Life brought both joy and profound loss. After Anita lost her husband and son just a year apart, her daughter, Melody, stepped into the role of caregiver, surrounding her mother with love and support. Today, Melody says that simple moments of connection bring Anita the greatest happiness, whether hearing someone say “thank you for your service” or reading heartfelt letters sent through Community Hospice’s Mail Call program.
Registered nurse case manager Anne Marie Jordan describes how veteran pinning ceremonies and the Mail Call program create powerful opportunities for connection, reminding patients that their service and sacrifices are remembered. Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s commitment to honoring veterans is reflected through its participation in the national We Honor Veterans initiative. Through specialized clinical care, veteran-to-veteran connections, symbolic recognition ceremonies, and partnerships with community leaders and students, the organization strives to ensure that those who served our country receive care rooted in respect, gratitude, and compassion. For Anita, these gestures are more than ceremonies. They are reminders that her story matters and that her legacy continues to inspire others.
“Now they’re holding me up as an example,” Anita shared with gratitude. “I’m so grateful.”
For retired Coast Guard leader and Community Hospice volunteer Donna Cottrell, visiting veterans like Anita is about more than recognition; it is about shared understanding. After serving 37 years before retiring in 2021, Donna knows firsthand the bond that forms between those who have served. “You walk in with something in common,” she said. “We don’t want anyone to feel forgotten, especially veterans.” Anita’s care team sees the impact these moments have every day.
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