David “Swifty” Swift is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and was stationed in Camp LeJeune and Okinawa. While serving in Okinawa, he experienced traumas that affected his mental health for the remainder of his military service. He was discharged Honorably without receiving any mental health treatment. Eventually, he became homeless while cycling between short-term housing and treatment for his mental health issues.

Mr. Swift’s life changed when he met Monty Gada. A social work supervisor at VA Connecticut’s HUD-VASH program, Mr. Gada made it his mission to make sure Mr. Swift did not fall through the cracks again and that he was provided the full measure of care he earned as a service member. Monty Gada also connected Mr. Swift to Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, where our attorneys Sharon Fialkovich and Eva Puorro provided the legal representation he needed to access the benefits he deserves. It took many months of hard work, but Mr. Swift is doing exceptionally well today and was excited to join us at the 16th Annual Saluting Service, where he helped us honor Mr. Gada with the Capt. Celine A. Finn Award.