Honorable military veterans share a common bond of experience and memories from having served their country that civilians have a difficult time relating to. That bond generally transcends all branches of service, uniforms, and even rank.
Regardless of whether their service was in a combat zone, or not, you really “had-to-be-there” to fully appreciate the impact and lasting impression military service has on a person. In that regard, Army veteran NCO SGT E-5 Richard Erschik is proud to have served and (while his age and mobility permit) personally visits with his aging peers in full dress uniform in hospitals, retirement homes, and private residences for friendly conversation and camaraderie. No strings attached. No hidden agenda. No charge.
His inspiration to undertake this mission began in 2015, when he helped to organize a Military Affairs Committee event for the Southdade Chamber of Commerce. The event recognized and honored 47 WWII veterans in their late 80s and 90s. He sat with them at dinner and saw the faces of these unsung heroes beam with smiles and delight from his simple and yet obviously relatable comments and conversation about their military service.
He reminded them of things like the chow-line, mess hall, motor-pool, getting stuck with pots-n-pans on KP duty, a deuce-n-a-half, making “the-man” at guard duty inspection, 3-day passes, reveille, spit shined boots, starched fatigues, the Gideon bearer, foot lockers and surprise white-glove inspections. All of which were an integral part of what was clearly some of the most memorable years of their lives.
To arrange to have SGT Erschik visit your veteran loved one, in the hospital, assisted care facility, at a special occasion*, or in their private residence while they can appreciate it, you can contact him via the Contact Us page on this website.
*Including final service visitation – but only to have (pre-written) military history acknowledged and read to attendees. No graveside service. No flag folding.
NEW IN 2024 – In addition to “PERSONAL” regional visitation, “SUBMITTED” nationwide entries are now also accepted. Please tell your veteran friends about this. Reference the Veterans Visited tab on this website and click on one of the veteran’s pictures to get an idea for the content of your free listing. Then e-mail us a clean/clear photograph along with a 300-400 word write-up about the veteran. 25% about ‘before’ service. 50% about ‘during’ service. 25% about ‘after’ service. Allow approximately 2-3 weeks for your listing to appear with your understanding that we reserve the right to edit and/or refuse listings that don’t meet acceptable criteria.
If you would like to DONATE to this benevolent effort you can at the bottom of the Contact Us page of this website.