Remember-A-Vet begins 69th campaign to benefit patients at Battle Creek VA

Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer
·3 min read
James Oonk, at left, a 53-year-old Marine veteran from Holland, has been at the Battle Creek VA facility since August and is an example of the people who benefit from the Remember-A-Vet campaign. He is joined by Todd Greenman, chief of community and volunteer services at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
James Oonk, at left, a 53-year-old Marine veteran from Holland, has been at the Battle Creek VA facility since August and is an example of the people who benefit from the Remember-A-Vet campaign. He is joined by Todd Greenman, chief of community and volunteer services at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

When Veterans Day came around again recently, it was said by many that it is good to have a day to honor those that served. But, some added, we should all do a better job of doing that year-round, as well.

The Remember-A-Vet campaign helps with that. And it has been a vehicle to help out veterans in need in Battle Creek for almost 70 years.

"It's just amazing this program has gone on for so long and it is still so impactful for our veterans here," said Todd Greenman, chief of community and volunteer services at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

For the 69th year, the Battle Creek Enquirer is helping kick off the annual Remember-A-Vet campaign, which is organized by the VA and provides gifts and some comfort to patients locally.

In 1953, Art Middleton, a former Battle Creek Enquirer and News reporter and editor, was asked by some readers how to send Christmas gifts to patients at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A veteran himself, Middleton suggested what is now Remember-A-Vet, outlining the program in a Dec. 13 column that year as a way to provide some holiday cheer for military veterans who could not leave the hospital.

Middleton died in 1971, but the idea he had almost seven decades ago lives on.

Art Middleton served in World War II before he became a reporter and editor for the Battle Creek Enquirer and News.
Art Middleton served in World War II before he became a reporter and editor for the Battle Creek Enquirer and News.

"It's amazing the support we see from the campaign. And it's not just in Battle Creek. It's in Marshall, Albion, all over. And what is nice, is that a lot of the families that donate have a veteran in the family and they just want to give back to other veterans," Greenman said.

"We have veterans here in recovery, due to PTSD, substance abuse, (and) mental health issues. We have a nursing home. We have a wide variety of patients here and Remember-A-Vet really helps all of those people."

Donations are used to buy coupon books which are distributed to inpatients on seven holidays during the year and can be used in the canteen, a store at the facility. The patients receive the coupon books or gift bags on Memorial Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, July Fourth, Labor Day, Veterans Day and Christmas. Gift bags are given to patients confined to the mental health units.

Donations in 2022 were the most in years with over $40,000 raised.

James Oonk, a 53-year-old Marine veteran from Holland, who has been at the Battle Creek facility since August, says everyone looks forward to those coupon books, called 'Canteen Bucks', when they come around.

"The Canteen Bucks are big for us. Last time out, we got 20 bucks each and everyone was really stoked about it," Oonk said. "The VA provides everything, our basics, all of our meals. But if you want something a little extra, you can use the Canteen Bucks to get it, maybe a snack, maybe some Doritos.

"Seeing that kind of support when you are here is important. When I first got out of the Marines, being a veteran wasn't that popular back in the '90s. After Sept. 11, that really changed and you started seeing more community programs, discounts for veterans, things that can really help. And we can see, with things like these Canteen Bucks specifically, that this community is heavily invested in helping the veteran population. Especially here at this VA."

Donations should be sent directly to the VA and checks should be made out to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Include a notation on the check or in a separate note that the money is for Remember-A-Vet.

Mail the checks to: Battle Creek VA Medical Center, Community and Volunteer Services, 5500 Armstrong Road, Battle Creek, MI 49037

There is also an option available to make donations online by going to www.pay.gov/public/form/start/48003168/

Names of all those making donations will be published on the VA website beginning in January.

The 2022 drive will continue through the holidays until Jan. 1, but Greenman said donations for the Remember-A-Vet are accepted through the year.

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Remember-A-Vet begins 69th campaign to benefit Battle Creek VA patients