It was a great honor to celebrate the retirement of Chaplain Benjamin Vegors, whose forty years of service to our nation’s veterans offers great inspiration for us all. A dedicated servant, Chaplain Vegors spent countless hours counseling and caring for our veterans throughout the Pacific Northwest, and leaves an indelible legacy. I am truly humbled by his commitment to our country.

 

A World War II veteran, Chaplain Vegors served in the Army Air Corp from 1942-1945, serving as a tail gunner in B24 Liberator bombers flying 30 missions over Germany and Austria. He often tells of a mission over Germany when two of his plane’s engines were shot out. Chaplain Vegors made a midair commitment that if he survived, he would serve God for the rest of his life —and he stayed true to his word.

 

After the war, Chaplain Vegors went to Seminary at Multnomah Bible College in Portland. Years later, he met Jim Dennis, the Chaplain at the Walla Walla VA Hospital, which led to a chaplaincy appointment with the VA and eventually to a part-time chaplaincy position.

 

In 1972, he was appointed as a full-time chaplain. Just ask anyone who has received his counsel, and you’ll see the tremendous impact he’s had on so many lives. After 42 years of service as Chaplain of the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, Chaplain Vegors retired this April. Knowing he has made a difference in countless veterans’ lives, Ben once said that he would serve for a thousand years if he could!

 

A man of integrity and principle, his humility and impact on Eastern Washington’s veterans and on America will long be remembered. It was a tremendous honor to thank Chaplain Vegors for a lifetime of dedicated service.