Homegrown Heroes - Minnesota Lynx

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DAV of Minnesota: Homegrown Heroes

Every home game, the Lynx and the DAV of Minnesota are featuring a Homegrown Hero who has served in the Armed Forces.
Join us in honoring these heroes!

Amy Lovgren

Amy Lovgren enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, National Guard in October 2002. She later attended Security Force technical school at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. She served with 133rd Airlift Wing’s Security Forces Squadron for 10 years. She currently works full-time at the 133rd Airlift Wing’s Public Affairs as their Public Affairs representative.

Featured on September 12th, 2021

Kari Raaflaub-Marquardt

Technical Sergeant Kari Raaflaub-Marquardt is the Non-Commissioned Officer in charge and the principal advisor for the 148th Fighter Wing Chaplain in in Duluth, MN. She previously worked in Aircrew Life Support where she taught survival skills, along with packing parachutes and survival kits for the jets. She has deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Eastern Europe in support of Nato-BALTOPS, and Qatar in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel.

Featured on September 10th, 2021

Alison Salita

Lieutenant Alison Salita served in the United States Air Force from 2003 to 2011. She worked as a registered nurse and trained new nurses and reservists in the unit. She deployed to Balad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she cared for soldiers, civilians, and detainees. She currently works as a nurse and project manager for HealthPartners Park Nicollet and lives in Minnetonka with her husband and two children.

Featured on September 4th, 2021

Maggie Bloom

Staff Sergeant Maggie Bloom served in the US Army from 2001 to 2013 as a diagnostic imaging specialist and nuclear medicine technologist. She deployed with the 14th Combat Support Hospital in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was mobilized to New Orleans to provide medical assistance for survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Currently, she holds a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and continues to serve by providing therapy and case management services to veterans and their families.

Featured on September 2nd, 2021

Takeisha Hunt

Takeisha Hunt was deployed to Kuwait in 2018, and then to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019. She has been an HR Officer for the past ten years, and she is the third black female officer to take command of the Minnesota Army National Guard. She currently commands a 147 HRC unit of 96 Soldiers.

Featured on August 31st, 2021

Jeanette Chaffee

First Sergeant Jeanette Chaffee joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in May 2002. She has deployed three times in support of combat operations with her most recent deployment in October 2020. Currently, she is the Resilience, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Army National Guard and a First Sergeant traditional soldier with Alpha Company 834 Aviation Support Battalion in Arden Hills, MN.

Featured on August 24th, 2021

Valerie Klitzke

Valerie Klitzke is a combat veteran who earned the rank of Captain while serving in the Minnesota Army National Guard. She is first female officer to be fully integrated into two combat arms units: 1-194 Combined Arms Battalion (CAB) and 1-94 Cavalry (CAV). Currently, Valerie is the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, where she continues to serve veterans.

Featured on August 15th, 2021

Ashley Hall

Ashley Hall joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17 and served in the Active Army from 2004 until 2012. She traveled to Iraq in 2009 as a Unit Supply Specialist with the 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion while stationed at Fort Bragg. She received several honors, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and others. She is currently employed with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota as a CORE Case Manager, where she provides free behavioral health care to veterans and their families.

Featured on July 7th, 2021

Emily Leutgeb

Emily Leutgeb served as a Flight Nurse in the 109th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, transporting injured service members to higher levels of care. She is leaving for her second deployment at the beginning of next year, and she is passionate about caring for injured service members. For the past nine years, she has worked at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where she cared for veterans in the Intensive Care Unit and step-down units. Emily and her wife Alix just welcomed their first child Josephine into our world on June 11th!

Featured on June 25th, 2021

Andrea Kostiuk

Andrea Kostiuk joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2005 as a Human Resources Specialist in the 34th Infantry Division. She joined the Army as a Medical Services Corps Officer from the Fighting Saints Battalion in 2009, serving as a Treatment Platoon Leader and later as a Medical Operations Officer. In 2018, she enlisted in the Minnesota Air National Guard and is now a Public Affairs Officer with the 133rd Airlift Wing in St. Paul, Minnesota. Currently, she works at US Bank, and lives in Eagan with her husband Tyler and their three children, Anna, William, and Charlotte.

Featured on June 15, 2021

Brenda Culbreath

Veteran Brenda Culbreath served in the United States Army and the US National Guard. She was assigned to the 367th Maintenance Company and was deployed to Fort Hood in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Brenda currently works with the Disabled American Veterans organization as a National Service Officer. She is also a Minnesota Lynx season ticket member and enjoys playing and watching basketball.

Featured on June 4, 2021

Jessica Stiffarm

First Sergeant Jessica Stiffarm is a member of the Minnesota National Guard with a total of 17 years of service. She was deployed three times overseas and currently serves as the 1st Sergeant for the 147th Human Resources Company out of Arden Hills. Jessica is a police officer with the St Paul Police Department where she’s worked for the past eight years.

Featured on June 6, 2021

Vernadette Velardi

Vernadette Velardi served in the United States Marine Corps from 2013 to 2019. She currently serves in the United States Air Force Reserve in the 934th Air Force Reserve Unit at Ft. Snelling and works as a NSO with Disabled American Veterans. Vernadette resides in Rosemount, MN with her husband and 3 boys.

Featured on May 30, 2021

View Past Homegrown Heroes (2020)

Angela Denning-Bird

Angela Denning-Bird was a US Army Nurse. She married her best friend Mike and currently continues her nursing career and supports her daughters, Mikayla and Bailey, in their many sporting activities.

Featured on September 12, 2020

Jo Miller

Chief Petty Officer Jo Miller served 20 years in the U.S. Navy as an avionics technician. She deployed four times to Japan with P3 Patrol Squadrons, two years in Sicily and two years with the west coast Marine Corps F/A-18 Training Squadron.

Featured on September 10, 2020

Serena Wrobel

Serena Wrobel served 3 years active duty and during her tour in Afghanistan she was awarded a Purple Heart. Recently, she graduated college with honors and has embarked on a successful career. Her greatest treasure is her daughter.

Featured on September 8, 2020

Ashley Hall

Ashley Hall served in the U.S. Army as a Unit Supply Specialist and deployed to Iraq in 2009. She is active in the veteran community and loves spending time with her family.

Featured on September 6, 2020

Vernadette Velardi

Vernadette Velardi served in the United States Marine Corps from 2013 – 2019. She currently serves in the 934th Air Force Reserve unit and works as an NSO Apprentice with the Disabled American Veterans. She resides in Rosemount, MN with her husband and 3 boys.

Featured on September 4, 2020

Stephenie Turbett

Stephenie Turbett served in the United States Air Force from 2002 to 2016. She is a Deputy Representative for DAV National at the Minneapolis VA Hospital and currently holds the positions of Adjutant and Treasurer for Minneapolis DAV Chapter 1.

Featured on September 2, 2020

Brenda Culbreath

Brenda Culbreath served in the Army National Guard from 1989 to 1997. She played on the US Army basketball team and is a fan of the Lynx. She currently serves as a National Service Officer with the DAV, ensuring veterans can access their benefits.

Featured on August 30, 2020

Lisa Miller

Lisa Miller served in the Air Force from 1989 – 1992. She is passionate about honoring veterans and their families with blankets by donating them through DAV Chapter 39. In receiving this honor, Lisa would like to thank Ishi.

Featured on August 29, 2020

Debra Peterson

Debra Petersen retired from the US Army after 43 years, serving as a Criminal Special Agent for 33 of those years. She currently resides in Faribault and is the Disabled Veteran Chapter 20 Commander and an active member of the American Legion Post 43.

Featured on August 28, 2020

Amy Herber

Amy Herber is a Navy Retiree and has deployed three times in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Since retiring she has been raising her four boys, earning her degree in Ministry, and currently works with veterans at the VA in St. Cloud.

Featured on August 23, 2020

Sharon Panula

Sharon Panula served in the Air Force as a Dental Assistant. Currently, she is an active member of the Northeast Minnesota Women Veterans where she planned a flag folding ceremony and presentation of flag history and etiquette for local civic groups.

Featured on August 21, 2020

Clara Kardell

Clara Kardell is an Army and MN National Guard Veteran. She served from 1989 – 2001 and was deployed as part of the Desert Shield/Desert Strom. She continues to serve as part of the Northeast Minnesota Women Veterans group supporting other women veterans.

Featured on August 19, 2020

Breanna Osterhoudt

Breanna Osterhoudt served in the US Marine Corps as a Motor Transport Mechanic. Currently, she is an active member of the Northeast Women’s Veterans Group, DAV, and the American Legion. She and her husband have 2 amazing boys.

Featured on August 15, 2020

Kelly Sobeck

Kelly Sobeck is a veteran of the US Naval Reserve and served from 1992 – 2000. As a barge ferry pilot, she enjoyed the teamwork of her boat crew while out on missions. She and her granddaughter love playing basketball as well as watching the Lynx.

Featured on August 13, 2020

Christy Eischens

Christy Eischens served in the US Army Reserves as a Material Warehouse & Storage Specialist. She is the first female Commander of the Kasson American Legion. Christy loves the veteran community and the work the Legion does supporting veterans.

Featured on August 11, 2020

Holly Westad

Holly Westad is a seven-year Army veteran and has completed three combat tours. Currently, she is a high school science teacher and working towards completing her master’s degree in biology. She is an avid Minnesota sports fan and likes to spend time with her 2 corgis and St. Bernard.

Featured on August 9, 2020

Bliss Harlow

Bliss Harlow is an Air Force Veteran. She makes her home in Rochester, MN. She served for four years in the Security Forces before being medically discharged.

Featured on August 7, 2020

Kristin Anderson

Kristin is an Army veteran and a current Air Force Medic with the 133rd Airlift Wing currently deployed for COVID-19 testing. She is a single mother of 2 girls, Bailey, and Ashlynn. They enjoy camping and volunteering in the community.

Featured on August 5, 2020

Katie Gravdahl

Katie served in the Minnesota National Guard as a Fueler-Petroleum Specialist. She deployed with the Red Bull’s 134th Brigade Support Battalion. She’s active in the community and loves spending time with her husband and two children.

Featured on August 1, 2020

Nancy Schatzke

Nancy Schatzke joined the United States Army in January of 1973, from Enderlin, ND. She served 6 years as a Stenographer in California and Germany. She enjoys quilting and flower gardening. She lives in Detroit Lakes with her cat and dog.

Featured on July 30, 2020

Gail Kaplan

Retired SFC Gail Kaplan recently retired with 28 years of service from the Minnesota National Guard on May 31. Gail supported the 2002 Winter Olympics, airport security, and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq. She is currently employed by the MN DNR.

Featured on July 28, 2020

Chris Magnusson

Chris served in the Marine Corps for 6 years as a Special Intelligence Communications Center Operator. She now focuses her efforts supporting women veterans in the state as the Public Relations Coordinator for the Women Veterans Initiative.

Featured on July 26, 2020