Beaufort Veteran Honored at MCAS Beaufort Airshow

BEAUFORT, S.C. - April 11, 2015 - PRLog -- U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Eric T. Diggs joins members of the DAV (http://dav.org/) (Disabled American Veterans) Flight Team (http://davflightteam.com/), who alongside their B-25 Bomber “Panchito” are at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort this weekend sharing DAV’s message of support for local veterans at the MCAS Beaufort Air Show.  Eric is being recognized for his service with a special award: “Strength & Courage…Then & Now” reminding us that the services and benefits provided by DAV are just as relevant now as they were when DAV was founded in 1920.

Eric T. Diggs entered the Marine Corps in 1961 and served two combat tours in Vietnam. Retiring as MSGT, Marine Corps in 1986 he eventually moved to Beaufort, SC where he has been located on and off since 1962.  With the help of his friend ,Ret. Marine Corps SGTMAJ Woody Young, (former Commander of DAV Chapter 12, Beaufort) a VA Disability Claim was filed and approved, awarding Eric a 60% disability rating. Because of the help shown to him by the DAV and Chapter #12, Eric is now working diligently “Paying Back” his 25 years service to veterans in need of aid and assistance.

After three years membership in DAV Chapter 12, First Jr. Vice Commander Eric Diggs is a stalwart and strong supporter of the chapter’s work for local veterans. Diggs helps with meetings weekly to assist the Service Officers with filing compensation and pension claims with the VA.  Additionally, Diggs helps at the Beaufort VA Out-Patient Clinic three times weekly, serving coffee to the waiting veterans, their dependents and the active duty staff of the Naval Hospital.

“The DAV is an elite group who take care of veterans and their families. While my adage is ‘once a Marine, always a Marine’, I try to keep my thoughts and actions directed on not regressing, but rather on charging forward to help all in need, especially my fellow brothers and sisters of the armed forces.  They are out there fighting for our right to be here today enjoying things like this air show.  All of those men and women gave some…and some gave all,” said Diggs.

“Eric Diggs’ wit, charm and smile are always a welcome break from the despondent atmosphere found in most hospital and clinical environments.  He is a Veteran serving Veterans at the front line – always there and ready and certainly a true DAV Asset,” said Chris Swan, DAV Chapter 12  Commander.

Eric T. Diggs proudly joins the DAV Flight Team at the MCAS Beaufort Air Show alongside the B-25 “Panchito” to provide information about DAV programs/benefits and to remind people of the sacrifices veterans make for freedom.

The DAV Flight Team is an aviation outreach program on a nationwide airshow circuit to promote the services DAV provides to injured veterans and their family members.

DAV (Disabled American Veterans), representing more than 1.2 million disabled veterans, is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932.  It is dedicated to one single purpose:  fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.

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To learn more about the DAV Flight Team or for  downloadable photos of the B-25 Mitchell Bomber, go to www.davflightteam.com (http://www.davflightteam.blogspot.com/p/media-kit.html)