Jesse was in the Army from 2001-2007 and was always ready to assist community and serve, but deployed to Iraq in 04-05 instead. Sent to a war predicated on lies and profiteering with immense costs (human and environmental), after returning, is was then that the real service started.

When attacks were waged on Federal employees and the VA in spring of 2025, Jesse joined Veterans for Peace. Soon after, he started VFP Chapter 218 in Northern Minnesota, where he currently resides.

January of 2026, the call came to stand with our targeted neighbors in Minneapolis after the murders of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and violent detainments and rights violations of so many neighbors. He has been on the ground in Minneapolis since the first week in January with VFP and Haven Watch in support of community needs amidst the targeted attacks on our immigrant neighbors. While the nation-wide surge continues to profile, target, detain, and deport friends, His focus is on continued strategy to locally uphold civil and human rights standing against racism and repression and a progressively militarized system.