Episode 012: Assisting Organizations and Communities Address the Evolving Needs of Veterans and Their Families with Colonel Duncan S. Milne.

This episode spotlights the work of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. An organization that connects organizations and communities with existing programs and services that transform the lives of veterans and their families. We discuss Dixon Center’s approach to supporting veterans and their families in the communities where we live through our network of private and public, civic, and community-based partners. We also share how the pandemic has accelerated the evolution of veterans’ needs, not diminished them. 

 

This episode is also a moment of reflection; after almost a year, it is now a great time to look back and see what we learned and also to share the goals for the future of Service Before Self Podcast.

 

Colonel Sam Whitehurst, your host, is accompanied by Colonel Duncan S. Milne, President of Dixon Center, in today’s special episode, where he is sharing his experience and background in the Marine Corps and how he came to serve veterans and their families at Dixon Center.

 

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] Sam shares the lessons learned from eight months of the Service Before Self Podcast.

[6:59] Sam talks about the role that Dixon Center plays in supporting veterans and their families.

[8:35] Colonel Duncan shares about his background in the Marine Corps and how he started to serve veterans and their families at Dixon Center.

[13:26] Colonel Duncan talks about the mission of Dixon Center.

[18:50] Veterans living in different states face different challenges.

[19:43] Colonel Duncan talks about reinforcing existing programs to address the evolving needs of veterans and their families.

[21:28] Colonel Duncan shares how Dixon Center has leveraged the ability to attend to the needs of veterans during the pandemic.

[24:30] Colonel Duncan addresses the crushing isolation that veterans and serving members are facing every day.

[25:20] What does the future hold for Dixon Center?

[29:20] If you see a veteran out there, have a conversation with him or her.

[30:20] Colonel Sam talks about the work of FEDCAP.

[31:27] Colonel Sam shares about the meaning of Dixon Center’s name.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Dixon Center: Reaching America

At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live.

Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership.

Dixon Center on Facebook

Dixon Center on Twitter

Dixon Center on Instagram

 

Learn more about Colonel Duncan S. Milne

FEDCAP

 

Tweetables and quotes:

“Dixon Center’s noble purpose is to make sure that people who have served this country can transition back into civilian society and consistently succeed in the communities where they choose to live.”

 

“The pandemic gave Dixon Center an opportunity to step back to what was being done proudly and focus on not just the challenges but the opportunities that were presented.”

 

“There is a crushing isolation that our veterans and service members face every day.”