Legacy Salmon Creek offers special recognition for veterans

We’d like to introduce you to Legacy Salmon Creek’s George Pobi, who leads a unique recognition program to honor patients who are veterans. 

For more than 10 years, he has coordinated the posting of flags at the doors of inpatient veterans every day of the year. He also plans special recognition to observe the day itself: “It’s an honor and a privilege to do this for my brothers and sisters, and it makes a difference for them.”

The U.S. flags in the halls today at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center aren’t there just for the moment — in fact, they’re present every day of the year as a way to honor inpatient military veterans.

George Pobi, lead technician, Clinical Engineering, is a former Marine Corps corporal who served four years beginning in 1975. He stocks every nurse station with flags so staff can hang them on the doors of patients who are veterans. He also goes unit to unit to check on veterans and make them feel welcome.

On Monday, he visited Vancouver resident Tony, who served in Vietnam between 1968 and 1971. The two talked about military equipment and Tony’s time in Saigon. As George ended the conversation, he told the veteran: “Welcome home, brother. Welcome home.”

Before every Veterans Day, George places photo displays around the hospital to highlight Legacy Salmon Creek employees and their family members who are veterans. Many staff stop to look at the photos. On Veterans Day, each veteran gets a visit and also receives a certificate.

“Putting flags on the patients’ doors, visiting with them, talking with them, acknowledging the pride their families have – it’s an honor and a privilege to do this for my brothers and sisters,” George said. “It’s important, and it makes a difference for them.”