As we look toward Veterans' Day, this is an opportunity to showcase the work of Dixon Center and our partners in creating opportunities for veterans and their families. We are also introducing the newest member of Dixon Center's team and highlighting how, on this Veterans' Day, you can go beyond just thanking veterans for their service.

Today we tackle the challenges of veteran homelessness with our guest, Danielle Applegate, chairperson of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV). Danielle will share a personal story of how homelessness impacts both veterans and non-veterans alike but also how there are resources and strategies available that can provide a way out. She will also share the work of NCHV and if you are part of an organization that may be tackling homelessness in your community, how NCHV can help. You can connect with NCHV at their website, NCHV.ORG.

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosts a conversation with Jennifer Grubb--combat veteran, veteran advocate, registered nurse, wife, and mother. Jennifer shares her candid, raw, and thought-provoking experience of reintegration following military service. She pulls no punches but also demonstrates her resiliency and the potential of our military-connected community. Listen more than once and encourage others to listen as well.

A conversation with Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, former Under Secretary of the Army and a leading advocate for veterans and their families. Secretary Murphy is the Chairman of Task Force Movement, www.taskforcemovement.org, an organization that is creating successful careers for the military-connected community in transportation, cybersecurity, and healthcare.

A conversation with Robin Kelleher, Co-Founder and CEO of HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, recipient of the 2023 Eugene and Ruth Freedman Leadership Award.

In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by 

Carl Cricco, the CEO of K9 For Warriors, and John Tappen, a Navy veteran who has directly felt the impact of K9 for Warriors in supporting veterans and their families.

K9 for Warriors is the largest provider of service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma. Carl shares K9’s history, approach, and impact, and John, as someone who has a service dog from K9s for warriors, shares his inspiring story and how his dog, Henry, made all the difference in the world for him on his journey of healing with honor.

Key Takeaways:

[2:03] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) explains what Heal with Honor is about.

[4:02] Carl shares the background for K9 for Warriors.

[6:15] Carl talks about 9/11 being the second worst day of his life.

[8:03] John shares his perspective about K9 for Warriors.

[12:38]  How are dogs selected? What kind of training do they go through?

[14:24] John talks about his experience with a service dog.

[15:51] Carl describes the K9 for Warriors program.

[17:58] John talks about the science that backs up the importance of the connection between veterans and service dogs.

[19:26] Carl talks about the legislation that helps to connect a service dog to a veteran.

[21:02] John shares his words with all those struggling veterans: Ask for help; you are not alone.

[25:07] John and Carl share their call to action with all military veterans. 

[27:14] Donate to K9 For Warriors,

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, Twitter, Youtube, and  Instagram

Learn more about Heal with Honor. 

Tweetables and quotes:

“K9s prevent veterans to fall into suicidal ideation.”

“When you are not seeing any progress, suicidal ideation is inevitable.”

“My scars were not visible, I thought I didn't deserve a service dog, but getting one saved my life.”

“It takes 6 months for a dog to get the proper training to become a service dog.”

“82% of veterans with service dogs had a reduction in their suicidal ideation, and 90% have a reduction in their medication dependency.”

In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by Joshua Caldwell and Stephen Camelio. Joshua and Stephen are the director and writer of the new film Mending the Line. Joshua and Stephen discuss their new movie, which will be launched in theaters on June 9th, 2023. Mending the Line is the story of a marine who’s been wounded in Afghanistan and has now been sent to a VA facility in Montana, where he meets a Vietnam veteran who teaches him how to fly fish to deal with his emotional and physical trauma.

Key Takeaways:

[5:23] What brought Stephen to this particular subject?

[7:42] Joshua shares his motivation to get involved in the topic of veterans.

[10:10] Actual veterans participated in the movie; how could they contribute to the project?

[14:35] Stephen shares what surprised him during the research for the movie.

[16:02] Joshua speaks of their partnering with the marine.

[18:40] Joshua opens up about what surprised him about what it meant for a soldier to get wounded in war.

[22:11] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) highlights the character’s fear of losing his identity.

[22:52] Military is not the whole story; it is just a chapter.

[24:08] Being wounded is a forced exit from the military.

[25:43] Stephen talks about the research he did on PTSD.

[28:30] The movie shows the separation between Vietnam veterans and the post 9/11 and how they need each other to heal.

[32:50] Joshua talks about a particular character: Lucy.

[34:57] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) singles out the character who really connected with him.

[36:10] Stephen shares what he considers the best scene in the movie.

[37:33] Joshua clarifies it was never their intention to demonize the VA.

[40:21] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) discusses his favorite scene.

[43:55] What is next for Mending the Line?

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, Twitter, and Instagram

Warriors and Quiet Waters

Tweetables and quotes:

“After recovering from a wound, you can feel that physically you are ready, but mentally, you are not, and the mental wounds are the dominating factor.”

“Military is not the whole story; it is just a chapter.”

“Five percent of active duty military actually see combat; still more than 50% experience PTSD.”

“We may not all experienced combat, but we all experience loss at some point in our lives.”