Remember Those Who Served
Veterans’ home grateful for volunteers
By Martie Pelletier
Volunteer, Caribou Maine Veterans’ Home
CARIBOU — As Veterans’ Day approaches, we think of honoring the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. Usually our thoughts turn to a parade or a special ceremony with music and words of thanks. These ways of saying “Thank You” are important. However, there is another way in which our veterans need to be honored. This way is an ongoing, daily way.
The Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou is home to many of our local veterans. These men and women find their lives enriched in numerous ways by volunteers. There is no “typical volunteer.” One person may be most comfortable simply sitting next to a resident, having a conversation or just being there. Another may be best at answering the phones, helping to free staff for other duties. Another volunteer may bring in a pet to visit. Whatever your skill, honoring our veterans can be a regular and fulfilling part of your life.
For example, a volunteer named Richard arrives weekly, clipboard in hand, to help by answering the phone for a couple of hours in the evening. His smiling, gentle way is welcomed and appreciated. Regarding his volunteer work at the Veterans’ Home, he says “I like to volunteer at MVH because when I look into a room and smile with a wave of the hand and in return receive a smile and possibly a wave of the hand, that is payment for being there that no amount of money can touch.”
Glenn is another regular volunteer who says “It makes them feel good if you just recognize them and we learn something every day.” He appreciates feeling that he is part of a team, noting that “we all work together to get the job done.”
A woman who volunteers regularly, but who prefers to remain anonymous, points out that a lot of people may be afraid to volunteer because they don’t personally know the residents. She says “It doesn’t matter if you know them or not. Just say ‘Hi’ and they appreciate it. You can talk about anything like the weather or digging (potatoes).”
Leslie and her husband, Larry, bring their German Shepherd dog in weekly to visit one particular veteran who had German Shepherd dogs for many years and loves them. Leslie notes that their dog “brightens the day of everybody there, putting smiles on the faces of staff and other residents too.”
Leslie also makes an important point regarding honoring our veterans. While agreeing that we must remember our deceased veterans, she states “How about honoring those who are still alive? They appreciate a smile or a few words. Lots of times a short visit — even just five minutes — can brighten and change their outlook for the day.”
Another man helps out often at the Caribou Veterans’ Home by driving the van enabling staff to take residents for drives in the countryside or shopping at the mall. He says “I think volunteering is a good thing to do ‘cause people need you and someday I’ll be old!” He adds, “I’m doing it because I love to do it.”
Volunteer musicians are greatly appreciated too. Most Thursday afternoons one will find a group creating toe-tapping tunes in the multi-purpose room.
Raynold, a musician with the band Old Strings from Eagle Lake, recalls how uneasy he felt about volunteering for the first time. “At first I felt like I didn’t know what to expect. After the ice was broken, I began to look forward to going. We all look forward to it, even though it’s 60 miles away for us.” He adds “It’s a rewarding place to go. Three of us are vets. Being a veteran makes it even more rewarding for us.”
Just looking around the room at all the smiles lets one know that music is a universal language, even for those unable to speak. Raynold adds “You can tell by the expressions on their faces that they are glad we came.”
Clearly there is no “one way” to be a volunteer at our Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou! The men and women who live here will benefit from whatever talent you are able to share. And to share your time with a vet is to honor that vet.
If you would like to join our team as a volunteer, call Karen Page at 498-6074.
