National Salute to Veteran Patients Week at the SF VA Medical Center

By Sunset Beacon on February 15, 2020 • ( Leave a comment )

In recognition of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week (Feb. 9-15), San Francisco VA Medical Center staff and Congresswoman Jackie Speier distributed Valentine’s Day cards to Bay Area Veterans on Feb. 14 at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

This annual event was an opportunity for the public to say “thank you” to a special group of men and women, the more than 9 million veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, outpatient clinics and nursing homes. Advice columnist Ann Landers started the tradition of sending Valentine’s Day cards to veterans 33 years ago. She has devoted a column to the National Salute, asking readers to send Valentine cards and letters to hospitalized veterans at VA medical facilities. More than a million cards and letters are sent to VA patients each year during National Salute to Veteran Patients Week.

Courtesy photos.

San Francisco VA Health Care System Director Bonnie Graham gives a veteran a Valentine’s Day gift bag as part of National Salute Veteran Patients Week on Feb. 14 at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

Schoolchildren from across the Bay Area made Valentine’s Day cards which were distributed to veterans at the San Francisco VA Medical Center on Feb. 14 as part of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week.

San Francisco VA Health Care System Deputy Director Jia Li (left) and Congresswoman Jackie Speier give a veteran a Valentine’s Day gift bag as part of National Salute Veteran Patients Week on Feb. 14 at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (left) and San Francisco VA Health Care System Associate Director for Patient Care Services Mary Ann Nihart give a veteran a Valentine’s Day gift bag as part of National Salute Veteran Patients Week on Feb. 14 at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

San Francisco VA Health Care System Associate Director Steve Ruggirello (left) and Congresswoman Jackie Speier give a veteran a Valentine’s Day gift bag as part of National Salute Veteran Patients Week on Feb. 14 at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

San Francisco VA Health Care System Director Bonnie Graham (left) and Congresswoman Jackie Speier give a veteran a Valentine’s Day gift bag as part of National Salute Veteran Patients Week on Feb. 14 at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

The National Salute to Veteran Patients also aims to:

pay tribute and express appreciation to veterans;
increase community awareness of the role of the VA medical center;
encourage citizens to visit hospitalized Veterans, become involved as volunteers, or donate to local VA facilities to enhance programs and activities for veterans.