In the heart of Honolulu, amidst the hustle and bustle of a city park, I had the privilege of meeting a man whose life story left me both inspired and astonished. As my son practiced baseball in the early morning sunlight, I found myself engaged in conversation with a remarkable individual – a man in his early sixties, dedicated to the upkeep of our community’s green spaces.

Our conversation initially centered around baseball, a sport that binds communities and ignites passion in young and old alike. However, it wasn’t long before the discussion veered towards the man’s upbringing on the picturesque island of Oahu.

He spoke of the landscape and the island’s changes he had witnessed since boyhood – for he possessed a deep-seated connection to the ocean, and it ran through his DNA as fluidly as the Pacific current flows. A seasoned waterman, he shared tales of his exploits – swimming, diving, surfing, body surfing, and saving strangers’ lives from the clutches of near-drowning. Even more, his bravery was evidenced by a spine-tingling, face-to-face encounter with a 14-foot tiger shark while spearfishing off the Big Island. Despite the looming threat as the shark stalked him back to shore, he remained calm, showcasing an extraordinary resilience.

However, among his stories, one revelation left me troubled. It was when our conversation delved into his service as a Navy Veteran, a chapter of his life marked by six years aboard a research ship that traversed the globe. It chartered a course that took him through the Panama Canal and along the eastern seaboard of the United States, all the way up to the rugged shores of Nova Scotia.

Curiosity piqued, I broached the subject of his utilization of the VA home loan benefit – a benefit rightfully earned through his service to the nation. To my astonishment, he confessed that he had not accessed this opportunity, under the mistaken belief that it had an expiration date.

It was a pivotal moment of realization for both of us when I informed him that the VA home loan benefit is, in fact, a lifetime entitlement. His expression morphed to one of contemplation as he spoke about the prospect of purchasing a small condo in town. Briefly, I told him about the pre-qualification process. A short phone call where he would speak with a local VA Loan Specialist, who will ask him about his current finances and debts. He proudly replied, “I have no debt.”

As our conversation drew to a close, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought that there are countless others in a similar predicament – unaware of the opportunities that lay dormant, waiting to be seized. How many more Hawaiian Veterans harbored aspirations of homeownership but were deterred by false belief about the VA home loan benefit?

It served as a sobering reminder of the importance of education and awareness, particularly when it comes to empowering our Veterans to secure their futures. By dispelling myths and shedding light on the resources available to them, we can pave the way for a brighter tomorrow, one where every Veteran has the opportunity to achieve the dream of homeownership.

Please, help spread the word that the VA home loan benefit is a lifetime benefit. If you’re a Veteran, contact us to help pull your Certificate of Eligibility and get pre-approved for a no down payment VA home loan!