Making a Difference on Veterans Day
Giving back in the communities where we live and work is a big part of who we are at DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions. Recently, our teams helped deliver the gift of a smile — free dental care – on Veterans Day to very deserving Veterans, as our way of saying thank you for their service.
Below we highlight stories on Veterans Day.
Denton, TX
The team at DDS Dentures + Implants Solutions in Denton, Texas delivered the gift of dentures (and so much more!) to U.S. Army Veteran James Johnson as a special display of gratitude for his service. James, who served in the Army from 1953 to 1973, shares, “I was spit on when I returned from Vietnam, and this makes me really happy to have this done for me.”
He adds, “I was so glad to receive my dentures because I didn’t have the money for this.”
Schertz, TX
U.S. Air Force Veteran Gilberto Romero’s Military service from 1966 to 1986 included supporting the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing during the Vietnam War. “I was so full of pride and when we came out of Vietnam, all of us were proud to serve, “Gilberto shares. “When I came back, I wanted to wear my uniform and we were ordered not to. People were throwing things at us, and we didn’t deserve that.”
Gilberto adds, “It hurt me.”
On Wednesday, November 11, the official U.S. observance of Veterans Day, the team at DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions in Schertz, Texas, was on a mission to take care of Gilberto and deliver a much-deserved smile to his life through the gift of free dental care.
“There was so much hate for Veterans when we returned,” says Gilberto. “I’m now amazed at the way things are happening for Veterans, and now it’s happening to me. I am so happy and appreciative, and I pray to the Lord and am thankful for allowing me to still be in this world to see this change.”
“We are thankful for Gilberto, and the incredible sacrifice he made in serving our country and fighting for our freedom,” explains Blaine Leeson, Regional Manager, DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions. “It is such an honor for our team to provide this special gift to Gilberto on Veterans Day.”
Gilberto adds, “I always wear a bracelet as a remembrance of the 58,000 names on the Wall for those guys who gave their lives. I always wear my colors. And I feel so grateful that we have people in this world like the DDS team who care.”
He says, “I’m very glad and I’m very humbled. I can’t find the right words.”
Katy, TX
The team at DDS Dentures + Implant Solutions in Katy, Texas delivered the gift of a smile (free dental care) to U.S. Navy Veteran George Arnold. When George talked about the special gift, he was going to receive on Veterans Day, he said the only way to describe it is: “this is sent from Heaven.”
“This sounds like a dream getting ready to come true,” said George, who served on a Navy ship that made two trips to Vietnam during the war. “I don’t know what to compare this to except my wedding day!”
“My mouth feels so tired,” he explained. “I can’t remember the last time I chewed with my jaw bone.”
George added, “How lucky can I be to have this done for me? I am so thankful for this gift.”