Vietnam-era Kansas veteran runs free resource website for service members

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — To 1000’s of veterans throughout the nation, James Bower is thought by a special title.

“It’s been kinda neat to satisfy individuals and go, oh, you’re the ‘Veteran Bargains’ man!” Bower mentioned.

Since 2011, Bower has run a free web site — compiling a whole lot of sources for veterans.

“There’s numerous info on the market, however it’s all segmented,” Bower mentioned. “The nationwide listing has over 400 locations. The Wichita listing has 130 locations — vets can’t get to all of them,” Bower mentioned.

Bower’s web site options dozens of nonprofits particularly for veterans. Referencing a category parable, they’re what Bower calls his “starfish” organizations.

“So I’m taking the starfish, and I’m throwing them again within the water … and the Younger Man says, ‘Outdated Man, there should be miles of seaside and 1000’s of starfish; you possibly can’t probably make a distinction!’ And the Outdated Man reaches down, and he picks up a starfish, and he tosses it into the ocean, and he says ‘I made a distinction to that one,’” Bower mentioned.

Bower says his assist of the navy began at a younger age.

“My dad served throughout Korea … he was my hero, and he was the one which I believe actually received me began on that trajectory,” Bower mentioned.

Bower himself is a Vietnam-era veteran: a helicopter mechanic at Fort Riley and a reforager in Germany. Bower says one among his favourite reminiscences of his time within the U.S. Military is when he would drive armed personnel carriers on the Autobahn.

“We had helmets with intercoms, however our intercom didn’t work, so my observe commander picked up a giant stick, and he would faucet me on one aspect of the helmet or the opposite aspect of the helmet relying upon which method he wished me to go,” Bower mentioned.

At 19, Bower was promoted to Sergeant and was liable for the care of his whole firm’s constructing.

Years later, Bower took his expertise to the VA, the place he processed roughly 24,000 claims.

“I’d thank every vet, and I’d say, on behalf of myself and our nation, I’d wish to thanks to your service … and I keep in mind very distinctly speaking to combat-hardened veterans that was, simply begin bawling on the cellphone, ‘cuz no one had ever thanked ’em,” Bower mentioned.

Bower says the self-discipline instilled in him from his time within the service helped make his web site a actuality.

“In the event you had any individual who was falling behind, you helped them to catch up, and in the event you had been falling behind, others reached again and helped you as effectively … and I believe that carries on,” Bower mentioned.

Bower was additionally instrumental within the planning course of to convey the Shifting Wall to Valley Heart. For extra info on the Shifting Wall, click on right here.

If you want to appoint a veteran for our Veteran Salute, e mail KSN reporter Hannah Adamson at hannah.adamson@ksn.com.