Where did you serve and what did you do?
USN, ET2, Electronics Tech, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, Alaska (’75 – ’81{almost ’82})
UTARNG, SSG, CPT (resigned commission and finished as SSG (’83 – ’04) Ut, VA, CA, AR, UT, last year in Iraq
Tell us how your dog is helping you continue #StillServing in your community.
My PTSD has made it hard, sometimes, to interact with others. ‘Opua (which means “Fluffy Cloud” in Hawaiian, which he is) is a now-7yo bearded collie. He is very friendly, which for some disabilities may be a detriment, but for me, he draws me out with people. This make it easier for me to represent Veterans to the public.
Why do you do it?
Though there were (many) times that were not fun at all, overall, I wouldn’t trade even one moment. In the 19years since i retired I have represented both the Navy and the Army as a retired member, and the dozen or so since I became a member of 2 Service Organizations (the DAV and the VFW). I have taught people of the necessity of our military branches. But even more than that, I have assisted many former service members to begin receive their earned benefits. Without ‘Opua, I would not have the confidence to work with them