First Lady Pays Tribute to Veteran Patients in Nashville

Valentines for Veterans Help to Comfort Hundreds in Local Patients                      

NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam along with Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder handed out blankets and pillows to veteran patients at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System.  The 33rd Annual National Salute to Veteran Patients expands Valentine’s Day to allow volunteers, celebrities and civic leaders an opportunity to get to know the veterans being cared for at hospitals across the country.

“We are so proud of the men and women who have served our country with a selfless passion and commitment to our freedom,” Mrs. Haslam said.  “It is always an honor and privilege to meet them face to face and to hear their stories.  It affects you in a way you will never forget.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs organizes the events across the country to raise awareness about the growing number of hospitalized veterans in need of personal connections to their neighbors and friends within their hometown communities.

“We are seeing men and women of all ages in veteran hospitals, but they need more than medicine and medical treatment,” Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder said.  “We hope events like these will increase the number of volunteers willing to treat these veterans as the heroes we know they are.”

The First Lady and Commissioner Grinder gave patients pillows and blankets provided by a local ladies sewing group, which is a tradition for the annual event.