“I've
learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
My experience with Veterans Village was just
as beautiful and bright as the people who were a part of it. I honestly can’t
tell you what I was expecting Veterans Village to be, but I was relieved to
discover it to be a warm and welcoming. While setting up the food, I became
acquainted with other students there to serve. I thoroughly enjoyed the company
and the light atmosphere. My contribution to the dinner was salad and dressing.
My boyfriend and I shopped for and prepared our favorite salad for Veterans Village;
iceberg/romaine lettuce, cheddar cheese, broccoli straws, shredded carrots,
tomatoes, and croutons, topped with Italian or ranch dressing. Unfortunately, I
didn’t see many people interested in my salad, but that’s okay, because there
was plenty of other great food to be had! A classmate from another AMH2020
class, Robert, and I stood next to each other next to the stove. Our jobs were
to start the plates off with a slice of honey ham and a scoop of macaroni &
cheese. Also served were, potato wedges, (by my new friend, Robert) chicken
salad sandwiches, friend chicken, ham sandwiches, fruit, cake, drinks etc. This
particular dinner was most exciting, to see the unveiling of the Veterans
Village dinners dedicated to Dr. Soldani. She began serving dinner to these
veterans 8 years ago after a former student of hers was surged back to war, on
his way home from Afghanistan. Former students of Dr. Soldani’s attended the
dinner as well, showing their support for her achievements. We weren’t there
for very long, part of me wished it had been longer.
Serving at the dinner helped me to
feel apart of something much bigger. For a moment we all got to forget that we
were there for a grade, but we were there to provide for these people and put a
smile on their face. As we wrapped up the left-over food, an older man came to
the counter to collect a plate for his roommate and himself. He smiled big and
thanked us for coming, he said that it means more to them than they know how to
say. I only signed up for this dinner because I thought I could use the extra
credit points, and I’m sure so many other students before me had the same
thought, but the beauty of it is that if these other student felt half of what
I felt after just walking in the room then I’m confident in saying that the
accumulation of generous, giving students has played a large roll in the
happiness and success of Veterans Village. I feel that this is an event these
people look forward to and thoroughly enjoy. I loved the opportunity to give
back to some people who gave so much for me.
More students should find ways to
contribute back to society because it can open your heart and change your
prospective. If you go into the experience with an open mind, the outcomes are
endless. I knew I would have a decent time when I signed up for the event,
going into it with an open mind. I didn’t have any expectations of Veterans
Village or the people there, allowing me to completely find peace with my
surrounding and enjoying my time. Its important to be involved in your
community in ways that make you happy, in turn making the people around you -
whom you may be providing a service for - happier as well.
