Veterans receive thanks from America

Excerpts from the Thanksgiving Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln, October 1863.

“The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States…to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving

In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, peace has been preserved, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that this should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.”

At VA Medical Centers around the country, special events are planned for our Veterans and their families.

American Legion Auxiliary Dept. of South Dakota

November 28-29 is American Legion Auxiliary Dept. of South Dakota Gift Shop for Hospitalized Veterans – an annual event since the hospital opened in 1949. Pictured to the right, an auxiliary member helps a Veteran shop for his family.

Thanks Shirley Redmond Public Affairs Officer Sioux Falls VA Health Care System

VA Western New York Healthcare System is providing a Thanksgiving Dinner for homeless and needy Veterans at the Buffalo VAMC on Sunday, November 20, from 11am-1pm.

Thanks Terence G. McGuire, Public Affairs Specialist, VA Western NY Healthcare System

At the Albany VAMC in NY, November 17 – American Legion Thanksgiving event for CLC Vets (Community Living Center (Nursing Home)), November 18/ – Voluntary Services Thanksgiving event for Vets and November 28, Italian American Veterans Thanksgiving event for CLC Vets

Thanks Peter Potter, Public Affairs Officer, Stratton VA Medical Center

On Thanksgiving Day, Memphis VA Medical Center Nutrition and Food Services will be honoring the Veterans with a special meal and a Happy Thanksgiving card to show our appreciation for their service. Serving Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing, Home-made cranberry dressing, Green Bean Almondine, Cranberry relish, Warm Wheat roll and Sweet Potato Pie.

Thanks Willie M. Logan, Public Affairs officer, Memphis VA Medical Center

Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Team

Community groups partner with VA Pittsburgh’s Voluntary and Recreation Therapy teams during the holiday season to provide special holiday meals and activities for Veterans residing in the Community Living Center.

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season at VA Pittsburgh. Several different community organizations are providing special Thanksgiving dinners to Veterans in our Community Living Center. Over the next month, dozens of groups will prepare special meals, activities and programs for Veterans receiving care over the holidays.

Thanks Mike Marcus, Public Affairs Specialist, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

In Philadelphia, on Nov. 22, Nutrition and Food Service is providing a family style meal for inpatients. A “Harvest Party” with some traditional items such as pumpkin bisque soup, along with pizza and fries to change things up a bit.  All creative ideas from Recreational Therapy! On Thanksgiving Day, all inpatients and CLC residents will receive fresh cooked turkey from Nutrition and Food Services.  At the CLC, Recreation Therapy will sponsor Thanksgiving Trivia in the morning, and Thanksgiving discussions and games in the afternoon. At the Snyder House, RT is taking patients to the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parade.

Thanks Fern S. Billet, Interim Public Affairs Officer, Philadelphia VAMC

Central Texas Veterans Health Care System is having the following activities at its Temple and Waco locations: On Sunday, Nov. 20, VFW 9191 will sponsor a Thanksgiving Luncheon for the Community Living Center Residents and the Jewish War Veterans will be bringing assorted pies out to the Veterans at 11 a.m.  at the Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Medical Center in Temple, Texas. On Sunday, Nov. 20, AMVETS, ELKs and VFW will sponsor a Thanksgiving Luncheon for the All Veterans and Staff at 11 a.m. at the Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Waco, Texas

Thanks Deborah K. Meyer, Public Affairs Officer

West Texas VA Health Care System Thanksgiving Activities: For Thanksgiving we are having a Feast of Sharing from our local HEB grocery store that all Veterans can attend. Local DAV Auxiliary representative took our CLC and Domiciliary Veterans to eat at a local truck stop for all you can eat steak & shrimp. The local Elks lodge came to the WTVACHS to cook Bar-B-Que for all Veterans. The American Legion Auxiliary provided coffee and snacks for the local Veterans.

Thank you, Kristina Schaefer, Communications Specialist

The  Northern Indiana Healthcare System in Fort Wayne is hosting family and friends of CLC and inpatient Veterans for Thanksgiving Day Lunch. Medical Center Director Michael E. Hershman is serving at the Marion campus.

Thanks Isaac J Grove, Public Affairs Officer

At the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida, about 30 members of the Rough Riders (one of the Gasparilla Krewes) will be serving Thanksgiving lunch on the “main street” of the Polytrauma and Rehabilitation Center. Lupton’s is catering and the Rough Riders have paid for the meal. 5 Pandora’s will provide the pie. .

Thanks Lawrence M. Miller, Shayna Rodriguez, Karen Collins

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Thanksgiving Day events include:  Thanksgiving Day meal to be served to all inpatients (Veterans in the Community Living Center will be served a Thanksgiving Day buffet for lunch), Chaplain Service is doing a special, “Thanksgiving Day Service” in the Community Living Center, Voluntary Service has coordinated room visits with a gift distribution (insulated coffee mugs) for Veterans on the inpatient units and Community Living Center

Thanks April D. LaRock, LMSW Public Affairs Specialist