The G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center now has a flag that can not only be seen but felt and read.
Vicky Russell Beggs made the contribution to the facility in Jackson, Mississippi in honor of her blind father, who was a World War II veteran. According to a VA blog post, Beggs wanted to honor both her parents, who often spoke of their love of blinded veterans.
On March 25, Gary Schoelerman, regional group secretary for the Blinded Veterans Association of Louisiana/Mississippi, and other members of the organization presented Kai Mentzer with a Bronze Raised Relief Braille Flag. Mentzer is the Jackson VAMC acting medical director.
Related
The bronze flag measures 12-inches by 13-inches. It honors the World War II heroes who, on March 28, 1945, banded together to form the BVA. which represents a cross-section of those who shaped the rich history, philosophy and knowledge of education and techniques rehabilitating the blind.
It also has raised relief stars and stripes including the stripes for the Pledge of Allegiance in braille.
Related
These same men also provided insight into current and future challenges facing the blind. Its advocacy efforts ensure that services for all blinded persons would be specialized for their unique life circumstances.
The Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group of the Blinded Veterans Association is partnering with other Veterans Service Organizations in the area to provide the Bronze Braille American Flags to Jackson VA. They also provide the flags to VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics to display in their lobbies.
Other VA medical centers that have the flag on display are in Biloxi and Alexandria
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
Want to get more connected to the great resources Connecting Vets has to offer? Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.