The local VFW and Axillary from Post 4765 came to visit veteran residents at Athens Health and Rehabilitation on Sunday, April 7.

The organizations aimed to fill a request by veterans to raise a flag on the back part of the facility. In the afternoon hours, the veterans were wheeled down a walkway outside by Athens Health andRehab activity staff members with the VFW, VFW Auxiliary, family, Limestone County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Joshua Mclaughlin cheering, clapping and giving them balloons.

There was an opening prayer offered, and Ralph Smith (president) and Brian Hampton (commander) spoke of the importance of the flag and those who serve it. They then asked for local veterans/residents of the nursing home James Haggard and Donald Gibson to assist with unfolding and raising the flag.

Once the flag was raised and a salute was given, everyone shook the hands of the veterans thanking them for their service.

When asked what they thought of the new flag, Haggard said, “I’ve been pushing and waiting on this day, it’s a great honor to have served.”

Donald Gibson said, “Serving this country was an honor, and I’m just thankful for this great group of brothers and sisters here today.”

One of the attendees appreciated the beauty of the flag once it was raised.

“The flag is beautiful in the wind,” Leonard Nolen said.

Local leaders were glad to be a part of recognizing those who served.

Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said, “I think that it’s a great that we as a community take time to honor our veterans who live in nursing facilities. Not only are we honoring these brave men today, but we honor the colors of the flag and what it represents.”

VFW leaders are pleased to see the fruits of their efforts remembering these men.

VFW President Ralph Smith said, “Reaching out to the local nursing facilities helps our Veterans not fall by the wayside and to know that their service hasn’t been forgotten. We are reaching out to help these facilities at a local level, to provide the men and women who served the recognition they deserve. We have provided the Veterans at Athens Health and Rehabilitation, visits from our Auxiliary team and helped with Veterans Day Programs and Christmas. It’s been an honor.”

Brian Hampton, commander, said, “We do these programs to help vets and their families in our local community and strive to make every day better for them.

Athens Health and Rehab activity director Jessica Chambers loves getting to work with these veterans each day.

“I have had the pleasure of getting to know these men and listen to their stories of service. Each is different but at the end of the story they all have the same thing to say ‘It was an honor to serve this country,’” Chambers said.