TESTIMONIALS

• Dale, a 96-year-old veteran of the US Army, expresses his thanks for the craft kit provided by the Coming Home Foundation.  “Dale is one who likes to keep busy!” says Kristie, an administrator at the Senior Center where Dale lives.  “He is always attending activities, concerts and craft hours.”  Dale appreciates the resources the Coming Home Foundation provides, from the craft kits to the Re-Creation concerts…and all provided to him and his fellow residents free from CHF.   Kristie relates, “These craft kits are vital in keeping the residents engaged and active.  Dale is doing as well as he is at 96 because he participates, he moves, he lives. We are so grateful to CHF for the practical gifts.”  As our visit ended, Dale said, “Thank you for coming.  My eyesight may not be what it once was, but I like doing crafts and seeing the shows.  I hope all goes well for you.  I want you to keep coming.”

• They (Re-Creation) performed to a packed house. There were many positive comments after the show with the most frequent being: When are they coming back?”

  - Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

• “I wanted to tell you something special that happened tonight. I talked to a gentleman before the show and he told me that I was the spitting image of his granddaughter. I’ve been getting that a lot lately, so I thought it was just another coincidence, a nice connection. I danced with him during the Classic Crooner section and after the show he came up, crying and told me that his granddaughter was born without the use of her legs...that my dancing with him was just like his being able to dance with his granddaughter!!! You always tell us we may not know how we might inspire people, to just stay connected and in the moment! I’m so grateful this gentlemen shared his joy with me.”

  - Re-Creation Volunteer Performer

• My husband, a stroke victim, usually reclusive, was so excited. He was in tears at the end of the show! His happiness is so rare these days, my gratitude knows no bounds! Thank you.

  - Wife of Veteran Patient

• “Today was my 16th year observing the Re-Creation tour. Our veterans, as every year, have been moved to tears, clapping, and stomping of feet while they enjoyed the performance. It was really an exceptional tour! The music, as music does, stirs something within the soul. It brings such an enthusiasm to our campus, our veterans are moved in ways that we don’t often see them moved because of the patriotic songs, the performances really speak to their soul. It’s heartwarming to watch our veterans respond in a way that maybe we can’t have them respond through our normal recreation programming, or through our various activities we have throughout the year.”

  - State Veterans Home, Warrensburg, MO

• “The performers captivated the residents’ hearts and imaginations with the production. Residents really enjoyed shaking the hands of the cast after the show, as well as receiving signed photos and getting their picture taken with the performers! This type of performance cultivates national pride, as well as provides the recognition and respect the veterans so richly deserve! Residents’ qualities of life were truly enhanced. Thank you also for the assistance with escorting residents to Chilson Hall! This was a special opportunity for the residents to connect with the Re-Creation cast and crew. The copies of the Re- Creation performances on CD and DVD for the residents’ library are greatly appreciated! Your dedicated and talented team are an inspiration to all! We can’t wait to see what Re- Creation will bring to the WA Soldier’ Home at the next performance! Thank you for all that Re- Creation does for veterans across the country!”

  - Washington Soldiers’ Home, Orting, WA

• “As always, the group was exceptional! They impress with an incredible capacity for hard work, professionalism, talent, compassion and sincerity. I’ve also heard from several residents who rate this as their “favorite program we ever have.”

  - State Veterans Home, Minneapolis, MN 

• “I just wanted to let you know that Re-Creation was awesome!! They just captivated our veterans with their music and upbeat spirit! Some of our veterans left the performance saying “Wow! I loved it,” or “It brought back so many good memories for me.” Our veterans extremely enjoyed it and staff did too! Thank you so much for getting in touch with me to share the gift of therapeutic music with our veterans. We look forward to seeing them again next year!”

  - North Carolina Veterans Home

• “A Vietnam Vet on a ward visit in Arizona was very obviously excited to come to the show. I loved singing to him as he was gleaming in the front row. After the finale, I asked him if he enjoyed himself. He started crying and recounted the story of his military tour. He relayed how his leg was shot and how he laid in the mud for 8 hours waiting to die. “In that moment,” he said, “I realized what war was and knew that I hated everything about it.” He paused, found little composure and then looked me directly in the eyes. “But,” he finished, “even with all that suffering and how much I hated it, I would do it all again if it meant you guys could keep going to the hospitals and thanking the vets!!”

  - Re-Creation Volunteer Performer