The VA Experience

"It’s great to be great, but it’s greater to be human."

– Will Rogers

I am touched, moved, and inspired after performing for some 30 veterans today at the Durham VA Hospital.

What a morning!

I can still see all of their faces  Most of them were in wheelchairs.  Most of them were elderly men.  Most of them were alone.

I stood tall and looked every single one of them in the eye before I began to sing.  I told them how honored I was to to be in their company.  I thanked them for their courage and their service to our country.. fully aware that Veterans Day is not simply one day out of the year.  These men and women deserve to be lifted every singe day.

What a joy!

I got to sing the songs I love, and the songs most of the veterans remembered from so long ago.  Some of them just smiled, or clapped their hands.  Others tapped their fingers, nodding their heads or closed their eyes.

My song list included:  I’ll be Seeing You, Bye-Bye Blackbird, Our Love Is Here To Stay, Someone to Watch Over Me, and the Nearness of You.

I can not say with certainty that I got to them.  They sure got to me.

After my performance, some of the veterans hung around to thank me.  One vet encouraged me to write a song to honor all of the country’s veterans.  Others requested autographs. One veteran asked me to visit his roommate who was paralyzed and not able to leave his room for the concert.  I entered his room singing, to his great surprise!

I have so many memories to cherish.  To say that I am looking forward to returning to the VA Hospital in January is a huge understatement.

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