Photo By James Smith | U.S. Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) interact with residents of...... read more read more
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PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. - U.S. Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, paid a visit to veterans living at the Alexander Nininger State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines, Florida, May 7 during Fleet Week 2015.
Marines spent the day observing the daily operations of the nursing home, interacting with veterans and listening to their military stories.
“My job is to encourage my residents to engage in activities on a daily basis,” said Theo Roker, activities supervisor at the nursing home. “When we have the Marines come visit us and talk with the veterans, it not only brightens their day, but it allows them to recall things that are impressionable for them.”
Along with sharing their stories, Marines ate lunch and played bingo with residents to continue building a bond between generations.
Residents in the nursing home all served in either World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War, and many were injured at some point in their military career.
“Speaking with these veterans showed me that my world and their world are totally different, but yet are intertwined,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Joseph Stinnette, an assault amphibious vehicle crew chief with the 22nd MEU. “It’s intertwined in the ways of our behavior and how we operate.”
Some of the areas in the nursing home held several mementos from some of the veterans showcasing their achievements and giving service members a chance to look into the past.
Upon completing their visit, Marines gave their sincere thanks to the veterans and left with memories from those who preceded them.
“I can’t thank the Service men and woman enough for coming out here to visit,” said Roker. “I couldn’t imagine that out of all the things you guys needed to do today, you would find the time to come here.”
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2015 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 162811 |
| Location: | PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 435 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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