Veteran and VA employee Jose Diaz is the model employe. During the past 12 years, Diaz has made hundreds of models and many of them are proudly displayed at the Connecticut VA community living center in West Haven, Connecticut.
Diaz served three years in the Army and six years in the Marine Corps. He got started making models after being hospitalized at Connecticut VA from 2011 to 2012.
In addition to crediting VA Health care workers with saving his life, he says they also helped him develop his passion for making models. “While in the hospital, one day an employee brought me a model. I was in a lot of pain so I didn’t do anything with the model, but after a couple of weeks I started building that model. I was getting better and then I decided to build another one and then another one,” he shared.
In addition to building models, Diaz shares his passion with other Veterans. “I work on the dialysis unit so when Veterans come in for treatment, I pass out models for them to take home,” he said.
Each model is different, but Diaz said the average model usually takes him about five hours to build. “The Veterans here really appreciate the models.”
“I love hearing these stories from Veterans.”
Diaz has worked at Connecticut VA for 15 years. “When I was building a B-17, I met a WWII Veteran and he told me he was a gunner on a B-17. I just love hearing these types of stories from Veterans,” he added.
“It is very touching to see Jose and the patients really connect like that. Jose is a Veteran serving Veterans and continues to give back. He is a blessing,” said Michelle Alberico, dialysis unit.
Diaz plans to continue building his models for many years to come. “I do it for the Veterans. It’s all about the Veterans.”
