For six years now, Corning-area students have made Valentine’s Day cards to present to veterans at the Bath VA Medical Center.
Last Monday wasn’t James Jewell’s first time, but it was still special.
“I feel honored,” said Jewell, who served in Okinawa with the Navy. “It feels good.”
The Valentine’s Day celebration at the Bath VA coincides with the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.
The event is “something we started about six years ago,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning – along with Ed Mancini and Corning-Painted Post Superintendent Mike Ginalski.
“Three newbies got together” to start the event, Mancini said.
“We just wanted to recognize the vets up here at the VA,” Reed said Monday. “We want to make sure the next generation recognizes the sacrifices of our veterans.”
Corning Mayor Richard Negri said that while his own military service wasn’t in a war zone, he learned something about sacrifice.
“I never served in a war, (but) I had three brothers who served in World War II,” Negri said. “One of them was shot down over Germany and killed.”
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Smith was the guest speaker at the event. Smith is currently the executive director of Corning Meals on Wheels.
He talked about several volunteers he’s worked with at Meals on Wheels who were veterans.
“Veterans continue to put service before self, long after they leave the military,” he said. Senior Chief Petty Officer Ron Gillespie, director of school facilities and operations for the Corning-Painted Post School District, said the veterans at the event shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the visiting dignitaries and the warm Valentine’s Day greetings.
“You’ve paid the price, and you’ve earned it,” he said.
For six years now, Corning-area students have made Valentine’s Day cards to present to veterans at the Bath VA Medical Center.
Last Monday wasn’t James Jewell’s first time, but it was still special.
“I feel honored,” said Jewell, who served in Okinawa with the Navy. “It feels good.”
The Valentine’s Day celebration at the Bath VA coincides with the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.
The event is “something we started about six years ago,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning – along with Ed Mancini and Corning-Painted Post Superintendent Mike Ginalski.
“Three newbies got together” to start the event, Mancini said.
“We just wanted to recognize the vets up here at the VA,” Reed said Monday. “We want to make sure the next generation recognizes the sacrifices of our veterans.”
Corning Mayor Richard Negri said that while his own military service wasn’t in a war zone, he learned something about sacrifice.
“I never served in a war, (but) I had three brothers who served in World War II,” Negri said. “One of them was shot down over Germany and killed.”
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Smith was the guest speaker at the event. Smith is currently the executive director of Corning Meals on Wheels.
He talked about several volunteers he’s worked with at Meals on Wheels who were veterans.
“Veterans continue to put service before self, long after they leave the military,” he said. Senior Chief Petty Officer Ron Gillespie, director of school facilities and operations for the Corning-Painted Post School District, said the veterans at the event shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the visiting dignitaries and the warm Valentine’s Day greetings.
“You’ve paid the price, and you’ve earned it,” he said.
