PLAINS TWP. — For the past 38 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs
has used the week of Valentine’s Day to show a little love for veterans
at its hospitals across the country.
has used the week of Valentine’s Day to show a little love for veterans
at its hospitals across the country.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s Voluntary Service
department kicked off the National Salute of Veteran Patients on Sunday
afternoon with a short ceremony at the Plains Township facility.
department kicked off the National Salute of Veteran Patients on Sunday
afternoon with a short ceremony at the Plains Township facility.
The ceremony featured Suzanne Hall singing the national anthem and “Let
There Be Peace On Earth,” the Wilkes University Ceremony Drill Team and
keynote speaker Thomas Hood, head of school at MMI Preparatory School
and an Army veteran.
There Be Peace On Earth,” the Wilkes University Ceremony Drill Team and
keynote speaker Thomas Hood, head of school at MMI Preparatory School
and an Army veteran.
Hood retired from the Army after 22 years in service and holds numerous
awards, including the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal with
Oak Leaf Cluster.
awards, including the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal with
Oak Leaf Cluster.
“The National Salute of Veteran Patients program is a wonderful tribute
to almost 100,000 veterans who are cared for at VA facilities around
the country,” Hood said. “The program is designed to both pay tribute
and appreciation to our veterans and to increase community awareness of
the roles of the VA medical center, while encouraging citizens to visit
hospitalized veterans and volunteer.”
to almost 100,000 veterans who are cared for at VA facilities around
the country,” Hood said. “The program is designed to both pay tribute
and appreciation to our veterans and to increase community awareness of
the roles of the VA medical center, while encouraging citizens to visit
hospitalized veterans and volunteer.”
Hood spoke of an article he read that talked about an increasing
disconnect between the American military and the people it serves.
disconnect between the American military and the people it serves.
“That connection between soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and the
American populous is such an important part of what makes this country
great,” Hood said. “One of the causes listed for this disconnect was the
decreasing number of people that are serving in the various branches
today.”
American populous is such an important part of what makes this country
great,” Hood said. “One of the causes listed for this disconnect was the
decreasing number of people that are serving in the various branches
today.”
According to this article, Hood said, at the end of World War II,
nearly 10 percent of the population was on active duty in the military
and many families had at least one family member in uniform.
nearly 10 percent of the population was on active duty in the military
and many families had at least one family member in uniform.
“We have been at war nonstop for the last 13 years, but today only
three quarters of one percent of the population has served in Iraq or
Afghanistan,” Hood said. “So while soldiers are often thanked for their
service, and I’ll say that happens at a higher rate than before, I’m not
sure those people that thank us for our service fully understand what
that service involves.”
three quarters of one percent of the population has served in Iraq or
Afghanistan,” Hood said. “So while soldiers are often thanked for their
service, and I’ll say that happens at a higher rate than before, I’m not
sure those people that thank us for our service fully understand what
that service involves.”
In honor of the local veterans, the Hazleton Elks Lodge 200 donated $1,000 to the hospital during the ceremony.
John A. Brogna, a Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran, has volunteered at
the medical center for the past 24 years after he was treated in several
VA hospitals from a war-related injury.
the medical center for the past 24 years after he was treated in several
VA hospitals from a war-related injury.
“I know how important it is to have someone around,” Brogna said. “It
gets lonely, so it’s nice to have someone there with you. I have never
given up support for the soldiers.”
gets lonely, so it’s nice to have someone there with you. I have never
given up support for the soldiers.”
Deb Schlosser, the VA hospital’s voluntary service specialist, said
they have 502 volunteers at the hospital, ranging from 14 to 98 years
old.
they have 502 volunteers at the hospital, ranging from 14 to 98 years
old.
“Veterans have given up so much for our country, so it’s always good to
pause and say thank you,” Schlosser said. “It’s good for them to know
that their sacrifices are appreciated.”
pause and say thank you,” Schlosser said. “It’s good for them to know
that their sacrifices are appreciated.”
Throughout his speech, Hood explained the many lessons veterans are
able to pass onto future generations through interaction, such as
personal sacrifice, loyalty, fulfilling obligations, respect, honor and
integrity.
able to pass onto future generations through interaction, such as
personal sacrifice, loyalty, fulfilling obligations, respect, honor and
integrity.
“The men and women served by this hospital have so much to share with
their fellow citizens,” Hood said. “While I do not believe we can fully
share our stories and experiences while in combat, no person can
properly share those soul-changing events, there are a lot of lessons
that are learned from service that can and must be shared with the
people of this country.”
their fellow citizens,” Hood said. “While I do not believe we can fully
share our stories and experiences while in combat, no person can
properly share those soul-changing events, there are a lot of lessons
that are learned from service that can and must be shared with the
people of this country.”
Other events planned this week for the VA hospital’s patients include a
Patsy Cline tribute singer, gift distribution, Valentine’s Day bingo
and a casino day.
Patsy Cline tribute singer, gift distribution, Valentine’s Day bingo
and a casino day.
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