(Dubois, WY) – A Veterans Service Fair was held at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois the morning of Saturday, May 28, and among the day’s events was the official graduation of the Veterans Talking to Veterans first class of coaches.
Veterans Talking to Veterans is a multi-tiered coaching program designed by Mentor Agility, an expert coaching certification group led by founder and CEO, Dr. Julie Elledge, who also served as one of the main speakers for the ceremony.
Veterans Talking to Veterans is specifically for Wyoming Veterans and their families, and focuses on creating fellowship, mentorship, motivation, purpose and service, through regular/free online and in person gatherings across the state.
Coaches who graduate from the program are all Veterans and Veteran spouses themselves, the purpose of which is to facilitate peer-to-peer/Veteran-to-Veteran meetings (which the website clarifies is “not therapy”) that promote camaraderie, personal growth and self-efficacy.
The whole program was funded and implemented through the Wyoming Veterans Commission and the administration of Governor Mark Gordon, who was in attendance along with First Lady Jennie Gordon.
Read more about Veterans Talking to Veterans from the Governor, here.
The first class of coaches honored at Saturday’s ceremony are Veterans/spouses from all across the state, with Fremont County represented by at least four.
As coaches were honored and given their certificates, some shared how their own personal experiences they have overcome/are in the process of overcoming can help others going through similar struggles, ranging from dealing with PTSD, sexual assault, systemic racism and generational judgment, the difficulties of returning home, and much more.
Graduates who were in attendance and honored included:
Ed Beason, Todd Bray, Brad Cline, Josh Cruse, Tonya DaFoe, Ken Duncan, Gary Hobbs, Amanda Huckabay, Dan Keierleber, Vicki Keierleber, Wade LeBeau, Kelly Mixson, Doug Null, Aaron Ohnstad, Lori Tanner, Michael Tanner, and Rae Whitley.
Congratulations graduates/coaches!
If you are a Veteran or Veteran’s spouse who would like to learn more about becoming a coach, click here.
For more content from some local Veterans Talking to Veterans coaches, check out:
- The recent Mental Health Monday segment on KOVE’s Coffee Time with graduates Michael and Lori Tanner, who discuss Veterans Talking to Veterans as well their new Veterans resource group in Lander
- The NMMV/KOVE Embed Report Coffee Time segment featuring graduate Rae Whitley.
Editor’s Note: The class roster provided to County 10 had listed Ryan Elledge as a graduate, when in fact he was the group’s coordinator from Mentor Agility. Shane Whitworth was the graduate not in attendance, who will have his certificate mailed to him.