A New Ramp For Disabled Vietnam War Veteran

Operation Ramp It Up donates an aluminum ramp to a disabled veteran's East Enterprise home.

(Left to right) Jack Haslett, Greg Schneider, Adanna Haslett, PG Gentrup, and Joei Gray. Photo provided.

(East Enterprise, Ind.) - Jack Haslett is a disabled American Veteran who served two tours of duty in Vietnam from May 3, 1969 to November 9, 1970 with the 101st Airborne Division.  He served out of Camp Eagle and LZ Sally near the DMZ area and around Hue.  A lot of their patrols were called Sneak ‘N Peek.

Jack was born August 1, 1950 in Sunnyside, Washington and graduated from Kiona Benton High School in 1968.  He entered the Army in Oct. of 1968 and jokes that his senior trip was to Vietnam.  He took his training at Ft. Lewis, WA.  He was discharged in September 1971.

Jack worked at and retired from the Department of Corrections at Orofino, Idaho. He has one son and two granddaughters.

Jack married a girl from Lawrenceburg and they have been married for 33 years.  Adanna Schofstoll graduated from LHS in 1966.

Jack was awarded the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with palm, Bronze Star with V for Valor, Army Commendation Medal for valor with one oak leaf cluster, rifle marksmanship badge, Presidential Unit Citation and a Meritorious Unit Citation.

Jack was recently released from the VA Hospital where he was a patient for almost three months.  He was badly needing a ramp system for his home located on Mary Ann Drive in East Enterprise, IN.  A neighbor, Joei Gray, had posted his story on Facebook and several people offered to help with some lumber to build one or help install one.  PG Gentrup saw her story and contacted her about getting a nice aluminum ramp installed for Jack.  Sometimes things are just meant to happen.  The day before he saw the article, Greg Schneider had called PG about wanting to install one here in Southeastern Indiana.  Greg had been at Children’s Hospital delivering for UPS when he spoke with Lisa Keehan.  Lisa had met PG several years ago when he was involved with her dad, a World War II Veteran.  Greg was telling her and she told him to call PG and he would help find someone.  PG called Joei Gray and they got the project started and coordinating with Greg Schneider.  Greg is the president and co-founder of Operation Ramp It Up For Veterans.  This is ramp number 57 they have installed now in 14 different states.  The crew came from Wisconsin and was installing two ramps in Cincinnati and then came to Jack Haslett’s home to install his.

It involves several organizations along with the Operation Ramp It Up For Veterans and they are; Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the VFW Foundation, which is sponsored by UPS, Flags of Valor, Vets Access LLC, E-2Access, Barge Design Solutions Inc., and the UPS Foundation. Greg presented a wooden flag to Jack from the Flags of Valor, along with a challenge coin from the VFW.  Gentrup presented Jack with a 101st Airborne Challenge Coin (Screamin’ Eagles).

Ron Spurlock and Jerry Bondurant helped Gentrup with the coordination of the event and helped to take photos and measurements at the home so the installation could take place.

Greg Schneider does a wonderful job, not only with Ramp It Up, but is also involved with many other charitable organizations and helping with kids programs. Gentrup said he made a new friend who has a very big heart.

It’s an honor to work with people like Greg, who have the best interest of our veterans, and a man like Jack Haslett is so very deserving to be honored and recognized.  His life is now so much easier with the ramp. The cost of this extensive ramp and platform system was approximately $11,000.  That’s quite a donation.

Thanks, Greg, for all your help and for making our disabled veterans get the help they have earned with their dedicated service.

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