Rally Association brings joy to Idaho Veterans

One of the veterans who lives in the Pocatello Veterans Home, Kelley Ransom, stated that he thinks what the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp. does "is great! I'm 100% behind them, I like motorcycles; I used to have a few. Always got a hoot out of them - they are a lot of fun. The motorcycle rodeos are great and I'm really looking forward to attending one."

This comment is from just one of 64 veterans, three are ladies, who are currently living in the Pocatello Veterans Home in Idaho. The POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp. helps to aid the Veterans Home in funds received from their annual event.

Jeff Piper, Administrator, and Carey Hebdon, Volunteer Services/Activities Coordinator, both agree the Association has provided a level of support both financially and through supporting legislation and programs. They said this has made the lives of the veterans better and more fully rounded.

The Association's contributions have included three large screen televisions, one for the new activities room, one for the main nursing station lounge, and one for the dining room area. Financial donations have helped purchase durable, comfortable and easy to care for furniture that is suited to the elderly.

The organization has also provided Christmas parties and gifts. This year members of the Association came up the Saturday before Christmas and did room to room visits with a gift for each veteran. Their turkey run has provided turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the past 4-5 years. One of the members set up a Christmas tree in their shop for the veterans, with gift suggestions. Then the donated gifts were delivered at their party.

The Association has supported all of the Veterans Home annual programs and special events, including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other special programs, as well as providing inspirational speakers and masters of ceremony. Whenever there is legislation or program assistance needed, the POW*MIA Association supports the veterans, said Jeff and Carey.

The Association supports the newly opened Veterans Cemetery in Boise, and all other causes within the Division of Veterans Services. The two agree that the Association has been invaluable with legislation, and they respond immediately.

Perhaps the greatest contribution of all is that the Veterans Home in Pocatello counts on the Association to support our veterans and the Veterans Home. "They are a compassionate and caring association - they have truly taken to heart our mission of 'Caring for America's Heroes' - who are their comrades. They display the highest level of dedication and loyalty," said Carey and Jeff of the Association's efforts.

Requirements for living in the Veterans Home are: be an honorably discharged veteran (wartime or peacetime), resident of the State of Idaho, and have a medical need for 24 hour skilled nursing care.

The Pocatello Veterans Home Resident Council President Donald Wells said that "organizations like the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp. go above and beyond the call of duty. Through them, it makes it a lot more like just being at home (for people at the Veterans Home).

Carey addressed the Association in a letter with this to say, "We recently completed the construction of a new activity room. A portion of your gifts will be used to help furnish this lovely addition that will assuredly bring many pleasant moments and enjoyable activities to our veterans. We recognize the tremendous time, effort, talent, and energy that it takes to make your annual Motorcycle Rodeos - Thank You for taking to heart our mission of 'Caring for America's Heroes'."

Those interested in contacting Carey Hebdon at the Pocatello Veterans Home may do so by E-mailing her at hebdonc@veterans.idaho.gov

Idaho State Veteran's Home