Late on a recent Tuesday afternoon a text was received by one of FAIRHOPE Hospice and Palliative Care’s military pinning volunteers. The text, sent by one of our social workers read, “Are you available for a pinning tomorrow, by chance? The family is flexible with time. In town.”
The volunteer immediately replied to the text with a, “Yes.”
That simple text exchange between one of FAIRHOPE’s social workers and a volunteer got the ball rolling. In other situations where the end of life is eminent, our volunteers can immediately leave their homes to arrive at the veteran’s bedside as soon as possible.
The text from the social worker was alerting the volunteer that a Vietnam veteran, Bill, had just been admitted to our family-centered care. Upon learning from the social worker that we offer a military pinning ceremony for veterans on our service Niki, Bill’s daughter, eagerly agreed to it.
“We knew he wanted to be honored for his service.” Niki said.
Adding, “I’d never heard of it. I didn’t know such a service was offered.”
In this case the veteran was at the very end-of-life and the Military Pinning Ceremony would have to be performed soon.
The volunteer quickly sent a group text to the other three FAIRHOPE volunteers who have dedicated themselves to honoring our veterans. The text alerted them to the time and location of the event.
All of the pinning ceremonies are performed where the recipient lives and in this case the location was Bill’s house across the street from the fairgrounds. His bed was in a small room at the front of his house.
Arriving early in order to learn a little bit about the recipient, the four volunteers and Bill’s family gathered around his bedside. That little room quickly filled with laughter and war stories as the volunteers and Bill’s family realized that all had ties to each other through, believe it or not, the crossroads hamlet of Maxville.
Being a military family, military pictures and medals from all of the family members were prominently displayed on one of the walls of the room. No hall, no stage, no parade ground could have matched the feeling in that little room. There simply could not have been a better location.
One of the hallmarks of FAIRHOPE’s pinning ceremony is that any family member is encouraged to participate by fastening one the pins to the recipient’s garment. They, also, were affected by their loved one’s tour of duty so they, also, are given an honor. George, one of Bill’s nephews, a Marine veteran, and Niki agreed to do the actual pinning.
Throughout, Bill was in the deep sleep that is characteristic of the end of life. But even at this stage of life, he could still hear.
The ceremony began when one of FAIRHOPE’s volunteers, acting as the facilitator, told Bill that he was being honored for his service. As he lay silently in bed, hands crossed on his chest, Niki reverently fastened the American Flag pin on her dad’s garment, over his heart.
Then his nephew, George, fastened the Branch of Service pin beneath the flag pin, briefly fumbling with it due to tears blurring his vision. Only a few faint sniffles disturbed the silence.
Following the actual pinning, the facilitator expressed FAIRHOPE’s appreciation for Bill’s honorable and faithful service to our country. Another of FAIRHOPE’s volunteers read the official certificate from the “We Honor Veteran’s” program and presented it to Niki.
The ceremony was closed as all veterans present formed around the foot of Bill’s bed. When Bill’s nephew, Will, gave the command, “Present, Arms” all veterans snapped to attention. They saluted and held their salute. After a few seconds, Bill’s right hand moved slowly up his chest to his chin and after barely touching his nose, it plopped back down. With literally every ounce of energy in his body, he had returned the salute.
If there was ever an example of “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” that was it.
Niki said the military funerals with the presentation of the flag, the 21 gun salute, etc. are for the benefit of the surviving family and not seen by the veteran. But as she watched our ceremony unfold she realized that, “Bill was fully aware of what was happening.”
“He knew he was being honored. In his final moments he saw that he was appreciated.”
“There is no doubt that this ceremony helped him to let go; Helped him to know he was honored.” Niki remarked.
This event occurred a month before Veteran’s Day, but on that October afternoon, all present agreed they experienced one of most profound Veteran’s Days of their life.
Many aren’t aware of FAIRHOPE Hospice and Palliative Care’s military pinning ceremony. It is part of the “We Honor Veteran’s”, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans from all branches of the military, including the Coast Guard and the National Guard are honored.
FAIRHOPE Hospice and Palliative Care focuses on what makes life significant.
Bill died in peace the following evening.
