The Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System held a ceremony on Friday for its veterans, two days before the nation commemorates Veterans Day.
United States Army veteran Amado Jimenez attended the simple but meaningful tribute held at the West Haven campus, where Jimenez has worked since 1992.
“The most beautiful thing that I could do is walk these hallways and help my fellow veterans regardless of the branch they served. It doesn’t matter. We’re brothers and sisters.”
Director Gerry Culliton, who comes from a long line of veterans, said it is the least they can do.
“I think our country owes it to them to respect them for even those few minutes on one day a year but really throughout the year,” Culliton said.
“People sacrifice a lot to protect our country and a lot of times when we’re at home we don’t realize what’s going on overseas or what every day is like,” U.S. Army veteran Sheila Mattei said.
Jimenez said the VA has defined much of his life and has been a lifeline for him over of the years. He said his hope is that more veterans will reach out.
“You have facilities here. You have a healthcare system. That is here for you. Please don’t be shy. Walk through those doors. We here to welcome you. We here to take care of you.”
