A dying veteran's plea for correspondence has gone viral. James Wiitamaki put an ad in a local newspaper saying he was dying of cancer at the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center and would appreciate letters of support.
A great-niece saw the ad and posted it on Facebook. She said the response has been overwhelming, including a hashtag #CardsforJimmy. U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., has been among those sending a card, posting a picture of the envelope on Twitter.
The St. Cloud VA last week confirmed Wiitamaki was a resident at its Community Living Center.
"He's thankful for all the cards and letters he is receiving," said VA spokesman Barry Venable.
The story comes as the VA's National Salute to Veteran Patients Week kicks off, which includes encouraging citizens to send veterans in VA hospitals Valentines, cards and letters.
Anyone wishing to participate can send to: Any Veteran, Attn: Voluntary Services, St. Cloud VA Health Care System, 4801 Veterans Dr., St. Cloud, Minn., 56303. Those wishing to send to the state's other VA Medical Center in Minneapolis can address correspondence to Voluntary & Community Services, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, One Veterans Dr., Minneapolis, 55417.
Mark Brunswick
CLEVELAND
Voters reject school bond issue for construction
For the second time in two years, voters in this Le Sueur County city have rejected a bond issue to upgrade the school district's only school.
By a vote of 557-424, or 57 percent to 43 percent, voters last week nixed a 20-year, $18 million bond issue that would have added a gym, a band room and 11 classrooms to the Cleveland Public School.
