A grateful heart: A Vietnam Veteran’s journey of healing and honor at the VA
Decades after the Vietnam War, the West Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System (WTVAHCS) is still providing crucial medical care to Veterans suffering from the long-term effects of their wartime injuries.
. Veterans from all walks of life are ultimately touched by war; some walk away unscathed, but for others, the injuries last a lifetime.
For Vietnam Veterans like Andres Rios, the journey of healing has been a lifelong process, with the VA playing a pivotal role in their recovery.
Recently, Rios, 76, from Midland, Texas, sat in the waiting room before his medical appointment to see his provider. He reflected on the injury that changed his life forever and how VA has been there every step of the way.
“I was hit while manning an observation post when two rockets struck inside our position,” he said. “I was patched up by a medic and woke up the next morning in a hospital with my legs bandaged up.”
The experience fifty years ago lying in a hospital bed kickstarted his journey with VA. He was told back then he would forever carry the scars of battle with him for the rest of his life. Not one to let the experience define him, Rios did what few others injured did during Vietnam: he got back up out of his bed, completed his rehabilitation, and rejoined his team.
"The day I woke up and saw my leg bandaged up, I was worried I lost my leg,” he recalled, his voice a quiet rumble. “I was able to wiggle my toes and knew I would be okay … I rejoined my unit 10 days later.”
Rios ended his time in a combat zone not long after rejoining his unit. He spent a few more months running patrols in the jungles of Vietnam before returning home and parting ways with the Army soon after. For his combat injuries, Rios received the Purple Heart. Over 350,000 Purple Hearts were awarded during the Vietnam War.
“You never know what can happen in the military,” he said. “I was hurt in Vietnam in 1969, and the VA has been there taking of me ever since the day I enrolled. Nobody asks for a Purple Heart, but I'm grateful that the VA has cared for me ever since.”
After joining the VA, Rios credits the staff and providers at the Odessa VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) as the driving force that gets him and others to walk through the door daily. His long-term injuries compelled him to seek care at the VA, which left him with a deep appreciation for what the providers and staff perform daily to support his healthcare needs.
“You find those within the VA have that real compassion for the people who served their country,” he said, a touch of warmth in his voice. “You tell them what’s wrong, and the providers and staff will help you any way they can."
War never hardened Rios, instead It softened his heart to his fellow brothers-in-arms and VA staff where he receives his care. He spends his time within the clinics making sure people understand VA is there to help the Veteran community.
“Mr. Rios has always shown gratitude and respect for the Odessa Veterans and VA staff. He would give out pendants, smile, and shake your hand,” said Sharon Davis, lead medical support assistant for the Odessa Clinic. This Veteran is one of a kind. He made other veterans’ day by equipping them with the new VA information, keeping all visitors informed and in the loop."
Rios has been a long-time patient of West Texas VA. He's one of 18,000 Veterans who trust WTVAHCS with their health care. To learn more about how VA can help our Veteran community, please visit https://www.va.gov or visit the nearest VA clinic.