Meet Don McCollough: Our VA Volunteer of the Month
By Don Checots, Minneapolis VA Volunteer, Air Force Veteran
Don McCollough is a living testament to resilience, service, and the quiet strength of doing good—no matter what life brings.
A retired Army Veteran who served from 1963 to 1983, Don’s journey began on a farm in Fergus Falls, Minn., where he learned that hard work and integrity aren’t just values—they’re a way of life. “If you’re going to do a job, do it right,” he says. And he lives by those words.
His military service took him to Vietnam, where his courage earned him a Bronze Star for valor.
After Vietnam Don spent four years as a drill sergeant at Fort Polk, La. and then became a recruiter.
That’s when he met his wife. She worked at a beauty shop near his recruiting office, and their connection grew into a lifetime of love and partnership.
Together, they faced unimaginable loss when their 20-year-old son died in a house fire. Grief could have broken them. Instead, it moved them to open a daycare, believing that “When life gives you more than you can handle, get up and do good things.” That philosophy has guided Don ever since.
In 2023, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. The compassionate care he received at the Minneapolis VA saved his life—and inspired his next mission. He began volunteering at the medical center as an escort and in the Canteen Cafeteria, where staff say he’s always the first to step up, the last to leave, and never without a kind word.
A year ago, Don lost his wife. It was a devastating blow. But once again, he chose to rise. He continues to serve, not out of obligation, but out of love—for people, for purpose, for healing.
At 84, Don McCollough isn’t just our Volunteer of the Month. He’s a quiet hero among us. His message is clear: even in the darkest times, we can choose to do good. And that makes all the difference.