STOCKTON, Calif. — A new Veterans Affairs clinic is set to open in Stockton next Tuesday, catering to 25,000 veterans. It’s a huge moment for veterans needing care because they often have to make the drive to Livermore or Palo Alto.
The new facility is named after Richard A. Pittman, a Stockton native, veteran and hero. ABC10 sat down with his family to learn about his legacy.
On a cool night at Karl Ross Post 2020 in Stockton, Tina Pittman-Carr and Gina Pittman, the twin daughters of Richard Pittman, share how their father came to the post for decades as a proud advocate of veterans care.
“My dad was larger than life,” said Gina.
Tina described him as “10-feet-tall and bulletproof.”
Richard Pittman, a self-described poor kid from Stockton, joined the Marine Corps in 1965.
"He was blind in one eye and cheated to go active duty,” said Gina.
His heroic actions during the Vietnam War would send him home a decorated solider. In 1968, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States Armed Forces highest military decoration, by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Master Sergeant Richard Pittman served in the Marine Corps for more than two decades before retiring in 1988. He died in 2016 but his fight for veterans care is still alive.
"Four of us made a pact when dad died that we would do our best to ensure his legacy,” said Gina.
Their father's name is now sealed on the new Stockton VA clinic opening in their family's hometown.
“There was no cause to him bigger than taking care of our veterans, making sure they had everything they earned,” said Tina.
The sisters explained how when their father needed care, he would end up making the journey to Palo Alto or Livermore. Both of them feel veterans care should be more accessible.
“We owe them that we at the very least. We owe the medical care, mental care," said Gina.
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