Veterans gathered on August 26th at the Sierraville Elementary School for Sierra County’s first-ever Veterans Stand Down, offering free haircuts, military gear, lunch, and so much more to those who served our country. This event was made possible by the “new kid on the block,” Sierra County Veterans Services Officer Richard Dolezal. While he quietly assumed the role a few months back, The Messenger decided a proper introduction of Dolezal was in order, especially considering Veteran’s Services are not yet clearly listed on the website (an oversight which Behavior Health Director Sheryll Prinz-McMillan is looking to correct).

Sometimes, the best things take the longest, like getting the best candidate for the job. Dolezal proves some things are simply worth the wait. Over 200 veterans reside in Sierra County, and that count only captures those documented in the census. Dolezal speculates there could be many more who did not wish to be involved in any sort of tracking. Whether living off the grid or not, veterans now have someone they can lean on to procure resources and help with an array of issues or concerns, and as Dolezal stated, “Every veteran is entitled to services because they earned it.”

Interestingly, it would seem black and white as to what a veteran is. But not so. Veteran status is not limited to those who saw combat or were honorably discharged. While it is assumed it is for only those who served in the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and Space Force, there are a few other branches of service that could potentially result in veteran status after active duty including Public Health Service, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, and Coast & Geodetic Survey. Depending on the organization designating someone as a veteran, the process can get complicated for members who served with the U.S. National Guard and Reserves. Any Sierra County resident with a question regarding veteran status or benefits after serving should seek out the new Veterans Services Officer.

Being a veteran myself, I was quite impressed with his passion for all of us, even folks like me who never entered into combat. It was quite clear I was talking to someone with not only passion but with more integrity in his little finger than many out there in the world today.

Veterans can take comfort that this is not Dolezal’s “first rodeo,” as he previously served in a similar capacity for several years in Plumas County. Due to the potential nature of the work he will do on behalf of veterans, especially in assisting in medical or mental health claims, it is important to note he is the only one who has access to the government database he utilizes to assist vets and their private information will remain “private,” safeguarded and kept out of “water cooler” conversations in county hallways. Having been a victim of a privacy breach thanks to “water cooler” conversations, this is key. The fear of a lack of professionalism and privacy breaches is a reason why some veterans may not come forward to get the services they need. So it is my pleasure to report private information veterans obtain with Dolezal’s help will be, in fact, kept private.

Dolezal is allotted 20 hours a week as a part-time independent contractor for Sierra County to advocate for veterans. On any given day, duties could range from helping vets obtain a variety of military medical, mental health, and service records and submitting medical claims to the Department of Veterans to receiving mental health and medical treatment at nearby hospitals, including the V.A. hospital in Reno. It’s worth mentioning for the area we reside in, obtaining reduced fishing and hunting licenses for veterans is also in his “wheelhouse.”

While serving in the military from 2004-2011, Dolezal spent 18 months in Iraq and 12 months in Afghanistan. Opening up about his time overseas, the subject of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one topic Dolezal does not shy away from. It is his view that PTSD still carries a “stigma.” Dolezal has personally experienced battling PTSD, a consequence of service, and is eager to offer other veterans support in this arena, stating PTSD is an issue “not just for combat veterans.”

Dolezal resides in Quincy with his wife, Nanci, and their two kids. A man who does not “idle well,” he, alongside Jeremiah Bridges, founded Plumas Disc Golf in 2018, a non-profit organization dedicated to “furthering the sport of disc golf in Plumas County,” an activity which has helped Dolezal immensely in coping with PTSD. More information on tournaments, leagues, fundraisers, and events can be found at plumasdiscgolf.com.

Anyone wishing to contact Veterans Services Officer Richard Dolezal can reach him at rdolezal@sierracounty.ca.gov or by phone at (530) 608-4727.