VA Photos of the Week: November 29, 2019

Sweat, endurance, and defeating the odds can be found at Clermont CrossFit. The gym opens its doors for Veterans to use specialized equipment and to build their strength like never before! Christina Lafex, OVAMC Recreational Therapist, individually trains Veterans to reach their greatest potential by challenging not only their physical abilities but their potential to achieve what they never fathomed they could as well. Photo via David Boerst, Orlando VA.

Puppies & Poses: Puppy Yoga Session for Veterans. Coatesville VA employees were able to swing by at lunchtime to spend a few minutes of ‘Yappy Hour’ with the canine yogi’s who help wash away the stresses of the week. Thank you, Tails of Valor Paws of Honor Program, Inc. and Canine Connection Animal Assisted Therapy Program. Let’s do this more often. Photo via Coatesville VA staff.

Thank you to Tulsa Symphony Bassoonists (left to right) Charlotte Couch, Susie Brown, and Richard Ramey for visiting the Jack C. Montgomery VAMC to play for Veterans at the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit on Nov. 25. The trio performed for Veterans as part of Heart Strings, an outreach program that provides patients of area health care facilities with the comfort of music. “We love the interaction with Veterans,” said Couch. “We really enjoy playing and listening to them tell their stories.” Photo via Jack C. Montgomery VA staff.

The Soft Touch Band with Waltham VFW Post 10344 has been volunteering for four decades to entertain our Veterans seven times a year with dances in the gym. They performed their annual Turkey Trot dance and we are so blessed to have these exceptional musicians and volunteers entertain our Veterans! Photo via Bedford VA staff.

The Veteran’s History Project interviews Veterans in person about their military service and then catalogs their story with the Library of #Congress. Cynthia Rickett, a retiree of the Pittsford School District, has been volunteering for the Veteran’s History project since 2011, collecting over 400 Veteran stories in person and archiving them. Cindy loves her volunteer work with the project because Veterans are excited to tell their story to someone. “They are ready to talk and always start at the beginning,” Cindy said. “The hardest part is finding Veterans to interview.” Most Veterans learn about the Project through word of mouth. In 2015, the Canandaigua VA was recognized at VA’s National Advisory Conference for having the most History Project submissions, thanks to Cindy’s hard work.