Where did you serve and what did you do?

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 1966 – 1970. VIETNAM COMBAT VETERAN JANUARY 2, 1968 TO JANUARY 29, 1969 WITH THE 1ST BATTALION, 7TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION IN I CORPS. HILL 10 AND HILL 37. BATTALION WAREHOUSE SERGEANT AND RIFLE SQUAD LEADER ON NIGHT AMBUSHES, DAY PATROLS AND OPERATIONS. THOUNG DUC RIVER VALLEY, QUE SON MOUNTAINS, HAPPY VALLEY AND OTHERS.

Tell us how your dog is helping you continue Still Serving in your community.

MY SERVICE DOG, KOZ [ TRAINED BY CANINE COMPANIONS ] RESPONDS TO MY NIGHTMARES, ANXIETY AND OTHER DIFFICULT MOMENTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO MY POST TRAUMATIC STRESS. MY POST TRAUMATIC STRESS PUSHED ME INTO A HIGH LEVEL OF SECURITY AND SAFETY CONCERNS FOR ME, MY FAMILY AND OTHERS. ALSO KEPT ME AWAY FROM. ATTENDING EVENTS, SHOPPING AND SOCIALIZING. KOZ INTERRUPTS MY NIGHTMARES, REDUCES MY HIGH ANXIETY MOMENTS AND ALLOWS ME TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MY LIFE.

Why do you do it?

I HAVE JOINED THE VFW AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER, AM NOW THE COMMANDER OF POST 1093 IN IPSWICH, MA. OUR POST RECENTLY ORGANIZED AND SUPPORTED A VERY SUCCESSFUL 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY PARADE AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS. WE ALSO WORK WITH THE LOCAL AMERICAN LEGION POST 80 BRINGING “DINNER BELL” OPPORTUNITY TO THE LESS FORTUNATE ON A MONTHLY BASIS, SPONSOR HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS OPPORTUNITY, CONTRIBUTE TO LOCAL YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS AND HELP THE COMMUNITY IN MANY OTHER WAYS. OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORT IS TO LET EVERY CITIZEN KNOW WE ARE STILL SERVING AND PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY.