Like Father, Like Daughter Aboard USS Shiloh

Article Title: Like Father, Like Daughter Aboard USS Shiloh

Article Excerpt: "A special bond forms between a daughter and her father when they hold the same Navy job on the same ship. ...For Navy Lt. Caitlin Dailey, that is exactly what happened when she took on the role of USS Shiloh's navigation officer at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. Her father, retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Donald Dailey, served in the same role as the ship's navigator more than two decades ago. Today he lives in Gainesville, Florida. ..."

Reference Source: www.war.gov

On the Ninth Floor of a VA Hospital, I Listen and Write Down the Lives, Loves of Veterans

Article Title: On the Ninth Floor of a VA Hospital, I Listen and Write Down the Lives, Loves of Veterans; Sue Blaustein

Article Excerpt: "I step off the elevator on the ninth floor of Milwaukee’s Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. It’s where the long-term and palliative care units are located. The nurses often give me tips about patients who might want to tell their stories. I find one—a Navy veteran—and introduce myself. There’s a stuffed animal on the bed table. A turtle. “I love turtles,” I say. He lights up and responds: “Then I love you!”

I sit and ask him about his life. ...I’m a poet and writer. Before retirement, I spent 25 years at the Milwaukee Health Department writing orders to correct food safety violations. I discovered the My Life, My Story program in 2018. Staff at the VA or volunteers like myself interview veterans about their lives and the resulting stories are included in the patient’s medical record.

Patients find it’s healing to have someone’s undivided attention and then a written story about their lives. And the stories offer providers insight and points of connection that might never be discovered in routine visits. It can be a portal to better care. ... Sue Blaustein

Reference Source: thewarhorse.org

Vietnam veterans look back | Three servicemen whose stories are told in exhibit speak out

Article Title: Vietnam veterans look back | Three servicemen whose stories are told in exhibit speak out

Article Excerpt: "...Just a week after it was designated on his license plate that he was a Bronze Star Medal recipient, Wilbert "Hop" Hobson was driving through Richmond last year when a police officer pulled beside him and signaled for Hobson to roll down his window. Unsure about why he was stopped, Hobson was relieved when the officer gave him a thumbs-up and said, "Thank you for your service," before driving away. Hobson served in the 101st Airborne unit of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. ..."

Reference Source: richmond.com