Veterans Connect At Memorial Day Celebration In Dubois

With Wyoming's population around 587,000 and between 45,000 and 50,000 of the population being veterans, many organizations are looking out for our vets.

Sometimes, though, veterans look out for other veterans, thanks to programs like Veterans Talking to Veterans, the award-winning coaching program for veterans and their family members.

Mentor Agility introduced this program to train veterans to be coaches and to support other veterans. The coaches have experience with military life and a deep understanding of the daily challenges that veterans and their family members face.

One of the best ways to understand someone's challenges is by listening to their stories and troubles. The Veterans Talking to Veterans coaches are trained professionals who listen and transform destructive and harmful emotions into positive, constructive sources of creativity and problem-solving.

The VTTV program is available in Wyoming, Idaho, and New Mexico. To become a coach, you can complete the application HERE. 

The VTTV Memorial Day Celebration at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois will be held on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24. During the celebration, which is open to the public, attendees will meet the Veterans Talking To Veteran's recent program graduates.

Friday, there will be a welcome and speakers dinner at 5:00 p.m. for $15 per person. Then, afterward, there will be a screening of Dear Sirs, a 2024 film about a Rock Springs, Wyoming, World War II veteran (Silvo Pedri) and his relationship with his grandson (Mark Pedri). Ten years after his death, Mark learned about his grandfather's incredible story while in the war. It is a powerful reminder of how vital conversations between generations are before they are lost.

Other than the $15 for dinner, the event is free and open to the public at the National Museum of Military Vehicles. 

Saturday, there's a full day planned.

• 8:00 am - Native American Flag Raising Ceremony
• 9:00 am - Morning Speaker Series with Governor Mark Gordon, VTTA Graduate Speakers, VA Center for Faith, Office of Rural Engagement, and other VA leaders.
• 11:00 am - Veterans Resource Fair Opens
  • Recreation Zone
  • Career Launchpad
  • Leadership Corner
  • Wellness Oasis
  • Hope & Resilience Network
• 4:00 pm - Modern Warrior Live Film Screening - Exploring Resilience and the Veteran Journey with the founder and veteran Jaymes Poling.