Building Community 2025 will host A Discussion on U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy, the fifth event in their Teach-ins 2025 series, facilitated by U.S. Navy veteran John Stocker and U.S. Army veteran Joe Hall, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET at St. Benedict’s Brew Works, 860 E. Tenth St., Ferdinand, Ind. Local Chris Dixon will perform from 6-6:30 p.m. ET. PLEASE BRING LAWN CHAIRS OR BLANKETS. The weather location is the Monastery Event Hall next to the brewery.
In the wake of the attacks on Iran and the utilization of the armed forces in domestic law enforcement situations, how does the Trump Administration view the role of the U.S. military in the world? Congress is preparing to pass the FY 2026 Defense Appropriation Bill. Coupled with funding included in the “Big Beautiful Bill”, the Defense Department will have nearly $1 trillion to spend on defense programs. What is the likelihood that this increase in spending will enhance US national security? Does the Administration have a fully developed policy in which this funding will be successfully utilized? Why are many defense analysts suggesting that we are building equipment for the wrong type of war? What have the lessons from the Russian-Ukraine conflict taught us? Why are some naval officers suggesting that a war with China would end badly for the US? These questions and many more will be asked.
Veterans are encouraged to attend to describe their own experiences in the military.
About John Stocker: John Stocker served on active duty with the US Navy from 1968-1972. Following grad school, he worked for the Comptroller of the Navy in the Pentagon. In 1980, he moved to take a position as a naval policy analyst at the Congressional Research Service drafting reports and analysis for the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittees. In 1982, he joined the staff of the Secretary of the Navy as Director of Long-Range Planning and Budgeting. Stocker planned and executed the largest shipbuilding program in history in the FY 82/83 budgets. In 1984, Stocker took a position at the national shipbuilding trade association as Director, Navy Programs; later taking the position of President of the organization. He stepped down in 1994 to take a lead as President of the US Shipbuilding Corporation, a Skaarup company. In 1998, Stocker set up his own consulting company and became a senior adviser to a defense technology development company where he served until retirement in 2023. Stocker has worked for more than 40 years in and around the national security establishment.
About Joe Hall: Joe Hall is a native of Southern Indiana who grew up in Perry County and currently lives in Derby. He graduated from Tell City High School in 1953 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics from Indiana University. He served three years of active duty in the U.S. Army, followed by 25 years in active reserve. He retired from the army in 1985 with the rank of LTC. He has worked several jobs over his career, including electric engineer, ceramic engineer, and sales engineer. He also taught in a two-room public school and later worked as an adult education and ESL instructor. He is the father of six and happily married to Judy Thomas Hall.
In a world that often feels divided, Building Community 2025 believes in the power of conversation to bring people together. We’re inviting all in our communities to join us for a thoughtful, respectful teach-in where we listen with compassion and speak with honesty. We begin to build bridges where walls once stood.
Let’s talk. Let’s listen. Let’s learn. Let’s show up for one another. All are welcomed.
About Teach-ins 2025
With roots in the social movements of the 1960s, Teach-Ins 2025 is a series of events to create non-partisan community discussions about the issues of our time based on facts and a willingness to learn. The series kicked off May 22 with Immigration 101 featuring Sr. Joan Scheller, O.S.B., and Sister Michelle Sinkhorn, O.S.B., from the Sisters of St. Benedict Latino Outreach and Immigration Services. The second teach-in, Tariffs for the Average Person, was led by John Stocker on June 5, and the third teach-in, Race Relations Community Discussion, was on Juneteenth (June 19). The fourth teach-in, How Does Pollution Harm Children? was led by Dr. Norma Kreilein on July 24. Fifty to sixty people have attended each event.
Upcoming Teach-ins:
All events will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with music from 6:00 to 6:30 pm ET, at St. Benedict’s Brew Works
Thursday, October 2, 2025: Challenges Facing Public Education
Thursday, November 6, 2025: A Look at Medicaid and the ACA
What Are Teach-ins?
Teach-ins are educational forums or public seminars, often set up in the round to encourage equity, inclusion, and face-to-face conversations, focused on discussing social, political, or environmental issues. Unlike traditional lectures, teach-ins are participatory and interactive, often involving dialogue and friendly debate among participants, with the goal of fostering a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. They are characterized by their informal structure, inclusivity, and focus on active participation and have played a significant role in various social movements by providing a platform for education and mobilization.
About Building Community 2025
Building Community 2025 is a group of concerned citizens in rural southwestern Indiana who saw a need to respond to the current political climate in the US with facts, community, and open hearts. Their focus is building connections within their communities that serve to inspire and educate all citizens.
For More Information
Contact Leann Burke at 219-405-3933 or Patty Ruhe at 812-639-7615.
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