Having received an email from Suzanne Haehl regarding Richard, I sent her an email where I discussed Agent Orange and our young people not understanding that it has caused a lot of suffering. I told her to rely on her family and faith as she still is suffering her loss. I put her in our database as a guest so she can still get emails.
Rich, you have no idea how much your last message meant to me.
He indeed was a casualty of the Vietnam War, just not with a bullet. He suffered for many years, finally succumbing to many issues, including diabetes, retinopathy (loads of vision problems), neuropathy and finally Parkinson's Disease. These were all classic, presumptive conditions of Agent Orange. I must say that the VA was very supportive and helped me through many issues over the years. At the end, the VA thanked him for his service and sacrifice and sent me a certificate from a grateful nation honoring his "devoted and selfless consecration to the service of this country in the Armed Forces of the Unite States." With all the bad press that the VA gets, I thought I should share my positive experience with them.
I understand that when you enter his death, I will no longer receive notices, but I hope you can forward the notice of his death when you post it. It would mean a lot that you will mention Richard's service and death when your class gets together.
It has been a difficult year and was tough when Richard's birthday arrived. I know the holidays will be difficult, too, but I will rely upon my children and my faith to get me through them.
Thank you, Rich, for your compassion. This has meant so much to me.
Richard and I were best freinds all during grade school, junior high and most of high school. I was over at his house, or he was over at my house almost every day. I remember his Mom as being a very nice lady, always smiling. His Dad was a hoot. A very funny guy. He used to take Richard and me to the Indy 500 qualifications when we were young. I still remember the picture of Tarzan in Richards' room. (It was his cousin.) (I think.) And by the way, Richard was probably one of the strongest guys in our class.
By the time we got our drivers licenses, we started off in other directions. After graduation, I lost track of him (and most of my other classmates). The last time I talked with him was shortly before our 50 year Class Reunion. I was so thrilled to talk with him that short time on the phone.
Richard Hoerger
Having received an email from Suzanne Haehl regarding Richard, I sent her an email where I discussed Agent Orange and our young people not understanding that it has caused a lot of suffering. I told her to rely on her family and faith as she still is suffering her loss. I put her in our database as a guest so she can still get emails.
You will appreciate her response below.
Rich
On Oct 2, 2021, at 1:39 PM, SUZANNE HAEHL <rhaehl@comcast.net> wrote:
Rich, you have no idea how much your last message meant to me.
He indeed was a casualty of the Vietnam War, just not with a bullet. He suffered for many years, finally succumbing to many issues, including diabetes, retinopathy (loads of vision problems), neuropathy and finally Parkinson's Disease. These were all classic, presumptive conditions of Agent Orange. I must say that the VA was very supportive and helped me through many issues over the years. At the end, the VA thanked him for his service and sacrifice and sent me a certificate from a grateful nation honoring his "devoted and selfless consecration to the service of this country in the Armed Forces of the Unite States." With all the bad press that the VA gets, I thought I should share my positive experience with them.
I understand that when you enter his death, I will no longer receive notices, but I hope you can forward the notice of his death when you post it. It would mean a lot that you will mention Richard's service and death when your class gets together.
It has been a difficult year and was tough when Richard's birthday arrived. I know the holidays will be difficult, too, but I will rely upon my children and my faith to get me through them.
Thank you, Rich, for your compassion. This has meant so much to me.
Richard Parks
Richard and I were best freinds all during grade school, junior high and most of high school. I was over at his house, or he was over at my house almost every day. I remember his Mom as being a very nice lady, always smiling. His Dad was a hoot. A very funny guy. He used to take Richard and me to the Indy 500 qualifications when we were young. I still remember the picture of Tarzan in Richards' room. (It was his cousin.) (I think.) And by the way, Richard was probably one of the strongest guys in our class.
By the time we got our drivers licenses, we started off in other directions. After graduation, I lost track of him (and most of my other classmates). The last time I talked with him was shortly before our 50 year Class Reunion. I was so thrilled to talk with him that short time on the phone.
May he rest in peace and comfort,
Richard Parks