Virginia Beach Clinic Launches Dedicated Gratitude Line for Veterans Day
“Even though we’ve never met,” one recorded message begins, carrying across a newly established phone line.
A new Veterans Day effort in Virginia Beach is giving people a way to go beyond simply saying thank you by recording personal messages of appreciation that veterans and their families can hear. The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center launched Call to Honor: A Veteran Gratitude Line, allowing individuals to leave messages from home or listen to recordings left by others.
Dialing in and Tuning In
Callers can dial 1-248-VETERAN (248-838-3726) and press 1 to record a message. Veterans and their families can press 2 to listen to messages left for them. For those visiting the clinic in person, organizers have set up a red phone display where visitors can pick up the receiver and listen to the recordings directly.
For clinician Julie Bologna, the initiative carries personal weight. Bologna works with veterans and military families, and she is also a veteran herself.
“I think it’s gonna be good. I think it’s great that not only can people call and leave a message but the veterans come and listen to the messages,” Bologna said, adding that hearing these unprompted voices shows that military experiences vary widely and that service is not forgotten.
“So sometimes it’s important to remember why you served and every veteran has a different experience some good some bad so it’s important that when you come out and you’re feeling bad about things to remember that there are people who appreciate you,” Bologna said.
Recognizing the Few Who Serve
Clinic Director Tanetta Hassell pointed out that the campaign is also an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices made by those who served.
“I think it’s important to consider the sacrifices,” Hassell said. “You know that veterans have made only about 6% of Americans have served in the military and only about one percent or active duty right now and so it’s very important to take the opportunity to support those that served.”
The clinic also provides mental health services for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families. Because reflecting on military service or listening to emotional messages can occasionally unearth difficult memories, Hassell emphasized that professional support remains close at hand.
“I’ve trained in my therapist here to support those that might need it,” Hassell said, adding that the facility offers same-day support for anyone realizing they need ongoing care.
For Bologna, the gratitude line shows that people value their service, not only on Veterans Day, but beyond it.
