Building Connections in Wyoming

For Chapter member Jeff Teasley, the turnout at an August 1 lunch in Cheyenne marked encouraging progress in strengthening PVA’s connections with veterans across Wyoming.

About 20 people attended the PVA-sponsored event, including Chapter members, spouses, caregivers, grandchildren and three employees from the Cheyenne VA Medical Center. Teasley and his wife, Cathy, who live in Cheyenne, helped organize the lunch. Also in attendance were Josue Cordova, PVA National vice president, and Tom Wheaton, PVA National treasurer, along with Erin Cavit, Mountain States Chapter board president, and John Henderson, Chapter executive director. The presence of PVA leaders made a powerful impression on Teasley.

“They came, and that showed me that they care,” he said. “To hear the excitement from them and the support, I don’t have words for it.”

During lunch, Cavit reiterated the Chapter’s commitment to serving veterans in Wyoming. 

“If you need something, let us know,” she told the group.

“We can’t solve every problem in the world, but we’ll sure stand up and support you.”

The event also created opportunities for new connections. Even Teasley, who seems to know nearly everyone in the area, met someone new: Bruce Kuker, a Texas Chapter member and avid trap shooter who recently moved to Cheyenne.

Teasley said the two exchanged phone numbers. “I have a brand-new over-and-under shotgun that I got from my brother when he passed away, so I connected with Bruce, and he’s going to teach me how to trap shoot.”

Teasley, who joined the Mountain States Chapter Board of Directors in July, said he is excited about PVA’s momentum in Wyoming and looks forward to creating more opportunities for veterans to connect.

Feature: From left, PVA member Bruce Kuker, his wife, Susan Soto, and Mark and Michelle Williams pose for a photo after a PVA-sponsored lunch in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Michelle is the SCI/D coordinator at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center.