AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON -- More than 35 Airmen from Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., and the Pentagon visited more than 600 patients at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center Feb. 9. 

"This really made my day," said Albert Smith, Army retiree. "I really want to thank you guys for your service." 

Airmen ranging in rank from airman to colonel talked with patients, handed out nearly 100 T-shirts bought with Veterans of Foreign Wars funds, and 100 Valentine's Day cards made by Dogwood Dogs 4-H club. 

The Airmen went room to room handing out the cards and shirts, and also taking time to talk to each patient as they went.

 "You could tell they liked us being there, you could tell they didn't want us to leave," said Airman Stephanie DeJong, 779th Medical Group. "It was a very rewarding opportunity to reach out to our veterans and thank them for their service." 

Members of the U.S. Air Force Band were also on hand to provide musical entertainment and inspiration to the hospital patients, staff and visitors. The ensembles Strolling Strings and Max Impact provided the music that filled the otherwise quiet hospital halls. 

"Max Impact and the Strolling Strings provided the perfect medicine to our hospitalized veterans," said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Jacobs, 11th Operation Group superintendent. "The feedback was immediate, and you could see the smiles on their faces and in the tapping of their feet."