VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System

Join us in celebrating the National Salute to Veterans

 The Northampton VA Medical Center invites the public to participate in its 2011 National Salute to Veteran Patients on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

The purpose of this recognition event is to honor Veteran patients and to increase community awareness of the VA’s role in providing comprehensive medical care to Veterans.  The event is held as a way to encourage Americans to visit hospitalized Veterans and volunteer at VA facilities.

The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in the center’s Recreation Hall Auditorium, Building 11.

"The National Salute to Veteran Patients gives everyone a chance to let those who have given so much for our nation know that they are not forgotten," said Richard Tremaine, VA Medical Center associate director.  "We encourage Veterans, family members, and the community to visit us and bring some mid-winter cheer to our patients.”

Tremaine said he hopes visitors will also learn more about the important roles volunteers play at the medical center throughout the year and pursue volunteer opportunities at the Northampton VA. 

In 2010, volunteers nationwide contributed more than $261 million dollars in hours served with VA programs. Another $107 million has been donated in monetary and non-monetary contributions to Veterans. This represents over $368 million dollars of time and donations to the Department of Veterans Affairs.  In Northampton, volunteers contributed a total of 34,170 hours in Fiscal Year 2010.

"Our medical center’s 420 volunteers are an integral part of our health care team and the National Salute to Veteran Patients program is a great way for people to learn more about helping the veterans we serve here at the Northampton VA Medical Center," said Tremaine.  “Visitors are often surprised at how diverse our volunteer opportunities are.”

The national salute is observed annually here in Northampton as “a day of caring and sharing” for the public from throughout western Massachusetts to show its appreciation of inpatient and outpatient Veterans, said Anne Murray, Northampton VAMC voluntary services officer. 

“The national salute is a wonderful opportunity to offer our patients a genuine connection with family, friends and community,” said Murray.

The Northampton VA Medical Center National Salute event includes: 

Carnival festivities from 1 to 2 p.m. featuring live country music, a disc jockey, raffle prizes, and game booths.  Prizes are sponsored by veteran service organizations from Hampshire, Hamden, and Franklin counties and by nursing students from Holyoke Community College.

A flag ceremony from 2 to 3 p.m. featuring a color guard from the University of Massachusetts ROTC program and local retired service members from each military branch; a proclamation from the Northampton veterans service agent; and children performances by GHT Productions.