Community

Cliff Moore served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, reaching the rank of Corporal with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune. He was deployed to Okinawa, Bosnia, and Cuba, earning the War on Terrorism and Humanitarian Service medals. Now living in Lake Elmo, Cliff is a commercial roofing sales consultant, local firefighter, and youth basketball coach.

Gary Munson served 11 years in the U.S. Army and Minnesota Army National Guard, where he was commissioned as an officer. Stationed in Germany, he met his wife Heidi and was deployed to Kuwait, Iraq, Kosovo, and Qatar. Gary graduated from Bethel Seminary and is now the Care Pastor at Grace Church in Roseville.

Kristy Janigo served six years in the North Dakota Army National Guard, reaching the rank of E-5 Sergeant. She trained as a 92W water purification specialist and served at Fort Lewis-McChord during Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. Kristy is now an assistant county veterans service officer in Hennepin County, helping homeless and justice-impacted veterans access benefits. She lives in Maple Grove, serves on the city council, and has been an advocate for veterans at the state capital.

Rylie Peterson served over six years in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Civil Affairs Specialist, earning an award for completing the Norwegian Foot March. Since medically retiring, she is now Head Dog Trainer at The Spot by NutriSource, helping veterans and first responders with service dogs. Her loyal companion, Sergeant Annie, a five-year-old Lab-Herding mix, assists with retrievals, grounding, and training younger service dogs.

Jacob Thomas served eight years in the U.S. Air Force as a Technical Sergeant, working as a network engineer and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. He earned multiple awards, including the Air Force Commendation Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal, and was one of the first Airmen to come out following the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2011. Now living in Minneapolis, Jacob continues his service through advocacy and community work as Communications Director of Common Defense.

Sheila Malec served eight years in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Agent in the Office of Special Investigations, supporting criminal and counterintelligence investigations and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. She earned the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. Sheila now serves as a Senior Investigator with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and lives in White Bear Lake.