Veterans Continue to Serve
Frank graduated from high school when he was 18 and didn’t know what to do, so he had made the decision to join the Army and become a paratrooper. During his time he discovered the importance of leadership and taking care of the troops, something that would follow him throughout his life. After attaining the grade of Staff Sergeant (E-6) Frank made the decision to leave the Army. He had bigger plans for his life. He enrolled in college and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. But like few veterans who separate, he went back in the Army as an infantry officer. He later continued his education receiving his MBA to help him advance in his military career. As he rose in the ranks he was finally in the position to make a big difference. By having the experience of being an enlisted soldier he understood the need and importance for training, this is where he excelled.
Once Frank became the commander of a brigade he focused on training soldiers for the changing battlefield. Frank had the task of getting our troops ready to successfully run convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was in charge of developing training for the post 9-11 era Army, a huge task to say the least. As he developed this training his goal was to save lives and do his part at getting the soldiers safely home. During the war Frank spent time in theatre helping train the Iraqi Army. The tactics he helped develop had now become an important part of the training in the Army and other Army’s in the world. True to Army form Frank was moved into a position where he deployed to Afghanistan where he served as the leader of the US Army’s intelligence for that country. Frank retired from the Army in 2013 after 38 years of military service and began his civilian life.
Like most veterans Frank has a heart for helping veterans. He is now runs the San Bernardino County Department of Veteran’s affairs. He took the reins from one of the most respected members of the county. In this position Frank has 9 veteran representatives and several office staff who help San Bernardino county veterans apply for their benefits among other duties in the largest county in the nation, another huge undertaking.
In fiscal year 2014 the San Bernardino County Department of Veteran’s affairs Franks office has helped Veterans and their families navigate the system and secure 4.8 million dollars in tuition waivers for San Bernardino county residents for college. The county Veterans Department also helps with securing earned benefits for veterans, helping them work through the red tape of the Veterans Administration’s system. The department has helped find housing for 166 homelessness veterans this year working with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement program HOPE team. The deputies in this program seek out homeless veterans and send them to the county veterans department for help. The help does not stop there, the office helps those of the past who have fallen. They have helped get headstones for 3 veterans buried without one, and acts on behalf of veterans who have passed without families among other issues. While talking to Frank we discussed benefits that I was unaware of, one included low income pensions from the VA for eligible veterans. The biggest program Franks department offers is the veteran ID program. This ID allows veterans to receive a 10% discount at any business that displays the County of San Bernardino Veteran – Friendly Business sticker in their window.
Frank is not alone, he is like many veterans and continue to serve the community in many ways. A majority of non-profits that cater to veterans are controlled by veterans themselves. Veterans are trained and taught to leave “no one behind”. We are there for each other, and many veterans and their families continue to serve our veteran brothers, sisters, and community once they get out. At times it is just one veteran neighbor helping their veteran neighbor navigate the VA system. We help each other. To those veterans who are out there hidden in the background, please come forward and grace us with your wisdom and knowledge. With so many veterans in the United States struggling to survive we need all hands on deck. Check your local community to see if there are veteran programs available and get the word out about their existence.
For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.