To the Journal editor:

I just want to thank all of our military veterans and all military personnel who wear the military uniform of all branches of the United States military.

My own military experience was nothing to write home about, but God gave me an opportunity to make a difference for our veterans at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans (our true heroes of this wonderful nation of ours).

I spent over the last 25 years here at the Jacobetti. I was awarded and honored to be with our veterans daily. Some mornings were tough to get up and go to work, but once I got around our veterans it was worth it to go to work. It was great just to make them smile and if they laughed and joked around or teased you, it was fantastic. These veterans over the years made my day. I cannot thank them for being such an important part of my life.

No one word can describe what our veterans have done for me over the years. They are the greatest human beings for me to be with. It’s like the veterans become family. I truly was lucky to have been around the veterans for over 25 years. Then you throw in our veterans organizations and our volunteers, wow, what a fantastic group of people.

I will miss seeing their happy, smiling faces. I made some great friends here at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans. My best friends as an adult came from there. One passed away last June. He was like my older brother, a Marine who fought in Vietnam. Mr. Rod Aho. This is still tough on me. I think of him daily. God Bless Rod and his family.

My other good friend spent years in the Navy, he is like a brother to me and is an important part of my life. There are so many others who have been great to me, they all know who they are. Then my spiritual aspects in life from all the great spiritual people who come in to do spiritual and religious services in the chapel every week and on weekends. Thank you all for my growth to getting closer to God.

Once again, thank you to all our veterans and others who have inspired me over the years. God bless you all and happy trails to you all until we meet again.

RANDY SAATIO

Rapid River