Photo By Marcy Sanchez | William Farlow, a 93-year-old World War II veteran receiving inpatient care at William...... read more read more
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Inpatient Veterans at William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) received a special visitor in recognition of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, Feb. 15.
Mr. Michael Amaral, El Paso VA Healthcare System director, visited VABs that day. Amaral brought along Valentine’s Day Cards handmade by students of SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School, El Paso, Texas, as well as other gifts to enhance their stay at WBAMC.
“It set me back. As soon as he mentioned the purpose for his visit it took me back to when I was in the service,” said 72-year-old Frank Garcia. “I didn’t know there was a week to honor Veteran patients and was surprised when the director walked through the door.”
The National Salute to Veteran Patients Program was established to demonstrate appreciation to Veterans while increasing community awareness. Across the country there are initiatives to pay tribute to Veteran patients through special ward visits, such as the one at WBAMC, recreational activities, concerts and opportunities for community members to volunteer at their local VA medical centers.
“A lot of Veterans have gone a little by the wayside, and we need that support,” said Garcia, a native of San Antonio. “Whenever I see a Soldier I think of what we all went through. We’re getting there. We have a ways to go, but we’re getting there.”
The director’s visit to WBAMC included showing appreciation to veterans who spanned many generations, including a 93-year-old World War II Veteran.
For Garcia, the visit topped off what he describes as “good relative changes” he hopes to experience at the El Paso VA Healthcare System.
“I have nothing but praise for the staff at WBAMC,” said Garcia. “I came in and was attended to like I was the only one here. It made my day.”
In addition to providing medical care to approximately 100,000 eligible Tricare beneficiaries in West Texas and Southern New Mexico, WBAMC also provides emergency, inpatient, and specialty referral services to nearly 70,000 veterans with the El Paso VA Health Care System.
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2017 16:31 |
| Story ID: | 224354 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 483 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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