DVDs4VETs :: About Us

About Us

The idea to start DVDs4Vets came about on Veteran’s Day, 2006. With increasing reports of severely wounded soldiers returning home from Iraq, many of them, due to physical hardships were unable to easily obtain some of the basic entertainment most civilians take for granted.

When it became known many of our returning Vets had suffered Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and other serious wounds which required long term rehabilitation, Dr. Richard Landis of Westport, CT wanted to help any way he could. Having returned from a two week visit to Afghanistan where along with a group of surgeons, Dr. Landis helped organize a remote hospital and rehabilitation center for wounded civilians.

James F. Nicholson is a resident of Greenwich CT and Palm Beach, FL and a retired electronics manufacturer. He served in the USAF 1950 - 1953 as a pilot during the Korean conflict.

Dr. Richard Landis attended the University of Texas, where he earned a degree in Orthopedics. He has volunteered for Doctors Without Borders and has helped to build clinics in Afghanistan.

During a social event over the Christmas Holiday, he met James F. Nicholson of Greenwich, CT who upon hearing of the visit to Afghanistan, suggested putting together another project that would allow our returning Vets to receive donated DVDs while in rehabilitation.

Laurance Baschkin attended Bennington College in VT and in 2005 assumed control of his family's publishing company. He has voluntarily donated more than 5,000 DVDs to soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bob Bruder started a wireless service company in 1977 and has donated a warehouse used for collecting and forwarding DVDs to Vets. He lives in Darien, CT.

Emily Meyer is from New London CT and has attended Boston University. She is currently going for her MBA at Columbia University in NYC while volunteering for DVDs4Vets

Scott Bowers directs Media Relations. He is married and the father of two boys. He attended UCLA and spent five years at International Creative Management as a talent agent. He and his wife live in Mamaroneck NY

Once having Dr. Landis interested, James then turned to friends and those he served with during the Korean conflict and in a matter of days, brought together a group of dedicated people interested in participating. One of those contacted was Laurance Baschkin of Rye, NY. Having known Larry during fundraising for Greenwich Hospital, James learned of his recent assistance in sending DVDs to active duty personnel serving in Iraq. Larry not only offered to help, but provided office space at his family’s business as well. As a result, Larry agreed to become Executive Director of DVDs4Vets and his tremendous efforts have been graciously appreciated.

Other long time friends contacted included Robert Bruder, who donated the use of one of his warehouses located in Stamford, CT as a collection point. Before long, more than 20 individuals began pledging time and financial help to launch DVDs4Vets.

As the project has grown substantially, we have added two volunteer positions, including Scott Bowers of Mamaroneck, NY who provides Media Relations and Emily Meyer who coordinates donation deliveries.