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We suspect the same character traits that led Merrill Shaffer to serve his nation in the U.S. Navy led him to volunteer at area hospitals in their Vet-to-Vet program: A sense of community service, a desire to aid others facing difficult times and a strong work ethic.
As the Sun-Gazette reported in Friday's edition, even though patients might be from a different branch of the service, coordinator Kylle White said that there is usually some good-natured banter that goes on, but even then, she added, "it breaks up the patient's day and offers a little piece of kindness and a special touch to their visit."
"Being in the hospitality role that we are - volunteer services is a branch of hospitality - we just want to really focus on just that little added touch to enhance their stay. Just that human connection, you know that they're not just a patient, they're human and we want to recognize and honor their military service as well," White added, noting in Friday's article that there were 444 visits under the program in the preceding year.
We are thankful the hospitals have endeavored to provide a program to add these special touches to what can be worrisome visits. Even more so, we are thankful for our veterans -- for their volunteer efforts as part of this program and other community programs and for their brave service in defending America and America's ideals and principles.