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All posts tagged with “Clinical News | We Honor Veterans and Veterans Program News.”
Long-overdue recognition: Vietnam veterans welcomed home at emotional ceremony
03/31/25 at 03:00 AMLong-overdue recognition: Vietnam veterans welcomed home at emotional ceremony Grice Connect; by DeWayne Grice; 3/29/25 A poignant and heartfelt welcome home ceremony was held at Ogeechee Area Hospice, honoring Vietnam veterans from the surrounding communities. The event, filled with emotional tributes and personal stories, aimed to provide long-overdue recognition for the sacrifices made by these veterans. The ceremony, organized by Ogeechee Hospice, the American Legion Post 90, and Georgia Department of Veteran Affairs, brought together veterans, their families, and community members. The atmosphere was one of gratitude and respect, as attendees acknowledged the often-overlooked service of those who served during a tumultuous period in American history.Editor's note: We add this to previous posts,
Today is the National Vietnam War Veterans Day, honoring 50 years since the war's end
03/29/25 at 03:00 AMToday is the National Vietnam War Veterans Day, honoring 50 years since the war's end U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Join us on 29 March, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, as Americans unite to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. ... The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, and their families. Editor's note: Several hospice "We Honor Veterans" programs have been using this commemoration to thank their community's Vietnam veterans, especially in light of differences between their returns home from those of WWII veterans. Within your networks of colleagues, friends and families, whom can you informally honor, today?
SouthernCare Hospice of Milan decorates Vermilion and Milan with yellow ribbons in honor of Vietnam Awareness Day
03/25/25 at 03:00 AMSouthernCare Hospice of Milan decorates Vermilion and Milan with yellow ribbons in honor of Vietnam Awareness Day The Morning Journal, Milan, OH; by Heather Chapin; 3/23/25 SouthernCare Hospice of Milan has hung yellow ribbons throughout Vermilion and Milan in honor of Vietnam Awareness Day, which is observed March 29. ... “Many people are still unaware of Vietnam Veterans Day, often confusing it with Veterans Day in November,” Huhra stated. National Vietnam War Veterans Day honors the veterans who served in the Vietnam War, with the date chose to mark the withdrawal of the last United States combat troops March 29,1973, he stated. “On March 29th, please show support to Vietnam Veterans that you know by saying ‘Welcome Home,’ ” the release stated. “It’s a national effort to acknowledge and thank the service and sacrifices of those who served in the Vietnam War, recognizing that they were not given the proper welcome upon their return from duty.”Editor's note: More information is at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2025.
Etched in time: Hope Hospice making extra effort to recognize, appreciate New Braunfels-area veterans
03/24/25 at 03:00 AMEtched in time: Hope Hospice making extra effort to recognize, appreciate New Braunfels-area veterans New Braunfels TheHerald-Zeitung, New Braunfels, TX; by Erica Wilson; 3/20/25 ... [Photo] The Veterans Plaza on Hope Hospice's New Braunfels campus is pictured on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. ... Of Hope Hospice’s patients in the New Braunfels area, about one-fifth are typically veterans. ... [Descriptions of their "We Honor Veterans" program.] ... [In] a show of support for community veterans, Hope Hospice’s main campus in New Braunfels has a veterans plaza honoring both living and deceased veterans. Bricks engraved with veterans' names surround a flagpole on the campus. All veterans are eligible to have their names displayed in the plaza, whether or not Hope Hospice has served their families. Bricks can be purchased for $50, and funds go toward supporting Hope Hospice’s efforts to support veterans at the end of their lives.
Hospice of Redmond presents a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony
03/19/25 at 02:30 AMHospice of Redmond presents a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day CeremonyCascade Business News; by CBN; 3/18/25... Did you or someone you know serve in the military between 1955 and 1975? Hospice of Redmond would like to thank you for your service. This year marks the 50th anniversary for the end of the Vietnam War. The Scottish American Military Society will present veterans and their spouses with a Vietnam Lapel pin which was established in 2011 by Congress and administered by the DOD. Editor's note: Click here for more about this 50th Anniversary, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2025
Daughter asks US Marine to honor her dying war hero dad. She broke down when she answered the door next day
03/14/25 at 03:00 AMDaughter asks US Marine to honor her dying war hero dad. She broke down when she answered the door next dayScoop Up Worthy; by Abhishek Bhatia; 3/13/25 The Korean War veteran's daughter, who was seen standing beside him in the footage, wanted her dad to be remembered as a national hero in his final moments. At the daughter's request, Tim visited her dad and thanked him for his service to the country. "Marine on deck. Good afternoon, Sir. Sergeant Chambers, reporting his order. You ever run across that horse in Korea that was running artillery rounds in evacuating wounded?" he asked the veteran, referring to Sergeant Reckless, a famous horse that served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. ...
104-year-old WWII veteran honored for his service while in hospice
03/12/25 at 03:00 AM104-year-old WWII veteran honored for his service while in hospice WCCO via CNN Newsource, Cottage Grove, MN; by Reg Chapman; 3/9/25 A World War II veteran in Minnesota has the honor of being the oldest resident in his town. Even at his remarkable age, Don Tietz has not lost his wit or his humor. After he was drafted during World War II, Tietz found himself a long way from his hometown farm. Tietz served as a truck driver, hauling ammunition across America’s campaign into Europe. ... “We spearheaded across France,” he said. ... He also faced the true grim realities of war. ... “There was 212, only 12 of us came back,” he said. ... Tietz now represents a different era of grit and perseverance. Surrounded by friends and family, the Allina Health Hospice Team showed their gratitude to Tietz for his service by giving him a heartfelt ceremony, where he was awarded a pin and certificate. Most importantly, Tietz was given an opportunity to reflect on all of those years.Editor's note: Click here for the We Honor Veterans Program developed by NHPCO (now the National Alliance for Care at Home) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
VA in IM marks 75th anniversary as a mainstay for veterans’ care
03/10/25 at 03:00 AMVA in IM marks 75th anniversary as a mainstay for veterans’ care The Daily News, Iron Mountain, MI; by Betsy Bloom; 3/6/25 A winter storm didn’t stop the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center from celebrating its 75th anniversary with an open house Wednesday. The facility opened on March 5, 1950 — it then was the largest construction project done in the Upper Peninsula — as strictly an inpatient hospital with 264 beds, primarily for treating World War II veterans ... [and much has] changed in 75 years. The medical center now serves about 22,000 veterans in the U.P.’s 15 counties, along with nine Wisconsin counties — more than 26,000 square miles, giving it the most rural patient base in the VA system. ... Its hospice area now has a semi-private patio that allows even a full bed to be taken outside so those in end-of-life care can still enjoy some fresh air, said Mary Oman, [a] tour guide.Editor's note: Congratulations and thank you to the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center for your history of innovating care for veterans--especially your rural care system and hospice care.
Bayada Home Health Care introduces first Director of Veterans Affairs
03/03/25 at 03:00 AMBayada Home Health Care introduces first Director of Veterans Affairs HomeCare, Pennsauken Township, NJ; 2/28/25 As part of its ongoing commitment to U.S. veterans and their families, BAYADA announced the appointment of U.S. Army Veteran Ally O’Neal to director of Veterans Affairs, BAYADA Hospice. BAYADA created this new position, with the help of O’Neal, to ensure its hospice services are tailored to meet the unique physical, emotional and psychological needs of veterans and their families. As BAYADA director of Veterans Affairs, O’Neal will work collaboratively with clinicians, clinical educators, service providers, community organizations and veteran service agencies to enhance the quality of care and support provided to veteran patients and their families, something dear to O’Neal's heart.
Local veterans to be honored at pinning ceremonies
02/28/25 at 03:00 AMLocal veterans to be honored at pinning ceremonies Call & Times, East Providence, RI; by John Baker, Pawtucket Times; 2/26/25 It never gets old for Christine Miller. Whenever she places a commemorative pin on a Vietnam War veteran and sees their reaction to it, it warms her heart, sometimes even bringing her to tears. That’s one of the best parts of her job as Beacon Hospice Care Community Engagement Coordinator, which later filtered into her becoming the president of the Rhode Island Hospice Veterans Partnership, which she herself founded. Miller, a Pawtucket resident, announced recently that, with Vietnam War Veterans Day coming up on Saturday, March 29, she will conduct a few [pinning ceremonies] ... Editor's note: Access to the full article may be limited. Pair this with today's post, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2025.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2025
02/28/25 at 02:00 AMNational Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2025U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; by Crystal Peruski; 2/18/25 The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 designates March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. To learn more about the Vietnam War Commemoration, visit 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration | Vietnam War Commemoration. Editor's note: Mark your calendars. Engage your volunteers who serve veterans. How might this intersect with your intergenerational employees and volunteers? Note that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. For support specific to hospice and grief care:
Heritage Hospice’s “Scatter Hearts” project honors veterans and patients
02/21/25 at 03:00 AMHeritage Hospice’s “Scatter Hearts” project honors veterans and patients The Advocate-Messenger, Danville, KY; by Josely Labarrere; 2/19/25 Heritage Hospice volunteers are spreading love and appreciation this Valentine’s season with the “Scatter Hearts” project, a heartfelt initiative designed to bring joy to hospice patients, particularly veterans. ... “The volunteers thought it would be a good time to honor our veterans, acknowledge the sacrifices they have made for us, and bring a smile to our hospice patients,” said Wendy Hellard, Director of Volunteer Services at Heritage Hospice. ... The wooden hearts, designed to be displayed on doors, were individually painted by Heritage Hospice volunteers and community members in bright and cheerful colors. Special hearts featuring patriotic red, white, and blue designs were created for veteran patients."
After 'code issue,' veterans no longer receive free care at UP hospice site
02/07/25 at 03:00 AMAfter 'code issue,' veterans no longer receive free care at UP hospice site MyUpNow.com, Houghton, MI; by Thomas Fournier; 2/5/25 For a veteran staying at hospice care facility, it's important family can visit, especially in rural areas. But what happens when their facility no longer qualifies as a hospice facility for the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA)? Omega House Executive Director Mike Lutz said he received a call from the local Veteran's Affairs (VA) office in Iron Mountain late December 2024 informing him that they would "no longer be servicing veterans at Omega House." ... Veterans who would usually receive a reimbursement through the VA for their hospice care would no longer be able to find that at Omega House, leaving them to get their care 100 miles away or more.
[Hospice of the Western Reserve Volunteer] WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday, years of service
01/29/25 at 02:00 AM[Hospice of the Western Reserve Volunteer] WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday, years of service Fox 8 WJW-TV Cleveland, OH; 1/24/25 What were you doing on this day 100 years ago? Well, if you were World War II Veteran Bob Zonneville, you were saying “hello” to the world! On Thursday, many of his friends and family got together at David Simpson Hospice House to celebrate this incredible accomplishment. Hospice of the Western Reserve hosted the event, which had a very special meaning to both the organization and Zonneville. Over the years, not only has this World War II veteran offered tireless support to the Hospice program, but he’s also responsible for raising nearly $100,000. Zonneville has been a passionate Hospice volunteer for decades. According to Hospice of the Western Reserve, Zonneville received the prestigious Chair’s Award for his extraordinary contributions to the hospice community in 2008. ...
Medicare to Veterans Affairs cost shifting—A challenging conundrum
01/18/25 at 03:15 AMMedicare to Veterans Affairs cost shifting—A challenging conundrumJAMA Health Forum; Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH, DCM; Said Ibrahim, MD, MPH, MBA; 12/24In this issue, Burke et al highlight how costs previously paid by Medicare for VA-Medicare dual eligible enrollees are now being paid by the VA under the VCCP [Veterans Community Care Program]. Today, there is reason to be concerned whether VA health care will be adequately funded because of the rapidly rising VCCP expenditures (driven in part by Medicare to VA cost shifting) and the impact of caring for an additional 740,000 enrollees who have entered the system in the past 2 years. This has created a $12 billion medical care budget shortfall for FY 2024. The substantial budgetary tumult that has resulted from these dynamics is adversely impacting the front lines of care delivery at individual VA facilities, leading to delays in hiring caregivers and impeding access to VA care and timely care delivery, as well as greatly straining the traditional roles of VA staff and clinicians trying to manage the challenging cross-system referral processes. The intertwined issues of Medicare to VA cost shifting and the rising costs of the VCCP present a challenging policy and programmatic conundrum.
Muslim American Heritage Month Celebration
01/10/25 at 03:00 AMMuslim American Heritage Month Celebration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC; Denis McDonough; 1/8/25 Dr. Salaam, thank you for your service in the Air Force, and for your service in communities around the country as an Imam and civil rights leader in the years since. Your words, principles, and perspectives are as inspiring as they are important ... [Describing VA Chaplain Omer Yigiter:] He became a VA chaplain at the Northport VA Medical Center, the only Muslim chaplain serving all of VISN-2 and one of only four Muslim VA chaplains across the country. ... We must learn and re-tell stories like those shared today—to ensure the experiences of Muslim American Veterans are acknowledged and honored. Truthful storytelling is also about authentic representation, about ensuring all Veteran voices and perspectives are heard and welcomed. So to our Muslim Veterans and colleagues, your unique perspectives make VA stronger.
The Alliance celebrates the Dole Act becoming law, expanding access to care and benefits for veterans
01/08/25 at 02:00 AMThe Alliance celebrates the Dole Act becoming law, protecting burial benefits for veteransNational Alliance for Care at Home, Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC; Press Release; 1/7/25 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) issued the following statement in response to President Biden signing S. 141, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, into law on Thursday, January 2. This landmark legislation includes Section 301, Gerald’s Law, which addresses a critical gap in benefits for Veterans. Gerald’s Law ensures that families of terminally-ill Veterans receiving Veterans Affairs (VA)-furnished hospice care—whether at home, in a nursing home, or in another non-VA setting—retain access to their full VA burial allowance. “We are deeply grateful for the bipartisan support of Gerald’s Law and its inclusion in the Dole Act,” said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO for the Alliance. “This legislation ensures that Veterans and their families can choose hospice care in the setting that best meets their needs without risking the loss of crucial burial benefits. We thank Senators Moran, Tester, and Hassan, Representatives Ciscomani, Bost, Brownley, and Takano, and many others for their leadership, as well as President Biden for signing this important bill into law.”
Congress finalizes sweeping bill to help veteran caregivers
12/19/24 at 03:00 AMCongress finalizes sweeping bill to help veteran caregivers Military Times; by Leo Shane III; 12/16/24 House lawmakers on Monday finalized a sweeping veterans bill to expand caregiver benefits for elderly and infirm veterans and update medical options for veterans outside the department’s health care system, sending the legislative package to the White House to become law. The legislation was originally passed by the chamber last month but had to be reapproved this week after technical changes were added by the Senate last week.
Bridgeport WWII vet who fought at Iwo Jima begins home hospice with 'no regrets'
12/12/24 at 02:00 AMBridgeport WWII vet who fought at Iwo Jima begins home hospice with 'no regrets' News 12 Connecticut; by Frank Recchia; 12/10/24 Stew Lahey, 98, of Bridgeport, says he's not a hero -- but his life experiences tell a different story. "I'm one of the last surviving veterans who fought at Iwo Jima during the Second World War," the proud great grandfather told News 12 Monday. "I joined the Marine Corps when I was 17. I didn't wait to enlist because it was 1943 and they needed me," Lahey said. The longtime Bridgeport resident began home hospice this week, surrounded by his family. "We love him so much and we are so proud of what he did for our country," said granddaughter Mikela Lahey. "When he began home hospice, ... we all started to cry -- but he didn't want that. He wants us to smile and be happy with him at the end," she said. "He keeps saying he has 'no regrets' -- and we are so grateful to have the chance to be here with him at the end," she said.
Senior living organizations press senators for passage of Elizabeth Dole Act
12/03/24 at 03:00 AMSenior living organizations press senators for passage of Elizabeth Dole Act McKnights Senior Living; by Kathleen Steele Gaivin; 12/2/24 Senior living advocacy groups are pressing Senate Veterans Affairs Committee leaders to seek a unanimous consent agreement on the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, to expedite its passage. ... The advocates noted that the House of Representatives had passed the act Nov. 18 under suspension of the rules. The House overwhelmingly supported the bill, passing the legislation by a vote of 389–9. ... As McKnight’s Senior Living previously has reported, the pilot program would enable 60 veterans to receive assisted living services via a three-year test that also would measure their satisfaction with the effort. The legislation would require that participating facilities be located in geographically diverse regions, with at least one test site serving veterans in a rural or highly rural area and at least one being a state home.
VFW makes another large donation to Hospice [of the Panhandle]
12/02/24 at 03:00 AMVFW makes another large donation to Hospice [of the Panhandle] The Morgan Messenger; by TMM Editor; 11/26/24 The VFW Post 4019 hosted a chili cookoff in November with $17,000 of proceeds going to Hospice of the Panhandle. “We greatly appreciate what you do for veterans,” said Commander Arthur Schur.
Analysis of mortality causes and locations in veterans with ALS: A decade review
11/30/24 at 03:30 AMAnalysis of mortality causes and locations in veterans with ALS: A decade reviewMedical Science Monitor; Meheroz H Rabadi, Kimberly A Russell, Chao Xu; 11/24Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease that leads to rapid degeneration of nerves in the brain and spinal cord, with eventual loss of voluntary movements, including breathing. This retrospective study of medical record data from 105 US veterans diagnosed with ALS at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center between 2010 and 2021 aimed to identify patient demographics, and the causes and places of death for these veterans. This study's findings are that in veterans with ALS, the main cause of death is respiratory disease (failure). The main location of death was the home, with their family members. The all-cause mortality rate among veterans with ALS was 26 times greater than for the general Oklahoma population.
Dole Act could give veterans greater access to hospice, palliative care
11/27/24 at 03:00 AMDole Act could give veterans greater access to hospice, palliative care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 11/26/24 The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, currently winding its way through Congress, would likely increase access to hospice and palliative care for veterans, if enacted. The omnibus veterans’ benefits reform bill contains two provisions in particular that could influence hospice and palliative care utilization. First, it contains language from Gerald’s Law, as well as clauses that would allow veterans to use their benefits to enter PACE programs. The bill recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now will go to the Senate. A reasonable chance exists that the bill will be approved by both chambers this year, according to Madison Summers, manager of public affairs for the National Alliance for Care at Home.
Veterans enjoy early Thanksgiving meal
11/25/24 at 03:00 AMVeterans enjoy early Thanksgiving meal ABC KOLO 8 NewsNow, Reno, NV; by Terri Russell; 11/22/24 More than 250 Veterans and their families gathered at the Washoe County Senior Center to eat an early Thanksgiving meal courtesy of several local businesses and organizations. ... With such a large crowd it was all hands-on deck. But those who came to help say they were more than willing to lend a helping hand. “I knew it was above and beyond fabulous,” says Katie Hurst, with St. Mary’s Hospice of Northern Nevada. “And being in hospice business it is really important to reach out to those who are on this side of their journey. And we couldn’t find a better calling.” Plenty of donations came in to pay for the meal. ... This won’t be the last time Veterans get together for the holidays. Another meal is planned for Christmas on December 19th at the Washoe County Senior Center.
The Alliance applauds Gerald’s Law passing through Congress
11/21/24 at 03:00 AMThe Alliance applauds Gerald’s Law passing through Congress National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance; formerly NAHC and NHPCO); Press Release; 11/19/24 The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) celebrates the historic passage of H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives last night with a bipartisan vote of 389-9. This landmark legislation includes Section 301, Gerald’s Law, which addresses a critical gap in benefits impacting seriously-ill veterans and their families receiving hospice care. The story of Gerald “Jerry” Elliott, a U.S. Army veteran, underscores the importance of this legislative achievement. Diagnosed with cancer, Jerry was admitted to his local Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in 2019 before transitioning to VA hospice care at home to be surrounded by his family. After his passing, his family discovered they were ineligible for full burial and funeral financial support because Jerry died outside of a VA facility.