Hospice of Michigan to Honor Veterans with Series of November Ceremonies

Oct. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 15, 2012 – Hospice of Michigan will honor veterans with a special series of pinning ceremonies in West Michigan on and surrounding Veterans’ Day in November.

The nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care will join forces with West Michigan legislators, long-term care facilities and military organizations to honor area veterans. The ceremonies are open to the public, and media are welcome to attend.

Veterans representing each of the military branches will be presented a certificate reflecting their branch of military service and an American flag pin honoring and thanking them for their military service.  The pinning ceremonies may also include a special “Missing Man” ceremony honoring MIA/POW servicemen, candle-lighting ceremony honoring the sacrifice of family members of veterans, a rifle volley or a performance of “Taps.”

“As we reflect as a nation on the sacrifices these veterans and their families made, it’s important to recognize that many veterans live next door, right in our own communities,” said Dr. Michael Paletta, HOM vice president of medical affairs.  “We at Hospice of Michigan are proud to partner with the national organizations We Honor Veterans and NHPCO to bring their wonderful work to these smaller, more intimate gatherings.  It’s important for the veterans to know they’re appreciated and remembered, and a good reminder for families and caregivers about how special these people are.”

Services will be held as follows:
•   Nov. 2, 1:30 p.m. – Metron of Belding, 414 East State St., Belding
•   Nov. 9, 2:15 p.m. – Metron of Cedar Springs, 400 Jeffery St. NE Cedar Springs
•   Nov. 16, 2 p.m. – Green Acres of Greenville, 1601 Winter Creek Dr., Greenville
•   Nov. 11, 2 p.m. (Veterans’ Day) – Pilgrim Manor, 2000 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids
•   Nov. 12, 2 p.m. – Maple Creek at the Terraces, 2000 32nd St. SE Grand Rapids
•   Nov. 14, 2:30 p.m. – Metron of Forest Hills, 1095 Medical Park Dr., Grand Rapids

Hospice of Michigan is a participant of the We Honor Veterans program, a partnership between the Veterans Administration and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, or NHPCO.  The program was developed to enhance care for veterans at the end of life and includes both educational and ceremonial elements.

Participating hospices receive training to recognize and treat the unique issues facing military families, provide access to community resources, and facilitate cooperation between VA health agencies and hospice services.  Hospice of Michigan, the largest not-for-profit hospice in the state, is in the process of training its care teams in 56 counties across Michigan. Paletta, who is also a retired Colonel and flight surgeon, serves as the executive champion of We Honor Vets for Hospice of Michigan.


About Hospice of Michigan
A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan is the original – and largest – hospice in the state of Michigan. The non-profit organization cares for more than 1,200 patients each day in 56 counties, raising more than $4 million each year to cover the cost of care for the uninsured and underinsured.  HOM offers innovative programs to enhance the quality of care for people at the end of life, education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals, caregiver education materials, cultural diversity programs for end-of-life care, and research and education programs at the Maggie Allesee Center for Quality of Life. For more information, call Hospice of Michigan’s CARE Center 24/7 at 888.247.5701 or go to www.hom.org.