It’s an honor and a privilege to be asked to care for veterans — an honor that we at Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care take very seriously. For many years we have been part of the We Honor Veterans program. This involves recognition to veterans in our care. Plus, we train our staff on issues unique to veterans nearing the end of life. Veterans of each era, especially those who served in combat, face their own unique challenges.
As Independence Day nears, we want to share a few of their stories.
WWII Veteran
Sgt. Jay Wooldridge has a deep love for this country. He served during the tail end of WWII and witnessed the horrors of prisoners starved to the point of walking skeletons. He could not give the POWs any food due to their emaciated condition. It would almost ensure their death.
His true character shines brightest when he took a trip back to Europe 30 years after the war. He and his wife stayed at a bed-and-breakfast and they listened to a couple next to them at breakfast. The man spoke both German and English fluently. He asked the man how he learned English so well. “I learned English at the prison camp in Houston that I was in for three years.”
Seeking to shelter her husband from any potential trauma from the war Jay’s wife recommended that they move to a different b&b. Jay responded, “The war is over, there is no need to move.” How many private wars are people fighting inside themselves that are over, but for some reason still choose to stoke the fires of the past. Clearly Jay was more interested in living life among friends than hanging on to enemies from the past.
Jay’s family and pastor were present during the Veterans Recognition Service provided by Kansas City Hospice. There was not a dry eye in the living room as we shared our deep appreciation for his service and honored him with a medal, certificate and lapel pin. He was very grateful for the ceremony, but never expected anything. In his mind his service was just what you do when you love your country and care about freedom for all.
Many Veterans are Female
We honored Women’s Army Corps veteran Ms. Alice Harris at the Vineyard Neighborhood Community Center. Ms. Harris served our country at the former Rhein-Main Air Base near Frankfurt, Germany. She served in 1956 for a 21-month tour of duty. She processed air flight requisitions for this important airlift site for United States personnel arriving in or leaving Europe.
Vietnam Veteran
Vietnam Veteran Coffman was already planning to have a military service upon his death. We explained that we wanted to honor him now. He told our chaplain that he had been anything but honored when he returned. Chaplain Mark Fenton told him that he deserved better than that. “While I could not undo the past, we would make a good effort to give him the honor he deserves now,” said Fenton. He consented to the service somewhat reluctantly.
We began the recognition service with emphasizing the importance of thanking those who defend our freedom. A nurse read a poem “A Soldiers Sacrifice,” followed by “Freedom isn’t Free,” read by Mr. Coffman’s son. We played “God Bless the USA.” Mark Fenton continued, “As I watched this brave soldier’s eyes during the song I saw them gaze into a dangerous and foreign land that I have never seen. I saw the projector turn on in his brain and play a movie that no man should ever see. His eyes were so riveted. We knew this was a soldier who completed his mission.” Was this a fierce battle in a jungle in Southeast Asia or a more savage battle on American soil upon return by his own countrymen?
We lit a candle and gave a moment of silence given for those who paid the ultimate price. Then, we reviewed the history of Vietnam and its real cost. After, the chaplain stopped to regain his own composure. Fenton knew what needed to come next. It needed to be from his heart and not a script. “As an American, I am speaking for many other like minded citizens who are ashamed of the way you were treated upon returning from serving our country.” “Thank you,” he said. “I’d go back and do it again.”
Interested in helping veterans?
You can join We Honor Veterans! Some of our needs include:
Vet to Vet volunteers – sometimes a vet just needs to talk to someone who understands and empathize. Contact Volunteer Services at 816.363.2600 or email volunteer@KCHospice.org.
Baking Brigade – volunteers make cakes and other treats for veteran recognition ceremonies.
Patriotic quilts – we have a number of volunteer quilters who make patriotic quilts for our vets. Plus, you can donate quilting supplies and fabric to help. Contact Volunteer Services at 816.363.2600 or email volunteer@KCHospice.org.
Grants and donations – community support gives us more options in helping vets and their families. Contact Kiran Chandra if you’d like to help! kchandra@KCHospice.org or 816.276.2741.
Or DONATE NOW. Just put We Honor Veterans in the field for “In Honor of…”
Posted in General, News & Events, Stories of Support, Voices of Care, Volunteer Impact
Very heartfelt! It made me tear up!
My husband & I combined families have sixteen Veterans. My husband a Vietnam Vet understands Veteran Coffman feelings on his return home from Vietnam. That being said I have made it my life goal to interview 50 Veterans in my life. The Midwest Genealogy Center/Mid-Continent Public Library offers a Oral History for Veterans. They have an audio room that I, Veteran and audio person share the story and becomes part of the Library Oral History of Veterans. If the Veterans isn’t in KC we can hold the interview by telephone.
If you have a Veteran that would like to share his/her story I would be happy to interview. I do share with the Veteran a list of questions before the interview that may be asked and the Veteran has the option to mark out any questions they wish not to be asked.
With Veterans day quickly approaching I also have created a display of all the Veterans in our family and display at the Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence, Missouri beginning November 1 through 30th for Veterans Day.
Marie
Marie, thank you for the work and support you provide. We have given your information to our Veteran’s team and they will be in touch.