A gift of gratitude: Wahlen family brings warmth to Veteran patients at VA Salt Lake City
In the medical center that bears their father’s name, the children of the George E. Wahlen carried on a holiday tradition started by their father and their mother, Melba.
The Wahlens, along with the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System’s executive leadership team, delivered holiday gratitude and gifts to Veteran inpatients on Monday, December 23. Their visit was more than just a tribute to Wahlen’s legacy, it was a celebration of the Veterans who have given so much in service to the nation.
The Wahlen family passed out gifts and heartfelt appreciation, brightening the day for Veterans staying at the hospital. Each handshake, smile, and conversation reminded the patients that their sacrifices are not forgotten.
“It is very special that they came in to say ‘Merry Christmas,’ to me,” shared Vern Crawford, a Veteran receiving care at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center. “I get really great care here.”
This visit was an opportunity to honor the strength and resilience of the Veterans at the center of the VA’s mission. The Wahlen family embraced the season’s spirit of giving, taking time to hear Veterans’ stories and share messages of encouragement.
“It might be morale-building for the Veterans, but it is a great blessing for us,” said Blake Wahlen, the son of George E. Wahlen. “We feel it is a privilege for us to be here. It is because of them that we enjoy our freedoms.”
As the Wahlen family shared stories of their father’s dedication to service, they left behind a lasting reminder of the profound connection between Veterans and the community.
“I knew George,” said James G. Cutrubus, a Navy Veteran who the Wahlens talked to during their visit. “It is very important that they have continued his legacy.”
That legacy was a part of how George and Melba Wahlen raised their children.
“My mother and father instilled in us a love of the country and a love of the Veterans and the sacrifices they made and continue to make for the country,” said Blake Wahlen. “To those who are here to take care of the Veterans: we are grateful for the good care you provide to the Veterans. That is what this is all about.”
This visit was a celebration of the Veterans who inspire us every day and a reminder of the healing power of kindness, compassion, and connection—values that George E. Wahlen embodied throughout his life.
The gifts were all donated through the VASLCHCS’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Office. To learn more about giving or volunteering at volunteering at health care system, visit Volunteer Or Donate | VA Salt Lake City Health Care | Veterans Affairs.