Memorial Day Special: We Talked to Veterans
Memorial Day Special: We Talked to Veterans  
Podcast: The Hot Dish
Published On: Wed May 28 2025
Description: Many rural veterans join the Hot Dish for this special Memorial Day episode. Marine Corps Infantryman and North Dakota Army National Guard First Sergeant Bradley Aune discusses issues veterans face when rejoining civilian life. North Dakota Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jessica Petrick offers her perspective on what Memorial Day means to her. And One Country Project board member and former Senator and Member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, Joe Donnelly, leads a discussion with Brigadier General Art Austin, Master General Frank Morales, and Staff Sergeant Sean Coulter about their experience with VA services. On this Memorial Day week, gain a deeper understanding of what it means to transition from military to civilian life and how vital public programs and support systems are for veterans. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp emphasize the need for collective action and listening to veterans’ voices to improve systems meant to serve them. This episode will remind us all of the ongoing cost of service, the importance of advocating for continued funding, and the strength found in rural communities as they support their own.Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/. (02:10) - Bradley Aune joins Joel Heitkamp to discuss veteran transition and support work. (08:57) - Joel and Bradley discuss how federal grant cuts will impact Veterans Housing and Job Support (19:19) - Jessica Petrick shares her perspective on Memorial Day as a female National Guard Staff Sergeant. (23:18) - Joe Donnelly leads a panel with Brigadier General Austin, Master Sergeant Morales, and Lt. Colonel Coulter on rural veteran care. (38:14) - Heidi and Joel reflect on the importance of remembering veterans all year long and call for story submissions.