A lifelong commitment to serving, ensuring Veterans smile

After 32 years in the U.S. Air Force, you can still find Perkins navigating his way through public service as he is an instructor, chaplain, and a VA volunteer.

Perkins is one of the Houston VA Medical Center’s first Red Coat Ambassadors and spends several days a week standing at the front entrance to the facility welcoming Veterans and assisting them with directions and answering questions. 

“There were four of us volunteering initially. We took care of people, told them how to get where they wanted to go,” said Perkins. “After several years, the program was officially named VA’s Red Coat Ambassador Program and it has really taken off.”

With 13 years under his belt as a Red Coat Ambassador, Perkins is dedicated to showing respect, kindness and heartfelt gratitude to Veterans, family members, visitors and staff.  He believes it’s critical to know where everything is located to ensure patients and their families get to their appointments on time.

“This is a big facility, so you have to learn where things are in relation to where folks need to be,” said Perkins. “People also ask other VA-related questions, so you need to know who to direct them to.”

What led to service?

As the youngest of seven children, Perkins has battled and overcome his share of adversity. He grew up in foster care and struggled with bad eyesight, obtaining his first pair of glasses at the tender age of three. 

Perkins didn’t let his poor vision deter him from his passion of airplanes.

In 1966, Perkins enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and his military career landed him a deployment in Athens, Greece as a phase dock inspector and crew chief crash team member.

In addition to his military service, Perkins has served with the Civil Air Patrol as a rescue, communications, and command officer.

Currently, he serves as Chaplain and Supreme Popa  Clown of The Military Order of the Cootie, a non-profit  Veterans Service Organization whose mission is to “Keep ‘em Smiling In Beds of White.”

Members of the Military Order of the Cootie bring snacks, clothing and put smiles on many patients faces through the art of telling jokes.

Each December he helps lay over 400 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery for what is known as ‘Tomb Trek’.

“I want my legacy to be that I served, and I care,” Perkins said. 

Perkins, who receives his medical care from both the Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic and the Houston VA, also takes an active role in encouraging other Veterans to come to the VA.

“The VA has some of the best doctors, I enjoy the quality care provided here,” he said. “I want other Veterans to benefit from the VA like I do.”

We thank Mr. Perkins for his service to our country and our VA.