HEISEY: A hero in his own right

The Sunday article on Darryl Heisey, County Veteran Services Officer was just great. The office that Darryl supervises brings millions of dollars into this county yearly. Veterans disability payments, home loans, war time pensions, the GI Bill and other programs boost the per capita income of this county. Many veterans and their widows receiving war time pensions and many veterans receiving disability would be on the county welfare roles, but are not due to VA benefits available to them. Many veterans requiring hospitalization have their bills paid by the VA and not the county, which is a tremendous savings to local taxpayers.

The County Veterans Service Officer is a boon to the economy of the county. Darryl is passionate about his job. But being compassionate isn't enough. There is a huge body of knowledge a competent veterans service officer must know and stay current on. The job is a serious job with serious ramifications. The VSO is a professional level position requiring better than average interpersonal skills, writing ability, knowledge of anatomy and medical terminology, VA regulations, court rulings, Social Security and empathy.

At first, the stories that veterans relate about their service strain one's ability to believe them. After awhile, the stories become more credible because it is impossible to believe so many stories are made up. One World War II veteran was injected with yellow fever and malaria in recruit training, others have been exposed to radiation, and combat experiences range from bizarre to terrifying.

As an example, a VSO must know that there are numerous cancers that are considered presumptive for service in Vietnam. There are nine blood diseases that are considered presumptive for service in Afghanistan and Iraq. Lou Gehrig's disease is considered presumptive for any military service, since veterans get the disease at a rate five times the general population. A VSO is always asking, probing and listening for the veteran's story. A Navy veteran with lung cancer may have been exposed to asbestos. A soldier with a broken back may have been a paratrooper.

Darryl is constantly visiting nursing facilities, veterans groups, senior centers providing personal service to those who cannot come to his office. One of Darryl's biggest tasks is sitting down with veterans who have received a written decision, called an award letter, and helping them understand what it means. While Darryl is doing that he is also using his knowledge and experience to ascertain if the VA had properly applied the law and the rules. If he believes it has not, he assists the veteran in the appeals process.

Another special group that Darryl works with are the spouses of veterans who have passed on. He ensures that all benefits that the veteran earned are properly passed on as the law requires. Many spouses would be living in poverty if the Kootenai County Veteran Service Officer was not there.

Besides doing all his professional duties, Darryl is just a darn good guy.

ROBERT B. HUNT, QMC, USN, Ret.

Past State Commander

Disabled American Veterans