Army veteran, Bob Voccola
Susan Knox Wilson
“The terrible nightmares and horrible flashbacks of my time in the Vietnam War became much more persistent and troublesome after I retired,” shared PebbleCreek Army veteran, Bob Voccola. “I think I was so busy with a demanding job and my growing family that I was able to bury all that trauma for a long time. But, suddenly, when I had more time for reflection, it all came back to haunt me. I was struggling with PTSD and didn’t even know it.”
Fortunately for Bob, when he retired from his job as chief of police “back east,” he moved to PebbleCreek and joined a local VFW Chapter. It was the commander of the VFW Post who took one look at Bob and said, “You need some help, I can tell.” That assistance came in the form of helping Bob get evaluated for PTSD and some immediate therapy. “I may not be here today if I hadn’t gotten diagnosed and treated when I did,” confided Bob.
Sadly, a study released by the VA in 2013 shows that roughly 22 veterans die by suicide each day and most (some 69%) are veterans aged 50 and older. “I could have been one of those guys,” admits Bob, “but I got lucky and got help, and I decided I could help others do the same.”
Bob volunteered, and is now certified as a VFW Post Service Officer – one of 1,400 or so service officers accredited by the VFW around the country. Post Service Officers perform a vital function by providing information about veterans’ benefits to comrades and their families, urging them to file claims with the VA and putting them in contact with the appropriate VA department staff.
“Congress, VA and the courts never stop changing the programs or policies surrounding veterans’ benefits,” Bob acknowledged, “so it’s our job to keep up with all the changes to help a veteran, family member or survivor start the journey through the VA claim maze. We’re not attorneys and don’t give legal advice, but we can show and tell people what to do and how. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth the effort, especially when the VA decides that they are entitled to compensation, pension or survivor benefits.”
You can learn more about your Veterans’ Benefits every third Saturday of the month when Bob’s VFW Post 6310 holds a Benefit Training session. The sessions are held at the Tolleson Fire Station, 203 N. 92nd Avenue, 9:00 a.m.-noon. Visit their website for additional information vfwpost6310.org.