For Donald Christy, fighting on behalf of military veterans is second nature.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Christy served two combat tours in Vietnam, in 1965 and 1969, with the Marine Corps. He retired as a colonel in 1989 and settled in San Mateo.
Now, at 84 years old, he encourages all veterans from any era to, as he put it, “Find your local VSO,” that is, the Veterans Services Office. “They can help and be a true advocate for a veteran and their families.”
He speaks from experience. The San Mateo County Veterans Services Office helped him navigate the U.S. notoriously bureaucratic Department of Veterans Affairs to access health benefits.
“If I hadn't had support, I probably wouldn't have found a way to go through that bureaucracy,” Christy said. He figures assistance from a Veterans Services Office cuts months to years off the time it takes veterans to receive benefits they earned from the VA.
If you are a veteran in need of support, contact the Veterans Services Office:
Phone: 650-802-6598
Email: veteranservices-smc@smcgov.org
San Mateo County is home to about 25,000 veterans. Roughly 1.2 million veterans live in California, the third highest state total behind Texas and Florida.
Overall, the veteran population skews older. About seven in 10 veterans are aged 50 or above.
Vietnam-era veterans may be at risk for a variety of health conditions, including diseases related to Agent Orange (a toxic chemical used to clear trees and plants during the war that can cause long-term health effects), cancer, neurological diseases, hepatitis c, hearing loss and illness or injuries from military-related activities.
It was Christy’s efforts to learn about certain benefits related to health issues that put him in contact with Ed Kiryczun, the San Mateo County Veterans Services officer.
Kiryczun’s office is run – and financed – independently of the VA, allowing the office to advocate for veterans without any potential conflict of interest. Or as Christy said, “Just helping the veteran.”
Veterans of all ages may be eligible for a range of services and benefits, compensation, pensions and medical services. The office provides information and referrals for additional clinical, medical, counseling, nonprofit services and emergency assistance.
“It's been terrific,” Christy said of his experiences with the office. “I send Ed an email and he responds virtually within minutes and certainly within a day. "He is a superb professional committed to helping veterans. His entire staff has been so positive and helping to bridge the bureaucracy of the VA. The VA is terrific as well and well intentioned, but it's a huge organization.”
Nominations Open for the 9th Annual Veteran Recognition Luncheon
The County of San Mateo Veterans Veteran Services Office is looking for nominations for Veteran of the Year, Patriot of the Year and Enterprise of the Year.
About the San Mateo County Veterans Services Office:
Established in 1946, the San Mateo County Veterans Services Office helps veterans access state and federal benefits that help veterans, their spouses and family members. The office also provides information and referrals to a wide range of services and connects veterans to programs such as the California Veteran College Fee Waiver for veterans and dependents.
The office is funded by a variety of sources, include the voter-approved Measure K half-cent sales tax, which provides local funds for local needs.
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org