SPRING, TX — A new local Veterans charity, Operation R.J.S., is a 501(c)(3) Veteran non-profit, dedicated to honoring the memory of U.S. Army Vietnam combat veteran Richard James Stamos, a former infantryman who passed away in 2023. The organization held its first event with supporters this past Friday at TopGolf in Spring. The guests savored the food and drinks, enjoying each other’s company as well as gaming amongst themselves, being able to drive golf balls from the second tour of the golf complex, all the while learning about the mission of the new Veterans charity. OpRJS was founded during the summer, by Richard’s daughter, Navy Veteran Tanya Stamos, and her brother Will. It was initially dedicated as a free telehealth service to veterans, but has since expanded to different aspects in Veterans assistance by fostering a connection through @operationrjs.
With the charity official only since September, OpRJS now services a small number of Veterans taking advantage of their telehealth service provided by certified counselors, but as awareness of the organization grows with requests for service, OpRJS intends to expand as well to meet the need. One aspect that Veterans appreciate in requesting the remote telehealth assistance from Operation R.G.S. is that their mental health records are kept private, which they already are by law, but they are also kept from any private or public entity probing for notification of mental health services for any one individual.
OpRJSs criteria for assistance is simple; if you served in the armed forces, you’re good. Whether you served in peacetime or in war, as long as you have a DD-214, or another form that verifies your service, every Veteran is eligible for OpRJS. Essentially, all barriers for being treated by the organization are removed. There is absolutely no cost for services to the Veteran.
Assistance such as Emergency Food deliveries, and Critical Home Repair are available to Veterans, and the organization also attends Veterans Events, providing information for Veterans knowing that OpRGS is out there and ready to assist. Stamos recently delivered a new air conditioner to a home-bound Veteran on a tight budget, which was one of the first services provided outside the mental health arena.
“My Father, while I was growing up, instilled me with values for the military, discipline, and love of country,” said Stamos, as part of her reasoning for the founding of Operation R.G.S. in her father’s honor. “I have a camaraderie for my brothers and sisters in-arms, and will do anything for them.”
Tanya is a great and spirited organizer with an iron will. Her father Richard, for many years was the Commander of his local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9489 near Sacramento, California. She took up his leadership mantle, by doing it her way, by helping Veterans in recovering from trauma, from PTSD, by setting a new direction in providing leadership and ensuring that Veterans get the help they need, with hope and healing to combat against the isolation that Vets feel when being knocked against the ropes.
Stamos uses her knowledge from her BA in Health Care Administration as well as a Masters in Business Administration, and coupled with her experience as a Quality Compliance and Risk Director at a recovery center, the organization operates to her advantage, which is pumped back into supporting Veterans and addresses the issues that affect them.
On hand for the event was video journalist Abby Dittman, a Sam Houston student dedicated to telling the stories of Veterans. Her Instagram, @veteranvoicesnews shows/reel/DRGjDErjW2G/ is there for any Veteran willing to relay their experiences. Jason Andrews, from Alpha Ready Company, was on-hand as well to lend his company’s support. His outfitter shop, alphareadyco.com, donates 25% of all profits to veteran, military, and first responder charities every month. This was Operation R.G.S.’s first event, and with more planned, spreading awareness of what they offer to Veterans can be seen as a priority now with future successes expected in the future.
Website: operationrjs.org @operationrjs alphareadyco.com