Operation Gratitude is the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic’s annual fundraising campaign which runs from December 1 – January 31 each year. During each campaign the Clinic highlights remarks from a veteran or a family member of a veteran who we have served.

The featured Veteran for the 2023 – 2024 Operation Gratitude campaign is Randel Norris. See Randel’s letter to our supporters below:

Dear Veteran Clinic Supporters:

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. My name is Randell Norris, and I am a proud veteran who served with the United States Army in the 101st Airborne division for eight years. I am writing to you today with heartfelt gratitude and a sincere appeal to support the life-changing work of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic.

Before I found my way to the Veterans Clinic, I faced significant challenges in obtaining the compensation I deserved for my service-related disabilities. I proudly served my country as a Soldier, enduring two combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Despite this, when I got out of service, I faced a new obstacle. But this time, it was one I didn’t anticipate – I struggled to get access to the compensation benefits I earned, including educational support through the GI Bill.

I had all but given up on getting my VA benefits when I was connected with the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic. Their unwavering commitment to assisting veterans like me – free of charge – has been nothing short of life-changing. By harnessing the legal expertise of law students at Mizzou Law, under the guidance of experienced attorneys, the Veterans Clinic fights for those of us who have dedicated our lives to serving our nation and are denied the benefits we are promised in return for our military service.

Here’s where your support truly makes a difference: the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic has assisted over 1,600 veterans, just like me, advocating for our rights and helping us navigate the complex web of bureaucracy. Through their dedication and expertise, they have managed to recover over $14 million in VA benefits for deserving veterans. But this is only possible through the generosity of compassionate donors like you.

Your contribution, no matter the size, empowers the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic to continue its vital mission. Together, we can ensure that fellow veterans receive the support and resources they need to lead fulfilling lives after their service. Your donation will directly impact lives, helping veterans like me overcome obstacles, access essential benefits, and pave the way for brighter futures.

To donate, click here where you can make a secure online donation.

On behalf of all the veterans whose lives have been positively changed by the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for your consideration and support in helping those who have given so much to protect our freedoms.

With profound gratitude,

Randel Norris
Veteran