Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SMITHFIELD

Over 30 veterans hospitalized at the Hampton VA Center were transported to Smithfield on Feb. 10, where American Legion Post 49 and its Auxiliary welcomed them. These veterans who normally do not have many opportunities to get out of their hospitalized settings were fed dinner and entertained with a disk jockey playing lively music.

This is an annual event sponsored by the Legion and Auxiliary to let these men and women know they are not forgotten and their service is appreciated.

Each year, the VA promotes its National Salute to Veteran Patients program to pay tribute and express appreciation to veterans; increase community awareness of the role of the VA medical center; encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans; and to become involved as volunteers.

Veterans who were recognized: Joe Coston, Rich Rooker, Allan Edwards, Benni Lippard, Charlie White, Jim Focht, Thomas Joyner, Curtis Peterson, James Hartman, Frank Combs, Bobby Lockhart, Tom Mastaglio, Charlie More, Frank Falcon and Gus Wulfberg.