No Comrade Left Behind
More than 1,000 Veterans lined up in the pouring rain to receive much-needed food and assistance at a special event at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center last Saturday.
Houston VA teamed up with Combined Arms and the Houston Food Bank to host Operation Restock, an event aimed specifically at helping Veterans and their families restock their pantries and refrigerators after widespread power outages and storm damage caused by Hurricane Beryl just a few weeks ago.
“We are thrilled to be out here providing extra support to Veterans affected by the hurricane,” said Quindola Crowley, Houston VA’s chief of social work and an Army Veteran herself, as she loaded up a Veteran’s car with bananas and watermelon. “In the military, we used to say “no comrade left behind” and today is our way of reinforcing that with our Veterans. At the VA, it is our honor and privilege to care for them however we can.”
Crowley wasn’t the only VA employee volunteering her time at Operation Restock. More than 30 VA social workers, nurses and other staff were happy to participate. Houston VA Regional Office staff, including Director Robert Worley, were also on-site to help ensure the event went smoothly.
“I’m a Veteran and there is nothing more important to me than making sure my fellow Veterans are okay,” said Valerie Williams, a longtime medical center employee who served as the volunteer coordinator at Operation Restock. “It’s great to see so many VA staff out here volunteering along with active duty military and other veterans service organizations. We are all in this together here in Houston.”
John Smith, Combined Arms regional manager and Marine Corps Veteran agreed. “The collaboration that made this event happen exemplifies the power of community and the importance of providing a helping hand to those who have served their country,” he said. “I know that Veterans often have a hard time asking for help and tend to put themselves last. Our goal was to offer them a hand-up, not a hand-out.”
As cars filled with proud Veterans lined up outside the VA medical center as far as the eye could see for the event, Houston VA staff remained resolute in their commitment to care for Veterans. “It is eye-opening seeing how much need there is for assistance,” said Kelly Irving, Houston VA’s Associate Director for Patient Care Services, who was out supporting the event. “We want our Veterans to know that our VA is here for them in every way.”