We Honor Veterans

-
Bill is surrounded by three of his four children
at the American Legion Hall in Melvindale,
Michigan.

"I don't deserve this," said 92-year-old Angela Hospice home care patient Bill Heitman as he walked into his surprise tribute and pinning ceremony that Angela Hospice volunteers planned in his honor. The event took place at the Melvindale, Michigan, American Legion. Many of his friends and family gathered to honor this gentleman.

After serving in the United States Navy in World War II and serving more than 20 years as Chaplain at his American Legion post, Bill does deserve this honor and much more.

For more than 40 years, Bill served the American Legion and the Veterans Administration as a volunteer. He and his wife, Helen, brought up 4 children, Keith, Gary, Brian, and Cheryl, who are immensely proud of their parents.

Bill is so humble that while working as a divisional forms representative at Ford Motor Company he learned that when you earned a college degree, your salary would be raised, but he told William Ford, Jr., "It's okay, you pay me enough already."

Angela Hospice volunteer, John Stern,
greets Navy veteran Heitman on the
evening of his pinning ceremony.
The ceremony includes a framed
certificate, service pins, and handmade
Navy blanket.
Bill and his wife lived in the same home in Melvindale since 1951, and he is still there, although his wife passed away in 2011.

After his wife passed, Bill could no longer bring himself to go to the American Legion Hall because of the many fond memories of her. The two of them would put flags on the graves of soldiers and volunteer at veterans events. Bill especially liked being the caller at Bingo games.

Although the surprise at the American Legion was bittersweet, it was lively and fun-filled as well. Bill and his family had many laughs and a few tears. It was truly an evening to cherish. Thank you, Bill, for your service.




A collaborative effort between Angela Hospice, The National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, and The Department of Veterans Affairs.

You can support our nation's brave veterans who are now receiving Angela Hospice care. 
Teri Schmitchen, Director of Volunteer
Services & Chair of We Honor Veterans
Program.
Contact Teri at 734.464.7810 for
more information.

THE POWER OF THE PROGRAM is that it ensures specialized holistic care for each veteran we serve. 

The elements of the WE HONOR VETERANS program are:
RECOGNITION (CEREMONIAL PINNINGS)
SHARING COMMON EXPERIENCES (CONNECTING VETERANS TO VETERANS)
COMMUNITY OUTREACH (EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY HOW TO BEST SUPPORT VETERANS)

Each veteran has unique needs - especially at the end of life. This program prepares us to best support each veteran based on their wartime era and wartime experiences, and guides us to honor the veteran and provide comprehensive, specialized care.

One aim of the program is to build a bridge between veterans and civilians. To this end we partner with many community veterans groups such as the Metro Detroit Veterans Coalition, Wins for Warriors, and other partners aimed at improving care for veterans.
Carlton Pace, U.S. Air Force veteran and member of the UAW
Region 1 Honor Guard salutes during an Angela Hospice
pinning ceremony.

We also offer webinar courses free of charge to anyone in the community who wishes to have a greater understanding of the veteran experience, including:
  • INSIGHT INTO MILITARY CULTURE
  • UNDERSTANDING & CONNECTING TO VETERAN BENEFITS
  • HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS: 15 THINGS VETERANS WANT YOU TO KNOW
  • MILITARY CULTURE & SPIRITUAL HEALTH
  • WHEN THE DEAD WON'T REST: SURVIVOR GUILT IN COMBAT VETERANS
  • INNER CONFLICT & SURVIVOR'S GUILT
  • WOUNDED WARRIORS: THEIR LAST BATTLE

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Room for Brian

-
Image
   Angela Hospice's donor-supported Care Center     provided Brian with the care he needed -- and        brought his family peace of mind. The Angela Hospice Care Center has always been a community-driven labor of love. From its construction in the early 1990s; to its expansion a decade and a half later; and right through to the present, where day-to-day operations are supported by the generosity of donors and friends – the Care Center is a rare and valuable community resource made possible by Angela Hospice’s caring supporters. It’s also a godsend for families like the Wilson’s. When their son came to stay with them over Christmas last year, the brain tumor he had been determined to fight for nearly 11 years began to overcome him. At 30 years old, Brian was 6’2” and his disease had progressed to the point that he could no longer walk on his own. How would his parents take care of him in their home that was not wheelchair accessible? The Angela Hospice Care Center prov
Read more

Volunteer Spotlight: Ingrid Lasley

-
Image
Name: Ingrid Lasley How long have you been a volunteer? I started volunteering about 2 ½ years ago. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? I cover the receptionist desk for lunch hours, which includes telephone calls. I have covered Tree of Life shifts for the past 2 years and plan to volunteer again this season. I also have been involved in numerous mailings and last year’s Walk of Remembrance. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I stopped working a few years ago and decided I could use my spare time best by volunteering. I am enjoying every minute! Why Angela Hospice? Ingrid with fellow volunteer Geri Orlowski My mother passed away in 2012 in Buffalo, NY, and after witnessing the treatment my mother received at a hospice facility there, I knew I wanted to be part of such a kind and caring group. What is your favorite part about volunteering? I have enjoyed meeting so many people who have demonstrated so many ways one can g
Read more

Detroit Catholic Central Moms Celebrate Hospice Workers During COVID-19

-
Image
A group of Detroit Catholic Central High School moms decided they wanted to do something special for our clinical staff, who have been working so hard in the midst of this stressful COVID-19 health crisis. The women coordinated with nurse Kelly Campbell, Home Care Clinical Supervisor for Angela Hospice, whose son recently graduated from Catholic Central. On Wednesday, the group set up 40 handmade signs outside our Care Center facility and along the driveway, to encourage and cheer our healthcare workers. They also tied big white ribbons around the trees to show support for front-line medical staff. Helen Balmforth, Angela Hospice Development and Special Events Manager, related that some staff members teared up when they saw what the Catholic Central moms had done. “I think, for some, it’s an emotional release to see that,” Helen explained. “I think it has a real impact on people.” The group also brought two large cases of toilet paper. Each roll is individually wrapped so staff
Read more