On Memorial Day, Americans nationwide will take a moment to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Before COVID-19, many attended memorial services, watched parades, or laid flowers and planted flags on the graves of Veterans. Because of COVID-19, this year’s Memorial Day will be a bit different. But that won’t stop Americans from honoring those who died in service of the United States.

Just as we remember those who died serving in the U.S. military, Ohio’s Hospice continues to honor Veteran patients each and every day for their service to our nation. Through American Pride® Veteran Care by Ohio’s Hospice, Ohio’s Hospice honors the service of Veteran patients and assures them of receiving the highest quality of care. In addition to celebrating and thanking Veterans for their service, American Pride assists patients in obtaining access to all the benefits to which Veterans are eligible, provides spiritual support, and addresses individual post-traumatic stress issues.

Through participation in Veteran pinning ceremonies, Honor Flight, and special observances and celebrations, Ohio’s Hospice celebrates the lives of Veterans and honors their contributions.

During COVID-19, Ohio’s Hospice has continued to conduct Veteran pinning ceremonies. Telephone-assisted Veteran recognitions are being provided by several Ohio’s Hospice affiliates, including Community Care Hospice, Hospice of Central Ohio, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, Ohio’s Hospice of Fayette County and Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County.

“Despite the restrictions brought on by COVID-19, Veteran recognitions remain a point of honor and respect for the American Pride community,” said Bob Allen, American Pride coordinator at Ohio’s Hospice. “Veteran patients, who have served our nation in uniform, remain just as worthy of recognition for their time of service as they did before the pandemic.”

While Ohio’s Hospice Veteran volunteers cannot be there in person, Veteran volunteers conduct the Veteran pinning ceremony over the telephone with the patient. The Veteran volunteer recites the points of recognition while an Ohio’s Hospice staff member administers the pin, certificate and other commemoratives.

“Regardless of the current situation with COVID-19, each Veteran patient deserves the highest respect, honor and care commensurate with their sacrifice of time and talent while in uniform,” Allen said. “Nearly all patients who are recognized consider that time of ceremony to be a highlight of their time after service. Our Veteran volunteers consider what they do to be a labor of love and respect for their comrades in arms, as well as a high honor to provide.”

Ohio’s Hospice is a partnership of mission-driven, not-for-profit hospices in Ohio committed to a shared vision of strengthening and preserving community-based hospices. Members of Ohio’s Hospice share the values of serving each patient in an atmosphere of hospitality, respect and caring; attending to the social, physical and spiritual needs of each person we are privileged to serve; preserving and enhancing patient dignity; celebrating the life of each individual we serve; and reducing unnecessary suffering in the communities we serve.

Affiliates of Ohio’s Hospice include: Community Care Hospice, Hospice of Central Ohio, Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice, Ohio’s Hospice at United Church Homes, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, Ohio’s Hospice Loving Care, Ohio’s Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, Ohio’s Hospice of Fayette County and Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County.