Military personnel are strong individuals. They are trained for some of the toughest situations in the world and prepared to face almost anything. This is why it is difficult for former servicemembers to ask for help when they need it. There is a sense of pride and self-service that veterans develop, so many never use the services available to them.
Yuma native Will Bailey is just one of those veterans. He served in the Army from 1968-1971 in Vietnam. However, the Yuma Sun reported that Bailey only used veteran affairs center services for the first time six months ago.
"There's no comparison as to where I was before. I was going nowhere fast," Bailey told the Yuma Sun. "If you're a veteran, it's to your benefit to get yourself known to the VA Center. It's tough to get out of a rut, but the place I'm at now is a whole new ballgame."
When Bailey's bicycle, his only means of transportation, went missing, the VA was the first to step up. According to the news source, the Yuma VA worked with local businesses to surprise the former servicemember with a new bike.
The bike was presented to him on Sept. 23, and he was very grateful for the gift.