Community helps Silver Star Hero because the VA didn't

We read about the backlog of claims everyday and some just get on with their lives as if it isn't a big deal, but in the end the number represents a veteran coming home wounded with no money to live. In this case he is a Silver Star Hero wounded while saving lives.

Specialist Daniel Foster came home with teeth damaged in a blast but his claim was tied up so the teeth had to wait. No money coming in, bills had to wait and he almost lost his house. The VA had his life on hold after his service but his community wanted to help him get on with his life and they did something about it.

Donations pour in for O.C. Army specialist
Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient Dan Foster was in danger of losing his house until strangers stepped up to help out.

Army Specialist Daniel Foster, right, salutes his commanding officer Lt. Col. Robert J. Harman after being awarded the Silver Star in a ceremony just before the start of the game at Angels Stadium. He was awarded the Silver Star for actions while protecting his unit from attack in Afghanistan.
PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

By ELYSSE JAMES / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
COSTA MESA – Army Spc. Dan Foster was frustrated.

He'd been home for months, living with his father in Costa Mesa, but he still hadn't received benefits from Veterans Affairs - benefits he needed to rebuild his teeth, among other things, and get his life back on track.

What's more, because of the delays in his benefits and inability to find work, his finances were drying up. His family home in Costa Mesa was facing foreclosure, and he was behind on payments.

Was this a hero's welcome?

In April, the Angels fan was awarded a Silver Star during a special ceremony at Angel Stadium in Anaheim for his actions while on guard duty in May 2010 in Afghanistan.

Foster had stopped a suspicious cargo truck from reaching his tower, which had been filled with 500 pounds of explosives. When the truck exploded, the force threw Foster to the ground as shrapnel from the blast shattered his jaw and cut his face. Over the next half-hour, Foster continued to fight, stopping at least one other suicide bomber, Register reports state.

Still, even a hero was caught up in red tape.

And when a friend learned introduced Foster to Deanne Tate, president and CEO of the nonprofit Veterans First.

"He filed for his benefits and he just waited," Tate said.
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