Unsung Hero: Vet Helping Other Vets Save Email Print
Reporter: Erin Koskovich
Email Address: ekoskovich@nbc15.com


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As our veterans age, and others return from war, they sometimes don't know where to turn for the help they need. However, there's one veteran who works tirelessly to make sure other veterans are taken care of.

Larry Hauger works as a service officer with the Disabled American Veterans. "Bottomline is I help the fellow veterans," Hauger said.

He spends countless hours helping veterans get the benefits they need and deserve. "We go out of our way a lot to help the veterans because I believe that's what we're here for. If we're not here to help the veterans go home," stated Hauger.

His attitude has struck a cord with military families over the years. One family told us Larry goes above and beyond--coming in on holidays to visit veterans in the VA hospital and also making sure veterans have a way home before and after appointments. This sometimes means Larry or his volunteers don't get home until midnight. "Long days. I normally work here 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m., but there are days I don't get out of here until 5 or 6 in the evening anyway. It's just part of it," explained Hauger.

After serving more than 20 years in the military, Larry feels his mission now is to help his fellow vets. "It's a brotherhood that unless you were in the military, nobody will ever understand," explained Hauger.

Many of his brothers have come and gone over the years and that's been difficult for Larry. "I enjoy the job even though some days you go outside and hit your head against the tree to make it feel better. I still enjoy the job," said Hauger.

Larry wears a lot of different hats. He works as a claims officer for Disabled American Veterans. He arranges transportation for veterans to get to and from appointments. He also presents flags to widows and next of kin when a veteran passes. He says his most difficult task was to give a 12 year old boy a flag after he'd lost both parents to cancer in a years time. Larry is also quite a joker he has jokes posted all over his office and he has fun with volunteers and people that he works with. He says you have to keep things light in order to survive.

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Posted by: Kathie Location: Platteville on Dec 14, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Larry really deserved this commendation...I submitted him for the honor because of the personal experience my husband Greg (Rocky) Kluth had in his many contacts and hours spent with Larry. For me the "frosting on the cake" was when Rocky was terminally ill at the VA Hospital and Larry came to visit him (and other vets) on Thanksgiving Day. He may not know this, but whenever he called and I told Rocky it was Larry (he has a distinctive commanding voice), he would practically jump to his feet and salute before he answered the phone! He had so much respect for Larry, and also felt that special bond which vets have with each other, but Larry and Rocky's other vet friend Dennis Johnson were extra special and made a definite positive effect on his life, right up until the end. I thank God for people like Larry and Dennis (and his wife Patty Johnson) who give way more than necessary in order to make a better life for others who defended our country. May God bless all of you!

Posted by: Diane Location: Stoughton on Nov 30, 2007 at 01:04 AM
What a wonderful story on Larry Hauger. I've known him for several years. We got to know each other from watching his grandson and my son play many sports together. Larry is a rather humorous man, but is also a very compasionate and caring man. You can see how much he cares about everyone by watching how he interacts, not only with adults, but children also. Way to go Larry!