Angel Blog

Honoring Heroes Nationwide: A Look Back at the 2025 Home of the Brave Campaign

Powered by Soldiers’ Angels and our generous sponsors: Power Home Remodeling, Men’s Wearhouse, Bristol Myers Squibb, and HPE

Every Veterans Day, Soldiers’ Angels unites communities, volunteers, and corporate partners across the country to remind our nation’s heroes that they are never forgotten. Through our annual Home of the Brave campaign, volunteers bring gratitude directly into VA hospitals and facilities—sharing meals, delivering comfort items, listening to stories, and forming meaningful connections with the Veterans who served our nation.

This nationwide effort is made possible thanks to the generosity of our 2025 corporate partners: Power Home Remodeling, Men’s Wearhouse, Bristol Myers Squibb, and HPE. Their support fuels moments of joy, remembrance, and community at VA sites throughout the country.

Below is a recap of just a small sampling of the incredible activities that took place across the country, thanks to this remarkable collaboration.

Stay tuned to our social channels for more stories as they continue to trickle in!

Shared Meals & Special Events

VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Bristol Myers Squibb volunteers hosted a lively Veterans Day BBQ luncheon filled with great food, music, and heartfelt conversation. Volunteers also distributed Soldiers’ Angels shirts and hats as tokens of appreciation. Some of the most memorable moments came from time spent with Veterans who shared stories of courage and resilience.

“This marks the third BBQ celebration that Huy and I have organized together,” shared Bethany, Soldiers’ Angels Site Coordinator. “It’s a wonderful tradition, and we look forward to continuing it for many years to come.”

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center

The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center hosted a vibrant Veterans Day luncheon brought to life by Soldiers’ Angels volunteers, corporate partners, and an emcee decked out in full red, white, and blue spirit. The room buzzed with energy as Veterans enjoyed great food, warm conversation, and a festive atmosphere that made the day feel truly special.

Volunteers served meals and connected with Veterans throughout the event, while the emcee kept spirits high with music, humor, and interactive moments that brought everyone together. The celebration featured an impressive prize lineup, including electronics, beauty supplies, and Prime Energy drink mix—adding excitement and joy to an already impactful day.

Denver VA

In Denver, volunteers passed out milkshakes and care packages, delivering simple but joyful moments that brought smiles to Veterans throughout the facility.

Fresno BINGO & Prize Day

In Fresno, Veterans enjoyed a fun-filled BINGO event complete with prizes, snacks, and care items. After the game, volunteers visited patient rooms throughout the facility, handing out shirts, hygiene kits, and other gifts while sharing meaningful conversations.

Beckley VA Week-Long Celebration

At the Beckley VA, celebrations stretched across the entire week. Volunteers visited as many Veterans as possible each day, culminating in a Thursday luncheon with pepperoni rolls, fresh cookies, and plenty of warm connection. The Veterans were thrilled with the thoughtful spread and the steady presence of volunteers throughout the week.

Heartfelt Patient Visits & One-on-One Connections

Salem VA Medical Center

Bristol Myers Squibb volunteers spent Veterans Day visiting patient rooms across the Salem VA. The team brought smiles, warmth, and genuine connection to every Veteran they met. Their presence ensured that each Veteran felt seen and appreciated.

Cincinnati VA Medical Center

Volunteers from Bristol Myers Squibb spent the day connecting with Veterans while distributing t-shirts, baseball hats, hygiene kits, and handmade cards from the Amelia Tigers 4th and 5th grade Helping Hands Afterschool Club. The cards moved many Veterans to tears, one even said the day was “Better than Christmas.”

Adding to the joy of the day, the Cincinnati Reds mascot made special patient visits and greeted Veterans in the hallways, brightening the atmosphere with laughter and high-fives. His presence brought an extra layer of fun and celebration, and Veterans were thrilled to see such a familiar hometown figure show up to honor them.

“What struck me the most wasn’t just the joy the Veterans felt receiving these items, but the meaning behind them-especially the handmade cards from the 4th and 5th graders. Many Veterans told us how touched they were that young students took the time to remember them. A few of them even had tears in their eyes as they read the messages. More than one Veteran told us they weren’t even expecting to be celebrated this year, especially with everything going on in the news, and that this event was even more meaningful to them-so much pride, gratitude, and genuine emotion.” – Amy Lane, Bristol Myers Squibb

Chillicothe VA Medical Center

At Chillicothe, Soldiers’ Angels volunteers and corporate partners served pizza, passed out snacks, and distributed bags with hygiene kits, hats, and stress balls. One especially moving moment stood out:
A Veteran on the dementia unit reached for his new hat—the first purposeful movement he had made in a long time. When the nurse gently placed the hat on his head, he closed his eyes. A small gesture became a profound reminder of the power of presence, compassion, and simple acts of care.

Community Parades & Outdoor Celebrations

This year’s parade at the historic Tuskegee VA was filled with pride, gratitude, and connection. Volunteers arrived early and were instantly welcomed by Veterans eager to help—showing that their spirit of service remains as strong as ever. The day was full of laughter, shared stories, and heartfelt moments between volunteers and Veterans.

A Week That Honored Service Across the Country

From coast to coast, this year’s Home of the Brave campaign demonstrated what’s possible when volunteers, partners, and communities unite with one purpose: to honor those who served. Every meal served, card delivered, story shared, and hat placed gently on a Veteran’s head helped ensure that our heroes felt valued—not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our Soldier’ Angels Home of the Brave partners—Power Home Remodeling, Men’s Wearhouse, Bristol Myers Squibb, and HPE—and to every volunteer whose compassion made this week unforgettable.

Together, we lifted spirits, celebrated service, and reminded Veterans across the nation that they are appreciated and never alone.


About the Author

Ashley Ray has been a member of the Soldiers’ Angels communications team since 2013. She supports blog writing and social media and loves telling stories of Angel volunteers, Service Members, and Veterans.