Thomas Day CLU CLRP
There is passion in my helping seniors deal with their elder years and with eldercare issues. This passion also spills over to my helping senior veterans and their survivors plan for their future years. This is because I am an older veteran and because I am disabled as well. Most importantly, thanks to the VA healthcare system prolonging my life, I am able to help other veterans become aware of their benefits.
After graduating high school in 1962, I pursued a year of study at the University of Utah. The next 2 1/2 years were spent in the European country of Austria for my church where I learned to speak German and serve the Austrian people. I reenrolled at the University of Utah in studies with the Department of Physics in the spring of 1966. I graduated with a BA in physics and math in the winter of 1969. My sweetheart, Susan and I met and married in the spring of 1967. Last year, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.
During my college years, the Vietnam War was in full swing and knowing I would be called up, I decided to enlist in the Air Force ROTC program. In fact, I received a draft letter just a few days after I was sworn into the ROTC program. I subsequently received a commission as a second lieutenant when I graduated from college. In the Air Force, I was an instructor pilot for advanced jet pilot training with the supersonic T 38 aircraft. I left the service as a captain, with an honorable discharge, in the winter of 1973 having completed about 4 1/2 years in active duty service.
The years from 1973 through 1985 were spent in a variety of business pursuits. In 1985, I joined a large insurance company as a registered representative and agent. One aspect or another of financial services has been my profession ever since. In 1997, I struck out on my own as an independent Registered Investment Advisor and fee-based financial planner. Because I no longer had group health insurance for my family, I obtained individual insurance for them and I enrolled in the VA healthcare system a few years later. I could not get health insurance because of my preexisting physical disabilities. At that time VA was still taking Priority Group 7 veterans into the health care system. As it turned out, enrolling in VA health care was one of the most important events in my life because it stopped the progress of my condition and allowed me to pursue the goal of helping veterans with their benefits.
During the intervening years I have not only been grateful for veterans health care, but I was able to use the VA loan guarantee for purchasing several homes and the veterans education benefit for completing an MBA at the University of Utah School of Business. And most recently, I was particularly grateful to receive a 10% disability rating for hearing loss associated with ear infections and with my years on the flight line and exposure to afterburners and other jet noise. This helps me stay in the healthcare system as a Priority Group 3.
Over the years I have written or co-written 4 significant books, published hundreds of articles, designed study materials for passing the accredited agents exam and co-written and produced 3 different CLE courses for accredited agents and accredited attorneys. I am an accredited claims agent with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
After graduating high school in 1962, I pursued a year of study at the University of Utah. The next 2 1/2 years were spent in the European country of Austria for my church where I learned to speak German and serve the Austrian people. I reenrolled at the University of Utah in studies with the Department of Physics in the spring of 1966. I graduated with a BA in physics and math in the winter of 1969. My sweetheart, Susan and I met and married in the spring of 1967. Last year, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.
During my college years, the Vietnam War was in full swing and knowing I would be called up, I decided to enlist in the Air Force ROTC program. In fact, I received a draft letter just a few days after I was sworn into the ROTC program. I subsequently received a commission as a second lieutenant when I graduated from college. In the Air Force, I was an instructor pilot for advanced jet pilot training with the supersonic T 38 aircraft. I left the service as a captain, with an honorable discharge, in the winter of 1973 having completed about 4 1/2 years in active duty service.
The years from 1973 through 1985 were spent in a variety of business pursuits. In 1985, I joined a large insurance company as a registered representative and agent. One aspect or another of financial services has been my profession ever since. In 1997, I struck out on my own as an independent Registered Investment Advisor and fee-based financial planner. Because I no longer had group health insurance for my family, I obtained individual insurance for them and I enrolled in the VA healthcare system a few years later. I could not get health insurance because of my preexisting physical disabilities. At that time VA was still taking Priority Group 7 veterans into the health care system. As it turned out, enrolling in VA health care was one of the most important events in my life because it stopped the progress of my condition and allowed me to pursue the goal of helping veterans with their benefits.
During the intervening years I have not only been grateful for veterans health care, but I was able to use the VA loan guarantee for purchasing several homes and the veterans education benefit for completing an MBA at the University of Utah School of Business. And most recently, I was particularly grateful to receive a 10% disability rating for hearing loss associated with ear infections and with my years on the flight line and exposure to afterburners and other jet noise. This helps me stay in the healthcare system as a Priority Group 3.
Over the years I have written or co-written 4 significant books, published hundreds of articles, designed study materials for passing the accredited agents exam and co-written and produced 3 different CLE courses for accredited agents and accredited attorneys. I am an accredited claims agent with the Department of Veterans Affairs.