VB @ VA

Veteran’s Day is Tuesday, November 11^th, a holiday for many people.  More importantly, however, it’s the day to recognize all the heroes who have served this country in the military.  I look around my workplace and I see 21 unselfish people (either current or future Volleyball fans, even if they don’t know it yet) who take care of our military heroes daily at the VA. Today, I want to salute all 21 of them for the fantastic job they do every day.  The superb work accomplished by my colleagues to support our Veterans is truly remarkable and reminds me of the song “Takin Care of Business” by Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO).

“You get up every morning
From your ‘larm clock’s warning
Take the 8:15 into the city
There’s a whistle up above
And people push and people shove
And the girls all try to look pretty
And if your train’s on time
You can get to work by nine
……And I’ll be
Taking care of business (every day)
Taking care of business (every way)
I’ve been taking care of business (it’s all mine)
Taking care of business and working overtime”

My coworkers at the VA truly are great people. Day in, day out, every day, they get the job done by giving a little – and sometimes a lot – of themselves to every single claim that crosses their desk and their computer screen.  Each one of them realizes there is a person, a live flesh and blood person, behind each and every claim they see.

Some of my peers are becoming Volleyball fans as I write – J. Steve, Steve (yes, J. Steve and Steve are two different people), Larry, Lawrence (yes, Larry and Lawrence are also two different people), Kristy, and Lee, who is both our science wizard and elder statesman. Another member of this team – and yes, we are a team – is Tricia, who was an honorable mention All American Volleyball player at McKendree University.  You will hear more about her on Sunday. Anyway, you might want to look around your workplace and see if there are any Volleyball fans, players, or former players in the area. Befriend them because I’m sure you will find them to be both interesting and fun people. I found two of them, the previously mentioned Tricia and Jaquetta, about whom you will hear more on Monday.

Now, as a gesture of respect, I salute all of my 21 immediate colleagues at the VA for the fantastic job they do daily.  Without regard to rank or position, here are the 21 superstars I am proud to call my teammates.

Finally, as a veteran, I look forward to Veteran’s Day because it reminds me of the awesome sacrifice Veterans have made for our country.  I once read that joining the military is like writing a blank check to your country, payable by sacrifice up to and possibly including your life.  So, I humbly thank all of you Veterans for your service and sacrifice, and I hope you get to enjoy your day!

Please, remember a veteran today. And, let’s grow Volleyball together! See ya tomorrow.