We Honor Veterans

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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

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