Every year, the Kansas City VA Medical Center invites folks to visit during Valentine's Day week as part of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans. This year, the main day will be Wednesday, but Donna Pitman, Jere Gish and I got a head start by spending a little time there on Monday. As always, it was our great honor to visit with these heroes. And, by heroes, I also include the staff and volunteers at the VA!

We chatted with men and women who gave of themselves in just about every branch of the service. Navy, Air Force, Army (which one Vet calls simply "The Best!"), the Marines and Coast Guard all were represented. One of the World War II guys told us about his service in the Pacific Theatre of Operations including Iwo Jima. He saw the movie Flags of Our Fathers because a friend made him go. He said it was pretty good but, like Saving Private Ryan, maybe a little too real and graphic. He lived it once. Doesn't really want to see it again. Our Coast Guard buddy from the Vietnam era is one of the most positive and happy people you could ever meet, despite some very serious health challenges. Frankly, he was like one big smile! Another Vietnam Veteran told us about his two tours of duty...one in place of his little brother. He said it was a four letter word that saw him through the war and the aftermath: HOPE.

Smiles and hope. May not be what comes to mind when you think of visiting a hospital but it does describe what you will see if you take time to visit this week as part of the National Salute to Veterans. Thank you to all the patients, families, staff and volunteers for letting us be a small part of your day.