New center helps vets fend off 'the darkness'

One local man's struggle illustrates need for services

By EARL KELLY, Staff Writer

Published 11/11/09

Annapolis resident R.B. Belch has never quite gotten over some of the things he saw as a 19-year-old, when he was an Army radio-telephone operator and grenadier with the 82nd Airborne Division when the United States invaded Grenada in 1983.

Earl Kelly — The Capital TOP: Annapolis resident R.B. Belch, who served in the U.S. Army, is still haunted by a killing he witnessed during the Grenada invasion of 1983. Belch is one of the first veterans in the area to enroll for services at the new Department of Veterans Affairs' Vet Center on Forest Drive.
BOTTOM: Mark Chapin, team leader for the new Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Center in Annapolis, talks with the office's manager, Lisa-Ann M. Walker. The center also acts as a referral source for any vets and their families who need other services — such as medical care, housing benefits or bereavement counseling.

Belch, now 46, told of seeing an unarmed man in civilian clothing who was shot down as he was running, trying to escape a building set ablaze during an American airstrike.

The man, accompanied by an unarmed companion, died when U.S. soldiers opened fire on the pair. The fallen man's companion turned back and tried to revive his friend, much as soldiers and Marines rescue fallen comrades...

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Thanks to Vets - 2009-11-11 21:54:54

I for one would like to thank Mr. Belch and all Vets for kicking Ass all over the world, from Colonial times, to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and The Gulf Wars. We would not be where we are now if it were not for their tremendous sacrifices. That being said, Veterans' Day is a day to honor veterans, not apologize for or pity them as The Capital seems to think. I read recently about a Vet wanting to re-enlist to fight Al Queda. Fing awesome.

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Neill Harrier - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible

Grateful - 2009-11-11 17:31:56

Any opportunity I have, I thank a person in uniform for proctecting me and my family.

Is there any contact information for the Vetern's Center?

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lisa white - annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

Thank You - 2009-11-11 17:14:05

Mr. Belch and other veterans,

In all sincerity, thank you and all other vets reading this so much for your service.

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James T. - Millersville,, MD - Karma: Neutral

Hang in there RB - 2009-11-11 13:20:40

I went to ASH with RB as well. Good luck RB, you may see me volunteering at the Veterans Center from time to time, I will be calling them to see what they might need. RB, thank you for your service.

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T. Adams - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

good point RB. - 2009-11-11 13:09:35

I knew RB from highschool, I think he grew up in w. Annap. . Regardless he said ""They lock themselves inside their lily-white SUVs and put their blinders on," Belch said of civilians." and I could not agree more, but might replace the word for civilians with 'annapolitans' and add " while driving aroung with those ridiculous mass-marketed " Support our troops" yellow-ribbon stickers.

Hang in the RB, you got lots of friends.

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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible