SPOTLIGHT on SERVICE VETERANS Initiative focuses on veteran perspective, builds partnerships that change lives By Charity Edgar FIRST I n less than a year, combat veteran Tawan Throngkumpola went from serving in the U.S. Navy to living out of his truck in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Austin, Texas, with his service dog, Cali. The former corpsman left the military in 2015 with an honorable discharge after serving three tours in Iraq and another in Afghanistan, attached to the 2nd Marine Division. He learned later the condition of his discharge, as reflected on his DD-214, had inexplicably been changed to other than honorable. His health care was initially covered for six months following his transition out of active duty, but by March 2016, he had to request humanitarian medical care from the VA for medication to treat post-traumatic stress and a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The discharge hindered the review of his VA claim, and that is when he found himself sleeping in a vehicle. DAV life member Michelle Clark heard about Throngkumpola’s situation and jumped into action. The retired Army sergeant major, then serving as the commander of DAV Chapter 219 in Austin, rallied other members, and they came together to support the Navy veteran in his time of need. “DAV took care of me,” explained Throngkumpola, who joined as a life member when he was back on his feet. “Michelle also took me to the VA, through every department, to get me access to any assistance I was eligible for. She made me feel like I was not alone.” For Clark, giving back was a given. “Helping veterans Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai After the condition of his discharge was inexplicably changed, former corpsman Tawan Throngkumpola struggled to access the benefits he earned through service. Less than a year after leaving the Navy, the Iraq and Afghanistan veteran was living in his truck with his service dog. DAV life member and retired Army Sgt. Maj. Michelle Clark helped Throngkumpola get off the street and back on his feet. is what DAV stands for, and that’s why I am a member,” she said. After an exhaustive search for long-term veteran lodging, Clark was told by the Austin VA Medical Center that none of their local transitional housing partners allowed animals—including service dogs. “That was unacceptable to me,” said Clark, who deployed to Afghanistan for a year in 2008. “There are so many veterans with service dogs now. I could not believe it.” Clark called the VA headquarters in Washington, D.C., and her complaint made its way to the office of VA Acting Deputy District Veteran Experience Officer Chris Hluchyj. The MyVA transformation—initiated in 2014—charged the Department of Veterans Affairs with achieving customer service excellence; the Office of Veteran Experience (VE) was created last year to ensure that happens. The VE reports directly to the secretary of Veterans Affairs, but works closely with and counsels the @DAVHQ | @DAVETERANS 5 The Veteran Experience DAV.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/DAV |
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VETERANS FIRST
Charity Edgar
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