06/01/2026
Meet Ruben Carrasco, 73, of Midland, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973 as a welder, including a deployment to Vietnam and is today's .
Wanting to find new opportunities beyond his hometown, Ruben joined the military to push himself in new ways.
🗣️ “I wanted to get out of Midland for a while, take a break from school, and challenge myself by seeing something different,” Ruben said. “Serving taught me a lot about dedication and service to our country.”
After returning home from Vietnam, Ruben sought care through VA in the 1970s but eventually stopped coming. Years later, encouragement from friends and loved ones led him back to VA care — and the experience changed his perspective.
🗣️ “I returned after hearing things were different from when I was seeking help after Vietnam,” Ruben said. “Everyone at VA is really nice and goes beyond what I expected to keep me healthy.”
Today, Ruben continues receiving care through the West Texas VA Health Care System and remains grateful for the support he’s found along the way. 💙
Thank you for your service, Ruben, and for sharing your story with us. 🇺🇸