[Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans

[Marianne Haas]

In the wild blue yonder, Air Force

-----Original Message-----
From: blindvet-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:blindvet-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bill Montgomery
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 6:50 PM
To: Info and discussion list for blind veterans.
Subject: Re: [Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans

Marianne:
Don't let  that Marine off the  hook. Make  him file a claim with the VA for

his benifits.  If you need to talk, please give me a call. I  have 
represented veterans before the VA,past 8 years,  as a  service officer for 
the Blinded Veterans Association,(BVA), now retired  but still  keep abreast

of VA law.
Bill Montgomery
Chula Vista, Ca.91911
E-mail: bvmontw at cox.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marianne Haas" <braillewoman at earthlink.net>
To: "'Info and discussion list for blind veterans.'" 
<blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 3:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans


> Good Afternoon,
> My name is Marianne and my partner is a vet.  I would be very interested 
> in
> getting involve in this wonderful project.  I wonder, where I can get
> connected.  I have extensive experience in encouraging veterans to get 
> their
> benefits.  Personally I think Veterans should get together and demand
> benefits from the government.  I live in Northern CA, but can travel.  I 
> can
> also make and receive phone calls.  If anyone from this project would like
> to call me, I would be delighted.  Have a good Veteran's day.  I had to 
> stay
> home because of a medical problem.
>
> (510) 525-7965
>
> Marianne
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindvet-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:blindvet-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of NABlindVets at aol.com
> Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 12:58 PM
> To: blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Blindvet-talk] Veteran helping veterans
>
>
>
> Blind  Army vet looks to help others
>
> Blind Army vet looks to help  others
> RACHEL BYRD
> November 9, 2007 - 6:45PM
> VICTORVILLE - Sgt. Major  Jesse Acosta's service to his
> country did not end when he was blinded during  a
> mortar attack serving in Iraq.
>
> He is now devoting his life to  helping returning
> soldiers who have been injured. Through his Thank a
> Vet  program, he will raise money for returning service
> men and  women.
>
> "Once they come home and their medical needs are
> attended to,  the government has done its job in their
> eyes," Acosta said. "That's where  nonprofits step
> in. My role in life from this point on is to help
> these  people coming home."
>
> Acosta, a 30-year Army veteran, has served in  Germany,
> Central America and Iraq. He enlisted when he was 18
> to fulfill  his dream of serving his country
> in uniform.
>
> After completing his  seven-year obligation in the
> Army, he was honorably discharged, and went home  to be
> with his wife of seven years, Connie.
>
> "My wife was tired of me  traveling," Acosta said.
> "There's always hardships. You're away from  your
> family, so you miss birthdays and holidays. But I have
> no  regrets."
>
> Acosta took a two-year break, but felt that he  could
> continue serving his nation while balancing life at
> home, and  enlisted in the Army Reserve.
>
> In October 2005, he was sent to Iraq during  Operation
> Iraqi Freedom and was assigned to the largest support
> base in  Iraq, Anaconda in Balad. In January
> 2006, he lost his right eye and vision in  his left eye
> during a mortar attack on the base.
>
> Acosta returned home  to Santa Fe Springs, in Los
> Angeles County, where he adapted to getting  around
> town without sight - but he no longer needs to do  it
> alone.
>
> Acosta trained extensively in October with seeing-eye
> dog  Charlie, and the two are settling into each
> other's routines.
>
> "It's  like starting all over, this time with a dog,"
> Acosta said. "He's getting  familiar with the living
> surroundings and I'm riding buses around town  with
> him now."
>
> Tired of being less active since his injury, Acosta  is
> preparing to return to work at Southern California Gas
> Co., where he  was hired in 1986, and he is
> going to take a computer class through Junior  Blind of
> America.
>
> "I don't need to work, but I'm not going to just  sit
> at home," Acosta said.
>
> Acosta is also devoting his time to getting  his Thank
> a Vet program started. He hopes to host events, such
> as concerts  at Dodger or Anaheim stadiums, and
> donate the proceeds to veterans.
>
> He  is grateful for the help of fellow veterans, who
> are already getting the word  out.
>
> "Regardless of the branch of service, we tend to bond
> to help  each other out," Acosta said.
>
> Acosta will be the guest speaker at the  Victorville
> Veteran's Day ceremony today.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's new at 
> http://www.aol.com
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