Veteran Service Officer leaves lasting mark

Emily (Korbel) Teberg entered the U.S. Army in August, 2002. She earned her wings as a Parachute Rigger, and her father, Gary Korbel of Montgomery, pinned them on her. Teberg was attached to the 82nd Airborne Unit and was stationed in Georgia and Virginia.

A traumatic experience made Teberg leave service in May 2003. When she returned to civilian life, troubles didn’t stop, and she turned to drugs.

Her life was spiraling downward until Jim Golgart, Le Sueur County Veterans Service Officer, stepped in to help.

“I saw Emily at her lowest point and got her the help she needed in the VA,” he said. “Taking care of her issues has been the brightest point in my career. Now she’s at her brightest point.”

Golgart was surprised Friday when Teberg and her family drove from their home in Fargo, ND and surprised him at his Farewell Celebration and retirement parade in Le Center. Teberg said Golgart saved her life.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Jim. I was that low, and Jim took the initiative to bring me to inpatient treatment to get me better. I can definitely say I would not be standing here today if it wasn’t for him,” she said as tears welled in her eyes.

Seeing Teberg was one of the highlights of his day - and his career in helping veterans.

“For Emily to be here, it just made my day,” Golgart said. “Emily is one that I’ve worked with for probably 15 or more years. She’s kind of been my adopted veteran - that special veteran - and she is very, very special to me. She and her family are very special to me, and it was just great to have her here.”

After a little more than 20 years, Golgart is well-known among veterans in Le Sueur County communities.

The length of the driveby parade and well-wishers prove that his compassion, tough love and willingness to go above and beyond the requirements of the job have made him pretty special with veterans and their families.

Ed Keogh, Commander of the V.F.W. Post 5340 attended the celebration and said Golgart would....

To see more on this story pick up the June 11, 2020 print edition of The New Prague Times.