We Honor Veterans
“We live in the greatest country in the world,” said retired veteran Harold Frank who fought in World War II. “One day back in 1942, I was a high school student in Tyro, North Carolina. Then, I found myself in the middle of a war and was taken to a German POW camp with a bullet in my shoulder. On a Friday the 13th they removed that bullet and I have worn it around my neck ever since,” shared Mr. Frank who was a guest speaker at Hospice & Palliative Care Center’s Memorial Day Celebration.
“Hospice honors our veterans,” commented Christine Brown with Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, “because every day matters, and that’s especially true for those who have served our country. While our mission may be straightforward, fulfilling it is anything but simple. Each patient has a unique life story and a unique set of needs and when it comes to the needs of America’s Veterans, our staff respects and understands that veterans often carry experiences from their military service that preset distinctive challenges at the end of life,” she continued.
For just over six months, Hospice & Palliative CareCenter has been hosting Veteran’s Coffee events throughout the Piedmont/Triad.
“The Coffee events are a place for veterans to connect and re-connect with other veterans and have a place to relax, enjoy free coffee, pastries and conversation. There are no expectations for anyone to talk about the past, or not talk about it,” shared Don Timmons, Vietnam Veteran and event coordinator with Hospice & Palliative CareCenter. “We have had veteran attendees from the Desert Storm and post 9/11 conflicts, all the way back to WWII. There have been some great stories told and relationships built,” he said.
To say the events are well attended and heartwarming would be an understatement. The number of Coffee events being hosted by Hospice is up to 5 per month and the attendance grows with each event.
“Hospice is about quality of life. These events are a way to honor those who have served our country as well as create an opportunity for them to connect and enjoy fellowship,” said Timmons.
Government and other organizations that provide veteran services and programs participate and discuss their offerings. The Coffee events have become a way to help connect the dots between veterans who might need help, and organizations that can provide it.
Hospice & Palliative CareCenter cares for more than 400 patients and families in 13 counties. Twenty-one percent of those patients are veterans.
“They have served our country, and when it’s time, it will be our honor to serve them,” says Brown.
Hospice & Palliative CareCenter is a proud participant in the We Honor Veterans program, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and Veterans Administration (VA). We Honor Veterans is a program focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment.
