Operation Mail Call connects isolated Veterans with the world

Veterans in the community living center (CLC) at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, like CLC residents throughout the VA health care system, are isolated due to COVID-19 safety precautions and unable to receive visitors.

But thanks to the hundreds of letters they have received through Operation Mail Call, they know they haven't been forgotten.

Call to action

Operation Mail Call began when Navy Veteran Tim Moran posted a call to action on Facebook. Moran is a VA Central Western Massachusetts registered nurse.

"I asked people to write to our Veterans in the CLC on the main campus since they can't leave or receive visitors for their own safety," says Moran. "We received between 115 to 120 pieces of mail in response to that first Facebook post. Every Veteran received at least three or four letters during the first mail all."

Inspired by Navy service

Moran says Operation Mail Call was inspired by his time as a sailor in the Navy. "I worked on a fast frigate homeported in San Diego. My high school sweetheart used to write me letters scented with perfume. I used to read those letters over and over again."

As Moran prepared to deploy to a VA CLC in Bedford, Massachusetts, to help care for coronavirus patients, he handed the project over to VA Recreation Therapist Meaghan Breed.

"We're happy to spread the love to other Veterans who live on our main campus. And to those who are unable to receive visitors at this time as well," Breed says.

This article originally appeared on VAntage Point. Follow @DeptVetAffairs on Twitter.