Artie Ramirez served his country nearly 40 years ago fighting as a Marine in South Vietnam.

Now the 57-year-old Lawrence resident figures he might as well collect on whatever disability health benefits are available to a military veteran who was probably exposed to Agent Orange, received treatment for post traumatic stress, and even suffered from a foot injury inflicted by an angry drill sergeant trying to get his attention.

Moreover, Ramirez decided he wanted the medals he didn’t bother to collect when he left the Marines. Not the headline-making medals given out for heroics deserving of the Bronze and Silver stars. He just wanted the routine combat theater campaign and service medals.

“They didn’t have ceremonies and give out medals except to the unfortunate men who were killed and their families,” Ramirez said. “For us, it was just go down to the PX and buy your little strip of medal you can wear on your chest and show that you are veterans.”

Ramirez recently received about a half-dozen medals from U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore in the Democratic Congressman’s 3rd District office in Overland Park. One of Moore’s employees, Steve Goodman, is trying to get Ramirez’s military records so Ramirez can apply for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Lawrence resident and ex-Marine Aristeo Artie Ramirez, 57, pours himself a cup of coffee Thursday afternoon in his apartment. Ramirez recently got help from U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore in receiving disability payments and service medals he earned in Vietnam.

“We can help get the information he needs and get it faster, and along with that, he hadn’t received all his medals so we just asked for them, too,” Goodman said.

Moore said Ramirez deserved the medals because of his dedication and sacrifice.

“These medals are well deserved and long overdue,” Moore said.

Ramirez is typical of many older veterans, Goodman said. Until many veterans are in their mid-50s they don’t think they need V.A. care. They had health insurance when they were younger and working, Goodman noted.

“Some start having health problems years later,” Goodman said. “For example, we suspect Artie was exposed to Agent Orange. These things can surface 20 to 25 years later. They are returning to the V.A. and saying, ‘well, now I need you.'”

Agent Orange was a chemical defoliant the U.S. military sprayed over much of Vietnam’s jungles and forests to try to deprive the enemy of cover.

Ramirez said he has suffered from bouts with rashes and other “general uncomfortableness.” A long-time brick-layer and stone mason, Ramirez said he doesn’t have any second thoughts about his service as a Marine or fighting in Vietnam.

“I was young. I was gung-ho,” he said. “I joined the Marines because I was a patriotic young man.”