Today marks one year since I publicly launched my veteran reform and advocacy campaign in honor of my father, Sgt. Richard Andrew Conn — a Vietnam veteran who risked his life serving our country.

What started as a grieving daughter reviewing medical records quickly became something much larger.

Over the last two years, I discovered:
- typos and inconsistencies on military records and awards
- fragmented and misfiled records across departments
- missing unit/location information from Vietnam service
- gaps in exposure documentation
- decades of disconnected medical history
- and systemic failures in interoperability between agencies and VA systems

I had to independently trace my father’s:
- unit history
- MOS duties
- award timelines
- Vietnam locations
- possible chemical and asbestos exposures
- and long-term health decline

All while trying to piece together records spread across multiple departments after leaving the Department of War.

Through this process, I became convinced my father’s experience is not unique.

This is why I continue advocating for:
- one unified interoperable records system across agencies
- MOS and location-based exposure screening
- yearly reevaluation of veterans for toxic exposures
- improved caregiver support
- modernized VA systems
- and better long-term tracking of service-related health conditions

Veterans should not spend decades trying to prove where they served, what they were exposed to, or why they are sick.

They protected and served us.

The least we can do is protect and serve them in return.

Today, I remember not only my father — but all those who risked and lost their lives serving our country 🇺🇸

#MemorialDay #Veterans #VAReform #TheConnAct#Military#Caregivers