After suffering from cardiac arrest, former Vietnam combat veteran Richard Jeffrey is in serious condition Tuesday at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

Although he remains on a ventilator, his condition has improved since Saturday when he was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in critical condition, according to Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar.

“I just left Dick Jeffrey a few minutes ago and can tell everybody that all of the prayers are paying off,” Kellar said. “Dick was conscious and alert. He is still on a ventilator but it’s hoped it may be removed today.”

Jeffrey is a staple in the Santa Clarita Valley as a champion for veteran causes and is the Chairman and President of Back to the War Zone, a nonprofit organization dedicated to veterans who served in combat operations abroad.

“Dick Jeffrey is one of the heros of Santa Clarita. His passion for his fellow veterans is incredible,” said KHTS AM-1220 Co-owner Carl Goldman. “He is part of the leadership advocating for our Santa Clarita veterans. Our thoughts and prayers go out for a speedy recovery.”

While fighting as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam, Jeffrey saw first hand the impact of combat trauma on his friends.

Veterans that were able to travel to their former areas of combat returned home significantly better able to cope with their lives, families, jobs and society than those who did not, according to Back to the War Zone.

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