On August 3, 2024, Daniel Dibbern, Military and Veteran Services Specialist at Doane, went to Seward, Nebraska, to repaint the M4 Sherman miliary tank on display outside the National Guard Museum. Dibbern works with veterans and active-duty military members who want to pursue a post-secondary education at Doane. Repainting the tank, he thought, would symbolize the transition these students face from the military into higher education. A new look for new opportunities.
So when he saw the Facebook post asking for volunteers to help restore the tank, Dibbern jumped at the chance to involve Doane University veteran students and the other military and veteran services reps at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska Omaha, Southeast Community College and Metro Community College.
“I believe that community service projects like this that bring our veteran community together are of great value for all parties involved," Dibbern said. "[Universities and colleges] get to demonstrate that they mean business when they say they are veteran friendly."
Aside from bringing veterans and university reps together, his favorite part of the day?
"Seeing a local business owner show up with a bucket truck to help us finish the turret was really cool,” Dibbern said.
