Veterans News

National Salute to Veteran Patients Week

The National Salute to Veteran Patients will be here soon! This event is celebrated every year during the week of February 14th. It is a time to pay tribute and express appreciation to veterans, increase community awareness of the VA, and encourage community members to visit hospitalized veterans and volunteer.

If you can’t make visits or volunteer in person, there may still be opportunities to help at your local VA. Here are a few examples from Elks Voluntary Service Representatives.

In Fargo, N.D., Representative David Bailly delivered calendars and flag pins during the National Salute week, to send encouragement to hospitalized veterans. He emphasized that checking in with the Voluntary Service staff members at the hospital frequently is especially important during COVID, because it helps volunteers stay up to date with the most important needs.

Two occasions for special events in February are Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl. In Butler, Pa., last year, Representative Jeanette Miller sponsored a special Valentine’s luncheon at the VAMC. Even though hospital staff members were holding events on behalf of the Elks, Jeanette was still able to make sure veterans know that the Elks remembered them.

In Syracuse, N.Y., Representative Bob Maraio was able to visit the VAMC in February. He held a Super Bowl party for veterans with pizza and other refreshments. The party was such a big success, that veterans were asking “when are you coming back?”

In Fort Wayne, Ind., Representative Betty Stewart celebrated the National Salute to Veteran Patients week by delivering gift bags with socks, toiletries, snacks, and playing cards to veterans at the VAMC. While this project was different from past celebrations, Betty was still able to show Elks’ support for veterans and fulfill some of their wishes with the help of hospital staff recommendations.

Click here for more information about adapting service to veterans in hospitals from the Voluntary Service Chief at the Jesse Brown VAMC.

Back