Minneapolis VA Medical Center National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans

Friday, February 13, 2009 I went to the Medical Center to express my honor and appreciation to hosptitalized veterans in MN. We are all privileged to live in this nation and we all have a special place in our hearts for these defenders of freedom.

I met many veterans from World War 2, Vietnam and most recently from Iraq. The one soldier who really made an impact on me was Dan, a young soldier in his 20's who was headed to surgery within the next few weeks whose injury impaired his mental capacities to some extent but his emotional side was in tact. He mentioned looking forward to going back home after the surgery and even made jokes about his short term memory that he'll always feel like he's going to a newly renovated home since he won't remember what it was like before! Many of these soldiers will be here indefinitely but they all appreciated having visitors bringing Valentine's cards and showing they care by coming to visit them. Please consider a trip to visit these Veterans.