08/31/2026
Richard Youngs, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, has been receiving care at the Kansas City VA Medical Center since 1956, making him one of the facility's longest-standing patients and a living link to the VA's history of serving Korean War veterans.
In recognition of his service and his decades-long relationship with the medical center, Youngs recently received a letter and challenge coin from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas A. Collins, presented on the Secretary's behalf by Jason Bortz, KCVA Public Affairs Officer. KCVA Director, Paula Roychaudhuri also honored Youngs with her own challenge coin during the presentation.
Youngs' story reflects the VA's enduring commitment to standing by veterans for life โ not just in the years immediately following their service, but across a lifetime of care.