I am fortunate to have this manner of conveyance to recognize the great service, sense of duty, and unwavering dedication Roxanne embodies during her daily interactions with Veterans. I do not have the room on this form to annotate everything I would like to have her recognized for. But her passion for serving veterans is ever-present as I observe her drive and determination to fulfill the duties of her vocation and calling. The mere thought of it as I recall the memories can’t help but cause the smile on a day I may not feel like smiling. For that, I am eternally grateful. Yet, there is one occasion that is indelibly etched in my memory that I will always cherish.

My father recently passed away. His illness came swiftly and his decline and demise even quicker. Roxanne sensed my hidden sorrow and, without prying, always had the right comforting words to share with a bright and genuine smile. There aren’t words to describe how much that was needed at the time. Her kindness was the glue that held me together during the tough storm. As the decision was made to remove my father’s life support according to his wishes, this nurse stepped up to becoming my family by proxy she held my hand as we observed the last rites and my father’s peaceful passing over a video conference because my father was at a hospital an hour away. I will forever be indebted to this wonderful woman because, as a relative stranger to my family, she shared in my sorrow so that I didn’t have to be alone during one of the most trying and difficult things I have ever gone through today. I didn’t run away and nurture my pain with any negative behavior as a result. She provided me a golden nugget of hope, a precious gem, to grasp and hold onto if I ever question my ability to succeed again. This priceless act of compassion, generosity, and human kindness will drive my motivation far into the future. Again, this is the very least I can do to recognize this nurse’s gift to me. Thank you!