Tester Presents Video Series Featuring Montana Veterans

In ‘Veterans’ Voices’ Montanans Tell Their Stories

(Big Sandy, Mont.) – For Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is honoring veterans through a new social media video series featuring Montanans telling their own stories.

Tester’s Veterans’ Voices series puts the spotlight on veterans and their families from across Montana telling their stories of service, struggle and success.

“It’s my honor to help tell the stories of some of the brave Montanans who have served our nation,” said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Whether their story is about the military honors they have earned or the struggles they have faced after their service, these veterans remind us of our obligation to all of Montana’s veterans and their families. Honoring the men and women who serve us is not a partisan issue, it is a bipartisan responsibility.”

Ron Sims is an Army veteran from Billings. During his service in Vietnam he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Two Bronze Stars with Valor, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal (received for completing 25 aerial missions), the Good Conduct Medal and two Army Commendation Medals.

Kevin Dede is an Air Force veteran from Billings. Following his service, Kevin struggled with mental health and substance abuse issues. After utilizing treatment and support services from both VA and Volunteers of America, Dede is now sober and has a full time job. Nick Little is the Division Director of Operations at the Volunteers of America and oversees housing and supportive services for veterans in Billings.

District Judge Greg Pinski oversees the Great Falls Veterans Treatment Court, which provides veterans with an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system by connecting them to substance abuse and mental health treatment. The Great Falls Veterans Treatment Court has a 90 percent graduation rate and a zero percent recidivism rate among its graduates.

Stan Juneau is the son of Edmond “Snackery” Juneau, a decorated WWII Army veteran. Juneau earned the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars, a World War II Victory Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Tester will be releasing more Veterans’ Voices in the weeks to come.