Walker Furniture’s Help for Heroes program helps 10 Las Vegas veterans
Las Vegas resident Vincent Herbert lives in a two-bedroom condominium, has a “decent amount of food” and pays his bills on time.
His life, however, wasn’t always that way.
When the former U.S. Army communications specialist and boxer returned home in 1989, he got a job as an electronics technician for Sharp Electronics in New York City before going to work as a locomotive freight conductor for the former railroad system, Conrail.
“The railroad doctors diagnosed me with head trauma from boxing,” he said. “The diagnosis limited my options of making a good living, and now I’m on a fixed income.”
For 11 years, Herbert was homeless and lived at various hotels and bus stops across the country.
“The railroad things fell apart from there,” he said, explaining that because of his head injury he wasn’t able to be a conductor anymore and had to find something else. “But I made it work and refused to live too badly.”
According to Herbert, the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, which provides rental assistance for homeless veterans, helped him obtain his condo in Las Vegas.
“It used to be out of reach for me,” he said of housing.
On Saturday morning, Herbert, along with nine others, were recognized by Walker Furniture’s Help for Heroes program, which provides wounded U.S. military personnel and veterans in Clark County with furniture and specialized items such as lift chairs and adjustable beds.
“They’ve helped me furnish my home,” Herbert said. “I’ve been given a good opportunity, and now that I have housing I’d like to pursue a livable wage.”
He added that he ideally would like to return to work at a railroad.
“I’m not eligible anymore to be a locomotive conductor because of my disability, but there are lots of other jobs on the railroad,” he said. “There are a lot of disabled veterans who can still work, and I’d like to pursue that.”
Upon receiving nominations for Walker Furniture’s program, American Legion Paradise Post 149 in Las Vegas visited the homes of 20 veterans and had to narrow the recipients down to 10, according to Commander John Rupe.
“We had to verify their veteran status and that there was a need,” he said. “A lot of them had nothing.”
Rupe, a former military police specialist for the Army, said because he never was deployed, he feels the need to give back to those who have been.
“I was lucky because I didn’t suffer from any injuries or disabilities,” he said. “It’s meaningful for me because it’s my way of giving back to those who gave more.”
David Perdun of Las Vegas said the time he served in the Navy as a petty officer first class from 1974 to 1991 was the greatest time in his life.
“I loved it, and I miss the camaraderie,” he said. “I feel closer to the people I served with than my own family.”
Perdun said he requested a bed from Walker Furniture and is overwhelmed at the support from the company and American Legion Paradise Post 149. All 10 recipients requested an item or items of furniture but haven’t yet been told what they’re getting.
“It’s a great feeling to see that others are willing to give back,” he said. “It often feels like we’re pushed aside, and it’s great to see that there are people who care about us.”
Perdun said he hopes military personnel returning home reach out to those around them.
“Don’t give up because there are opportunities out there for everyone,” he advised. “Keep striving forward and ask for help.”
Walker Furniture owner Larry Alterwitz said the Help for Heroes program is in its second year and stemmed from the company’s Home for the Holidays program, which helps individuals and families who are in need during the holiday season.
“I wanted to come up with another program that helps veterans during the summer,” he said. “I’ve always been touched by veterans because they put their lives on the line for our freedom.”
Alterwitz said he will make sure that the program continues for years to come.
“It’s my commitment to keep getting involved with local veterans and finding ways to help any way that I can,” he said. “I hope they realize that there are people who care about them and that they know they’re appreciated and needed.”
Contact Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Find her on Twitter: @AnnFriedmanRJ.
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