The Dublin VA Medical Center hosted its second annual Fall Festival Saturday, October 14, to promote programs and services available to veterans and their families and to enhance collaboration with the community in pursuit of its goal to provide the best health care possible to America’s heroes.

            The event included a rich variety of activities for adults and children including an auto show, 5k walk and butterfly release in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, petting zoo, music, and a veterans’ benefits claims clinic hosted by the regional Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) office. VBA staff reviewed general benefits with veterans and specifically educated them on the new PACT Act, a law passed by the Congress in 2022 to address health care issues related to toxic exposures.

            Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) chief Keith Griffin was delighted with the event’s success but emphasized it was not a VA event, but a community get together.

            “We’re committed to inviting our middle Georgia community to our events and having them actively participate because we want to really empathize that it takes an entire community to honor our veterans and give them the best health care. Seeing our community partners here shows what a wonderfully collaborative community we have and how committed they are to honoring our veterans,” Griffin said.

            Organizations throughout the VA’s catchment area in forty-nine counties in middle and South Georgia staffed information tables to provide materials such as Georgia United Credit Union, Women in Need of God’s Shelter (WINGS), Daughters of the American Revolution (John Laurens Chapter), T` Lees Treats, Atrium Health, DAV Unit 50, Macon Veterans Center, Pullen Hot Grub, and Warriors Ranch. VA services and programs present included Women’s Health, Whole Health, Social Work, Caregiver Support, Community Care, TeleHealth, Chaplain Service, Pharmacy, Mental Health, Center CDCE, VA Police, Military Sexual Trauma, Quality Safety Value, Suicide Prevention, and many more.

            VA CEO and medical center director Manuel Davila thanked all who attended and participated, acknowledging their contribution to VA’s efforts.

            “It’s an inescapable fact that to provide our veterans with the highest quality care we can, we need solid, mutually beneficial partnerships with our community. Seeing so many folks here to help us communicate with our veterans just reaffirms what I have experienced since I got here in 2022. The middle Georgia community loves its veterans and is committed to helping the Dublin VA care for them,” Davila said.

            Davila lavished praise on Atlanta VBA Regional Office staff for their support in providing a claims clinic for veterans to file for benefits.

            “When we have events, we always want to conduct outreach so that we can get veterans not receiving benefits to sign up. Only about one-fourth of eligible veterans in our area are coming to us for their health care. We want to change that, and having our VBA friends here makes filing for those benefits easier for the veteran. I can’t say enough great things about the Atlanta VBA’s efforts. They have been with us at multiple events promoting the PACT Act and other benefits and will doubtless be great partners in the future,” Davila said.

            The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT, Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The law makes it easier for veterans to receive care for toxic exposures.

            Breast Cancer Awareness Month events included a 5k walk and subsequent butterfly release coordinated by Women’s Health Outreach Coordinator Marla Roche and Polly Daniels, a VA counselor and breast cancer survivor. Before releasing the butterflies, meant to honor those battling breast cancer and in remembrance of those who have succumbed to the disease, Daniels recounted her own fight with breast cancer and encouraged listeners, male and female, to be vigilant in their health.

            “One in eight women will eventually get breast cancer, and so will a significant percentage of men. Don’t be complacent! Early detection and fast action saved my life and could save yours. Do monthly self-exams and get recommended screenings.” Daniels said.

            Attendees could participate in a variety of activities such as drum circles, acupressure, Whole Health screenings, and many others. Children’s activities included a petting zoo, face painting, bouncy houses and slides, bean bag toss, and basketball among others. Food included hamburgers and hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, and multiple vendors.

The Fall Festival’s auto show included cars, off-road vehicles, and motorcycles. First place in the car division went to Kristian Hodges, with second place earned by Steve Nunan, and third to Tyler Carson. First in motorcycle honors was Faron Legrand with Arthur Legrand taking second. Dublin Police and Dublin Fire Departments provided vehicles and staff to demonstrate their capabilities.

            Griffin said that the event would continue to occur each year and invited anyone interested in participating as a display or vendor to contact him. He also encouraged families and groups, such as schools and churches, to attend.

            “This will be a significant event for us each fall, so we want community friends to collaborate with us, and we want to see young people here so that we can promote patriotism that will keep our country strong. Seeing the veterans here who defended our nation should help everyone develop a sense of greater appreciation for the sacrifice that our veterans have made,” Griffin said.

            VA communications director Dr. Frank Jordan said that the annual event offers a chance for the public to see the latest in what’s happening across the VA.

            “To provide superior health care to our veterans we need to continually update and revamp existing programs and services and be ready to adopt the latest evidence-based practices. Our Whole Health Service is the premier example of this philosophy, but similar advances and innovations are occurring across our VA, including mental health, telehealth, social work, and many others. Seeing these innovations displayed lets our community friends and partners see first-hand the VA future that is happening now,” Jordan said.

            Anyone wishing to learn more about next year’s Fall Festival events or how to participate can contact Griffin at[email protected]. The public is encouraged to follow the medical center’s Facebook page at “Dublin VA Medical Center” to stay up to date on the latest events at the VA.