Huntly resident volunteers for Hero’s Bridge
Retired Coast Guard Vice Admiral Scott Buschman unloads water for a veteran whose well ran dry during the drought.
After nearly four decades of service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Huntly resident Scott Buschman retired as a vice admiral in 2022, and found it hard to leave it all behind.
“We moved every two years, and our two sons probably attended close to 10 schools. They sacrificed a lot for my service,” says Buschman.
Vice Admiral Scott A. Buschman when he was Commander Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Commander Defense Force East Senior Chief Petty Officer Ryan Doss
He found he missed his career, serving his country, and perhaps most of all, the extraordinary people with whom he had the privilege to work.
Early this year, Buschman read an article in the Rappahannock News about Hero’s Bridge and its mission resonated with him. “I attended the orientation and was impressed with the organization’s mission and Molly Brooks’ reasons for forming Hero’s Bridge,” he said. “She brought a lot of passion for aging veterans to the mission.”
His experience with Hero’s Bridge encapsulates the activities of the organization which help meet the everyday needs of aging veterans: getting mail, helping with groceries and driving veterans to doctors’ appointments. These services help veterans age in place and preserve their dignity as they move through their twilight years.
Perhaps his most impactful volunteer moment was on June 5 when he, along with five other volunteer groups, honored U.S. Coast Guard E-3 William Steinard, a Vietnam veteran, just two months before Steinard’s death.
This was a coordinated effort among Hero’s Bridge, Veteran’s Last Patrol, Chariots of Honor and was hosted by Mission BBQ. A violinist from the U.S. president’s military band performed for the occasion.
Steinard was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. His wife was grateful that family members could attend the ceremony. For some, it was the first time they learned of his combat service.
“It was such a privilege to be a part of this ceremony to honor Mr. Steinard and to personally thank him, with his friends and family present, for his service in the Coast Guard and to our nation. Our Vietnam veterans did not always get the thanks they truly deserved,” said Buschman of the experience.
Buschman looks forward to continuing his service to the military, albeit in a new way.
The writer is outreach coordinator for Hero’s Bridge
Read the story on Rappahannock News.