While most of the country is home with family, someone is always standing watch.

In this special Christmas episode of Strength From Service, we talk about what Christmas looks like overseas, the quiet sacrifices made by those serving far from home, and the men and women who continue to work through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day—military members, first responders, nurses, dispatchers, and all those who answer the call when others are celebrating.

We reflect on Christmas spent in uniform, the brotherhood that forms in hard places, and powerful letters written home from overseas—reminders that no matter the generation, the heart of service hasn’t changed.

This week on Strength From Service, we shine the spotlight on one of our own — Jake Palmer. Jake shares the story of his journey from growing up in Washington state and Wisconsin to eventually making his way to Sioux Falls, where he found his voice in broadcasting and developed the perspective that would shape the rest of his life.

Jake opens up about the challenges he faced, the lessons that molded his “silver lining” mindset, and how a chance connection with Jack Zimmerman set the foundation for what would eventually become Strength From Service. He reflects on how the podcast came together, the mission behind it, and why telling real stories from veterans, first responders, and everyday Americans matters now more than ever.

This episode is honest, inspiring, and full of the heart that Jake brings to the show every single week — offering listeners a deeper look at the voice they’ve come to know behind the mic.

This week on Strength From Service, Jack sits down with Jeff Traxler, owner of Traxler’s Hunting Preserve — a small-town Minnesota farm that grew into one of the most unique hunting destinations in the Midwest.

Jeff shares the history of how his family’s farm transformed into a full hunting preserve and the incredible stories that have come out of Traxler’s over the years — from military weaponry and reenactments, to the annual Combat Veteran Hunt, and the unforgettable people who make the place what it is.

This is a conversation about tradition, community, the outdoors, and the impact a single place can have on veterans and families alike.

This week on Strength From Service, Jack and Jake sit down with Cheri Rohlfing — a Minnesota-born Delta Airlines pilot whose aviation journey began at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Cheri shares how she first fell in love with flying, the determination it took to earn her wings, and the path that led her to the cockpit of a Delta jet. She opens up about training, setbacks, milestones, and the drive that kept her moving forward.

Today, Cheri is committed to giving back to the aviation community, mentoring young pilots and helping future aviators find their way into the sky just like she did.

A powerful conversation about passion, perseverance, and lifting others up once you’ve reached altitude.

This week on Strength From Service, Jack sits down with Chris Jansma — a small-town Minnesota kid who went on to serve his country in Iraq and is now serving in a different, deeply personal way.

Chris shares his journey from rural roots to the U.S. Army, his deployment experience, and the powerful transition into becoming the full-time caregiver for his son. His story is one of resilience, responsibility, and a continued commitment to serving others long after his military service ended.

Hear how Chris navigated war, fatherhood, and the challenges of caregiving — and how he continues to show what strength through service really looks like.

Al Travis joins Jack and the team on Strength From Service to share his journey from serving in the U.S. Reserves to building a career in media and radio. He walks us through the lessons he learned in uniform, how they shaped his role behind the mic, and why connection and service matter no matter the uniform.

Check out his platforms:

🎙 Website – The Al Travis Show: altravisshow.com

📺 YouTube – The Al Travis Show: youtube.com/@AlTravisShow

📘 Facebook – @AlTravisIMT (Blue Earth, MN)

Tim Unterseher was born into the military life, following in his family’s footsteps of service. He began his journey as an infantryman, driven by a deep commitment to serve, but his path would soon take flight—literally. Tim shares his story of transitioning from the ground to the skies, what drew him to aviation, and the lessons learned along the way.

A powerful story of duty, discipline, and discovering new purpose in the air.

#StrengthFromService #VeteranStories #Aviation #ArmyPilot #Infantry #MilitaryLife #Purpose #VeteranPodcast

In this episode of Strength From Service, we welcome back Tom McLaughlin for his second appearance on the show.

Tom is a Vietnam veteran who shares what Veterans Day looked like for him during the war, what it has come to mean now, and how life as a veteran has changed through the years. He also reflects on what life looked like after being wounded in Vietnam—how it shaped his perspective on sacrifice, resilience, and the meaning of Veterans Day in the years since.

From the jungles of Vietnam to today’s community of service and remembrance, Tom offers perspective on honoring the past, understanding the present, and finding purpose in the legacy of service.