VA Photos of the Week: November 15, 2019 (Veterans Week)

Harry Gillespie, a Veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam stands in front of the Armed Forces Monument on Veterans Day at Culpeper National Cemetery, Virginia. Photo via Culpeper National staff.

CLC loves its animals! Huge thanks to Tanganika for bringing their furry friends to visit with our Veterans. This education based program is designed to provide opportunities for our residents to interact with animals they normally wouldn’t have the chance. Everyone was captivated, especially by Chewbacca the sloth! Photo via
the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center staff.

Baltimore Ravens Legend Torrey Smith, along with Cheerleaders, the mascot Poe, and representatives from Leidos, a global science and technology solutions leader, that partners with the Ravens for their Salute to Service initiative, visited veteran inpatients today at the Baltimore VA Medical Center to show appreciation for the men and women who served the country in the armed forces. This visit precedes the Ravens’ Salute to Service game, set for Nov. 17 during which military Veterans and active duty service members will be honored. Photo via Baltimore VA staff.

Charleston VA Medical Center aids their population of Veterans by providing haircuts at their Stand Down Against Veteran Homelessness events. At this event, Veterans are connected and referred to various community and nationwide resources. Veterans were also able to share how their VA has helped them acquire housing and employment. Photo via Charleston VA staff.

Fort Sill National Cemetery in Oklahoma hosted the 434th Field Artillery Brigade for an “Honor the Fallen” event. This included just over 200 Soldiers from Fort Sill Military Post who will graduate from Basic Training on Nov. 8. During their visit, these troops fine tuned and aligned two sections of upright headstones, pruned, raked and landscaped the main entrance to the cemetery, washed all 6000 headstones and columbarium niche covers, installed all of the Avenue of Flags flagpoles, trimmed trees throughout the cemetery, and washed the windows at the Admin building and Public Information Center. We are grateful for the work that these new soldiers did, and even more grateful for the #honor and #respect that they showed to those who wore the uniform before them. Photo via Fort Sill Cemetery staff.

In Fresno, CA, Marine Veteran and World Boxing Organization (WBO) super featherweight world champion Jamel Herring made it a point to spend time with Veterans at VA Central California Health Care System on Nov. 6. The visit was ahead of Herring’s first title defense against Lamont Roach Jr. The professional boxer spent time with Veterans at the Community Living Center Residents and later visited inpatients on the fifth floor of the main hospital. Photo via VACCHCS staff.

The Ralph H. Johnson VAMC held the 19th Annual Charleston Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9. The parade included more than 50 groups – multiple marching bands, historic military vehicles, motorcycle groups, and #Veterans Service Organization floats! Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg gave remarks, as did the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC Acting Director Ronnie Smith. Remarks were followed by the singing of the National Anthem by the Laing Middle School choir and a flyover by Joint Base Charleston’s 437th Airlift Wing. Photo via Ralph H. Johnson VAMC staff.

Orlando Magic and Soldiers’ Angels (Official) came together to surprise Orlando VA Domiciliary Veterans! Our Veterans were treated to a dinner buffet and special one-on-one time with Bo Outlaw and Michael Carter-Williams. Thank you for taking the time to give back to our Veterans. Photo via Orlando VA staff.

U.S. Navy Veteran Smiley Wallace (left) and U.S. Army Veteran Larry Chrislip (right) share a laugh in the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) lounge at the Dallas VA Medical Center. Wallace has more than 5,000 volunteer hours at the Dallas VA Medical Center and was once named volunteer of the year. Chrislip started volunteering eight months ago. Photo by Jennifer Roy, Public Affairs Specialist at VA North Texas Health Care System.

Former Prisoners of War were recognized at the South Texas McAllen Outpatient Clinic recognition ceremony for POW/MIA Veterans. Pictured here (middle), Mr. Gregorio Gonzalez (U.S. #Army, 7th Division) is a former POW who served during the Korean War. “I never thought that people would care so much,” Mr. Gonzalez said of the POW/MIA ceremony. “I’m so thankful.” The recognition of POWs continued throughout Texas, allowing communities to thank and honor our Vets. Photo via South Texas VA staff.