Photo submitted Local members of Vietnam Veterans of America deliver a gift basket to Frank Bobo.

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Photo submitted Local members of Vietnam Veterans of America Ed Burwell, Torance Inman, Arthur G. Jordan, John A. Gist, Ronnie Swanger and James Rose delivered Christmas baskets to residents of Ellen Sagar Nursing Home and Oakmont of Union on Saturday.

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UNION — The Vietnam Veterans of America continued a tradition of spreading Christmas cheer to shut-in veterans this past weekend.

In 2010, the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America — Chapter 644 — started an annual tradition of visiting veterans who reside at local nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities and providing them with Christmas gift baskets. The group delivered this year’s baskets on Saturday to approximately 20 veterans at Oakmont of Union and Ellen Sagar Nursing Home.

“It was a joy and a blessing for the veterans and the VVA members to meet one another and share in some Christmas cheer,” said VVA member Torance Inman. “These men and women have served our country well and the VVA wanted to thank them for their service.”

The gift baskets included a variety of items including entertainment, toiletries, fruit and candy. VVA Chapter 644 would like to thank it’s members, Food Lion, Wal-Mart and the Salvation Army for their contributions of items and fruit that filled the baskets.

“We took on this project because we felt it was something we needed to do to show gratitude for veterans confined to a nursing home,” said VVA member Arthur Jordan. “We want them to know they’re not forgotten.”

Another VVA member, James Rose, said it was an honor to shake each veteran’s hand, thank them for their service and let them know the VVA is there for them if they ever need anything.

“Some of these vets have no one to visit them,” Rose said. “It was so heartwarming to see the smiles and tears on their faces. I hope I am never in this situation, but if I am, I know I will deeply appreciate a visit like this. I think it was a great success and look forward to next year.”

Members of VVA Chapter 644 encourage everyone to make sure our veterans are not forgotten throughout the year, but especially during the Christmas season.

“Please send a card, give them a call, or better yet pay them a visit,” Inman said.

Staff Writer Derik Vanderford can be reached at 864-427-1234, ext. 29, or by email at dvanderford@heartlandpublications.com.