Join us on Operation Insight as we host Major Herb Silva, Founder of Smiles for Veterans through the Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health in conjunction with A.T. Still University!
Fifty years. That's how long it has been since the end of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. A conflict that began as a "police action" would eventually receive several monikers, one of which was the "Helicopter War." In fact, in the Spring of 1975, that's exactly how it all ended for American troops. Operation Frequent Wind was a last-ditch effort to evacuate the remaining American citizens, foreign diplomats, and thousands of South Vietnamese refugees. Never before had the United States military relied so heavily upon helicopters and the "rotorheads" that piloted them. One of those pilots was a Marine named Herb Silva. Son of a WWII artillery officer and younger brother to an Army nurse, Herb would eventually retire as a Major, but not before making the most of his time in the Corps. In fact, the Major-turned-Doctor makes the most out of just about everything he does. From working as a professional soccer referee to building a successful dental practice that remains in the family, Herb has always sought to help those around him. There is no clearer indication of that than Dr. Silva's founding of and involvement in Smiles for Veterans, a program that provides dentures and related dental care free of charge to local veterans. As a result, dental students at A.T. Still University continue to benefit from Herb's instruction and leadership. Not only are veterans getting their smiles back, but they are also rediscovering their self-confidence. It is certainly ironic that the Cobra gunship pilot whose callsign was "Scarface" has built a legacy as a community leader who perfects people's smiles.
If you would like to learn even more about Herb and his story of service, we encourage you to give a listen to his episode on The Open Source STL's "We Salute" program with Host Dick Ulett: https://opensourcestl.com/we-salute-1
(00:00) Disclaimer
(01:22) Introduction
(35:54) Family Influence
(56:03) John Chafee Story
(57:33) Welcome Home & Reflecting on Pilot Career
(01:11:59) Soccer Referee
(01:21:17) Smiles for Veterans
(01:27:52) Closing
