Testimonials

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Below are some of the testimonial statements from members that the American Veterans United organization has helped. To find out how to submit a testimonial, please click the AVU LOGO. Thank you for your continued support.

February 5, 2022

My name is Debbie Smith. I was married to John Smith for 47 years. He served in Vietnam with the 3rd Marine Division. Approximately  3 years ago he started to apply for benefits thru the Veterans Administration. He had already been a patient for 10 years. His primary physician was at the East Valley VA with his surgeries done at W LA VA hospital.

During the process of filing out the forms he was getting help with a lovely lady at East Valley. Then Covid hit and they closed her office. My husband continued to apply and could not get help any where. All the American Legion Halls were shut down. Then he diagnosed with lung cancer. A dear friend who was good on the computer helped him submit the rest of his application. He had 2 rounds of chemotherapy, 1 round of immonotherapy and two rounds of radiation. He continued to fight for his life and his benefits. April 19, 2021 I took him in a wheelchair to his exam with an independent physician and psychologist. 

May 1,2021 John passed away at home. May 7, 2021 while looking at our checking account online I found the VA had deposited money into our account. The next week i called the VA and told them he had passed. They said they would email me forms to fill out. They sent 50 pages. I was overwhelmed and had no where to turn. 

John's Palliative care nurse from the VA W LA continued to call every  couple of weeks to check on me. One day she called and said some information had passed by her desk and she wanted me to call this organization. I called the number and left a message for Henry. Twenty minutes later he called and listened to my story.  Then he says he is going to have his associate Frank call me. He explains Frank takes all the information. Sure enough within 30 minutes Frank called.  

That Thursday was going to be Johns funeral.  He offered to come to the house and I asked if it would be OK to go to his home on Friday. I felt it would be good for me to take a ride by myself that day. I brought everything he said he needed and he went thru those 50 pages  in no time. Turns out only about 7 applied my circumstances. He took all the information and told me the paper work would be done  next week. By the middle of the next week I had the paper work back and instructions on making an appointment and delivering the  paperwork to the Federal Building.(it had just reopened). Very quickly I received the award letter. It is amazing what this organization has done for me.  I have now become a lifetime member and attended some of the meetings in Moorpark. They have helped so many veterans and their meetings are so full of information. I will continue to support and be an active member of American Veterans United, Inc.  Thank You will never be enough

January 15, 2022

My name is Harold Dundish. I served in the New York Army Reserve National Guard from 1966 through 1971. My MOS was 11C, Motorman. During all live fire exsercises we were not provided any protective gear for our ears. This was throughout my Five years in the National Guard during all live fire training. 

I noticed my hearing was not the same during my time in the National Guard and took a hearing test after leaving the Guard and was told by an Audiologist at that time that I needed hearing aids in both ears. I did not get hearing aids at that time since in those days they were large and very noticeable and I was concerned they would be a real negative for me in the business I was in. 

At no time was I told that I would be entitled to V A benefits and personally I thought benefits were for enlisted personnel and or war veterans. It was during a conversation with a friend in 2019 who told me I was entitled to receive V A benefits. He also told me about AVU and told me to call Henry Alfaro. Henry requested that I attend the next meeting in Moorpark which I did and he and his associates guided me through the process of filing a claim for Tinnitus and hearing loss. That claim awarded me 10% for tinnitus and 0% for hearing loss. I was also given hearing aids. I discussed the results with Henry and he told me to appeal the hearing loss portion. 

To make a long story short I made 3 appeals for hearing loss and the third appeal was an award of 40% which includes the Tinnitus portion in December 2021. There were times after the second appeal was declined when I was going to give up on the appeal process but Henry told me to keep at it and felt strongly that I would be successful. 

If it weren’t for Henry’s assurance I don’t think I would have appealed a third time and Henry’s Wife Linda was very helpful in making necessary phone appointments. 

I can’t be complimentary enough of Henry and Frank Renteria. They are true Patriots who are powerful in their feelings for helping Vets get their service connected claims filed and being successful. 

I am most appreciative of them and the AVU organization. I am now comfortable that my service connected issues have been addressed. 

Many thanks and respectfully submitted, 

Harold I. Dundish

December 10, 2020

We became acquainted with AVU through an accidental meeting with a member while we were at a VA appointment in Oxnard. This member told all about AVU and asked if we would attend the next meeting. 

I have never wanted any part of veterans help as I had gone for help many times in the 70’s and 80’s because I needed retraining and help getting employment. Their response was we can’t help you. So I was hesitant when attending my first meeting with AVU.

The first meeting I sort of had my back up and was a bit off putting because of my attitude. Henry Alfaro worked with me and put my prejudices to the side. He invited myself and my wife to come to the Sepulveda VA on a Tuesday and start the process. This man was amazing, as was Frank and other men of the organization. They lead us by the hand step by step. If it were not for this organization we would never have received the guidance and help that we so needed. 

We are very thankful for Henry and Linda for all their dedication to the veterans. 

Sincerely,

Mike and Kristie Marlow 

December 7, 2020

My Name is Lee Lopez,

l am a Vietnam veteran, when I returned home from serving in Vietnam 1966 I came home with PTSD. Unaware that it was even a thing. But as the years went by I continued to developed many of the usual conditions associated with PTSD. At one time I tried to get help but was not guided properly at the VA. Then in 2008 I was diagnosed with my first Cancer associated with Agent Orange. I was introduced to Henry Alfaro 0f Americans Veterans United. And what a difference. Henry guided me through all the steps to receive my Benefits. I joined on that Day and will always be a member.

This is an invaluable Organization.

God Bless America and the AVU.

I salute Henry Alfaro

In August of 1968 I returned to Southern California, after serving a year in south Vietnam recovering from jungle rot, severe ear infections, that left ear drum scarring, and hearing loss, plus an explosive temper. Over the next twelve years I lived in three different states, went through twenty four jobs, and married twice. 

In the 1980s my anxiety and panic attacks reached a point that I was taken to emergency by ambulance. You never know when those panic attacks will strike, I quit driving for many weeks, then only making short trips around town, it was months before I’d get back on the freeway. Over the next several years I drank excessively, battled cancer, and took out a second mortgage to pay hospital bills.

In June of 2011 my wife handed me a business card, and said, “you need to call this man” she had just met Henry Alfaro, I could see in her eyes this man had made an impression, I was somewhat skeptical but made the call, we talked awhile, then Henry asked if I’d meet him the next morning at Sepulveda VA, I agreed, and that turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made! Henry guided me through a maze of hurdles and obstacles that no one can do alone, in addition, got me into one on one therapy, group therapy and introducing me to the great veterans that have been there and done that!

Thank you Henry.

Forever grateful

Jimmy Jones

December 5, 2020

I would like to make a comment on AVU organization. I have belonged to other veterans organizations to where they had the dinners, the bars, the meetings and actually never heard of anything of my benefits. On the first week I attended the meeting on Saturday morning at Moorpark and listing to the members, along with the president Henry Alfaro the following Tuesday (I’m speaking of 3 days) I was introduced to the Sepulveda veterans facility. I had never gotten a response of benefits this fast, and Henry Alfaro takes the responsibility of himself to see that all of his members are introduced to Sepulveda every Tuesday morning, Henry’s is there to guide a veteran in the direction of their needs, this is Henry’s  way of giving back. This man is there for all veterans and he has introduced thousands of veterans to the Sepulveda facility. We all need guidance in our lives and I can assure anyone the American Veterans United is there for each and everyone of us.

Thank you,

Kavin DeWitt 

December 4, 2020

To all of American Veterans United

I wanted to take a moment to thank the American Veterans United, Especially Henry Alfaro and Frank Renteria for all of their help in getting me from 0 to 80 percent in one year. A little background here if I may. I have struggled with the VA on and off for 27 Years with a 0 percent rating since my retirement from the Marine Corps. After having been retired for several years I requested, for the 1st time a copy of my medical records to see if there was anything there that I might be able to file a claim for. Yes, I know I shouldn’t have waited so long, I get that now! To make a long story a little shorter, I received a reply stating that my files were destroyed in a fire at the Saint Louis Military Archives. A little distraught, I figured that there probably wasn’t anything in my records that I could use anyways so I didn’t pursue the issue any further. After several more years having passed, I tried again and to my surprise I actually received a partial copy of my records… or at least the best copy that they could salvage from fire damage. I took my records to the VA Federal Building in Los Angeles and managed to file several claims through a reputable organization to no avail. I made several more attempts over the years through other organizations and VSO’s without any success at all. Then along comes, Henry! My wife and I were setting in a lobby waiting to see yet another VSO when my dear wife overheard one gentleman giving another some very sound advice. My wife wasted no time in going over and introduced herself stating she couldn’t help but overhear part of their conversation and asked if the gentleman with all the insight might have a moment to talk with us. That gentleman turned out to be the President and founder of the, American Veterans United, Henry Alfaro. He handed us his card and encouraged us to attend his next monthly meeting held in Moorpark. We assured him we would be there. I was so impressed with his group meeting and the wealth of knowledge and support that was presented; I not only joined the American Veterans United (AVU) but became a life member before leaving that meeting. Through his expert team of Staff Members, I was finally making great strides and progress. I would also like to give special thanks to Mr. Frank Renteria, AVU’s Vice President who personally devoted countless hours and guidance in getting me to the level of 80 percent in just one year. My advice to anyone who is struggling with their claims or anyone who may think that they may not even have a claim worth filing; I ask that you attend one…just one of their meetings. You will quickly find that you made the right choice. If it were not for AVU’s team of experts and guidance I would still be struggling and lost in the quagmire of the VA’s complicated system. I still have a way to go but with a little patience and their continued help I feel confident in knowing I will reach my goal of 100 percent. To all of the AVU team and its members (My brothers and sisters in arms), Thank you all for being there for me.

SSGT Randy McConnehey

USMC Retired

December 3, 2020

I received the AVU baseball cap today (AVU Life Member hat), it's a cool cap and I will wear it proudly. I very much respect the AVU organization and what you do for our veterans. My brother-in-law passed away last year, a Viet Nam Vet, and his daughter was left to handle his funeral. When I realized the difficulty she was experiencing, I steered her in your direction. You guys were great and she couldn't have done it without you. It was a beautiful ceremony and everyone left the cemetery with the best of thoughts in their hearts.

Thanks,

John Vasquez

September 14, 2020

Frank, 

Little did I know a walkthrough Home Depot, acknowledging you’re service would transpire into me receiving my CP Benefits long over due. 

As a Vietnam Veteran suffering from combat issues I was discouraged by the VA process since at that time they didn’t know how to deal with our issues after returning home. 

Now after all these years of suffering and denial you with your VA knowledge, professionalism and perseverance to help the veteran I now am receiving my CP Benefits,  claims in process and the medical attention due to me. 

Thank you Frank for all you’re support and Brotherhood  

Bernie Antonio

Frank helped me out so much when I thought I wouldn't be able to get through all of the paperwork I was being sent from the VA. He was professional, very organized, and treated me like family even though we had never met before. He walked me through the whole process for collecting the benefits I needed and gave me spot on advise on how to deal with the VA process. He's the best! Hope you all continue making a difference. Thank you for everything Frank. 

Best Regards, 

Racquel Wei

April 23, 2020

Hello Frank.

So, just a quick note to say hello.  I have WON my V.A. Appeal on 4-18-20. I'm pretty sure it will have me at 100%..... I filed the appeal almost 4 years ago, ...... just wanted to share some good information with you. 

Stay safe while we are all in this mess

God Bless

Thanks,

Will Ray Jr.

101st. Airborne Div.

1st. Brg.

April 20, 2020