Local Army Ranger honored as Veteran of the Year

A roar of applause filled American Legion Post 739 in Indio on Wednesday night. Veterans cheered for Ralph Duarte who was honored as the Veteran of the Year for the 56th Assembly District by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.

“Tonight we are here recognizing him for his service to our country but also to the service that he provides to veterans every single day to veterans in the Coachella Valley,” said Garcia.

Duarte served from 2004 to 2008 with the 3rd Ranger Battalion out of Fort Benning, Georgia. He rose to the rank of sergeant and did two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.

Now Duarte has switched from being the boots on the ground in foreign theaters of war to being on the front lines of helping veterans make sure they get all of the benefits they are entitled to by working as a veterans service representative for Riverside Veterans Service Department.

“My job is mostly advocating for these veterans and educating these veterans about the process, not just by filing claims but being with them from start to finish,” said Duarte.

Duarte goes beyond the basics to help his fellow vets by working with non-profits and other organizations reach out to local veterans in our area.

He helped many of the veterans at Wednesday night’s ceremony.

“He is very attentive and he helps you a lot and just looking for what you need,” said Jim Vaughan, an Army veteran who helped by Duarte.

If you know a veteran who might need some help getting the benefits they deserve they can contact the Riverside Veterans Services Department’s Indio office at (760) 863-8477.

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