Sandy Cleary

Name: Sandy Cleary
City/State: Wooster, OH
Branch of Service: Army
Years of Service: 1872-73
Last Rank Held: E3
Military Occupation: Medic
Current Occupation: Retired
Facebook: @Sandy cleary

Sandy outside of the military:

I am a service-connected veteran for PTSD from a MST resulting in pregnancy. I was given the choice of getting an abortion or being discharged. I have two sons now which I brought up as a single parent.

Sandy on joining the IAVA Cavalry:

I want to help veterans get the services and benefits they deserve. If they have ptsd, they should be able to get help in residential programs of their choice. The VA does not want to help veterans any more than they have to. We need veterans who will advocate for veterans because a lot of veterans don’t even realize that they are owed benefits after they have served.

How the military experience affected Sandy’s personal growth:

It has taught me to serve and help others.

IAVA’s policy priorities that are the most pressing:

To get benefits and help other veterans.They need to be informed of their rights, and veterans that have PTSD should be allowed to get services anywhere they want if they have trauma or ptsd from the military. There are way too many suicides and this needs to stop.

IAVA’s policy priorities with the strongest personal connection for Sandy:

This should be to get veterans the best healthcare possible. We served our country and we should never be left behind. We should be able to get community care if the veteran requests it. Too many veterans are being denied community care. It should be our choice. A lot of veterans are being denied community care when they want it. Many veterans do not trust the VA for their care.