about us

Meet Your Surviving Valor Crew–Made up of Volunteers Who Have Served

Each and every one of us is proud to help Veterans. It is our passion to make such a difference in their lives. But we definitely couldn’t do it without you.

Your support means the world to us and those who have served. We thank you for your time and your donations.

Here you will get to know us a little better–the faces behind Surviving Valor

Lance Averbeck

Today we introduce you to our founder, Lance Averbeck. Lance graduated from LaCrescent, MN High School in 1997, the same year as he joined the US Navy. He was stationed on the USS Valley Forge(CG-50) from 1999-2004 where he took part in three deployments. Two were counter drug operations, one to the middle east. He finished his last 3 years of naval service at NOPF Whidbey Island, WA. In 2018, Lance moved back home to Minnesota. He is a VFW life member, and currently serves as Chaplain of VFW Post 10406 out of Cochrane, WI, and is currently employed by the US Postal Service. Lance is married to his wife Jessica and they live in MN with their 2 dogs.

jason birkle

The first member of our board of Directors is Jason Birkle. Jason graduated from LaCrescent, MN high school in 1997, the same year he joined the US Army. He was enlisted for 8 years, the last four of which were with ROTC, where he graduated with a B.S. in business management from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. He then became an aviation officer flying Blackhawk helicopters for the next 12 years. Jason then switched to Civil Affairs for his last four years, retiring as an O-4 in 2020, which is the same year he graduated with a masters in business administration from the University of Maryland. Jason is currently a stay at home dad of 3 boys while his wife continues her active duty military career as a Nurse Corp Officer.

phil humphrey

Here we’d like to introduce you to another one of our Directors, Phil Humphrey. Phil graduated from Granton High School in 2001, enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2001 and did 6 years with 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. During that time he was deployed to help out with Hurricane Katrina. He was out for one year and got called back during his inactive reserve time and got assigned to the 10th Mountain Division deployed to Iraq. After getting out of the Army he spent 13 years working in IT. Phil transitioned into business ownership and started 608 Brewing Company in La Crosse, WI and Homen, WI.. Phil is also married with two children.

dusty liston

Please help us welcome Dusty Liston to Surviving Valor. She is our newest board member, and has a lot of experience to help us grow. Her dedication to veterans, as well as this great nation, makes her the perfect addition. Thank you for joining us in our mission to help veterans!

Dusty currently works for a non-profit performing economic development for three South East MN cities and one county as a Community and Business Development Specialist. Dusty retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after 20 years of honorable, active-duty service in June of 2017 as a Master Sergeant of Marines. Dusty deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014. Dusty holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Park University.

Dusty grew up in the rural town of Ruthton, Minn., with a current population of 217 people and understands the struggles of small-town U.S.A and its citizens. She comes from a military family, where both her mother and father served, as well as four other siblings. She is looking forward to creating solid relationships in order to help Veterans in the surrounding area grow and improve their general health and mental well being. In her free time, Dusty enjoys spending time with her two children, working out, traveling, and reading.

Let’s introduce you to our newest board member. This man cares about this country and veterans more than anyone you will meet. Thank you for your service John, and please help us welcome him to our team.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) John C. Dehnke

Served for 22.5 years in the United States Army. His Career started as an Active-Duty Airborne Infantry man for 10 years, 10.5 in the Active Guard Reserve as a Recruiter for the WI Army National Guard & 2 years as a National Guard soldier.

John started his career by enlisting as a junior at Cochrane Fountain City HS in the delayed entry program. He graduated from high school May 1984 & immediately went to Basic Training & Advanced Infantry Training. From there he went to Airborne School, earned his jump wings then was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savanna GA, at A Co. 1/75th Ranger Battalion. He then proceeded to Korea & was stationed @ Camp Howze on the DMZ with C Co 1/31st Infantry Legionnaires, which was part of the 2nd Infantry Division. While in Korea, he was able to train with the “ROC Army” Elite South Korean soldiers. He also spent many months patrolling the DMZ & stand guard in guard towers overlooking Panmunjom. He had a break in service for about 1 year & joined the National Guard for two years as any Infantryman in C Co 1/128th Infantry in Arcadia, WI. He re-enlisted to go back active duty & went to Germany for 3 years, stationed in Neu Ulm Germany with the 2/4th Infantry as Pershing II Nuclear Guards. From there, he was reassigned & deployed to Desert Storm with 2nd Armory Cavalry Regiment. He was a Bradley Commander with Bravo Troop ½ ACR. They were the tip of the spear & hit the Republican Guard head on, this was” The Battle of 73 Easting”, the Largest Tank Battle in US History. Then after the battle they were on the border of Iraq & Kuwait. There they had to search vehicle’s, buses, people & take prisoners. After returning to Germany from the Persian Gulf “Desert Storm”, he went to Ft. Campbell KY/TN & was stationed with the 101st Airborne Division. He then got out of active-duty service only to join the WI Army National Guard as a recruiter in the “AGR” program Active Guard Reserve. While being a recruiter, he was able to enlist about 268 amazing young men & women into the National guard to include his own son who is currently on his 2nd deployment to Iraq. John was a recipient of the Dave Dobbs Award for the WI Army National guard for outstanding Community involvement, representation & recruitment. He took great pride in everything he did while serving his country a few of his awards, “MSM” Meritorious Service Medal, 5 Army Good Conduct medals, 6 Army achievement medals, Kuwait Liberation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, South West Asia Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Parachutist Badge & the Infantry Blue Cord! John retired August 31, 2013.

John is from Waumandee, WI- raised there on a 400 acre farm & has lived in Trempealeau WI for 18 years. The last 12 of them has been with his amazing wife Deedee. They were married Oct 6, 2012 & bought a house there. John is a proud member of the Cochrane – Buffalo City VFW Post 10406 since 1992 & he had been the Commander there about 9 yrs, but not consecutively. He has two kids, Joshua Dehnke- married to Danielle & a grandson Jameson who live in the twin cities. His daughter Julia Dehnke lives in La Crosse. Deedee has two kids as well a daughter Samantha Clark, married to Dave & two kids Barret & Rigs. Her son Skyler Grossell lives in the Twin Cities.

John plans on retiring for good in 2years & 11 months. Then more fishing, shooting, side by siding, & travel.