Brent Payne Makes Holiday Visit to VA Hospital by Marina Rojas - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

◄ APRIL ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Brent Payne Makes Holiday Visit to VA Hospital

By Marina Rojas, Community Writer
December 23, 2013 at 04:46pm. Views: 64

Country Western singer Brent Payne spent Dec. 18 visiting hospital residents at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Center in Loma Linda. Payne went from room to room to chat with several of the veterans and then held a country Christmas sing-along in the Debi Stelmach Center/Patient Lounge. It is in part due to the Guitar for Vets therapy program at the hospital, and due to a large part of the fact that Payne enjoys the visits with the hospital patients, that he makes visits to the hospital on a pretty regular basis, according to his manager, Chuck Olson. As he walked into the rooms, Payne greeted the patients and sometimes broke out in song. In one room, the question was asked, “Do you know the Wabash Cannonball?” Payne brought a big grin to the man’s face with an impromptu rendition of the song and other patients came out of their rooms to track down where the music was coming from. With Henry Leon, a San Bernardino resident currently staying at the hospital, Payne shared a story about Conway Twitty and how he got his stage name. Leon, former U.S. Army Vietnam-era vet in NATO service, accepted a CD from Payne and told him he would be looking forward to hearing him sing in the lounge. Patrick “Paddy” Mc Dowell of Winchester, spent his visit with Payne talking about motorcycles. A former U.S. Navy member, McDowell’s room was full of friends looking forward to his upcoming release from the hospital. In the patient lounge, Payne sat down on a chair and began to sing, taking requests from the crowd of men who were eating lunch there. From a light-hearted Elvis impersonation to a song about Santa Claus, the music was a moment in the day that brought a great deal of cheer and joy to the hospital residents for this holiday season.

Related Articles

Casting Director, Shani Hamilton Thillet, Books Talent for Dameron Communications  
Photo Courtesy of: Shani Hamilton Thillet

By Greg Zerovnik, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 601

“I am excited to leverage my extensive network of Inland Empire actors, dancers, and models to bring exceptional talent to advertising projects at Dameron Communications,” said Shani Hamilton Thillet

Moreno Valley Unified School District wins multiple communications awards, receiving special recognition for its Dual Language I
Photo Courtesy of: Moreno Valley Unified School District

By Anahi Velasco, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 678

Left to Right: The Moreno Valley Unified School District team earned 3 CalSPRA Awards of Excellence and a President's Award. School Board Vice President Sammie Luna, Digital Media Specialist Isaiah Garcia, Director of Communications and Community Engagement Anahi Velasco, Digital Video Specialist Naival Cartagena, and School Board Member Justin Jackson.

Valley View High School honored as California Distinguished School
Photo Courtesy of: Moreno Valley Unified School District

By Anahi Velasco, Contributing Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 735

Valley View High School earns California Distinguished School Award

Upmost Barbershop Celebrates Grand Opening with Community Turnout
Photo Courtesy of: City of Loma Linda - Government

By Eric Montgomery , Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 854

We’re excited to welcome the newest member of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce — Upmost Barber Shop!

Step Into the Old West: Why Travelers Are Falling for Pioneertown
Photo Courtesy of: Thomas Jackson of Redlands, CA.

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 980

Pioneertown, established in 1946, is known as a prime filming location and tourist destination, offering an 1880s-themed experience with its Old West style buildings.

Rattlesnake Season Returns to Redlands Trails
Photo Courtesy of: Redlands Conservancy

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 1127

As spring warms the hills and trails around Redlands, another familiar sign of the season is making its return: rattlesnakes.

Seasonal Cleanup Events Return to Moreno Valley This Spring
Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 736

A person wearing yellow cleaning gloves wipes a glass window with a cloth, removing soap and water during routine household cleaning.
Mayor Ulises Cabrera is encouraging residents to embrace the season as an opportunity for a fresh start while taking advantage of City resources designed to make spring cleaning easier, safer, and more convenient.

Rattlesnake Season Returns to San Bernardino County Trails as Spring Warms the Region
Photo Courtesy of: Redlands Conservancy

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 838

As spring warms the hills and trails around Redlands, another familiar sign of the season is making its return: rattlesnakes.

Annual Springtastic Festival and Egg Hunt
Photo Courtesy of: The City of Moreno Valley Government

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 782

Get ready to hop to MoVal’s annual Springtastic Festival and Egg Hunt!

Annual Blue Mountain Festival
Photo Courtesy of: City of Grand Terrace

By Judith J. Garcia, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 805

The City of Grand Terrace is hosting their Annual Blue Mountain Festival event on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Children Suffering from Brain Injury Find Pathways to Recovery at Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Photo Courtesy of: Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

By Ross Goldberg, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 726

Children suffering from brain injury find pathways to recovery thanks to the highly-trained professional team providing care at Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’ s acute and subacute rehabilitation units.

No School, No Boredom: Teens Invited to Hang Out at Teen Hub This Spring Break
Photo Courtesy of: City of Colton Community Services Department

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 24, 2026 at 05:57pm. Views: 645

No school? No problem! Skip the boredom and pull up to the Teen Hub. We’ve got you covered all break long.

--> -->