Letter writer: Veterans, thank you for your service

Cynthia Breyfogle

On this Veterans Day, communities across the country will pause and reflect on the sacrifices and contributions of selfless men and women – past and present — who answered our nation’s call to preserve our freedom and the way of life we hold dear.

As the Charles George VA Medical Center director, I am proud to be entrusted with a revered mission — to provide excellent health care to our veterans that improves their health and well-being. I am grateful that our team of dedicated professionals, many of whom are also veterans, share a personal connection to the mission of the VA and give their best each day to ensure our veterans receive timely access to quality, patient-centered care.

On this day and every day, we owe each veteran the honor and respect commensurate with their selfless service and sacrifices to our country. It is our privilege to be in their debt for all they have given to us.

To all veterans — thank you for your service.

— Cynthia Breyfogle
Director
Charles George VA Medical Center

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

11 thoughts on “Letter writer: Veterans, thank you for your service

  1. boatrocker

    Happy Armistice Day, named after Nov 11,1918 11am when hostilities ceased.

    • Phil Williams

      A note of historical interest – the officially recognized last casualty of the Great War was Private George E. Ellison, Royal Irish Lancers, who was killed by a sniper at 0930 on 11 November 1918. By a bizarre coincidence, his grave in St. Symphorien Cemetery near Mons, Belgium, directly faces the grave of the officially recognized first British casualty of the Great War – Private John Parr, Royal Middlesex Regiment, who was killed at the Battle of Mons on 21 August 1914.

    • boatrocker

      Anybody who smugly answers “You’re welcome” to that either never served or is off their meds.

      • Mike

        That is an ignorant comment. I often reply that way when some one thanks me for my service as an Army Officer in the Vietnam era.

        • boatrocker

          Given certain posters’ tendency to ahem, embellish in terms of facts here, I’d say I’m being prudent, as with also reminding folks that certain sites also exist in order to weed the chaff from the real deal.

        • Phil Williams

          I was thinking the same thing – saying “you’re welcome”, “de nada”, “sehre bitte”, etc., is usually considered a normal, gracious response when you are thanked for something. I am often thanked for my service especially when in uniform (even though the only blood I’ve shed in almost 30 years of service has been by way of paper cuts – and I once gained 12lbs in a combat zone) – I always smile and generally respond with either “You’re welcome” or “Thank YOU – for keeping us in your thoughts!”

  2. Phil Williams

    Thank you, Ma’am, for running a splendid organization – the Asheville VA Hospital should be the national model for VA healthcare facilities. As a NC State Veteran Service Officer and as a patient, I was continually impressed with the facility and the quality of care.

Leave a Reply to Phil Williams ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.