Volunteering at my local Veterans Affairs Medical Center reshaped the way I viewed veterans, I wasn’t just working with your average patient, I was working with heros. These men and women sacrificed their life on a daily bases for the freedom of American citizens, knowing they may never see their loved ones again.

Coming from a family full of veterans, I felt there was no better way to give back to these brave persons.
While at the VA hospital, I had the opportunity to connect with the patients and hear about their experiences at war. By far, the most rewarding part of my day was the time I spent with the soldiers in the Hospice Unit. One man told me, “I’m lucky to be alive.” He was one of the few men in his platoon to come home after the Vietnam War. He said his family was extremely happy to see him alive and well. Some people on the other hand, were not happy to see him. They did not approve of the war and spit on the men, calling them swear words as they proceeded through the streets upon arriving home. This was a moving moment for me because my grandfather served two term in the Vietnam War. He never talks about his experiences and this gave me the opportunity to see just what he went through.

During my summer of volunteer work I also had was asked to lead and teach exercise therapy to residents in the nursing home and in the hospice unit. It was heartwarming to see their face light up after they completed the afternoon exercise class. Many of the men in the home had missing limbs that had been replaced with prosthetic ones. One man was even missing both his legs and an arm. Because of the physical challenged these heroes had, it was difficult for the residents to do things we consider easy. For example, even raising both hand above their heads or rolling their foot in a circle was a great achievement. This physical activity allowed them to maintain their range of motion, giving them the independence to do basic everyday task such as brushing their hair and teeth. Never once, did I hear any of the brave men complain about their disability. They were proud to have made a sacrifice for our country.

I have volunteered over one hundred hours at the VA medical center. Due to the hours I have volunteered, I am a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Award from the President. Seeing how much the veterans have given up for our sake has been an immensely humbling experience. It has inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field after realizing how much I enjoy interacting and making a difference in other people’s lives.