by Fred Hernandez

“I am a veteran helping veterans. End of story.”
With that simple, yet firm statement the newly appointed Custer County Veteran Service Officer introduces himself and his mission. Dominic Edginton, twenty-two year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, an extensively trained specialist in various aspects of military medical services including dentistry and EMT operations, is eminently qualified to navigate the intricate labyrinth of the Veterans Benefits Administration. By his own words he is not interested in discussions around politics in the county or religion. It has no bearing in his service to the veteran population. He will be a most effective advocate for all veterans who reside in Custer County.
Born in 1976, in Northern England, he was raised and educated in Bradford, located west of Leeds, the fourth largest metropolitan district and eighth largest economy in England with a population of about five hundred thousand. In 1992, his family moved to the U.S.A. (his step-father was in the U.S. Military). Two years later Dominic followed in his footsteps by joining the U.S. Air Force; over half of his career was spent at Wilford Hall Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. Two decades later he went back to school in Colorado and later went to work for the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs in Grand Junction as a State Veteran Service Officer. In that role he had oversight of the 10 counties in the northwest corner of the state and single handedly increased compensation for the veterans he advocated for by $2.5M in a 12 month period.
Married with four children, Dominic now lives in Custer County and is looking forward to devoting his talents and training to educate veterans and their families on their earned benefits and compensation.
His professional and serious approach to the job at hand is evident from the plans he is formulating. To begin with he wants to form, as soon as possible, a Veterans Advisory Council. This will be a vetted team of between ten and twelve veterans; a combination of veterans, spouses and/or widows/widowers of veterans. This diverse group will contribute valuable perspectives from different demographics. All efforts are geared to ensuring that the needs of veterans and their families here in the county are being met.
Partnering with the VSO is Mrs. Christina (Christy) Schram, the Veteran Resource Officer with Americorps (aka Mt. Carmel). While the VSO acts as the conduit between veterans and their families and the Veterans Benefits Administration aim to improve their long term needs, Christy is in place to take care of their immediate needs; providing basic necessities such as food, children’s products, household items, firewood and financial assistance (rent arrears and utility bill assistance).
As far as Dominic is concerned every veteran regardless of period of service or length of service; whether it is one day or thirty years, everyone will be treated in the same professional manner, “My goal is a 100% disability rating for everybody who walks through my door, anything less is a disservice. When you walk out of my door I want you to leave feeling welcomed, valued, respected and heard”. With his background of more than two decades in the DoD healthcare system, Dominic knows the procedures and processes intimately. His message to all veterans in Custer County is clear; regardless of whether the veteran is service connected or not he/she needs to come in to see me and review their claims, even if they were previously denied. He recommends reviewing your claims, at a minimum every three to five years. Dominic is located in the Custer County Courthouse and can be reached at 719-618-8266.