Active-Duty Service Members Visit Injured Veterans At Palo Alto VA Hospital For Fleet Week
PALO ALTO (KCBS)— One of the lesser-known events associated with Fleet Week took place Tuesday at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital.
Injured veterans being treated received some special visitors when dozens of marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen arrived in a show of support and encouragement.
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About 30 active-duty service members in all went to the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center to talk with and listen to veterans suffering from combat, non-combat and stateside injuries.
"No matter when you're injured, whether you're a Vietnam veteran or Afghanistan veteran; to have the support of the active duty is important and we are here to say thank you," said First Lt. Garth Langley with the U.S. Marine Corp.
He made it a point to talk with Sgt. George Puryear. They were both deployed in Afghanistan in late August when Puryear suffered a traumatic brain injury after being crushed between two military vehicles.
Sgt. Puryear, who expects another six to eight months of recovery said he appreciated the visit.
"I thought it was great to have outside support. I just know that many people are praying for me and are there for me," he said.
Organizers said a similar visit is planned later this week at the San Francisco VA hospital as another opportunity for service members to give back to the community.