Hanna Sitting Crow 605-760-4269 | hanna@michelscom.com
"With all the fears on my back, I jump.”
Jose SEBASTIAN
FAITH, FAMILY, FIGHTER
BY MICHAELA FELDMANN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANE MONAHAN
For his whole life, Jose Sebastian has been a fighter. Growing up in the mountains of northern Guatemala, in Santa Eulalia, Jose helped his family farm coffee and corn.
“When I was eight, my dad, Juan, decided to look for a different way to provide for us. Someone told him about the U.S. So, he left us,” Jose says mournfully. “He didn’t have a choice, but it was hard.”
Two years later, his parents made another difficult decision.
“My mom, Angelina, ended up going to the U.S. as well. They would send money back to us, but for five or six years, we stayed there without our parents. My oldest sister had to be mom and dad at only 14. We struggled.”
When Jose was 14, his parents returned for him and many of his siblings, but they had to leave behind his two younger siblings, Elena and Hector.
In the end, your legacy is not what you owned, but what you poured into your family.
“That was heartbreaking. Leaving your country, friends, grandparents, and everything you know is hard enough, but the hardest part for me was leaving them with our grandparents. They were just kids. We had to say goodbye without knowing when we would see each other. They came to the U.S. two to three years later, but that kind of separation, it stays with you,” Jose recalls.
Jose says he also struggled learning a new language.
“I grew up with my native Mayan language, Q’anjob’al, but English was different. I didn’t have a choice,” Jose shares.
He made a promise to himself to learn English.
“I remember my first day of school in Florida. I was walking through the hallways, and a kid walked toward me. I didn’t even know what he asked. It was either my name or if I was lost. All I said was, ‘Jose.’ He laughed. I didn’t know what was funny. It was the language barrier.”
So, he practiced, watching people talk, listening to how they pronounced words, fighting past any challenges that came his way.
“I think I got that from my dad,” Jose says, smiling. “The best gift he gave me was that he never gave up easily. He always fought for what he wanted and what was best for us. Even though he had to leave us behind, it was for the family’s well-being.”
Jose has carried that fighter’s spirit with him throughout his life. When he was in tenth grade, he had to drop out of school after a car accident to start working.
“I had to pay the car off. Life did not wait for me. So, I had to work and do what I could to survive,” Jose explains.
At 18, Jose began a relationship that became a significant chapter in his life. Although that chapter came to an end after nine years, it brought him the greatest blessings he could ever ask for: his children, Ruby, Jose, and Esmeralda. After walking through a difficult season and fighting hard for his family, he was granted custody of his children.
At the end of 2006, Jose met his wife, Maria, while attending church.
“My kids actually told me that I should date her, but I didn’t think she would be willing to take on three kids,” Jose adds. “Then I found out she had three kids of her own. She was a widow.”
The two began dating, and before long, they found themselves preparing to become parents again.
“We were so excited for our triplets, but unfortunately, we lost them. However, we were blessed with the opportunity to baptize them. We named them Las Marias,” Jose shares.
It was through their grief that they found greater strength in their own faith.
“That was so difficult. But no matter the struggle, I ask God, ‘Where are You taking me and what is the purpose?’ When we lost them, I didn’t ask why, but rather, ‘What are you trying to tell me?’ Our storms make us stronger,” Jose affirms.
Shortly after, Maria and Jose were blessed with Fernanda, Josue and Ximena.
“One day, Maria said, ‘Why don’t I just start cleaning houses because I need to work,’ and I agreed. So, she started knocking on doors, and I was mowing part-time and on the weekends.”
For Jose, the concept of creating a successful business called J&V Landscaping and Housekeeping was just that, an idea and a dream.
“We didn’t have much. Everything was secondhand,” Jose explains. “The first mower I bought came from a yard sale, and I paid $35. Less than a week or two later, it burned up in some tall grass. I turned around and had to buy three John Deere mowers for $2,500. I felt like I was king of the world with three mowers!”
He would stuff those three mowers in the back seat and trunk of his old, brown Chevy Nova and tie buckets on top of the car.
“That was my setup. No trailer. No truck. No logo. No big company image. Just me, my used mowers, my car, and the will to keep going,” Jose notes.
It wasn’t long before that car died, and he bought a van from a friend.
“That felt huge to me. I could finally put the equipment inside. We’d fill it all the way to the back with leaves and grass clippings, throwing mowers, buckets, and whatever else we could inside. That van became part of the grind,” explains Jose.
One day, Jose’s dad saw him struggling and told him he needed to get a truck.
“I borrowed his truck for a job, and after, I told him I needed to buy it from him. He had just bought it, but he sold it to me for what he paid: $1,200.”
Jose worked to pay it off, giving him a down payment.
“But in November of 2009, my dad passed away. That hit me hard. I still owed him money for the truck. I had promised him I was going to pay him, but now he was gone,” Jose shares.
That unfulfilled promise sat heavily on his heart.
“A promise is a promise. So, I went to my mom and told her I was going to finish paying for it, and I did. That truck was not just a truck anymore. It was connected to my dad, and
When she said YES!
My first decent truck
Visiting Las 3 Marías at the cemetery
First day of school, wouldn’t miss these moments for anything
it was connected to my promise. It was connected to who I wanted to be as a man,” adds Jose.
After his dad’s passing, Jose says things started to change. “I truly believe he became my angel, and he was watching over me. So, I jumped.”
In 2010, Jose and Maria decided to go full-time, putting all their effort behind the business.
“I had two weeks of work lined up, and I quit my job. With all the fears on my back, I jumped. I took that leap of faith with Maria by my side. She is really the backbone of all of this. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her support. We’d take our kids out with us to hand out flyers and just try to drum up business because the first year was tough. The second year went by, and it was tough, too.”
But as a family, they were trying.
“That is how we started. Slowly. With fear, with faith, with kids running around, with flyers, with doors closing. And I believe God started putting people in our path,” Jose recalls.
People like a man named John who lived in the Wynstone area.
“When we finished his landscaping job, he asked me what the total was. After I handed him the bill, he looked at it and told me I was undervaluing my work. Then he ended up paying me nearly double,” Jose adds. Jose calls him one of the angels that God put in his path.
“He saw value in me when I was still learning. He believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Over time, we became close friends, and at one point, he even allowed me to store all of my equipment in one of his old buildings,” Jose states. “Not long after knowing me, he trusted me enough to lend me $13,000.
The other, Tom Reber, was the coach and founder of The Contractor Fight.
“We were struggling, and I started diving into videos on the internet. I sat in the Save-A-Lot parking lot for an hour watching Tom’s videos. I told Maria I HAVE to go to his event in Colorado. That changed my life, and it was another game changer,” explains Jose.
Jose says it’s the invaluable lessons he has learned along the way that have helped shape the core values of J&V Landscaping and Housekeeping.
“No matter what happened, we stayed true to who we are, and it’s what makes us stand out as a business. We are responsive, reliable, trustworthy, and we are committed to providing the best quality service no matter what.”
He points to a bracelet on his wrist that says ‘Fighter.’
“That’s how I see myself. If there is an opportunity, with all my fears, I will go out there and look for it. I will fight for it. Because that’s what my dad did. It’s in my blood,” Jose shares.
But most of all, he credits his faith and God for where he is today, purchasing a small orchard on a couple of acres for J&V Landscaping and Housekeeping, and for his future home, a house he dreams of building for Maria and his kids.
“I owe everything to Him. Whatever I have is not mine; my life, my job, my kids, it’s all His. I’m just an administrator. Every morning before I put my bare feet on the ground, I tell God, ‘Thank you. Guide me today.’ After our team meetings, we finish with a prayer.
When I look back at where we started, I see how far we’ve come, but more than anything, I see God’s hand in it all. I did not get
“If there is an opportunity, with all my fears, I will go out there and look for it."
Jose MORE WITH
He is proud of the relationship he has with his kids, they call him dad or pops. He is also proud of his marriage to Maria and feels blessed that God put them in each other’s paths.
Jose is a musician and plays the piano. When his family first arrived in the U.S., his uncles, his two older brothers, and Jose formed a band called Grupo Eden, like the Garden of Eden. Today, he plays in church at the Cathedral of the Epiphany with his son Jose on bass and his brother Sebastian on guitar.
Maria and Jose love to travel! They just went to Puerto Rico for her 50th birthday. Their favorite trip was to Italy last October. They have also been to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico for Valentine’s Day, and Jose was fortunate to be able to take his family back to his hometown in Guatemala.
He is so thankful to every mentor he’s had along the way, and he tries to be a mentor to the next generation, whether that is with his kids or with his crew at work. They’re more like family than employees.
Combined, Maria and Jose are the proud parents of 13 kids and 2 grandkids. He hopes two things for them: the first is success on earth in whatever they want to be, and the second is that whenever we leave this earth, we meet again in heaven.
Repaying Their Sacrifice
“It didn’t just give me a place to live. It gave me back my independence.”
By Michaela Feldmann
Every day, brave men and women are putting their lives on the line. Among this exceptional group is U.S. Army Infantry First Sergeant, Todd Landen, who is medically retired.
“I’ve done some extraordinary things, but I’m just an ordinary guy,” he says. “I was so proud to serve on every mission I did.”
Todd was on leave at his mom’s house when the first plane hit the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.
“When the second tower was hit, I immediately knew we were at war. I emailed the White House that night and said, ‘Send me now’. The next day I headed to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.”
Todd Landen with his wife
It’s a feeling many people had that day, the call to jump into action.
And it’s why Tunnel to Towers Foundation was created – to honor those who give life and limb.
“We were created to honor firefighter Stephen Siller, who was off duty on 9/11,” says Trevor Tamsen, director of marketing and PR for events.
“When he heard the towers had been struck, he turned his car around and headed to the mouth of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel which connected Brooklyn to Manhattan.”
Siller strapped 60 pounds of gear onto his back, ran through the tunnel to the towers, met up with his squad and laid down his life saving others that day.
“We honor his memory by building specially-adaptable smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans,” Trevor says. “We pay off the mortgages for Gold Star families and fallen first responder families.”
Todd was one such veteran. Injured by an IED during an ambush, he suffered serious injuries as medivac struggled to get a chest tube in due to a collapsed lung.
“I don’t know how I made it. I had more injuries than I could remember and I’ve had over 47 surgeries. But I continued to fight.”
In 2022, Todd watched a commercial that changed his life.
“It was for Tunnel to Towers,” Todd says. “I reached out to see if they could help me with a question around my current house but as it turns out, the woman on the phone was gathering a file on me.”
One day, after another surgery, Todd got a call from Tunnel to Towers.
“They told me they were going to build me a brand new house. I actually told them no. I wasn’t sure if I deserved it.”
“But we don’t take no for an answer,” says Trevor. “He stepped up to serve his country and he got injured doing so. He absolutely deserves this. The least we can do is deliver a home, give that independence back.”
In February, at a dedication ceremony, Todd was left speechless once again.
“Just pulling into the new neighborhood was overwhelming. A police officer stopped me and he said, ‘I’m going to escort you up with lights and sirens’ and it’s like the whole town knew what was going on.”
Through the smart features of Todd’s home, he’s able to do many of the day-to-day things that able-bodied people often take for granted. From a super pad or app, Todd can control lights, thermostats, security and sound systems. The stove raises and lowers to wheelchair height and the showers are rolled in to help eliminate fall risk.
“The goal is to ensure veterans like Todd can easily get around their home and be able to navigate every corner of it with ease and success, no matter their physical condition.”
“You can tell they know what a wounded warrior needs to navigate independently,” Todd adds. “I’m not a guy who asks for much help, so this gave me some dignity back.” And it’s one less thing for Todd to worry about. Now he can focus on what matters most: his health and family.
“It allows me to live without constantly being reminded of my limitations. I’m forever grateful.”
If you’d like to help Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission to continue building homes, you can donate at T2T.org.
Emergency Service
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The Role of Pelvic Physical Therapy in Post-Prostatectomy Patients
By Dr. Leah Noel
Dr. Leah Noel
Following a radical prostatectomy, men will experience symptoms of urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and generalized fatigue. The primary reason for incontinence following prostatectomy is weakness in the external urethral sphincter occurring due to removal of the internal urethral sphincter. The external urethral sphincter is controlled by the pelvic floor musculature. Your pelvic floor muscles support pelvic organs and maintain continence of bladder and bowels. Pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) has been proven to be very effective in reducing urinary incontinence and retraining the bladder post-prostatectomy.
It is recommended that patients attend a physical therapy evaluation at least 4-6 weeks before their surgery in order to strengthen the pelvic floor musculature prior to surgery. At Dynamic Physical Therapy, the initial evaluation is where patients will get a better understanding of expectations following surgery regarding symptoms and how PT will be used to address and reduce those symptoms. We also make sure patients are able to contract their pelvic floor properly so that they can begin a so-called “prehab” to strengthen the muscles to achieve better outcomes and quickly reduce urinary incontinence.
Patients are to return to therapy following surgery and the removal of the catheter, which is typically 7-10 days post-op. From there, we assess the level of their incontinence, work on reducing any lingering abdominal pain from incision sites and check bladder function. It is often that patients will not have much of an urge to urinate due to the frequency of urinary incontinence so it’s important that the patient and therapist work towards retraining the bladder to regain proper function.
While urinary incontinence following a prostatectomy can be a burden and is often frustrating, it’s important for men to know that they do not have to live with it forever.
Post-op symptoms can be reduced with the help of physical therapy!
REASONS
10 Men Should Have a Primary Care Provider
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports fewer adults see a healthcare provider each year compared to children – and men are often the most likely to delay care. Whether it’s a busy schedule or a “wait it out” mindset, skipping routine visits can lead to bigger health issues down the road.
Here’s why having a primary care provider matters:
❶ One Place for Your Health Needs
From injuries and illness to preventive care, your primary care provider is your first stop. “Primary care covers everything from routine check-ups to more complex concerns,” says David Ensz, MD, family medicine provider at UnityPoint Clinic. “It’s about having one place to start, no matter what’s going on.” This makes it easier to discuss multiple concerns with your provider at once.
❷ Help Managing Chronic Conditions
Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are common and often silent. “A lot of these conditions don’t have obvious symptoms early on,” Dr. Ensz says. “Regular visits help us catch subtle changes and manage them before they become serious.”
❹ Care Based on Your Health History
Your provider tracks changes over time and understands your risk factors. “That long-term perspective helps us recognize when something isn’t quite right,” Dr. Ensz explains.
❸ A Doctor Who Knows You
Building a relationship with your provider leads to better care. “When we know your history, your habits and your goals, we can give more personalized advice,” Dr. Ensz says. In fact, research from the National Institutes of Health shows people who trust their primary care doctors tend to be more satisfied with their care. The more you connect with your doctor through regular visits, the stronger your relationship becomes and the better your overall healthcare experience.
❺ Saving Money in the Long Run
Preventive care can help avoid costly treatments later. “It’s almost always easier, and less expensive, to treat something early,” Dr. Ensz says.
A
lot of these conditions don’t have obvious symptoms early on “
❻ Catching Problems
Early
Subtle changes can be easy to miss on your own. “Regular visits give us a chance to spot concerns before they turn into bigger problems,” Dr. Ensz says. Your primary care doctor’s personal knowledge of you and your lifestyle is also important. Their familiarity with your health habits, history and family risks allows them to ask the right questions and catch health changes and issues early — sometimes before they show up on routine tests.
❽ Connections to Specialists
❼ Staying on Top of Screenings
Routine checks like blood pressure, cholesterol and cancer screenings are essential. Visits with your primary care doctor aren’t just about a diagnosis and treatment when you’re sick, they’re about preventing illnesses altogether. “These screenings are quick, but they can catch serious issues early,” Dr. Ensz says. Regular wellness exams proactively catch issues like hypertension early, reducing your risk of heart disease or stroke –both leading causes of death in the U.S.
If you need specialized care, your provider helps guide you. “We make sure you’re seeing the right specialist and help coordinate your care,” Dr. Ensz says. Begin by scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor – because they know your health history and how you like to be involved in your care, they can connect you with specialists who take a deeper dive into your specific health concern and coordinate your care with all the members of your healthcare team.
❾ Fewer ER Visits
Preventive care reduces the risk of emergencies. “Waiting too long can lead to urgent situations,” Dr. Ensz says. “Routine care even when you are feeling healthy helps avoid that.” Research shows patients who see their primary care provider regularly have fewer hospitalizations and emergency visits than those who don’t have established care.
❿ Straightforward, Ongoing Support
Having a go-to provider makes it easier to stay on track. “Men tend to put things off,” Dr. Ensz says. “Having a primary care provider keeps you accountable and makes it easier to address concerns early.” Your primary care doctor should also feel comfortable being honest with you about their health advice and concerns. This two-way conversation is the foundation of a successful partnership.
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH
Not sure how to choose a primary care physician? Making your health a priority starts with the right partner. Our find a doctor feature at unitypoint.org connects you with a primary care provider who fits your needs.
Consider choosing a primary care clinic with hours and a location that align with your schedule. You can also search for providers by preferred language or gender to ensure you’re comfortable during your visits. Once you pick a primary care doctor, check with your insurance provider to ensure they’re in your network.
David E nsz , MD
“You can’t understate the role of a positive male role model in people’s lives.”
When men show up, whether it’s as fathers, family members, or friends, they’re teaching the next generation valuable skills to be successful in life.
stepping up
as a Role Model to the Next Generation
By Michaela Feldmann
“It really builds their confidence, knowing and feeling that you can do your absolute best because people are supporting you,” says Nick Brown.
Nick is a clinical supervisor and mental health and substance abuse counselor at Heartland Counseling Services. He says the positive role model in your life doesn’t just need to be your father.
“When I think of the father figures in my life, three men come to mind. My own dad, Rex, my father-in-law, Otis Marshall, and a friend of my parents, Eugene Oschner, who has since passed. They’ve all played different roles for me throughout my life.”
They also often help shape our interests.
“For example, I love to golf,” Nick says. “I have fond memories growing up of my dad taking me as he went to the greens, fishing or camping. I still do all those things today. Eugene and his wife made a big impact in the way I treat people and the way that I act. They just embodied so many values like looking out for the next person and showing love and kindness. Then Otis just really modeled good character for me.”
Whether it’s an uncle, family friend or neighbor, Nick says taking a positive interest and being a positive role model can make the world of difference. It’s something he sees in his daily life as a counselor.
“I work with a lot of young children between two and eight years old. When certain kids are having behavior issues, we work with the parents as well. Almost 100% of the moms show up.”
Nick says when the dads show up, it’s the “x” factor.
“Generally, behaviors get significantly better in a short window of time,” he explains. “There is just something about the dad being there and being invested that just shifts that behavior.”
But what if you haven’t had that positive male influence in your life? Nick says, you can still change the pattern.
“You can be a tremendous blessing to other kids or your own. You cannot underestimate the positive modeling that you can do for young boys and girls around you growing up.”
As a father himself to two boys, Nick says he sees the impact firsthand.
“It’s really about being present for your kids, especially when it comes to their events and activities.”
For Nick, that means stepping up in all kinds of ways.
“I’ve actually coached both of my kids in different athletic activities, but the role of the parent is different than the role of the coach. My first responsibility as a parent is to cheer my kids on whether they win or lose, be present and encourage and support them to do their absolute best.”
Sometimes that means lending an ear if they’re going through problems while being authoritative where necessary.
“Be the type of parent where your kids can approach you and you can listen to what’s happening but that provides consistency at home, those rules and expectations,” Nick explains. “This kind of parenting style realizes that kids are going to make mistakes, but you’re there to help them work through things that they are going through in life.”
Nick says that’s the goal as parents and as role models. You may not get it right 100% of the time, but showing up and being the positive male figure in their life will one day make the world of difference.
You can reach out at 402-494-3337. If it is after hours and you are in a crisis, reach out at 402-494-7655 or by calling 877-958-7776.
Nick Brown
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breaking the silence
Redefining Men’s Health in Siouxland
Strength is not about carrying everything on your own. It is about knowing when it is time to talk and taking that step.
Ricardo Osorio, PMHNP-BC
Big Talent
By Lauren Johnson
Vermillion is having a banner year, having just won “Best Small Town Arts Scene” from the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
“We were approached by USA TODAY in January to let us know we’d been nominated,” says Hanna DeLange, communications and tourism manager for the Vermillion Chamber of Commerce. “The nominations come from the paper’s editors, but the winner is chosen entirely by readers. We had three weeks to spread the word, and the community really got behind us.”
Residents voted across multiple devices, shared the contest across social media, and rallied friends and family from across the country. When the winners were announced on February 25, Vermillion claimed the top spot for the second consecutive year.
That kind of creative and community spirit is what makes Vermillion special.
“The arts are very important to us,” says Hanna. “We hope the award helps spread the word and inspires more people to come experience the vibe for themselves.”
One of Vermillion’s crown jewels is the National Music Museum, home to more than 15,000 instruments and considered one of the finest collections in the world. It was recently named the #3 music museum in the nation.
The museum hosts performances, lectures, and exhibits. Students at the University of South Dakota have access to select historical instruments, giving them hands-on experience with pieces most musicians only dream of seeing and touching.
Art spills into the streets as well. Downtown Vermillion boasts six murals, many inspired by local landscapes, pastimes, and Native American heritage. Several were created as community projects, inviting residents to pick up a brush and help bring the artwork to life. The city also participates in a rotating sculpture walk, sharing pieces with Sioux Falls and showcasing works from local and regional artists.
With the University of South Dakota’s College of Fine Arts producing 300 performances a year, Vermillion offers something to experience nearly every day — from student recitals and gallery openings to full-scale theater productions.
“It’s helping to shape the next generation of artists, musicians, and actors,” Hanna says.
The town’s beloved Vermillion Community Theatre adds even more to the mix.
“They call themselves an amateur theater, but they are right up there with professional performances.”
Annual traditions like the kids’ theater camp and A Christmas Carol draw enthusiastic crowds. “The theater is supported by awesome actors, community members, stage directors, and prop design that really showcases the depth of local talent.”
Every June, Vermillion uses Prentis Park for the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival. This year’s production of Much Ado About Nothing will once again take place against the backdrop of the park’s stone grotto.
“It is so special and such a unique performance space on gorgeous summer evenings,” Hanna says. “They incorporate the scenery and the stage in their performances, and there are plenty of pre-show activities for kids and opportunities to meet the actors.”
Film is another featured art form in Vermillion. The Coyote Twin, a nonprofit movie theater, hosts a Midwest film festival and the popular “Fools 48,” where local teams have just 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a 48-minute movie. The theater is part of the Vermillion Cultural Association, which also operates a connected gallery featuring local artists and inclusive arts programming.
“In general, we have an impressive community of artists and volunteers,” Hanna says.
“We could not do it without those folks. We are fortunate to have people who are really dedicated to the arts, which is what we need to make this happen.”
Vermillion offers a small-town experience with big creative energy. To learn more or plan your visit, go to livevermillion.com
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Experience their famous Sneaky’s Chicken with the all-you-can-eat Chicken Lunch Buffet, available MondaySaturday from 11 am - 2 pm. It is Sneaky’s mission to ensure that every guest feels like part of the family and receives the best meal and service. They are still standing strong because of their dedicated guests. 712-252-0522
Gregory G. Giles, J. D. Vice President – Legacy Financial LLC
My aim, working with clients in a multi-generational approach, is to create financial plans which mesh with their existing estate and tax-planning outlooks, and to help achieve secure retirement. After 25+ years in the entertainment industry, I joined the financial services field in 2015. If you’re seeking a financial advisor with whom you can feel comfortable discussing your retirement plans, and the many components which comprise your goals, please contact me. I’m currently accepting new clients desiring a personable, purposeful wealth management experience. An initial consultation is always complimentary.
Gregory G. Giles is a Registered Representative offering securities through United Planners Financial Services, Member, FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through RDA Financial Network, a registered investment advisor. RDA Financial Network, d/b/a Legacy Financial. United Planners, RDA Financial, & Legacy Financial are not affiliated. 712-587-8070 | Fax:
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If there’s a child or young person in your life who’ll be celebrating a graduation, birthday or other milestone, you may be wondering what gift to give. Consider investing in their education.
it’s never too early
to Invest in a Young Person’s Future
By Tanya Manus
Gregory G.
Giles, J.D. Vice President – Legacy Financial LLC
Phone: 712-587-8070 Fax: 712-258-6633
505 5th St. #604, Sioux City, IA 51101 gregory@legacyrdawealth.com www.legacyfinancialllc.com
My aim, working with clients in a multi-generational approach, is to create financial plans which mesh with their existing estate and tax-planning outlooks, and to help achieve secure retirement. After 25+ years in the entertainment industry, I joined the financial services field in 2015. If you’re seeking a financial advisor with whom you can feel comfortable discussing your retirement plans, and the many components which comprise your goals, please contact me. I’m currently accepting new clients desiring a personable, purposeful wealth management experience. An initial consultation is always complimentary.
Gregory G. Giles is a Registered Representative offering securities through United Planners Financial Services, Member, FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through RDA Financial Network, a registered investment advisor. RDA Financial Network, d/b/a Legacy Financial. United Planners, RDA Financial, & Legacy Financial are not affiliated.
A Lasting Call to Serve
By Joseph Cottle
Justin Merchant grew up in South Sioux City in a time before smart phones, when being a kid meant going outside and figuring out fun. After high school, he was sitting in his apartment at University of Nebraska Omaha on the morning of September 11, 2001. Watching the fire and smoke of the first attack on American soil since 1941, he immediately knew he wanted to do something.
That urge didn’t come from just anywhere. His great-grandfather served and died with the 82nd Airborne. His grandfather served later on after the war. After a few months of turning it over in his mind, he made his decision. January 4, 2002, he officially joined the Air National Guard.
He trained as a jet engine technician on A-10 engines and was a 7 level technician on F-16s and KC-135 E and R models.
Justin deployed extensively with the 135’s, rotating through Qatar five times, Turkey, Afghanistan, Guam, Hawaii, England, Germany, Spain, and Japan.
He remembers feeling deeply conflicted about his trips to Qatar.
“You hate it, but you don’t want to leave because you feel like the work you’re doing here is too big, too important,” he says.
His most memorable deployment was in Germany, an assignment at Geilenkirchenthat gave him the chance to do something he’d been working toward for years.
Justin spent a long time researching what happened to his great-grandfather, Thomas George Steven, an 82nd Airborne Glider Infantry soldier killed in action November 3, 1944, mere days before the allies pulled out of Operation Market Garden.
It was cleared for the men to take this picture, which eventually made its way to Coach Osborn’s office. Coach Osborn and Justin remain pen pals!
From Germany, Justin crossed into the Netherlands and found a museum in Groesbeek where Thomas’s name was etched into granite alongside all the Americans who gave their lives to liberate the Netherlands. A local historian named Marco took him everywhere, showed him where his great-grandfather would have landed, where he fought, and where he fell.
Justin retired from the Air National Guard in 2024, a decision that left him feeling lost. The guys he’d served alongside had moved on. The culture had shifted. The dark humor that used to pass between generations like a baton had been dropped.
“I’m 44,” he says. “I’d been doing that for more than half my life. It’s a really hard thing to walk away from.”
Real estate gave him a landing spot, but he’s leaned into and helped lead the veteran community in Siouxland, which has helped him find the sense of camaraderie he’d lost since retiring.
He became commander of the VFW in South Sioux City, then joined the board of Siouxland Freedom Park. His first major initiative: a dog tag installation where veterans and their families could donate $5, have a tag made, and hang it in the park — a way to make the memorial belong to everyone.
He’s also overseeing the restoration of a 1950s Willys Jeep for display, which Sioux Body Shop took on and then some, stripping it to bare metal and doing a full rebuild.
The next project is the one he’s most excited about, a Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and GWOT Memorial, designed to be fully immersive: sand underfoot, buildings styled after what veterans actually saw overseas behind a front gate with fabricated 50-cals and mortar tubes built by South Sioux City’s metal shop students.
“It’s sometimes really hard to step away from it,” he says, “to go back and do normal work, because I just want to do this service work all the time.”
A world-record journey
By Kim Fickett
The story of a local man’s world record adventure started long before that fateful day in August of 2025. For Jakob Mackey, his journey to reeling in the 71-pound, 8-ounce grass carp, actually started two years prior.
Two
years ago I had caught an 8-pound large mouth bass which is two pounds off the state record from Bacon Creek and I got a
lot
of people reaching out inquiring about that catch,” Jakob recalled.
