Wilmington community shows love for Veterans
Veteran patients at the Wilmington VA Medical Center are in for a sweet treat as the nation celebrates National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, a weeklong observance in its 45th year that encourages the community to get involved in visiting hospitalized and inpatient Veterans.
Veterans were showered with love on Valentine’s Day as more than 400 carnations and over 1,000 handmade Valentine’s Day cards from Caravel Academy and other local schools were distributed.
“This week is really something special, and we’re only getting started with the festivities,” Chief of Center for Development and Civic Engagement James Coty said. “It’s refreshing to see the outpouring of respect and compassion from our community.”
The observance runs February 12 – 18, and the Wilmington VA Medical Center hosts a Valentine’s Day dinner for its nursing home patients February 16. The menu is filled with premier selections ranging from a surf and turf entrée to desserts courtesy of the Wilmington VA Food and Nutrition team.
Veterans can choose from a filet mignon with a house made blue cheese sauce or salmon and duck complemented with a blackberry red wine reduction served with scalloped potatoes. Assorted mini cakes with fresh whipped cream will be served for dessert.
“We put a lot of thought into our menu and wanted to provide a fine dining experience and ambiance as best as possible,” Chief of Food and Nutrition Service Jerimy Parsons said. “Many of these guys have been living in our community living center for several years and haven’t had the chance to get out much because of COVID-19. I know this means a lot to the Veterans and to our staff who have cared for them.”
Since 1978, VA has used the week of Valentine’s Day to provide a weeklong commemoration for Veterans and bring awareness to the importance of volunteering at VA medical centers. Wilmington VA has 131 volunteers and received more than $8,000 in monetary donations in 2022.
“Volunteering was an opportunity for me to give back. I’m feeding my soul,” Bobbie Perri, a volunteer at Wilmington VA since 2013 said.
Married couple Bobbie and Tim Perri have volunteered at VA for 10 and 14 years each totaling more than 7,500 volunteer hours, respectively. Tim, a retired Army Veteran, started volunteering in 2009. They believe the best experience in life is giving back to those who served.
“My wife and I love it. You see the sacrifices Veterans have made to keep us free, and the satisfying part is knowing you’re helping a fellow human being,” Tim said.
To volunteer or make a donation to Wilmington VA, contact james.coty@va.gov.