NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- November 11th is always a special day for Veterans and active duty soldiers in the United States. Veterans Day is a day for our country to honor and thank all of the men and women in our armed forces that have fought to make our country great. On November 10th, the eve of Veteran's Day, four Titans players, four cheerleaders, wives of Titans executives and members of the Titans staff visited veterans at Nashville's Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital.
Ahmard Hall, the Titans fullback, led the group as Veterans Day holds special meaning for him. Hall served in the United States Marines for four years and did tours in Kosovo in 1999 and Afghanistan in 2002 before playing football for the University of Texas.
Joining Hall were cornerback Cortland Finnegan, running back Javon Ringer and linebacker Stephen Tulloch. Titans cheerleaders Ashley S., Danielle, Jessi and Melanie paired up with a player to go room to room and pass out team posters, cheerleader posters and bumper stickers. Frances Underwood and Kathy MacLachlan continued their dedication to hospital visits as well by joining the group. Their husbands (Steve Underwood and Don MacLachlan) are senior executives with the team.
The patients were eager to tell their stories and were in good spirits as the groups visited their roomsto show their appreciation for their service to our country.
"It's a great feeling to visit the patients in the room and to see them uplifted by our visit," said Hall. "I love coming to the hospital and try to help get their minds off of being ill. I know what they have been through and the sacrifices they've made and it makes me happy to give back to them."
Since joining the Titans in 2006, Hall has been instrumental in organizing a Veterans Day visit with Titans players, making it a staple community event each year. Hall is also a regular visitor to the VA on his own time, often bringing teammates along.
"Ahmard is very special to us. When he comes to visit the hospital, the veterans here see him coming and know that one of their own plays for the Titans and has come back to say thank you," said Rosetta Fisher, chief of voluntary services at the VA Hospital.
"We come to the VA to thank the vets who have served our country and pay respects. We want them to know that we appreciate their sacrifice to our country and that they are not forgotten," said Hall.
"Today is our Veteran's Day celebration and this is the third year the Titans have been with us on this day. We really appreciate that because the veterans go out and sacrifice their lives on a daily basis so when they get out of the military, a lot of people forget about them," said Fisher. "But the Titans show that they have not forgotten about the Veterans and that means a lot to us."
Jerry Blessing, a member of the Titans community relations staff who coordinated and worked with Hall to put together the event, coincidentally is a 20 year veteran of the Army and knows the importance of not forgetting those who have served our country.
"It's great to be part of this type of event, being a veteran myself," said Blessing. "It can't be stressed enough how much our veterans need to know that their sacrifice is not forgotten and it is appreciated all year long."
Titans players and cheerleaders spent the majority of their time visiting with patients before the VA voluntary services staff held a reception in appreciation of the time they spent at the hospital. On behalf of the VA, Rosetta Fisher presented each player, cheerleader and Titans staff member with a plaque. Hall, Tulloch and cheerleader Melanie were presented with a certificate of appreciation for having visited the VA each of the previous three years.
Titans Owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, a veteran himself having served as an officer in the Navy during World War II, was also presented with a plaque and a certificate for fervently encouraging all within the Titans organization to support the United States military.
"Our patients get so excited when the Titans come to visit as does our staff," added Fisher. "We appreciate them coming so much and are already looking forward to next year's event."
