I joined the Air Force at age 18. After basic training I was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, where I served as an aircraft machinist starting in 1983. I became paraplegic in 1986 after being in a car accident that broke my neck.

After several major surgeries and about four to five months of rigorous rehabilitation to stabilize me, I returned to Pennsylvania to complete many years of physical and occupational therapy. I still do physical therapy to keep me in shape and active.

I joined the Paralyzed Veterans of America in the early 1990s when I was approached by a Keystone Chapter member and that’s when I joined the chapter and became active. I have been involved in all types of sports and recreation programs, whether they be local, state, or at the national level, such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, for the past ten years, where I’ve been awarded many medals and awards for my efforts.

I’ve served as the chapter’s Deputy Representative of the VA Volunteer Services program at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, Pa., for many years, and I am now the primary Representative. I also am a member of the Patients Centered Care Committee and the Veterans Advisory Council at the Altoona VAMC. I’ve been a regular volunteer at the Altoona VAMC for almost ten years and have been acknowledged with many pins, certificates and awards for my hours of dedication to veterans for my efforts.

In 2013, the chapter elected me to its Board of Directors, and I subsequently assumed the role of board secretary. I also am the Keystone Chapter’s hospital liaison officer (HLO) for the chapter, which involves monitoring and reporting on the care of veterans at the Altoona VAMC, and I am the chapter’s site leader for Keystone Chapter members in the Altoona-Johnstown-Somerset region.

I want to give back to my fellow veterans as much as possible, because Paralyzed Veterans and the VA were there when I needed help and they still continue to meet my needs. I am honored to be part of this fine organization and love to help my fellow veterans in any way that I can.

I am 80 years old and married to Agnes Strang, the Volunteer Coordinator of Keystone PVA. We have two children, Loren and Tom; both are married. They have blessed us with seven beautiful grandchildren—one boy and six girls.In the early 1960s, I served on the submarine USS Carp (SS-338). My rank was Torpedoman Second Class SS and I was responsible for the aft torpedo room.

My spinal cord injury level is complete, and my function level is paraplegia.In the past 18 years, I have served at times as your treasurer, secretary, member of the Board of Directors, sports director, and hospital liaison officer.At present, I am your membership officer, associate sports director, member of the board of directors, and hospital liaison officer for the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). 

I am the Keystone Chapter’s VA Voluntary Service Representative at the H. John Heinz III Progressive Care Center and the University Drive hospital of the VAPHS. I monitor the SCI clinic and the wheelchair seating clinic at the Heinz PCC.My goals and those of the Chapter are to uphold the commitment to improving the quality of life and protecting the rights of spinal-cord-injured and neurologically impaired patients. 

The major areas of effort include providing health care benefits, ensuring service rights, conducting SCI research, promoting recreation and sports activities, and working to create legislation that guarantees employment opportunities and civil rights while striving to become leaders in overcoming barriers in everyday life. Our goals are: Consistency, Determination and You – our members.

Resident: Apollo, Pennsylvania I joined the United States Air Force on February 19, 1980. I went through basic training in San Antonio, Texas, graduated on April 1, 1980, and then proceeded to Denver, Colorado, at Lowry Air Force Base. Where I received an intensive course in electronics and optical sensor systems where we trained on how to maintain and repair high-altitude reconnaissance systems. These systems included RF-4C reconnaissance fighter jets and the famous SR-71 high-altitude long-range reconnaissance jets. 

After the 12 week course and passing a final exam I was given orders to report to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Where I was placed in one of three squadrons—two training squadrons and one active—I was in the active-duty squadron, where at a moment's notice we could be deployed in any part of the world. We had to maintain 24-hour readiness status. We always kept our bags packed. 

After serving at this base for 2 1/2 years, we transferred our squadron to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. We continue to fly and train pilots seven days a week. Part of this training was viewing the high-altitude reconnaissance film and assessing pilots' missions.

I retired from a U.S. Navy career that spanned from March 31, 1970, to October 31, 1990. My first day of boot camp was April Fools’ Day, and I retired on Halloween. As an Electrician’s Mate, I worked primarily in the engineering areas of power generation and distribution. I spent my 15 years of sea duty with the Marines in the amphibious forces—the Gator Navy. I’ve traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas and transited both the Panama and Suez Canals.

Notable experiences include becoming a Shellback after crossing the Equator off the coast of Kenya and a Blue Nose twice after crossing the Arctic Circle off Norway. I’ve had the privilege of seeing the Crown Jewels of England, the Acropolis in Athens, the Great Pyramids, and the King Tut exhibit at the Cairo Museum in Egypt.I became a member of the Paralyzed Veterans due to transverse horizontal myelitis, a condition triggered by the reactivation of childhood chickenpox near my spinal cord. 

Despite not having a broken spine, the inflammation at the T-4 vertebra resulted in temporary sensory loss.My personal experience with paralysis is what drives me to stay actively involved with Paralyzed Veterans. Before my condition, I had little exposure to those with disabilities. Now, having experienced the challenges of life in a wheelchair, I am more aware of the obstacles we face and the ways we overcome them. The chapter introduced me to adaptive sports and gave me the opportunity to speak with members of Congress on behalf of our members. 

I take pride in sharing our chapter's work and advocating for our veterans.Over the years, I’ve served in various roles within the Keystone Chapter, including Secretary-Treasurer, Service Officer, Fundraising Chairman, Combined Federal Campaign speaker, and Sharing and Caring Committee representative. While I submit a monthly report on my chapter-related activities, I do not track my yearly hours. My focus remains on improving the organization for paralyzed veterans.On a personal note, my wife, Jean, joined my naval career in 1976 and supported me through fourteen years as a Navy wife. She now works with me at chapter functions. We have a daughter, Stacey. 

I hold an Associate Degree in Specialized Technology from Dean Institute of Technology. In my downtime, I enjoy needlepoint and have donated many of my pieces to support veterans' programs, including colorful ones that brighten rooms in the hospice wing of the Lebanon VA Medical Center.