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Constituent Success Stories
Sergeant Brendan Wilczynski, Mishawaka
Mr. Wilczynski contacted my office because, as a National Guard Active Guard and Reserve (AGR), he was not eligible for the same childcare benefits as Army Reserve AGRs.
Although their jobs are essentially identical, National Guardsmen are under the authority of their respective governors while the Army Reserves are under the authority of the president.
After learning of Sgt. Wilczynski’s concerns, I wrote to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates asking him to review the Department of Defense’s childcare benefits policies. Approximately two months later, I was contacted by Under Secretary of Defense David S.C. Chu who informed me that they would change the child care policy for all National Guard AGRs, granting them same childcare benefits as Army Reserve AGRs.
Pamala Ann Smith, North Judson
My staff and I were notified that a surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran was in need of help. While serving in Vietnam as a member of the Marine Corps, Pamala’s husband, Mr. Martin Smith, was exposed to Agent Orange. Though Mr. Smith suffered from many service-related health issues, he did not know he could file for VA benefits of any kind.
Once he discovered that he could apply, Mr. Smith had difficulty providing all the necessary information and his claim was denied. Later, with the assistance of his wife, he again applied for aid. Sadly, Mr. Smith passed away before a decision could be reached.
Mrs. Smith applied for survivor benefits and awaited a response. My staff and I contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs and within a week, we received notification of the decision. Mrs. Smith was awarded accrued benefits, as well as monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
Thomas Schmidt, South Bend
Mr. Schmidt requested assistance from my office after his son was injured in an accident and hospitalized. His son’s wife wished to be at her husband’s bedside and was having trouble caring for their two young children as a result. To help her out, his wife’s sister offered to come from Poland, but was denied entry to the United States on a visitor’s visa.
My staff and I sent an urgent e-mail to the U.S. Embassy in Krakow requesting that a visa be granted to the sister. Mr. Schmidt informed my office that the visa was granted soon after the e-mail was sent.
Sergeant Tony Bontrager, St. Joseph County
As a federal representative, I am able to help state and local governments obtain grants to fund projects that would benefit their communities.
In this capacity, Sgt. Tony Bontrager invited me to tour the St. Joseph County Homicide Unit in April 2007. During this visit, I learned that the current crime scene truck, which was formerly a bread truck, needed to be replaced.
My staff and I were able to assist the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office in applying for a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Justice. I was happy to learn that they received it. Because of this grant, the St. Joseph County Homicide Unit was able to receive the money needed to replace their crime scene truck.
John and Carol Peterson, LaPorte
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson contacted my office with concerns regarding Mrs. Peterson’s Medicare drug benefit and her insurance plan carriers. A carrier she had used in the past would not disenroll her causing her current carrier to refuse her benefits. My staff and I were able to get her disenrolled and, thus, allow her to receive her medical benefits.
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