Honoring Veterans

Hospice Care and the We Honor Veterans Program

Clockwise from top left: A quilt made by Crafting Change; volunteer coordinator Preeti with several donated quilts, William Farrell, a quilt, Ken Parent, and Dan Martin

At Cascade Health, honoring veterans isn’t just for Veterans Day—it’s part of our everyday commitment to compassionate end-of-life care. As a hospice provider, we have the unique opportunity to offer a final expression of gratitude and appreciation for a veteran’s service, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Through our veteran-to-veteran volunteer program, we pair veterans with hospice patients who have also served in the military. These connections offer companionship – but also something more. Patients and volunteers often bond over shared experiences and memories, creating a unique support system in the final stages of life. This shared history offers veteran patients a safe and understanding space to talk about their lives and experiences, creating camaraderie and bringing comfort.

We’re incredibly grateful for our veteran volunteers, Dan Martin and Ken Parent, who help honor patients at end-of-life with We Honor Veterans pinning ceremonies, which acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by a veteran and their family. Dan, who has been volunteering with us since 2012, says that serving other veterans is one of the most rewarding parts of his hospice work. William Farrell, who is also trained in We Honor Veterans services, steps in when Dan and Ken are unavailable to ensure that no veteran goes unrecognized. Together, these volunteers ensure veteran patients feel respected, understood, and supported as they near the end of their lives.

This year, 12 of our veteran patients received veteran-to-veteran support. One of our patients recently met Ken, and the two immediately connected over shared life experiences. The patient, initially unsure, grew excited about the connection and is looking forward to the pinning ceremony.  

Thanks to our partnership with Crafting Change, each veteran we honor also receives a handmade quilt. This year, Crafting Change worked with volunteers across the country to ensure we have enough quilts for years to come. Besides being a practical and comforting item for hospice patients, the gift of a quilt is another way to show our gratitude for veterans’ service.

On this Veterans Day, we offer a sincere thank you to all those who served - and to the volunteers who help us honor that service. Your dedication inspires us every day.