DAV volunteer spreads love at VA medical center.

Five days a week, William B. Thomas makes his way from his home to a nearby bus stop. He has the routine down, and arrives in time to board the bus that will deliver him to the VA medical center in Louisville, Ky., around 10 a.m.

Most people recognize the disabled World War II Army veteran as he makes his daily journey to and from the medical center where he spends the day as a VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) volunteer. Mr. Thomas sports a well-trimmed moustache and dark wraparound glasses. His looks belie his 78 years, and his soft-spoken manner gives no hint of the man who, as a combat engineer, bulldozed his way across the Pacific building airfields and roads for allied forces, from New Caledonia to Luzon. Nor does the quiet serenity of his face reflect the pain he suffered when his bulldozer overturned and broke his legs during his second enlistment, ending his Army career. The thing that immediately distinguishes this man born in a log cabin in Shelby County, Ky., who remembers the cool creek water where he was baptized in that Bluegrass county, is the tapping of his cane as he clears course before him through each new day, and the sight of the cane resting easily in his left hand when he is not moving. Mr. Thomas is blind.

He's also a dearly loved chaplain in several of the veterans' organizations he is a member of, as well as an impressive volunteer at the Louisville VAMC.

A member of DAV Chapter 89 in Louisville, Mr. Thomas was first appointed chaplain of his local Blinded Veterans Association. He was later elected Chaplain for DAV Chapter 89.

"They call me everything from Reverend to Father Thomas," Mr. Thomas says with a gentle smile. "It's not what the veterans call me that counts. What counts is they are glad to have me visit with them."

After checking in at the medical center, Mr. Thomas picks up a patient list and begins his rounds. He makes his way from floor to floor tapping his way along the halls from ward to ward. As he works his way from room to room, he calls out a greeting, asking if anyone is in the room. In the occupied rooms, Mr. Thomas stops to talk with patients, and if the veterans like, prays with them before moving to the next bedside. Topics range from the weather to religion, as Mr. Thomas cheers, comforts, and lends what assistance he can to aid his hospitalized comrades.

He is often given canteen books purchased by other individuals and organizations to distribute to hospitalized veterans as he makes his rounds. The patients can use the books to purchase items at the hospital canteen during their hospitalization. On a recent tour of the wards, Mr. Thomas was presented 80 canteen books for hospitalized veterans. Auxiliary Past Department Commander and current Unit 89 Commander Vicki Willard made the presentation on behalf of members of Auxiliary Unit 89, Louisville. Commander Willard, spouse of deceased DAV National Service Officer Glen Willard, was recuperating from treatment at the VAMC, when Mr. Thomas stopped by to visit.

"Anything that breaks the monotony of lying around in a hospital bed is good," Commander Willard said. "Mr. Thomas' visits are especially good. He brings the Lord with him. He is certainly a treasure."

Patients, staff, and volunteers alike, most everyone around the medical center knows Mr. Thomas. With over 6,000 hours of volunteer service at the VAMC, Mr. Thomas is a much-appreciated member of the corps of volunteers at the medical center. He also believes in spreading the credit for his volunteer work among the five organizations he represents. As a result, he splits his time five ways, donating a day to each of the organizations each week. As of this writing, Mr. Thomas has generously donated 1,699 certified hours of voluntary service on behalf of the DAV, according to VAMC Chief of Voluntary Service Paul E. Gardiner.

"People do not realize how much time and work it takes Mr. Thomas to come in and volunteer on a daily basis," Mr. Gardiner said. "He has accepted those challenges. Mr. Thomas has a good sense of what his limitations are, but that doesn't deter him from giving back to America's heroes."

Between 1975 and 1995 glaucoma slowly robbed Mr. Thomas of his sight, but not his spirit.

You can always look around in life and find someone worse off," Mr. Thomas said "I don't let my disability handicap me.

"It takes a lot to be a volunteer, but when the hospitalized veterans see a blind man taking time to visit with them, it lifts their spirit. I've become very attached to some of the patients. They become a part of you. Sometimes, you even wind up attending their funerals. But, I'd rather be doing what I can to help our veterans than sitting around the house. I'm just grateful I can volunteer. I'd recommend it to everybody. It keeps you active, and you live longer."

For a man still volunteering at 78, that sounds like solid advice.