More than 15 Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay visited veterans at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Lake City, Florida, Dec. 7.

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen were greeted by by Michael Carey, the assistant chief of volunteer services for the VA hospital, while they delivered boxes of donated supplies.
“Your presents are nice but, your presence is better,” said Carey.

Carey said the donated supplies such as soap and socks would last the hospital’s patients for months.

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen then split into two groups to visit roughly 25 veterans in their rooms to spend time with them and hear about their time in the service.

Lt. Cmdr. David Nelson, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay command chaplain, spoke about why trips like these are important for active duty military members.

“This helps Sailors connect with their roots,” said Nelson. “It helps us understand those that went before and are where, eventually, we’re all headed to.”

Carey said the VA hospital loves the military and hopes to do more events like this. 
According to the Kings Bay chapel staff, SUBASE Kings Bay has been sending Sailors and other service members to visit VA hospitals during the holiday season every year since 2010.

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