Vet to Vet on This Special Day

“When I was in the military, I didn’t think much about the importance of what I was doing,” says Air Force Veteran Loretta M. Davis. “But now, Veterans Day is a very touching day for me. I think back on the day I left the military. They gave me a folded flag and told me [I was a civilian now] and I had tears in my eyes. I’m proud to be an American and to have served my country.”

Though she is no longer in the military, Loretta continues to live a life of service as a member of the Crossroads volunteer team. Today, she will participate in her first Veteran Recognition Ceremony, honoring other Veterans in the St. Louis area.

Veteran Recognition Ceremonies acknowledge and recognize our Veteran patients and community members. Patients receive a certificate of appreciation, a medal of honor and a veteran’s cap. Our volunteers record the Veteran’s experiences in journals we prepare for their families.

Even before Loretta retired from her job at the Department of Defense, she knew she wanted to do volunteer work. “I love to help. I have a heart for seniors and wanted to serve other Veterans,” Loretta says. “Military was part of my family. I served. My father served in the Navy during WWII. My older brother was in the Air Force during Vietnam. My younger brother was in the Navy. My entire family served this country and I want to keep serving.”

When she joined the Crossroads volunteer team, she was immediately drawn to helping her fellow veterans. She donated medals and mounted them on a display board so every Veteran would see their military branch recognized.

“On Veterans Day, I fly a flag and think of the sacrifices so many have made for our country,” Loretta says with pride. “I’m honored to be able to celebrate some of those Veterans through the Crossroads Veterans Recognition Ceremony.”