LIFTING US VETS Inc.
Inspiring Impactful Change
At LIFTING US VETS Inc., we aim to make a lasting impact in the Southwestern Ohio community and beyond. Our initiatives and activities are designed to support veteran causes. But above all, passion is at the heart and soul of everything that we do.
About Us
Making Change Possible
Founded in 2023, LIFTING US VETS Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the assistance of US military veterans. We aid and assist veterans with transitioning to civilian life and support various veteran causes nationwide.
The core of our work lies in the continuous passion and dedication we bring to the range of fundraising we take part in. Please join us by supporting our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Community Outreach
Empowering Others
LIFTING US VETS Inc. is dedicated to putting our Southeastern Ohio community first. Our Community Outreach program provides a much-
needed service for those in dire need.
We partner with the Ohio 2 Chapter of the US MILITARY VETS Motorcycle Club (USMVMC) in Xenia Ohio to assist local veterans in need. By providing funds thru the USMVMC, LIFTING US VETS Inc helps to support efforts of the Greene County Ohio Veterans Assistance Center and the 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY Veteran Service Dog Program.
We are also excited to announce the Diane and Valentina Purtle Diabetes Detection Service Dog Grant. Grants will be in increments of $2,000 and are intended to offset some of the cost associated with obtaining a Service Dog thru 4 Paws For Ability in Xenia Ohio. The Grant will awarded to family members of Veterans after they have applied for a Service Dog thru 4 Paws.
Education
Helping Those Who Need Us Most
LIFTING US VETS Inc. is a leader in the sector and ensures that local needs and priorities come first. Our Education program offers a much-desired platform for people who deserve it most. Become a part of a brighter future and join our efforts today.
Volunteering
The Future Looks Bright
The Volunteering program is our longest running initiative, based on the premise that making a real difference is not only possible but vital. At LIFTING US VETS Inc., Volunteering is a source of great pride for our Nonprofit.
Contact Us
Want to get involved with LIFTING US VETS Inc.? Reach out to us and we will get back to you shortly.
Donations
Make a Difference Today!
My name is Ragnar Purtle, Founder and Executive Director of LIFTING US VETS Inc. Welcome to our website!
Our organization is dedicated to serving our military veterans from all eras. Our mission is to seek out partnerships with other veteran and charitable organizations in order to provide assistance to veteran causes. Which cause we donate to is decided by our Nonprofit Board.
At LIFTING US VETS Inc., we are currently working on funding efforts in Southwestern Ohio and have set an initial annual (2023) fundraising goal of $10,000.
In order to make a difference, we rely on the support of generous individuals and businesses in our community. We would be most grateful if you would consider providing a $50 individual donation to our organization. Perhaps you are part of a group that would like to host a fundraiser for us in order to make a larger donation? Your support is critical to reaching our goal, and we will gladly keep you updated regarding our progress and our supported causes should you wish.
Please use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on your left to make a donation or use the Venmo name @LIFTINGUSVETS. You can also contact me at TheRagnarReport@gmail.com if you'd like to donate using another method.
Thank you so much for your kind consideration of our request, and we hope to hear from you soon.
LIFTING US VETS Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; therefore, your donation is tax deductible.
Meet Our Team
The Faces of Our Organization
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of LIFTING US VETS Inc.. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization. Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members.
Tom "Ragnar" Purtle, USAF Chief Master Sergeant (Retired)
LIFTING US VETS President, Executive Director, & Treasurer
Ragnar is a 25-year United States Air Force Veteran and retired Chief Master Sergeant. He grew up on the SouthSide of Chicago before leaving for the USAF. He began his career as an Installation Entry Controller and finished his career as one of only nine Security Forces Major Command Senior Enlisted Leaders. His journey was one of hard work and dedication that ultimately resulted in him being in the top 1% of enlisted leaders in the USAF. Along the way he served as an installation patrolman, US Customs Inspector, Flight Chief, Standardization/Evaluation Superintendent, Police Services Superintendent, Law Enforcement Superintendent, Squadron Superintendent, and Mission Support Group Superintendent.
Ragnar also served as a USAF First Sergeant for seven years in Texas and Germany. While in Germany, he deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom where he led an international contingent of First Sergeants during operations in the Afghanistan Area of Responsibility.
He retired from Active Duty in 2010 and continued serving in a civilian role for the Department of Defense. As a civilian, he has led operations as a contingency exercise planner/evaluator, an Inspector General inspector/evaluator, and a Total Force Program Manager. He currently serves as the lead Air Force Materiel Command Strategy and Resourcing Planner.
Victor Luebker
USAF, Senior Master Sergeant (Retired)
Vice President of External Affairs and Co-Chairperson of External Affairs Committee
Exceptional NPO C-Level leader, sponsorship development director and event management professional with a wide array of fundraising and event consulting expertise. Raised over $2,000,000 in his career while building, producing and managing some the most visible charity events in the country for our veterans and families as well as STEM scholars.
Produces high end celebrity events for a cause from golf to baseball games in MiLB stadiums. Other events include 5K runs, walkathons, galas and casino parties.
Consults in all aspects of event production and fundraising for any cause.
Vic ran for Congress in 2010 after a 21 year military career. After a distinguished career in the air force with tours in Iraq and Bosina he put his skills to helping others and continues to this day.
His awards include over 40 military awards and decorations. He was named the central Florida Humanitarian of the Year as well as the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award recipent.
Stephanie Kristina Vohland
Secretary
As the daughter of a Navy veteran and now the proud parent of an Airman, Krissy understands the sacrifices endured by service members and their families.
She spent the first 15 years of her life moving from one duty station to the next - Virginia, Iceland, Florida, Japan, and Alaska - proudly carrying with her the status of “military kid.” From this experience, Krissy developed an expanded world view, a love of travel, and a sense of pride in the uniqueness of growing up in /around the military.
Talentino Angelosante, USAF Brigadier General (Retired)
Board Member
Talentino (Tal) Angelosante serves as an Instructor for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service’s (TEEX) Law Enforcement and Security Training Division for courses in Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection.
Prior to joining the TEEX LAW Division, he served over 33 years in the United States Air Force on active duty and in the Reserves. During his extensive military career, he commanded an Air Base Wing, two Air Force groups and three Security Police/Forces squadrons. He served on several major command and combatant command staffs to include Chief, Base Defense, Plans and Antiterrorism at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Senior Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the director of Security Forces for Pacific Air Forces and Air Force Special Operations Command; Chief, Antiterrorism and Critical Infrastructure Protection Division for U.S. Pacific Command; Deputy, Current Operations, for U.S. Pacific Command; and Mobilization Assistant to the Director for Resources Assessment for U.S. Pacific Command
Tal deployed several times on active duty and as a reserve officer to include Panama, Peru, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia and multiple times to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. His positions included Chief, Force Protection and Safety Division, in Afghanistan where he conducted numerous Vulnerability Assessments; Chief of Staff for a Special Operations Joint Task Force in Iraq; and as the Special Operations Joint Task Force Liaison Officer to Headquarters ISAF in Afghanistan.
After leaving active duty, he served as an Incident Commander for Sandia National Laboratories, where he responded to over 400 emergency and non-emergency calls supporting emergency actions such as Security, Medical, Environmental, Health & Safety, Fire, HAZMAT, Maintenance, and Radiological Events, ensuring the protection of life, property, and environment
Randall Henry, USAF Chief Master Sergeant (Retired)
Board Member
Randall Henry is a 30-year United States Air Force Veteran. He began his career as a Combat Arms instructor in January 1980. In 1998 he was given the opportunity to serve a Security Forces member. Over the course of his 30 years, he served in a variety of leadership roles, ranging from team leader all the way to his final position as the Chief Enlisted Manager of the United States In Europe IG Team. He retired in September 2009. In 2010 he began his second career with the Federal Government. In this role he was responsible for the security of US assets being sold to our military partners. In 2020 he left the Federal Government and began his third career. He currently runs Vortex Consulting. In this endeavor he works with businesses, organizations and individuals to improve their leadership and teamwork abilities. This is his true passion. Randy has been married for 33 years and has 3 children.
Tammy Mayer, USAF Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
Board Member
Tammy served 20 years in the United States Air Force and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2015. During her military career she served as a Security Forces Officer, ensuring the safety and security of USAF personnel and resources. She commanded four Security Forces Squadrons, served on the Pacific Air Forces staff, and led a team of nuclear inspectors for the Office of the Inspector General.
Tammy has a Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice from Portland State University, a Master's Degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a Master's Degree in Homeland Security from the Naval PostGraduate School. Tammy is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy session 219.
Tammy now works as a Program Manager for the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dogs.
Paul Wishart, USAF Master Sergeant (Retired)
Board Member
Master Sergeant Paul Wishart retired from the United States Air Force in 2006 after serving for over 22 years. Most of his career was spent in Security Police/Security Forces as a military working dog handler with assignments to The Philippines, Korea, Colorado, and Texas with deployments to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
In the later part of his career, he re-trained into the communications/computer systems career-field with a final assignment providing systems and network support to the RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system.
Paul holds two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelors and a masters degree from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Finance from the University of Texas in San Antonio. He is also a graduate of the USAF Police Administration Course at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky.
Paul lives with wife, and four of six children in San Antonio, Texas. He is employed by Valero Energy as a member of the company’s global network engineering team and is actively involved in the Civil Air Patrol. His eldest son continues a proud family tradition of military service as a C-130J co-pilot in the USAF, currently assigned to Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas.
Matt Ross, USMC Gunnery Sergeant
Board Member
COMING SIOON
Leonard Arsenault, USAF Chief Master Sergeant (Retired)
Board Member
Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Leonard “Len” Arsenault retired from the United States Air Force in 2019 after serving our country for over 27-years. Originally from Massachusetts and the third generation to serve in the military, Len served the majority of his career in the Security Forces working at the unit and major command level, with duties outside the career field performing business transformation and portfolio management operations at Headquarters United States Air Force in the Pentagon. Finally, Len and his wife Sandra, who is also an Air Force veteran, reside in Wisconsin with four of their five children, and their fifth son is currently serving in the Air Force.
Jacinta Spinola
Vice President of Internal Affairs and Co-Chairperson, External Affairs Committee
Coming Soon