NO NO QUIT QUIT After more than 30 years in the military, benefits advocate continues to serve Colorado veterans as full-time volunteer By Charity Edgar Scott Ryan (right) congratulates a fellow soldier after administering the oath of enlistment to him during a deployment to the Middle East in 2007. Ryan is a full-time benefits advocate for DAV, ensuring his fellow veterans get justice for their sacrifices. S cott Ryan recognizes his schedule does not look like most retirees’, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Ryan served in the military for 31 years, but retirement hasn’t stopped the Army veteran from continuing to give back. “Everyone said you did your part, so just take a knee,” explained Ryan, who retired as a chief warrant officer 4 in 2013. “So like other veterans, I didn’t listen.” Ryan was working as a consultant when someone asked if he had ever submitted a claim after retiring from the military. “Someone told me they didn’t think I was being fully taken care of and recommended I talk to DAV,” recalled Ryan. He reached out to the Department of Colorado for claims assistance, and the cycle of service began. After collecting documentation and submitting his claim through a DAV department service officer, Ryan received a favorable decision from the VA. He then drove 35 miles to say thank you in person. The service officer’s response: “That’s what I do. I’m here to help veterans.” Ryan was shocked, but then he realized there was an opportunity for him to pay it forward. He joined DAV, and, after completing benefits advocate training, began driving over an hour to volunteer each day. Ryan stopped consulting so he DAV.ORG | could clock 40 hours a week as a volunteer. He realized he could better manage his time by eliminating the daily commute and creating a home office. “Everyone in the Army knows the core values, and two of these still resonate,” Ryan explained. “DAV’s slogan is ‘Fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.’ That’s [the Army core values of] selfless service and honor. “So many veterans have been told so many things [by organizations or individuals]—we’ll do this, you can do that, I’ll take care of you—but then it doesn’t happen. There are veterans who are jaded as a result, and rightfully so,” he added. “When I take someone on as a client and say, ‘I’ll take care of you,’ I won’t quit until I am completely done with any subsequent claim or appeal, no matter how long it takes.” Vietnam veteran Mike Ramsey was one of the last Marines exposed to Agent Orange in the Saigon evacuation. Ramsey was wearing a U.S. Marine Corps pin when he met Ryan while bringing him a home delivery. Ryan saw the pin and asked about his service. “I told him, ‘I know where you’re going with this, and I appreciate it, but I’ve already tried for 40 years [to access benefits earned through service]. And I just kept getting told no,’” said Ramsey, who had long given up hope on having a favorable claim. Ryan convinced Ramsey to give him a shot. As with his other clients, Ryan had Ramsey provide @DAVHQ | DAVHQ 5 FACEBOOK.COM/DAV |
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