I retired from the Navy after over 20 years of service, having served as a Senior Chief and Seabee. During my service, I always ensured that those under my leadership and guidance were taken care of and held accountable for their actions. We had a job to do, and we always did it to the best of our abilities.

After my service, I returned to my home state of Vermont and became an active member of Bennington County VFW Post 1332. I saw this as an opportunity to continue my service and help fellow veterans and the community. I ultimately became post commander, and dedicated myself to my brothers and sisters in arms.

In that role, I came to know the Vermont Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Veteran Service Officer, Tom Jackson. We shared “sea stories” about our time in the Navy. Our paths hadn’t crossed while serving, but we were both Chiefs in the Navy and had a bond that can’t be explained to those outside the Navy Chiefs’ community.

Tom saw that there were things that happened during my career that were affecting my life post-service. He convinced me to sit down and spent several hours getting to know my health issues. From there, he started helping me submit a claim for several service-connected disabilities.

He explained to me that when I retired, I wasn’t the same person I was when I joined, and the VA had an obligation to help me — as it does with all veterans. HE saw that my issues were more than just normal aches and pains, but were caused by my service. I hadn’t realized that doing what I loved in the Navy “broke” me in ways I hadn’t considered.

His knowledge of the process and understanding of who I was led to me to submit a claim detailing problems that were likely connected to my service. We submitted the parework to the VA and waited for a decision.

I never anticipated I would get a service-connected disability rating; Tom only assured me that we had documented everything thoroughly. A few months later, he reached out to let me know I had received a favorable decision on several of my itemized claims, but others had been deferred and a final decision hadn’t been made yet.

While my job took priority, Tom kept me informed about the claim’s status. The result exceeded my every expectation: a 100% service-connected disability rating.

Tom had a mission to complete, and that was was to do what was needed to get me the benefits I earned through service. I am extremely grateful for his time, effort and dedication to veteran service. —Norm LeBlanc

A Thank-You to My VSO