Wilkes County Veterans History Project: Allison Huffman - Veteran Services Officer

Allison Huffman, a native of Wilkes County, began working in Veterans Services in 2015.  She was appointed by county leadership to serve as director of Veteran Services when her predecessor, Ralph Broyhill, retired in 2018.   She is accredited by North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (NCDMVA), American Legion (AL), National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), and is soon to gain accreditation Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Allison is not employed by the Veterans Administration, but rather the county of Wilkes, and works to help people obtain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (VA/DoD).

Here are a few words from Allison . . .

"I am a “daddy’s girl.” My dad, Barry “Sam” Blackburn, we are two peas in a pod. He is an Army Veteran. Served in Vietnam. I got the gift of gab from him. Both of us have never met a stranger. That is a great skill to have when working in Veterans Services! Not only do I like to talk, I love to listen. I enjoy getting to know our Veterans and listening to their stories/adventures. The “war stories” never bore me! The more details I learn, the better I can assist that veteran.   

Another trait I got from both of my parents is being a servant, or having a servant’s heart. I enjoy doing all that I can to help our Veterans and their dependents obtain their benefits. I get to know my clients on a personal level. They become part of my family. I celebrate victories with them, I stress and pray over them and I mourn and grieve with them. I like to see our veterans succeed, even in the smallest things.

I am a civilian.  I like to tease that I have a favorite branch but, it my eyes, they are all heroes.  So many come before me feeling undeserving of benefits. I am humbled by them.  Veterans answered a call to protect mine and your freedoms. They suffered injury. Some lost their lives. My work motto I inherited from a former employer, (he won’t mind that I choose to run my office the same way), Compassionate and Comprehensive.   I am privileged to work with veterans.  Prior to working in the office, I did not understand how special veterans are. They deserve so much!"

Allison has been married to Bryan Huffman for 19 years, and they have 2 children. Seth, a rising junior at West High, and Emerson  at second grader at Mt Pleasant Elementary.  Seth, an Eagle Scout, is active in football, wrestling, track, Beta club and enjoys lifeguarding at Oakwoods Country Club.   Emerson loves cheerleading and is working on level 4 in gymnastics.  The Huffmans are members at New Hope Baptist Church and Mt Pleasant Ruritan Club.