VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Voluntary Service

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Past Events

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Independence Day Visits:
Uncle Sam stopped by to see some of the Veterans in the Downtown Los Angeles and Sepulveda facilities to wish them a happy Independence Day.

June Street Fair:
The VA Greater Los Angeles Annual Street Fair took place on June 1, 2005. The featured entertainment was provided by Nualani's Polynesia Tahitian and Hawaiian Dance Performers. Also performing was the Purple Sage Western Band. This event is predominately designed for those Veterans that typically cannot travel beyond their hospital facilities. The staff and the Veterans had a terrific time together.

May Activities:
The month of May was kicked off with Cinco de Mayo visitations, the presentation to the Golden Age Games from the Jewish War Veterans and the "Re-Creations" musical.

Voluntary Service Recognition Luncheon 2005:
The VA Greater Los Angeles Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon took place this year at the fabulous Beverly Hills Hotel, in full Polynesian luau décor and entertainment. 500 volunteers attended and were treated to live music and dancers, as well as presentations to outstanding volunteers from top leadership. Attendees selected a theme of Country Western for next year's event, so everyone shine up those cowboy boots.

Celebrities Visiting Our Vets: Bo Derek, who gave new meaning to the number "10", and Walter Jack Palance, who stared in the 1951 movie Halls of Montezuma and the 1953 classic western Shane, came to visit our hospitalized veterans in February 2005. Also spending time with our vets were the Laker Girls and the 2005 Miss Chinatown Royal Court. Guide dog "Thai" got in a few good licks of her own, while the American Legion Auxiliary and Cupid came bearing gifts.

VA Volunteers' Celebrate the Holidays: This year's Volunteer Christmas Party was held in building 25. The food was terrific and was dished out by the "big bosses". Marianne Davis was mistress of ceremonies while Vance Davis was kept busy with the raffle prizes. The many service organizations were well represented. If anyone left hungry it was their own fault.

Thanksgiving Visitation or Turkeys Run Amuck:
This year, as part of the regular patient visitation program, the "Great Turkey" arrived to give Thanksgiving Cheer.

“It is the Soldier”: Poem recited by Mr. Johnson during his speech for the VA POW/MIA Recognition Day in Los Angeles.

It is the Soldier by Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC
It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

"I am the volunteer": Poem written by Karen Anderson and published on Life Time Resources.

Voluntary Service Recognition Luncheon 2004 - April 2004:
500 volunteers were treated to a grand luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel in April 2004. Keynote speakers included Jim Delgado, Director for VA National Voluntary Service, as well as Ken Clark, Network 22 VISN Director (all VA facilities in the Southern California area, and including our Las Vegas clinics), and Charles Dorman, Director for VA GLA.
What’s up for next April? 80% of our attendees said they wanted a Hawaiian luau…so, practice your hula and get ready!

 


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Reviewed and Updated: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 2:09 AM