Sisters man honored for service

Tom Salgado is a man on a mission to help Sisters veterans.

Now, those veterans have officially recognized his service.

On Wednesday, July 7, at the monthly meeting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion (AL), veterans presented Salgado with a Veterans Certificate of Appreciation and a Medal of Citizenship, with ribbon.

Although not a veteran himself, Salgado is an advocate for veterans everywhere, and none know it more than the veterans of Sisters with medical needs. Submitting a claim and getting it approved is not a task to be taken lightly. Many have been denied obvious claims and fallen into discouragement. Many never get the medical attention they desperately need.

Fourteen years ago, Salgado spent his days with Phil Chlopek, who was the post commander of the Sisters VFW - a man who tirelessly served vets by searching them out, getting to know them, asking if they were OK. Chlopek passed away in 2002 and Salgado kept up his friend's work.

"I was with Phil when he talked with vets, and I got to help him set up the first Veterans Day program at Sisters High School with Principal Bob Macauley," Salgado recalled. "I've been doing it ever since - it's what I know."

Salgado also knows how to find the vets who are in need, those with shrapnel still imbedded in their bodies, those who've been exposed to chemicals, those haunted by what they've seen.

"Tom Salgado is the most unselfish individual I've ever known," said Gene Hellickson, post commander of the Sisters American Legion. "He's a humble man who is there for others. He does this every day. I don't think there's anybody in the whole state that does what he does."

Services for local veterans become more accessible.

"The toughest part (of submitting a claim) has always been the paperwork, but I shoulder all that work for them. The vets just have to participate," said Deschutes County Veterans' services officer Keith Macnamara. "I'm here to assist all vets and their families with any VA benefits they may be eligible for."

That's where Salgado comes in. He finds vets who are struggling without their benefits and encourages them to meet with Macnamara or to resubmit their claims.

"We love our vets; we support our troops. That's what I believe in," said Salgado.

Sisters VFW post commander, Jack Kinsey, said, "Tom has always been there for us. He goes above and beyond the average citizen. Together, he and Lance Trowbridge are the ones who brought us the memorial stone with the veterans' names on it at Village Green Park. It wouldn't be there without them."