NEWS RELEASE

Veteran Visitor Program Expands Nationwide —
Now Accepting Online Submissions from Veterans Across the United States

After more than a decade of personally visiting military veterans across South Florida in his sign-of-the-time military dress uniform, 81-year-old Army NCO SGT E-5 Richard Erschik is expanding his acclaimed Veteran Visitor program nationwide. Effective immediately, the program is now accepting online applications and submissions from veterans and their families across the United States through www.VeteranVisitor.com

The Veteran Visitor program was founded in July 2015 by Richard Erschik — a successful businessman with nearly 40 years of corporate experience, a sought-after trade show exhibitor educator, and an Army NCO SGT E-5 who served his country from 1965–1967 during the Vietnam War era. For more than ten years, SGT Erschik has dedicated himself to a singular and deeply personal mission: visiting aging WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans for relatable conversation, camaraderie, and peer-to-peer recognition — at absolutely no charge.

The inspiration for the program came when Erschik served as a Chamber of Commerce board member and participated in organizing a committee military event that assembled and honored nearly forty WWII veterans in their late 80s and 90s. As he made simple, relatable comments to the unsung heroes about the chow-line, the motor-pool, KP, and Pots-n-Pans, he watched their faces beam with smiles. In that moment, his “light went on.” He saw that what these veterans longed for was not ceremony — it was recognition and connection. Someone who understood. Someone who had been there.

During each Veteran Visitor visit, SGT Erschik would arrive in his military dress uniform and engage veterans in relatable conversation, listen to their stories, and leave them with a commemorative challenge coin, a personalized Veteran Visitor certificate of appreciation, and his peer-to-peer thanks for their service. A week later their photo and story are posted on the Veteran Visitor website. The visits are always provided at absolutely no charge.

 

“Too many families arrange for military recognition of their veteran loved ones at their funeral when it’s too late for the deceased to really appreciate the attention. While my will also requests military recognition when I die, I know what it would mean if someone did this for me while I’m still alive to enjoy and appreciate it.”

— SGT Richard Erschik, U.S. Army (1965–1967)

 

Now at 81 years old, SGT Erschik acknowledges that he is no longer able to personally travel to visit every veteran. But his mission has not changed — only the way he delivers it has changed. The program is now accepting “online” submissions, making it possible for veterans and their families from every state in the nation to participate and be recognized.

The program’s expansion nationwide is a natural evolution. Honorable military veterans across the United States share a common bond of experiences and memories from having served their country — a bond that most civilians have a difficult time relating to. That bond transcends all branches of service, uniforms, and 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 that military service has on a person.

 

“The reward from each visit has always been reciprocal — while they get to tell them, I get to hear incredible stories and memories, and I leave with their unconditional acceptance and appreciation. Now, by accepting online submissions from across the country, we can ensure that no American veteran goes unrecognized, no matter what state they call home.”

— SGT Richard Erschik

 

With this nationwide expansion, veterans and family members can now submit a veteran’s story and photo and request recognition through www.VeteranVisitor.com. Visit the website for complete instructions on how to submit online. Each recognized veteran will receive a personalized Veteran Visitor certificate of appreciation and a commemorative challenge coin by mail. The program is also actively seeking likeminded, honorably discharged military veteran volunteers across the United States who want to join the Veteran Visitor initiative and visit their veteran peers in their own communities. A veteran visit or online recognition also makes a meaningful birthday or special occasion gift for a family member veteran or friend.

The response to the program has been overwhelming since its very first month in 2015, when visited veterans and their families began sharing heartfelt stories and appreciation. Shanda, the daughter of Korean War veteran Robert Koller, captured the spirit of the program in her own words: “Thank you for a wonderful experience. While we all enjoyed meeting you, Dad loved talking about his memories with someone he connected with immediately.”

That same spirit — of instant connection, of shared understanding, of one veteran honoring another — is now being extended to every state in the nation.

The Veteran Visitor program is made possible by the generous support of fellow Americans who believe in honoring those who served. SGT Erschik gratefully acknowledges the program’s most recent monthly and one-time donors, Larry Johnson and Jeff Seliga, whose contributions help ensure that veterans across the country continue to receive the recognition they have earned and deserve. You can donate to the program > here.

How You Can Help

  • If you have a military veteran family member or close friend — anywhere in the United States — who served honorably and deserves to be recognized, visit www.VeteranVisitor.com for complete instructions on how to submit online.
  • If you are a likeminded, honorably discharged military veteran — anywhere in the United States — who would like to volunteer with the Veteran Visitor program to visit your veteran peers in your community, visit www.VeteranVisitor.com for instructions on how to apply.
  • If you are a veteran or family member with a story to share, visit www.VeteranVisitor.com for instructions on how to submit your story online.

God Bless America…

For additional information:

Reference: www.VeteranVisitor.com

Contact: Richard Erschik via E-mail SgtErschik@VeteranVisitor.com

Phone/Text Direct: 630-642-6500