Saving Lives, and Changing Lives
January 2024 Cover Story for The American Legion Magazine
Since it opened in 2018, The American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R) service office at the John H. Geiger Operations Center (GOC) in Indianapolis has successfully filed or appealed more than $195 million in Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation for veterans.
But those are just numbers, albeit staggering ones. Behind those numbers, though, are stories. And a small handful of them were shared Oct. 3 during a special event at GOC that brought together veterans who have been assisted by staff at the office for the opportunity to talk about the impact The American Legion has made on their lives.
“I Thank God for The American Legion.”
Mike Chastain joined the U.S. Army in 1966 and served in Vietnam until 1969. After some time in the Army Reserves, he rejoined active duty in the Army in 1977 before retiring in 1995. While in Vietnam, his landing zone received regular heavy fire from the enemy. He also narrowly missed being hit by a mortar while in bed, saying a voice told him to get out of the building – though he was the only man in it.
“When I came home, I didn’t know it, but I had things in my brain that I never did before,” said Chastain.
He was one of five brothers who served in the military, three of whom had tours in Vietnam. One of those was instrumental in connecting Chastain with American Legion Claims Specialist Steve Voller.
Chastain had first gone to the VA in Dayton before being referred to the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. It was at Roudebush he was told he needed to file a benefit claim and was given forms to fill out.
Chastain reached out to one of his brothers for advice and was told that, “The American Legion is the best place to go,” he said. “And you know what? The American Legion is the best place to go.”
“We’re not just an organization. We’re a lifeline.
We don’t charge. We do it because you earned it.
Never forget that.
You are our brothers, our sisters, our family.”