BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The VA Medical Center in Battle Creek handed out some holiday cheer to veterans on Christmas day.
Patients at the medical center received coupon books good for the purchase of clothing, shoes, toiletries, and other products at the VA Service Canteen Store, or for food at the Cafe.
“I think it’s really important for the veterans to know that people in the community continue to remember them throughout the year for their service to our country,” said Battle Creek VA Medical Center Representative Todd Greenman in an interview with WWMT.
Officials say this was made possible with donations through the program called Remember-A-Veteran, which received around $20,000 in community donations.
Being remembered around Christmas meant a great deal for patients like Army veteran Jon Broadnax.
“For me, to still be recognized is very important because see, even if I could receive visitors, I don’t have family here. Grandkids, kids don’t come. So without a lot of the visits from the volunteer service and the people that are allowed to come in, there would be nobody for me,” Broadnax told WWMT.
“It matters to matter to people, a whole lot to me. It lets me feel like I am still human, like I still have a purpose. I still belong and humanity still hasn’t left the earth yet,” continued Broadnax.
Remember-A-Veteran was created in 1953 by Art Middleton, a reporter with the Battle Creek Enquirer.
In addition to Christmas, coupon books and gifts are also given to patients on Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day.
Comments