Volunteer Group Profile: A Surprise Visit for Harlem Vets

Before holiday weekends, Citymeals-on-Wheels delivers boxes of three shelf stable meals to make sure our homebound elderly neighbors have enough to eat during the long weekends.

This year, when our veterans in Harlem opened the door for their regular Citymeals-on-Wheels delivery, they were greeted by soldiers from the 69th Infantry who recently returned from Afghanistan. The elderly veterans were thrilled to meet these young soldiers, and share stories about their experiences.

The generation gap faded as both the soldiers and older veterans talked about their service overseas and how warfare has changed in the past 70 years. The WWII veterans had seen action in both major theatres, all over the world: Italy, England, France, Japan, and Africa. The Fighting 69th shared stories about locations throughout the Middle East and Afghanistan.

As he talked about his service as a Gunner First Class on a Destroyer and Air Craft Carriers, eighty-one year-old Navy veteran Nelson brought out a picture of himself in uniform.  When it was finally time to say goodbye, Nelson turned to the young men and said, “I will remember this visit till the day I die.”  Sergeant Santiago, a weapons specialist, agreed.  “Me too,” he said.

Every day we bring healthy meals, good conversation, and even a few surprises to homebound older people like Nelson. Help us honor our city’s elderly and all they’ve given us!