Valentines For Veterans Concerts

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Salute to Veteran Patients “Valentines for Veterans Concert” is celebrated during the week of Valentine’s Day each year near host VA medical facility sites nationwide.

This wonderful program – with its inaugural Concert in 2007 – began with a live performance by The Platters Live featuring Elmer Armstrong. Little Anthony and The Imperials, a 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, have performed at several Valentines for Veterans Concerts and are ardent supporters of the initiative.

The purpose of the week-long celebration is to pay tribute to our veterans, increase awareness of the needs of hospitalized veterans, and provide the public with an additional opportunity to express their appreciation for the sacrifices of America’s veterans. The Concerts are also a great way for veterans and their families to share time together. The divorce statistics of severely injured OIF/OEF (Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation Enduring Freedom) are staggering – something the public is largely unaware of. The Concert events bring an awareness to this issue, often leading to corporate partnerships and sponsorships to further promote the needs of veterans. In addition, VA volunteering is promoted at all Concert locations and during the 2010 events, which took place in eleven cities, 280 volunteers were recruited.

Past performers have included country music greats Lee Greenwood and Aaron Tippin, R&B legends The Platters, Little Anthony and the Imperials and The Spinners, pop singer Jon Secada and American Idol finalist Matt Giraud.

For a listing of this year’s locations and other Concert details, click here. While the Concerts are free, tickets are required. Due to the success of the Concert events thus far, the demand for show tickets has been tremendous.

Below is a short video from a recent Concert.