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Bauer rewarded for work with veterans
By Derek Hodges
Veterans in Jackson County who believe they work with the best veterans officer in the state now have proof.
Local Veterans Officer Russ Bauer has been recognized by the American Legion as the best veteran’s officer in North Carolina.
“It’s very rewarding,” Bauer said of the prize. “A fellow who just sits here and does his job and gets rewarded – that’s great.”
Russ Bauer, Jackson County veteran’s officer, was recently recognized by the American Legion as the top veteran’s officer in North Carolina. He was presented a plaque during a ceremony in Raleigh in mid-June. – Herald photo by Derek Hodges
Saying Bauer “just sits” is something of an understatement. For the past three-and-a-half years, he’s dedicated his life to helping veterans get the benefits they are entitled to.
“I’d like to find some way to see every veteran in the county to make sure they’re getting the benefits they deserve,” Bauer said.
Herald readers may recognize Bauer’s name – he was featured in the “Jackson Neighbors” column in August.
“Surely there is more to Bauer than VA matters, you might be thinking, and we would admit to wondering the same thing,” that article read. “But just try getting him to talk about anything else.”
Bauer’s passion for helping veterans remains strong. When told he and his award would be featured in the paper, his response was, “OK, if it will help get the word out (about benefits) to the veterans.”
Retired from the U.S. Air Force, Bauer spends his days preaching the benefits of enrolling with the Veterans Administration. Enrolling to receive the benefits can provide monthly checks, health care and other bonuses to those who have served their country, Bauer said.
“I see veterans come in here that are just barely making it who end up getting compensation from VA,” Bauer said. “For some of them it completely changes their lives. That’s what this job is all about. It’s very rewarding. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
Bauer attends meetings at William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104, where he gives regular updates on changes in veterans benefits. Veterans who run into Bauer outside his office at the Justice Center will likely face questions about whether they are receiving benefits and are registered at the VA Hospital in Oteen.
Bauer travels to Cherokee regularly to meet with veterans there, and he goes to Asheville to see local veterans who are hospitalized at the VA Hospital. In addition, he’s organized the county’s Memorial Day observances for the past couple of years.
It was that obvious dedication to his job that led members of Post 104 to nominate him for the statewide award.
“I felt very honored when they told me they decided to do that,” Bauer said. “It’s something I really didn’t expect.”
While he was surprised by the nomination, Bauer said he was even more shocked to receive word he won out of the more than 100 veterans officers in the state.
“I spent 20 years in the Air Force, so I received some medals and awards for my service,” Bauer said. “Really and truthfully, this is probably the award I cherish the most because it’s about helping veterans.”
For all the joy the job has brought Bauer, it does have its tough parts, he said.
“One of the hardest parts of this job is hearing about veterans who get into trouble and don’t have the coverage they could get,” Bauer said.
Even those stories don’t compare to the worst part of the job, he said.
“The absolute hardest part is, every morning I check the obituaries, and I contact the widows of veterans and tell them to come in to see me about widow’s benefits,” he said.
Seeing the “old guard” die off is troubling for Bauer, particularly for what it means for the American Legion.
The Legion has proved one of the best tools for getting the word about benefits out, Bauer said.
“Word of mouth works the best,” he said. “Just one veteran telling another.”
However, a majority of the Legion’s membership is older, and the group is having trouble getting younger veterans to join.
“If we can’t get those younger veterans to come out, then the organization won’t last much longer,” Bauer said.
For now, Bauer has no plans of slowing down on his mission. He hopes to help recruit younger veterans, both to receive benefits and to take part in the Legion. He’s also working to help older veterans live longer, healthier lives.
“I certainly am convinced of how deserving of this award he is,” Post 104 member Jim Nicholl said. “He kind of goes beyond the normal call of duty that goes with that position. He’s a real asset to the community, and he’s done a great job for a lot of individuals in this county.”
Bauer works by appointment. To schedule a meeting, call him at 631-2294. He also gives briefings on benefits to groups at their request.
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