They lost their son Zachary in Iraq: Now this family works to help veterans in York County

Their lives changed forever in the summer of 2007.

Almost two years after Ron and Debb Etheridge's son, Zachary, joined the military, everything seemed to have fallen into place.

He'd recently graduated from high school and embarked on a new chapter in his life as a soldier and an adult.

But within his second year of service, something all members of military families dread happened: He was killed while stationed in Iraq.

"When we got that news as a family, we were devastated," Ron said.

The grieving for them never stopped, and in an effort to keep his legacy alive, they started a benefit fund in Zachary's name to help veterans.

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Zachary Clouser

He was the baby of the family. The typical boy, according to his parents.

A prankster with a dry sense of humor but an overall caring personality.

"He'd tell you the most stale jokes in the world and wonder why you're not laughing," Ron said.

"Then you have to laugh at that," Debb said.

He loved the outdoors, including hunting and fishing. He enjoyed playing baseball and football.

Most of all, he loved his family.

"He'd give the shirt off his back," said Debb, "He made friends easily."

Zachary was no stranger to discipline and order. His stepfather, being a veteran, exposed him to structure.

But that didn't stop his mischievous nature as he grew into a teenager.

While in his senior year at Dover Area High School, Zachary was ready for school to be over.

"We didn't know if he was going to graduate or not because this kid would go to school but go to sleep or do his homework but wouldn't turn it in," Ron said.

"Or he'd go to school and, because one of his classes was split during lunch, he'd leave for lunch and not go back," said Debb. "I'd get a phone call about why he was seen downtown."

They took a breath of relief when he walked across the stage to accept his diploma in 2005.

At first, they assumed he would go to Penn Tech in Williamsburg because of his interest in mechanics. It came as a surprise when he, like his stepfather, decided to become a soldier.

"Next thing we know, he decided to join the military," said Ron. "As a vet, I was thrilled."

In 2007 at the age of 19, Zachary had been in Iraq for about a year. He was one of four soldiers killed when an improvised explosive device detonated under their vehicle.

"When you lose your youngest to combat, part of me understood, being that I am a veteran," said Ron. "But the other side, as a dad, I don't understand. It's hard to accept that."

"I died for a long time," Debb said.

SPC Zachary Clouser Benefit Fund

The idea to start a benefit fund for veterans came from a family friend.

The Etheridges started small at first. They sold soy candles, and one of their eldest daughters, who owned a hair salon, hosted a cut-a-thon.

"Our mission is to help local veterans in the area to ensure that they get what they need," Ron said. "We understand what it's like as a military family. There are a lot of veterans who don't want to be bothered with the Veterans Affairs system because it's too cumbersome."

In order to receive their benefits, veterans must have their DD214, discharge papers. But homeless veterans face a challenge.

"A lot of veterans don't even have that because they lose the paperwork, especially if they are homeless," Ron said. "They have to start from scratch. A lot of them don't even know they are eligible for benefits until they sit down with someone that dedicates their life to getting veterans their correct benefits."

The Etheridges' work with the York Vet Network, a team of organizations that come together to help veterans in various ways.

Terry Gendron, director of York County Veterans Affairs, along with Bill Fallon from York County Veterans Outreach, decided that a network was needed when they realized that a lot of people want to help veterans.

"When anyone touches a veteran in need, everyone will know about it," said Gendron, "and whoever can assist that veteran jumps in and does that. It makes things effective. These folks (everyone within the network) work for the spirit of good. They don't work for anybody."

If veterans have issues paying for rent, food, furniture and household necessities, the Etheridges helped.

"A lot of veterans come as referrals from Terry," said Debb. "If there is a veteran that needs that personal one-on-one touch, then I am there to meet them halfway."

Debb will take them shopping, or set up their apartment once they receive housing.

"I like to be out there in front of the veteran to see who we're helping," Debb said.

They don't limit their help to referrals. They also help veterans that they see on the street.

For Christmas, they take on families that are in need by shopping for Christmas dinner and other necessities. For incarcerated veterans, they reach out to their loved ones and provide them with goods. Sometimes Debb will have a friend dress up as Santa Claus to deliver the goods if the household has young children.

"There's so much need out there," said Ron. "So many homeless vets that can't access the system or know how to navigate the system in order to get help."

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The COVID-19 pandemic brought a pause to many of their events to raise money.

Before the pandemic, they hosted memorial motorcycle rides and dances. But they didn't let it slow them down.

Last year, at the York Fair, they had a Shucking for Charity booth, where they remove pearls from oysters and provided individuals with a chain and cage for the pearl.

For Vietnam Veterans Month in March, they started their Red Friday event where everyone wears red shirts to remember soldiers that are deployed. It went so well that it became an ongoing event.

"It's all about being creative," Debb said.

This year for Thanksgiving, they donated food, and for Christmas, they are hosting photoshoots with Santa and Mrs. Clause at their home to continue earning proceeds for the benefit funds.

"It's from the heart," said Ron. "You don't do it for recognition. You do it because it's the right thing to do."

How to donate

To donate, visit www.zachclouserbenefit.com or visit the Spc Zachary Clouser Benefit Fund Facebook page to learn about fundraising events.

Katia Parks covers public safety issues for the York Daily Record. Please feel free to reach her at KParks@ydr.com. Follow her on Facebook (@Katia Parks), Twitter (@parksphoto), and Instagram (@katia.l.parks).

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York family helps veterans through fund in honor of Zachary Clouser