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Angel Rivera, Veteran

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

TAMPA HEIGHTS - In 1972, Angel Rivera joined a chapter of the Disabled American Veterans in New York after the organization helped him get veterans' benefits.

Five years before, he had spent 90 days in Vietnam as a medic with the Army's 101st Airborne. His unit was ambushed on top of a hill. Of the 36 unit members, only 10 survived, and Rivera suffered injuries to his legs, arms and back.

He said the experience resembles the movie "Hamburger Hill."

Rivera, 62, moved to Tampa in 1977 and became active in the Disabled American Veterans. He served as commander of Chapter 4 in 1991 and has been commander since 2000.

The organization assists veterans and their families with benefit information and is an advocacy group. The 3,500-member chapter, the only one in Tampa, meets at noon the second Tuesday of the month at 2612 Tampa St. It will close from June 10 to Sept. 8, although Rivera and others will check telephone messages left at (813) 223-4059.

Q. What is the organization's role?

A. It means advocacy. We go to Washington once a year to talk to Congress and senators about veterans' benefits. About five of us go from this chapter.

Q. Are veterans' benefits adequate?

A. They are adequate as far as budgetary mandates. What we are concerned about is the veteran gets proper medical treatment because a lot of things are overlooked. Even if the benefits are available, a lot of veterans don't apply - they don't know; they are too proud.

Q. What might people not know about veterans?

A. Veterans suffer injuries that people don't see. If you see me walking around, you don't think I have injuries. If I go to the beach, then you see the scars on my back, on my legs.

Q. What did you do before moving to Tampa?

A. I worked as a pharmacy clerk in 1965. I worked as a pharmacy technician in New York City from 1969 until 1977. I was in Vietnam in 1967 for 90 days. I was in the military from 1966 to 1969.

Q. What do you do outside of your volunteer work with the chapter?

A. I like going fishing. I go out on the Gulf. I like sports. I don't have the strength to do it. I have been to Spain, France, Jerusalem, countries in Latin America and Canada.

Q. Do you have a favorite country to visit?

A. I enjoyed every one. Each one has its own adventure.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

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