Centenarian Veterans honored at Maui PACT Act event

Pacific Islands VA’s Maui Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) hosted a PACT Act event Nov. 16.

Services were available for health screenings, diabetic foot checks, vaccines, blood pressure checks, VA benefits and PACT Act Registration.

“We have been hesitant in the past about hosting events at our clinic due to the very limited parking we have on-site,” said CBOC Chief Kristin Cordaro. “However, we were able to navigate through that challenge relatively well by utilizing several staff members to direct traffic to open parking spaces in the back of the clinic.”

Navy Veteran Gary Lewis was pleased with the event. He said it was more efficient and felt a lot less chaotic with more privacy than at the mall where events are usually held. Lewis was also grateful for the food that was provided as he had not eaten breakfast.

“I was pleased to see the number of Veterans that participated in our event as we were able to offer a ‘one stop shop’ for our Veterans to receive many services that we do not regularly provide at the CBOC,” Cordaro said. “This year, we were excited to be able to offer a hot lunch and refreshments to our Veterans to show our appreciation.”

Variety of services available

The Maui clinic set up individual stations for services on all three floors. Veterans were greeted at the ground floor garage area where they could meet with providers from primary care, home based primary care, pharmacy, audiology, mental health, clinical social work and the American Red Cross. The second and third floors held the laboratory for blood draws, member services and VBA’s benefits counselors.

Pictured above are CBOC Chief of Staff Kristin Cordaro and Veteran Helen Locey.

A formal presentation ceremony was held to honor two centenarian Veterans: Army Veteran Helen Locey, 107, and Marine Corps Veteran Dr. Gordon Becker, 100. Both Veterans served in WWII.

Dr. Becker was a Navy fighter pilot and clinical psychologist. He said the thing he missed most about being in the military was flying planes and that he regretted never having landed on an aircraft carrier.

Veteran Locey was a nurse in WII, and she gave a brief statement when she received her coin from the VA Secretary: “I’ve had a wonderful and interesting life with still more to come.”

Approximately 135 Veterans attended with 361 services provided. Veterans were seen cornhole and participating in activities with their families, enjoying the healing tunes of Hawaiian music, and receiving VA gift bags that included hats, water bottles, lanyards, re-useable bags, note pads, pens, stress balls and gun locks.

“The highlight of the day was presenting the two centenarian Veterans with their letter and coin from the Secretary of VA,” said Cordaro. “Both of those Veterans are amazing and are such a joy to be around. Our entire team on Maui feels privileged to be able to serve such amazing Veterans.”

Advanced Medical Support Assistant for the Maui CBOC Karissa A. Among is proud to work for VA. Her father, stepfather and late grandfather all served in the Air Force and Navy. Her nephew is currently serving active duty in the Navy and stationed in Japan.