The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Resident recognized for service to veterans
The Valor Home served as the site for a show of appreciation for veterans and one member of the community.
The Valor Home, 221 W. 21st St., served as the site for a show of appreciation for veterans and one important member of the community who has dedicated her life to helping them.
Mildred Lee, a Lorain resident and member of the Valor Home Board, has been helping out with the facility since its inception eight years ago.
On June 21, Lee organized the event where the veterans received a lunch and recognition for their service.
“The event was originally meant to honor Mildred for the great work she has done for the (Valor) Home and veterans,” said Matthew Slater, Valor Home director of family services. “But she, in typical Mildred fashion, decided to make it about others.
“We wanted to celebrate everything Mildred has done, and this day is a long time coming.”
Slater said Lee is very dependable and always available for the veterans.
“She is at every meeting we have,” he said. “She is always looking for ways to help the veterans and she has a passion for those who have served this nation.
“She has been a part of the home since the inception of the program eight years ago.”
Slater said Lee has set an example that all should follow.
“She has been the soul of this place and has stood as a beam of light for everyone to follow,” he said. “We need more people to emulate her passion, kindness and impact in the community.
“The best story is that she was outside cleaning the windows when the building opened up. She didn’t have to do it, but that just shows the passion she has.”
Sheffield Lake City Councilwoman Rosa Gee said Lee is always going above and beyond the call of duty.
“She is over 80 years old, and is still organizing events like this,” Gee said. “She has been dubbed ‘Mother of Valor Home’ by everyone involved because of all she does.
“I helped out in some regards of today’s event, but it was all Mildred. She is always looking to the veterans and understands why they deserve this. More people need to be thinking of veterans in that way.”
Lee said she was just providing a service the veterans deserve.
“We don’t know what war is like, and that is thanks to the veterans who have served this country,” she said. “This is a day for them and we need to keep doing more for our veterans.”
Lee said she wanted the event to serve as an encouragement to veterans.
“I want them to know that they are not alone,” she said. “We are here for them and are appreciative of what they have done for us.”
Edwin Garcia, a Vietnam War Army veteran, said it was great to get the food.
“I’m very thankful for everything that was made,” Garcia said. “I love when people organize events like this for us. It makes us feel special.”
“The event was originally meant to honor Mildred for the great work she has done for the (Valor) Home and veterans. But she, in typical Mildred fashion, decided to make it about others.”
— Matthew Slater, Valor Home director of family services