G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center
Jackson VA Medical Center celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month 2018 with events
November 1, 2018
Jackson VA Medical Center celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month 2018 with events honoring Veterans and their families
JACKSON, Mississippi — Yesterday evening, President Donald Trump declared November 2018 the second annual National Veterans and Military Families Month to “salute the brave and dedicated patriots who have worn the uniform of the United States, and…celebrate the extraordinary military families whose selfless service and sacrifice make our military the finest in the world.”
Beginning in 2017, President Trump proclaimed November Veterans and Military Families Month, marking the first time America celebrated Veterans and military families for the entire month and not just on Veterans Day, in keeping with the President’s strong focus on improving care and benefits to our nation’s heroes.
That tradition continues again this year, with more than 300 events at VA hospitals, benefits offices and cemeteries across the country, including:
senior leader visits to VA facilities
open houses
town halls
benefits claims clinics
volunteer recognitions
homeless Veteran initiative events
suicide prevention events
faith-based community events
flag planting tributes at national cemeteries
To celebrate Veterans and Military Families Month locally, the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center will hold the following events honoring Veterans and their families throughout the month of November:
WWII Veteran in Palliative Care will be presented with the Philippine Liberation Medal and a WWII Victory Medical at 11:30 a.m.
National Day of Prayer Service, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216, in the Chapel beginning at 11 a.m.
November 2 – Veterans Appreciation Day Picnic at the Mississippi Agricultural Museum hosted by the HUD VASH Program staff
November 5
11 a.m. – Warrior Bonfire, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216 in the Atrium
Fourth grade students from South Lauderdale Elementary School will deliver cards to Veterans
November 6
Pizza for Patriots in the Atrium, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216
Home of the Brave Campaign t-shirts will be handed out to Veterans during lunch
November 7 at 10 a.m. – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Open of Freedom Foods Pantry, Voluntary Service
November 8
Vietnam Veterans attending New Patient Orientation will be recognized and presented with a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Pin
Students from Jackson Academy will deliver cards to Veterans
November 9
Veterans Day Program and Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216 in Montgomery Hall. Veterans Canteen Service will recognize a Veteran from each branch of the military during the Veterans Day Program and provide cake. Program starts at 10 a.m.
Staff from Mississippi Public Broadcasting will visit Veterans residents in the Community Living Center in the afternoon
Veterans Canteen Service will be giving out $6 meal vouchers to all Veterans in recognition of Veterans Month
November 11 – Nutrition and Food Service will provide a special menu to Community Living Center residents and hospitalized Veterans in recognition of Veterans Day
November 12 - Bingo for Community Living Center residents, sponsored by the American Legion Post 112
November 13 – Birthday Party for Community Living Center residents, sponsored by Disabled American Veterans
November 14 – for Community Living Center residents, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus
November 15
10 – 11 a.m. Veterans Town Hall and Outreach Event at the Washington County Convention Center, 1040 S. Raceway Road, Greenville, MS 39703
Community Living Center residents will travel to Vicksburg to attend a special dinner hosted by the Elks
Bingo for Community Living Center residents, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary
November 16
10 – 11 a.m. National Family Month Caregivers Celebration, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216 in Montgomery Hall
Community Living Center residents will take a day trip to the First Baptist Church in Jackson to attend a Thankful Christmas
Bingo for Community Living Center residents, sponsored by the United States Marine Corps League
November 17 from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Drive thru Flu Shot Clinic at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, 1500 E. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216
November 22 - Nutrition and Food Service will provide a special traditional Thanksgiving Day menu to Community Living Center residents and hospitalized Veterans in recognition of Veterans Month
November 26 - Bingo for Community Living Center residents, sponsored by Communication Workers of America
November 30 – Community Living Center residents will make taco soup with the recreation therapists
This year’s celebration of Veterans and Military Families Month caps an unprecedented period of improvement for VA, as the department has made groundbreaking progress over the last two years in the areas of accountability, transparency and efficiency across the department while enjoying an important series of legislative successes.
“At VA, Veterans and their families are at the center of everything we do. Veterans and Military Families Month is an opportunity for us to honor the service of these patriots while educating communities about VA benefits and services and our commitment to customer service improvement,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said.
“It is our duty to remember the sacrifices of all Veterans, and to make certain that our commitments to them and to their families are honored,” said Dr. Walker, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center Director. “We are working on Secretary Wilkie’s priorities – customer service, implementation of the MISSION Act, replacing aging electronic health records, and transforming our business systems. At the end of the day, our true measure of success will be the Veteran being our advocate and choosing us for their health care.”
The full list of national events for Veterans and Military Families month is available at this link.
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