Grateful Hearts This Veterans Day 2024

Veteran founded, veteran focused. This Veterans Day 2024, DK Security celebrates nearly 200 U.S. military veterans who wear the DK Security badge and show true dedication to our safety and security. DK itself was originally founded by two veterans of the U.S. Air Force, who built the company on a belief in public service. Today, we are thankful for all the ways our service members have and continue to protect these freedoms. 

Reading time: 1 minute 

One such veteran is Rick Bushong, who was gracious enough to speak with us about his military experience in 2022.  

Born into a military family, the decision to enlist in the U.S. Army felt natural for Rick Bushong from the start. He enrolled in the Army’s deferred entry program in his senior year of high school and left for basic training the day after his May 1983 graduation commencement.  

After completing basic training and Military Police school at Fort McClellan in Alabama, Rick was assigned a military police officer position in West Germany. Between base patrol duties and security for a Hawk missile site, he spent two years abroad and earned himself the rank of E-4 specialist.  

Rick was honorably discharged from active duty in 1986, returning home to complete his bachelor’s degree (2001) and join the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office. After a 25-year career in law enforcement during which he attained the rank of Lieutenant, naturally, Rick decided to pursue the security industry. 

He’s now a DK Shift Supervisor at a highly protected site in Lansing and is enjoying his time there. “It’s a great group of guys,” Rick says about his coworkers, who are mainly former law enforcement like him.  

Rick Bushong (right) shakes hands with Director of Operations Daniel Verlin. In his left hand, Bushong holds an Outstanding Performer award he received for exceptional job performance.

When asked about what being a veteran means to him, Rick is grateful to see vets continuing to be honored for serving, and even “getting more recognition for their service these days” than when he was active in the 80s. He sees a shift taking place in the way vets are revered and is happy to see it develop around him. 

Rick Bushong’s is just one of countless unique life experiences held by our nation’s veterans. DK Security proudly employs 172 former and current service members, and we would extend a special and sincere thank-you to every DK veteran listed below for their service and sacrifices. To read more stories from DK veterans, keep exploring here.  

To everyone who has worn the uniform of our country, DK Security wishes you a Happy Veterans Day.