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Attn: Voluntary Services 4101 Woolworth Ave. Omaha, NE 68105
To schedule a visit, call 995-3284 or 995-4719.
The 15-foot tree in the lobby of the Omaha VA Medical Center is covered in valentines and thank-you notes to our nation's warriors.
The tree is the center's most visible symbol of National Salute to Veterans Week, which runs through Sunday.
Chris Shipp, director of voluntary services at the Omaha VA, expects to get at least 5,000 valentines at the Omaha center before the week is out, plus a total of 12,000 at centers statewide.
Hospitalized veterans should also receive visitors during the week, he said.
The valentines come from school groups, churches, community groups and individuals.
“This is only one way we have of distributing the valentines,” Shipp said, gesturing to the tree. “We encourage veterans, if they walk by this tree, to take a valentine or two with them on their way in or out.”
Although the VA encourages people to volunteer and visit any time, Valentine's Day week is set aside so the community can “show their love to veterans,” Shipp said.
“Especially right now, too, with two wars going on, it's I think even more magnified,” he said.
The hospitalized veterans enjoy the letters, cards and visits, Shipp said.
“They love it, both inpatients and outpatients, because of the visitation that's involved with this week, and especially the young people,” Shipp said. “They love for the students to come out. It's a very special thing for them.”
Contact the writer:
444-1074, john.keenan@owh.com
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