'He's a standout': Milwaukee VA volunteer earns national accolades

Jakubczyk was recently named the American Legion’s Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service Worker of the Year.

“It’s like an obsession with me,” Jakubczyk said. “We’re doing a service to our fellow Veterans. And being a history buff, I’ve gotten history lessons from being here, talking with the Veterans. And talking to fellow Veterans gives me a good feeling.”

His powers were on full display on a recent Monday morning as he visited with Veterans on the hospital’s seventh floor, offering puzzle books and back scratchers while engaging patients in conversation.

“You were in Okinawa? I was there too,” he tells one Veteran as they chatted about their similar experiences. Jakubczyk served in the U.S. Air Force in 1965-1969.

Each room he went to saw the patients’ eyes light up as Jakubczyk’s easy-going manner helped the patients relax and take their minds off their conditions for a few minutes.

“They like seeing Dan,” said Jessica Serdynski, chief of Voluntary Services for the Milwaukee VA. “It’s the conversations that he offers. The nurses don’t always have time to spend 10-15 minutes, so that’s where Dan comes in.

“Dan’s one of those guys who can tell a story from start to finish; he recalls every detail,” she said. “He’s so fun to listen to.”

Jakubczyk said he empathizes with the Veterans, many of whom may not have family and friends close by who can visit regularly.

“They say, ‘All I see is doctors and nurses,’ so to have someone come in and talk for a few minutes is appreciated,” he said. “And that makes me feel good.”

Jakubczyk became a volunteer at the Milwaukee VA 15 years ago when his wife Bonnie signed on to do the same. Since then, they’ve become mainstays at the hospital, and Dan is also the American Legion representative to the Milwaukee VA.

Serdynski and her staff have come to rely on Dan, noting he’s their “go-to guy” for annual events and unforeseen situations.

A few months ago, Dan dropped everything and rushed down to General Mitchell Airport to help a Veteran discharged from the Milwaukee VA’s Spinal Cord Injury Center get to his flight.

To him, it was simply the right thing to do. But to the Veteran, it was invaluable.

“He’s a standout,” Serdynski said. “He’s here weekly, and he’s a fixture, a face that people recognize in the hallway. He’s just amazing.”

Serdynski said she wasn’t surprised when she learned of Dan’s national honors. “It’s because of all those hours and years he has put in, and his dedication to helping Veterans.”

Dan received his award Feb. 26 during the American Legion’s 64th Washington Conference in the nation’s capital.

“We talk about a servant heart. That’s exactly what we’re talking about (with Jakubczyk),” said American Legion National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer, who presented the award.

Jakubczyk has been a member of the American Legion for 55 years, 46 of those with Post 434 in Oak Creek. He said receiving the award made him “proud and humble.”

Staying active is important to Jakubczyk — he often walks the stairs of the 10-story Milwaukee VA hospital — and has no plans to slow down.

“We’re doing a service to our fellow Veterans, and I’m going to continue (volunteering) as long as the good Lord lets me,” he said. “I may be getting up there in age, but as long as I can make it to the VA, I will still be doing this.”