Salute to Veteran patients: Valentines for Veterans Concert & Dance

For National Salute to Veteran Patients week, VA honored Veterans across the country by hosting special activities, celebrity visits and thousands of Valentines delivered to Veterans during the week of Feb. 12-18.

500 Veterans and families attended

On Valentine’s Day, Columbus VA’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Office (in coordination with various community partners) hosted its annual “Valentines for Veterans Concert & Dance.” The annual dance is one of the major highlights for Columbus Veterans during the week of National Salute to Veteran Patients.

As soon as news of the “Valentines for Veterans Concert & Dance” was announced, Veterans reached out immediately to reserve their tickets. Within just a few days, most of the tickets had been spoken for.

The dance was held at the historic Valley Dale Ballroom, which began as a stagecoach stop in the 1880s and later served as a tavern and overnight Inn. The dance hall was added in the 1920s and had once featured musicians like Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Dean Martin.

Veterans and loved ones grateful for dance 

According to Traci Washington, CDCE chief, “Not only was this an enjoyable evening for nearly 500 Veterans and their significant others, but VA staff was also on hand to encourage enrollment for VA health care. They also helped to inspire volunteerism at VA, and disseminate information to Veterans about Whole Health initiatives and the PACT Act.”

The “Valentines for Veterans Concert & Dance” was just one of the events planned for National Salute to Veteran Patients Week. This event was made possible through donations from local community organizations and private citizens.

Pledge of Allegiance

How Valentines for Veterans concerts began

The Valentines for Veterans Concerts began in 2007 in Prescott, Arizona, at the Northern Arizona VA. Two staff members were planning to meet with a young and wounded Iraq combat Veteran and his family. On their way to meet him, they were talking about what they were going to do on Valentine’s Day with their spouses. Once they arrived at the Veteran’s room, they met his wife and children. They all looked tired and scared. The staff tried to comfort him and encourage his family. When they left, they both had tears in their eyes and said, “Who’s looking out for his wife on Valentine’s Day because he can’t right now? He’s using all of his strength to fight for his life and recover.”

When the two staffers got back to their offices, they discussed how Valentine’s Day could potentially be a day of sadness for young, wounded couples.

They also discussed the large number of female soldiers who were serving and being wounded and said, “Who was looking out for her guy?” That’s when they decided that they would. And the Valentines for Veterans Concert was created.

To find out how you can become a volunteer or support Veteran programs, visit www.volunteer.va.gov.