The purpose of the National Salute to Veteran Patients Program is to:

• pay tribute and express appreciation to Veterans;
• increase community awareness of the role of the VA medical center;
• encourage citizens to visit hospitalized Veterans and to become involved as volunteers.

The week of February 14 each year is your opportunity to say thank you to a special group of men and women, more than 98,000 Veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for every day in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, outpatient clinics, domiciliaries, and nursing homes. The 2012 National Salute program is scheduled for February 12 - 18.

Veterans are entertained during National Salute week.

During the National Salute, VA invites individuals, Veterans groups, military personnel, civic organizations, businesses, schools, local media, celebrities and sports stars to participate in a variety of activities at the VA medical centers. The activities and events include special ward visits and valentine distributions; photo opportunities; school essay contests; special recreation activities and Veteran recognition programs.

The week also provides an opportunity for the community to become acquainted with the volunteer opportunities within the medical center.

Also during National Salute week, selected cities host concerts that are free to Veterans and their families. The concert schedule is usually available around the first of January. Please check back then for a list of the cities that will be hosting the events. Many thanks to the organizational donors that make these concerts a success!

Contact your nearest VA Medical Center and ask for Voluntary Service to discover the wonderful things you, your group or organization can do to salute America's Heroes. Locate the facility nearest you.

Chairman for the National Salute to Veteran Patients:
Mark Valley, Star of TV’s Harry’s Law

Mark Valley

Mark Valley is a graduate of West Point. He was stationed in Germany for five years and became fluent in German. During this time, he also was part of Operation Desert Storm.

His acting career began when he was discovered by an agent in Berlin. His first role was working in John Schlesinger's The Innocent, which starred Anthony Hopkins and was filmed in Germany. He continued working abroad and appeared in several more productions before returning to the United States to pursue his career further.

Mark Valley, or Brad Chase to Boston Legal fans, began in U.S. television with appearances in soap opera shows as Another World, playing the handsome Father Pete, as well as taking over the popular role of Jack Devereaux in the long-running Days of Our Lives.

Valley made an impact on television viewers with his lead role as Robert Greeley in the short-lived FOX series Pasadena, as well as in recurring roles on ER and Once and Again. He did guest roles in several other shows before becoming part of the ensemble cast of the ABC legal drama Boston Legal between 2004 and 2007.

In 2008, Mark got another big break as he was cast in a starring role on the J.J. Abrams sci-fi drama Fringe co-starring Aussie newcomer Anna Torv and Joshua Jackson.