Michiana residents honoring 'champion for veterans' Jackie Walorski

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – After learning about the sudden death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, Air Force veteran James Yakym brought a bouquet of flowers to her Mishawaka district office.

“Jackie has been there and been a beacon of hope,” Yakym said.

Yakym shared an excerpt from an article he wrote, published by the Goshen newspaper. He said Walorski was so proud of the article, she hung it in her D.C. office.

“When my health problems got worse, my employer at the US postal service wasn’t there for me, the veteran’s administration wasn’t there for me, the social security administration left me to die,” he said, getting emotional. “You know who was there for me? Jackie Walorski.”

He attached a copy of that excerpt, titled “Why This Veteran is Voting for Walorski,” to the bouquet.

“I don’t usually don’t even cry at funerals, but it’s taken a lot of me today,” Yakym said. “We lost a person that was a champion for veterans, and she’s always been there.”