Pin-Ups for Vets

It was with great irritation that I learned about a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital cancelling a previously scheduled visit from a group called Pin-Ups for Vets, without (apparently) doing its homework. After a hue and cry on the hospital’s website, it finally said yes, and the visit was on again.

Pin-Ups for Vets, a kitchen-table startup that has been quite successful in supporting veterans, was created in honor of a grandfather who served during World War II. Since 2007, the group has visited more than 60 military hospitals and 20 military bases (some overseas), and have been welcomed at each one. They donate funds for veteran programs, deliver care packages, support homeless veterans and military wives, make hospital visits (wearing their vintage dresses) and chat with the veterans, and that’s just a partial list.

At each visit they also hand out nostalgia calendars with 1940s pin-up girl themes. The calendars are extremely well-done. There are images of lovely ladies wearing retro dresses, high heels and hairstyles of that era, posing with great vintage vehicles (planes, trucks, tractors) — all appropriate images. The clincher for me: Nearly all the women in the calendar are themselves military veterans.

Check for yourself at www. pinupsforvets.com. The 2018 calendar features 21 veterans and costs only $15. You’ll also find posters, mugs, totes, signs and more on the website shopping page.

With the holidays looming, consider buying a half dozen or more calendars and delivering them to a ward at your nearest VA hospital. (Hook up with a recreation therapist or voluntary services at the hospital.) Wear a Santa hat. Spend some time there talking to the patients, especially the older ones who either served or were children during World War II. Ask questions about those years. Get them talking.