June 14, 2016 -LTC (Ret) Larry Dandridge joined us to speak about Volunteering at the Ralph A Johnson VA hospital, the Fisher House, the helicopter war in Vietnam and his new book “Blades of Thunder”. Larry is the CEO and editor of Tigers, Vikings & Vipers Publishing LLC.
The Ralph A Johnson Medical Center is in the top 10 of VA medical centers and LTC Dandridge asked for more support for the medical center either in volunteering or in donations. Often patients come in for routine exams but get admitted unexpectedly without clothing or toiletries. The government, while providing many things for veterans, does not provide everything they need.
Parking has also historically been a problem for the Medical Center as well. Although they finally got a parking deck built, it took 10 years, they need additional parking again. While parking is not an unusual problem in Charleston, for veterans with PTSD, and/or limited funds to pay for parking, the issue is magnified when they are unable to find parking or running late as a result.
Families of patients also need places to stay. Many cannot afford to stay in local hotels and as a result, don’t visit, sleep in their cars or in an uncomfortable chair in the patient room. The Fisher House is a place for these families to stay and many VA medical centers have them nearby. Charleston is getting one at Smith and Wentworth Streets. It will have 16 suites and a library in a restored carriage house on site. It is free for families and is staffed by the VA and volunteers providing transportation to the hospital as well.
He continued discussing the helicopter war in Vietnam, a war that claimed 58,000 American lives. His book “Blades of Thunder” was written to honor them and the veterans that returned but to also show that that veterans contribute more than just their service to their country. The book is about 6 flight school classmates who go to Vietnam. 5 of them return with the scars of war, the book is dedicated to Jerry Markland, who was killed flying a smoke ship helicopter. After all these years, LTC Dandridge was able to find Jerry’s family through the book.
— Don Baus, Keyway Committee Chair