Airmen brighten VA patients' Valentine's Day

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Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn --  Hospitalized veterans at the Murfreesboro and Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Centers received a special Valentine's Day surprise this year.
A group of officers and enlisted troops from Arnold AFB personally delivered valentines made by Middle Tennessee area students, to veterans at the VA medical centers Feb. 13 and 14. The Valentine's Day visits were part of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans' Week.
One volunteer sees symbolism in the valentine presentation.
"These people up there have sacrificed a lot," said Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Coleman, a maintenance analyst with the 804th Maintenance Squadron and president of the local Air Force Sergeants' Association Chapter 477.
"The valentine cards were made by local students. It shows that future, present and older generations are aware and are helping out and showing that we're there for them in one form or another - whether its bringing cards or visiting."
Patients ranged in age from 18 or 20 to World War II veterans, according to Rosetta Fisher-Oliver, chief of the VA voluntary services office.
"Some of them [patients] have family and friends who visit, but most don't," she said. "We always try to send these volunteers to visit those who don't. Thank God, we had a lot of people come out this time, so they were able to visit those that do have visitors and those who don't."
Having the opportunity to spend time with the men and women who have served before them was an honor for the base volunteers.
"It's paying the proper respects to those who have served our nation," said AEDC Superintendent Chief Master Sgt. Everett Smith. "It's only proper that we go spend time with those who have paved the way. I'm thankful to the members of AEDC who were able to make the visit so special for the veterans."
Others, like Capt. Richard Sanders, with more than 20 years of active-duty service can definitely appreciate the contributions the veteran's have made.
"I have a lot of gratitude toward the people in that hospital. I know the sacrifices they've made."
As for the veterans, Ms. Fisher-Oliver said they couldn't have been happier with their unexpected visitors.
"They were so grateful and so humbled," she said. "We really appreciated Arnold coming out. Seeing the guys in uniform brought back a lot of memories and made them feel like they were still part of the military team - that they haven't been forgotten."
The visit brought a lot more than valentines.
"It brought a lot of smiles," Sergeant Coleman recalled. "And it gave them the opportunity to share some war stories."
Members of several other organizations joined the AEDC volunteers for the salute to veterans. Among those were singer and actor Jerry Reed who starred in "Smoky and the Bandit" and "Water Boy," Jim and John Hager, the Hee Haw twins; Mike Kraus from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; and the Red Hat Honeys - a ladies-over-50 group.
Christmas is typically the time of year most volunteers come out to the center, according to Ms. Oliver-Fisher. But, anyone who wants to stop by and spend some time sharing a few war stories is welcome anytime.
To volunteer or just visit, call the voluntary services office at 615-867-6135. To just be a visitor, it isn't necessary to go through any type of orientation. Voluntary services office representatives can set up visits or arrange for volunteers at the Nashville or Murfreesboro VA.