When Tracy Dunham talks about the work of the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation, she’s not speaking from a distance. She’s speaking as a sister. As someone who’s seen, firsthand, what it means for combat veterans to carry home invisible wounds, and how healing can happen not in an office or through a lecture, but around a grill, in a boat, or standing shoulder to shoulder fixing a car.
Two years ago, Dunham stepped into the role of Executive Director full-time, continuing the mission that began in honor of her brother, Sgt. Brady Oberg, a proud and dedicated U.S. Army veteran who died by suicide in 2015 after serving in Afghanistan. The foundation has grown from a tribute to Brady’s life into a vital network that connects, heals, and empowers veterans across the region.
Building Connection, Not Just Awareness
“The biggest thing we focus on is connection,” Dunham said. “How can we connect veterans with other veterans?” That question guides nearly everything the organization does— from adventure retreats and fitness programs to new partnerships with local businesses.
These aren’t just events—they’re opportunities for veterans to rediscover camaraderie, belonging, and trust. Through collaborations with CrossFit Fargo and the nonprofit Fix It Forward, the foundation has built spaces where veterans can sweat, wrench, or simply talk with people who understand them. “It’s about getting together in ways that feel natural,” she said. “We’re not forcing anyone to sit in a circle and talk about their trauma. We just want to give them a chance to connect.”
Even the outdoors, something Brady loved deeply, is woven into nearly every aspect of the organization. From hunting and fishing trips to the foundation’s “Patriot Houses,” two fully equipped ice fishing trailers stationed on Big Detroit Lake, the goal is to get veterans outside, engaged, and grounded. “The fishing or the hiking is what gets them there,” Dunham said. “But the real healing happens when they’re standing around a grill or telling stories they haven’t told in 20 years.”
