Introduction

Veteran Visitor did not begin as a website. It began with one unexpected conversation among a room full of World War II and Korean War veterans.

Several years ago, I volunteered at a military event honoring nearly forty World War II and Korean veterans. Most of them in their late 80s and 90s. As I sat with them, I casually mentioned things like the chow line, the motor pool, KP duty, and even joked that one of the veterans at my table had “Pots-n-Pans” after the event.

Their faces lit up. They smiled. They laughed. They immediately began sharing stories from a time in their lives they had never forgotten. In that moment, I realized something that changed me forever: veterans share a bond that few civilians can fully understand. It doesn’t matter what branch they served in, what rank they held, or where they were stationed. If you served, you know.

That day, the idea for Veteran Visitor was born. I realized those conversations shouldn’t happen only by accident—they should happen on purpose.

So I had my Army dress uniform remade (a little larger than it was in 1967), and I began visiting fellow veterans in hospitals, assisted living communities, private homes, and at special events throughout Southwest Florida. I wasn’t there to give a speech or conduct an interview. I was simply one veteran visiting another.

We talked about military life—the chow line, the motor pool, guard duty, inspections, weekend passes, spit-shined boots, footlockers, and the countless experiences only another veteran immediately understands. Sometimes I talked. More often, I listened.

Every visit ended with a handshake, a sincere “Thank you for your service,” a commemorative Veteran Visitor Challenge Coin, and a personalized Certificate of Recognition. The smiles, conversations, and occasional tears convinced me that something was missing.

Too often, a veteran receives military recognition for the first time at a funeral or memorial service—when it’s too late for them to appreciate it. I wanted to change that. Every veteran deserves to know their service mattered while they are still here. And when they are no longer with us, their story deserves to be preserved by those who love them.

Today, at 81 years old, I can no longer make as many personal visits as I once did. But the mission has not ended—it has simply evolved.

What began with one veteran visiting another now continues through VeteranVisitor.com. Veterans and their families can preserve photographs, share stories, and create a permanent tribute honoring military service. Veterans whose submissions are accepted and listed also receive a commemorative Challenge Coin and a personalized Certificate of Recognition.

The visits started the mission. Now the website allows that mission to continue—reaching veterans and families across America while preserving stories that might otherwise be lost.

The personal visits started the mission. Today, this website allows that mission to continue. Every veteran has a story. Every story deserves to be remembered. Every veteran deserves our gratitude. Help spread the word.