The Wyoming Veterans Commission wrapped up its inaugural Veteran Services Symposium this week at Casper College, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen the network of care for veterans and their families.
The two-day event brought together more than 150 service providers, advocates, and leaders from across Wyoming for a robust exchange of ideas focused on collaboration, capacity building, and improving outcomes for veterans. Attendees participated in workshops and keynote sessions covering topics from post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury to veteran caregiving, team dynamics, grant writing, and the growing threat of AI-related scams.
“This event was about moving from isolated effort to coordinated impact,” said Sandy McFarland, Deputy Director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission and lead organizer. “We want to empower the people who serve veterans—whether they work for the VA, a nonprofit, or in a local community—to build partnerships that truly change lives.”
Governor Mark Gordon attended the event to present the “Excellence in Service to Veterans” award to six individuals and organizations nominated by their peers for exemplary contributions:
- Tami Dietz, Wyoming Military Department Soldier and Family Readiness
- Todd Bray, DownRange Warriors
- Scott O’Hare, Volunteers of America Northern Rockies
- Darrell Haugen, Veterans’ Rock
- Charlie & Jennifer Wilson, Soldiers House of Fremont County
- Dr. John R. McPherson, D.D.S., P.C. & Staff, McPherson Dental
“These awards are about more than recognition—they’re a testament to the dedication of those who choose to stand beside our veterans every day,” said Governor Gordon. “Wyoming owes a great debt to those who have served, and events like this are how we make sure we’re doing everything possible to support them.”
The symposium also featured powerful sessions led by Val Burgess, who shared preserved oral histories of World War II POWs from Stalag Luft III, and Ben Patton, founder of the Patton Veterans Project, who demonstrated the therapeutic power of filmmaking for veterans coping with trauma.
“The strength of this symposium was in the real stories,” said Tim Shepherd, Director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission. “You couldn’t walk away from those sessions without a deeper understanding of what our veterans have endured—and how we can meet them where they are.”
The event concluded with a Veteran Resource Fair, where federal, state, and nonprofit agencies provided direct access to VA benefits assistance, legal support, mental health resources, and more.
Encouraged by the overwhelming response and engagement, the Wyoming Veterans Commission announced plans to make the symposium an annual event.
“This is just the beginning,” McFarland said. “We are building a statewide movement rooted in empathy, coordination, and results. Veterans deserve nothing less.”