GENEVA — Every day, Geneva resident Don Branford opens his eyes, stretches his arms and gets ready to make a difference in the life of a veteran.
Branford, a U.S. Army sergeant first class, served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. In honor of the men who didn’t come home from battle, Branford volunteers with the Cleveland VA Medical Center in Brecksville, Wade Park and Youngstown, as well as the Community Based Outreach Clinic.
“You see young men and women, so young, and they lost arms and legs and eyes and they struggle and they fight to get better and to be all they can be and they are proud of their service and their sacrifice,” Branford said. “And they don’t get the respect and the recognition they deserve.”
Branford said the men and women veterans have sacrificed enough.
“Now is our time to serve them,” he said.
Branford encourages schools, Boy and Girl Scout troops and other organizations to write cards to veterans. He takes the cards to various veterans hospitals, where he hangs them in common areas of the hospital and delivers cards to bedridden veterans.
“I don’t think people truly understand how much a simple thank you card means to a veteran,” he said. “Veterans need to be appreciated and that thank you card means the world to them. It sounds simple, but it is so important.”
“People really do need to do more. Nobody expects a brass band when they come home, but they do expect to be appreciated,” he said.
Branford said the disabled veterans also need deodorant for men and women, toothbrushes, toothpaste, new or gently used clothing, brushes, combs, books, puzzle books and puzzles. Wheelchair bound veterans use crocheted lap robes to keep warm.
“I feel if people pull together, they can make a difference in the life of these veterans. I ask people to encourage children to make handmade cards, to buy an extra toothbrush at the store, pick up an extra pair of warm socks,” he said.
For more information on how to support a disabled veteran or to donate items and cards, call Branford at (440) 466-5197.
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