My thanks to all who worked so faithfully on the annual Christmas dinner at the Vet Safety Net/Caring Services office in High Point. Once again this year, Marie Jones of the United Hearts and Hands made this day a great success.

Jones and her workers prepared a huge gift bag for each veteran. The Herndon brothers from Greensboro presented wonderful holiday music, and we all enjoyed the sing-along of Christmas carols we all remember from our childhood. We had wonderful food furnished and prepared by Triad Bass Masters group. It was good to see some familiar faces there.

Lately, I have spent time at the Veterans Affairs clinic and the VA regional office in Winston-Salem. I have seen a pleasant change there; they are all friendly and very willing to help any veteran. Throughout the many years that I have been going there, many times I would leave feeling as if I had taken up their time for nothing. Attitudes have changed, and I see willingness to help veterans.

I believe Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, secretary of Veterans Affairs, is responsible for the needed changes. He is keeping his word to all veterans. I am very convinced that Veterans Affairs offices always need people who have served in the military. They have a better understanding of veterans and their needs, maybe because they have worn the shoes of a military person.

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office is located in the Federal Building on the same floor as the Veterans Affairs Regional Office. All the national service officers there are disabled veterans. The DAV mission is to serve disabled veterans, and I know there are those who have not been pleased with some of the DAV people. But don’t give up; stand up and say you don’t agree with the way business is being handled, and help make things better. We all have differences of opinion now and then, but we all know how important it is to work together for the good of all.

Have you thought about donating a pint of blood during the holidays? Did you know three people can be helped by one unit of donated blood, through red cells, plasma and platelets? There are 43,000 units of blood used daily in the United States. I know there are times when it is just not convenient to donate, but the need for donated blood never takes a holiday. So, think about giving the gift of life. Stop when you see the Red Cross sign along the streets and roads in our area, or call the American Red Cross office at (336) 885-9121. They will be glad to hear you are interested in donating a unit of blood.

Remember the reason for the Christmas holiday season, and God bless America and all the other nations.

Semper Fi!

Stan Spangle Sr. is a 21-year veteran of the Marine Corps, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He’s a member of numerous veterans organizations.