When Nobody Else Listens, The Marion VA Does
From sweltering heat to hailstorms just a few hours later, the Marion VA staff demonstrates their willingness to support and connect with Veterans.
When VA staff learned of the Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance being brought to the area, many staff jumped at the opportunity to welcome the wall and help with set-up. In addition, several Marion VA programs volunteers to provide information to attending Veterans during the weekend’s events.
However, the staff was somewhat unaware that they were going to be facing temperatures of a scorching 100 degrees during the wall’s intended set up time. Some of VA’s engineering staff, many as Veterans themselves were honored to be able to help and assist with the physical set up of the wall. In addition, staff scheduled to conduct outreach were met with a surprise hailstorm while heading to the ballpark. Still, the group of VA employees and local news were there to welcome the wall. Around 1:00 p.m., staff cheered on as the Illinois State Police and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Chapter 24-5, escorted the wall to the Marion Stadium.
Maria Buehler, Voluntary Service Officer shared that, “I, as well as so many other of my fellow VA employees, view our work as much more than our job...It's our sincere privilege. There is a very real feeling of indebtedness about what the Veterans we care for have sacrificed on our behalf. Being out here in this weather, "braving" the hail, wind and rain is NOTHING compared to the bravery our Veterans showed during their time in service and even upon their often-difficult transition of returning home to civilian life.”
Prior to the evening’s Thrillbillies Baseball game while the VA and multiple other organizations were setting up for outreach and information sharing, the hailstorm hit and hit quite hard! Most of the vendors were trying to set up prior to the gate being opened for the public, but when the storm hit, brochures, business cards and numerous other give away items were tossed across the stadium and down into the bleachers as golf ball sized hail began dropping on the ballfield and elsewhere with vigor!
Lead Health Benefits Assistant, Rachel McKee stated, “It was important for the VA to show up no matter the weather conditions. We are still here for the Veterans like they were for us.”
Rainstorm, Windstorm, or Hailstorm could not deter our staff from showing support for the Veterans. VA staff remained present despite multiple game delays and until the game was officially cancelled.
As standard bearers of the ICARE VA Core Values (I-ntegrity, C-ommittment, A-dvocacy, R-espect, E-xcellence), we want to thank our staff for displaying a real commitment in serving our Veterans.