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VA begins Salute to Vets Week

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center focuses on awareness and services.

RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent

PLAINS TWP. – All Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers across the country are taking this week to salute their veteran patients, and on Sunday about 150 veterans, family members and representatives from veteran-oriented social organizations gathered at the Wilkes-Barre-area medical center to kick off this year’s local event.

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Edward Hughes of Harveys Lake, a veteran Marine of World War II, wipes away tears during the program at the VA on Sunday.

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Louis Wiernusz of Wilkes-Barre Township, a World War II Army Air Corps veteran, listens to retired Lt. Col. Andrew Andreeko.

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Vince Riccardo, acting chief of voluntary services at the local VA, said the 32nd annual event is aimed at showing appreciation and “getting the word out” to war veterans of the services available to them during the national Salute to Veterans Week.

Riccardo said the VA wishes to reach out to veterans to urge them to find out what services they may be eligible to receive.

There are about 110 veteran in-patients at the local facility ranging in age from those in their 20s who recently returned from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to those over 80 who served in World War II, Riccardo said. There are many others who are treated as “out-patients” receiving rehabilitative care or counseling, he added.

Retired LT. Col. Andrew Andreeko from the U.S. Army Reserve and the BPO Elks of Hazleton served as the keynote speaker for the Sunday event.

Andreeko, who served in Vietnam, told the group the most important message for them is “thank you.”

Veterans from all the nation’s wars should never be forgotten, Andreeko said.

“We want to keep their memory alive,” he said.

Sam Greenberg, from the Jewish War Veterans organization, said many vets feel their patriotism is being “taken for granted.”

He said young people returning from overseas suffering with post-traumatic stress disorders should be made to understand their efforts are appreciated and help is available.

The weeklong event started at Liberty Hall in the VA and included the presentation of colors by the Air Force ROTC, 752nd Cadet Wing from Wilkes University, musical entertainment and motivational speakers.

Today veterans can enjoy an afternoon of entertainment with Stanky and the Coal Miners, Riccardo said. On Tuesday, students from Wilkes-Barre Area School District will visit the VA community living center to distribute Valentine’s Day salutations to the residents, and there will be a bingo game sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, he said.

On Wednesday, veterans can enjoy a morning and afternoon “casino day” at Liberty Hall topped off with a visit from Tux, the mascot from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team, he said. On Thursday and Friday there will be more music and games to finish off the week, he said.

Riccardo said the VA provides activities all year, but this week there will be more than usual as part of the national salute.

The overarching objective is to increase community awareness of the VA’s role in providing comprehensive medical care and to encourage Americans to visit hospitalized veterans and to work as VA volunteers, Riccardo said.

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