VA Loma Linda Hosts Veterans Day and U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Celebrations

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Hundreds of Veterans, caregivers, family, and friends joined VA employees and the community to honor Veterans and learn about resources and services offered at VALLHS. The event was coordinated and executed by VA Loma Linda’s Team Communications, a collaborative group that includes Public Affairs, Medical Media and Reprographics.

Veterans Benefits Administration joined more than 15 VALLHS services to host resource tables at the event, educating attendees about services such as PACT Act, Prosthetics, Telehealth, and more.

Over 400 Veterans and caregivers received lunch provided by the Veterans Canteen Service.

The celebration kicked off with a U.S. Marine Corps 248th birthday observance. Dozens of Marines showed up for a ceremonial cutting of the cake and birthday message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The Veterans Day celebration followed afterwards with opening ceremonies. Medical Center Director Karandeep Sraon shared remarks and introduced U.S. Army Veteran Johnnie Griffitts to tell his Veteran story.

“I was in Vietnam in ‘68 and ‘69, and when I came back home I realized that not only did I have physical wounds, but I had emotional wounds,” said Griffitts, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient who served with the 17th Air Cavalry. “One day I was driving down the freeway and I just started uncontrollably weeping and I wondered what was going on. I decided now it’s time, Uncle Sam knocked on my door—now it’s time for me to knock on his door and get the help that I needed for my pain.”

Griffitts enrolled in VA in 1970 to access his earned benefits, and get the physical and mental health care he needed. “These are wonderful people,” said Griffitts about Team VA Loma Linda. “They care. They respect and honor us each and every day. As a Veteran I am grateful, and as a human being I am thankful.”

The opening ceremonies featured musical performances by VALLHS Medical Support Assistants Denise Jemison and Marcus Reliford, and original songs by the Guitars for Vets group Strings with Candelario Rodriguez. Additional entertainment was provided by special guest Brent Payne, an American country singer and performer with a well-seasoned band. Payne is a multi-award winning recording artist and Guitars For Vets ambassador who volunteers his time to support and recognize Veterans with his musical talents.

The event was livestreamed to include all VA Loma Linda employees who could not attend the ceremony in person. More than 80 participants joined the celebration online.

VA Loma Linda Healthcare System is honored to care for those who served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors. VALLHS proudly serves more than 80,000 Veterans across the Inland Empire, and that number is growing. It’s our mission to answer the call to make lives better today than they were yesterday. To learn more about our services and access the excellent Veteran healthcare you’ve earned and deserve, visit www.va.gov/loma-linda-health-care/