At the June 2021 Cretin Class of 1963 luncheon, Tom Troskey spoke about the upcoming annual August golf event (“The Charlie”), which was started in memory of another classmate, Charlie Schuldt, who passed away in September of 2016. Charlie was a frequent attendee at our monthly lunches. He was an avid golfer and sponsored a golf outing for us for several years at his home course before he died. In memory of him we continue with the annual golf event.
And the mention of Charlie’s name prompted Joe Brooks to tell us about the dramatic impact Charlie had on his life. Charlie was a U.S. Air Force veteran who had earned a disability payment as a result of his service, but that was unknown to most of us. At one of our monthly class lunches Charlie encouraged anyone who had health issues/disabilities (that could be a result of their service) they should contact the Minneapolis Veterans Administration (VA); he shared with us that he worked through the VA to file a claim for his disability and he gave us a general idea of how to proceed.
He inspired Joe Brooks to pursue a claim. Joe served in the United States Marine Corp from 10/12/1966 to 10/10/1969 as a Aviation Radio Repair specialist. He was Honorably discharged as a Sergeant. And he had health issues that resulted from his service.
The process was complex, but Joe was blessed with the help of two other veterans, Doug Borgeson and Hector Matascostillo. (Joe would be happy to put any veteran in touch with these two extremely helpful men should they want to pursue a claim with the VA).
It was a tough six-year battle and Joe wanted to quit many times, but Hector told him “ If you do not want to do it for yourself do it for the soldiers that are coming behind you.”. That comment instilled in Joe a resolve to finish the process regardless of how much time and work it would take. It paid off.
Joe was eventually awarded a 70% disability payment. He reminded all of us in attendance at the June luncheon that were it not for Charlie planting the seed, he might never have pursued a claim. And he encourages anyone who is a veteran (with a disability attributable to your service) to pursue a claim. It made a big difference in Joe’s life, and it could in yours.