladder ♪ ♪ You yelled out loud ♪ ♪ Either way, I want you ♪ ♪ Inside my life somehow ♪ (fingers softly strumming) ♪ Somehow ♪ (light rhythmic guitar music) (cymbals clanging softly) ♪ Can I talk with you again ♪ ♪ Been watching the hours till then ♪ ♪ Staring at a picture of you ♪ ♪ Willingly shared ♪ ♪ Light blue eyes, brown hair ♪ ♪ A little crease when you smile right there ♪ ♪ Wooing me under a moon of rockets red glare ♪ ♪ I can't stop thinking ♪ ♪ Oh I'm thinking about you ♪ (light guitar music) ♪ I can't stop thinking ♪ ♪ Oh I'm thinking about you ♪ (light rhythmic guitar music) ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Skin shadow in the steam of a room ♪ ♪ I look away, close my eyes and swoon ♪ ♪ Hold me and touch me now ♪ ♪ My body's thinking ♪ ♪ If words spoke as loud ♪ ♪ As how you look at me now ♪ ♪ Clearly I hear you wanting me ♪ ♪ Inside your house ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ooh ♪ ♪ I can't stop thinking ♪ ♪ Oh I'm thinking about you ♪ ♪ I can't stop thinking ♪ ♪ Oh I'm thinking about you ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪ (fingers strumming rhythmically) ♪ Could be more ♪ ♪ Could we be something more ♪ ♪ Mm mm mm mm mm ♪ ♪ Could be more ♪ ♪ Could we be something more ♪ ♪ Than just a ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh oh oh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ (fingers strumming loudly) ♪ Oh oh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh, ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Oh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ (fingers strumming loudly) ♪ Ooh you're catchin' me now ♪ ♪ Catchin' me now ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh you're catchin' me now ♪ ♪ Catchin' me now ♪ ♪ I can't stop thinking ♪ ♪ Oh I'm thinking about you ♪ ♪ I can't stop thinking ♪ ♪ Oh I'm thinking about you ♪ (fingers strumming softly) ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh hoo ooh ooh ooh ♪ - Well, that's all we have this week on "Prairie Pulse."

And as always, thanks for watching.

(light contemporary music) - [Announcer] Funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4th, 2008, and by the members of "Prairie Public."