TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — As a calvary scout, Dustin Everhart was the “eyes and ears” of the U.S. Army, keeping his comrades up to date on battlefield conditions.
Years after returning home, Everhart is among a group of local veterans working to open a resource center where retired military personnel would help former soldiers readjust to the civilian world.
Such a place, he said, would’ve helped him manage a post-combat life that was complicated by a failing marriage, lack of strong employment skills and illegal drugs.
“And knowing at this point I could give back to guys that are way worse off than I ever was… has given me a feeling of fulfillment and accomplishment that only God can provide,” said Everhart, who served in the military from 1999-2003.
Dubbed “Community Outpost Lazarus,” the resource center is the next mission of the Faithful Veteran Guide Detachment Ministry at Terre Haute United Methodist Temple.
Members are finishing their latest pig hunting trip in Texas, four-day excursions geared toward building camaraderie and allowing veterans to put their combat training to practical use.
The ministry also conducts walkabouts providing essentials to Terre Haute’s homeless community.
A resource center would serve as a “nexus” for building diverse community relationships and provide a welcoming place, said Elias Donker, a retired Army major who served in Iraq and is overseeing the plans. It’s exactly what Christians are led to do, he added.
