Honoring veterans means more than recognizing their service—it means understanding the experiences they carry long after their time in uniform ends. Through HHHC’s We Honor Veterans program, one family detailed firsthand how compassion, understanding, and connection can bring comfort at the end of life—not only for a veteran, but for the family who loves them.
As family members arrived, the HHHC hospice nurse gently told us what my mother already knew—our once vivid, conversationalist father had stopped talking. We moved closer together, asking confused questions, and the nurse encouraged us to keep talking to him, explaining that he could likely still hear us.
As his lifelong storytellers, we took that guidance to heart. Holding his hand, we shared stories the way we always had—with familiar gestures, smiles, and even a few soft chuckles. That poignant time became an unexpected gift, bringing back long-remembered and sometimes colorful stories, until even we were finally talked out.
Later, another nurse asked if there were any unresolved issues weighing on him. My mother shared that he had long struggled with his service in Vietnam. That information was passed along to the HHHC volunteer network. Hours later, a fellow Vietnam veteran arrived and gently asked what we knew about my father’s service and his regrets.
He spent a long time with our veteran—listening, sharing, and offering understanding that only another veteran could provide. When he came out, he shared his own experience in Vietnam and helped us understand why so many veterans carry the same struggle. Only later did we realize that he had been caring for us as well during our hospice journey.
Our veteran passed away the following day.
For many veterans, unresolved memories or moral injury can surface at the end of life. Having someone who truly understands—sometimes without many words—can bring peace to both the veteran and their family. This is what it means to honor veterans at end of life: to listen, to understand, and to ensure no one walks this final journey alone. We will always be grateful for the compassion and care we received.
Learn more about the We Honor Veterans Program at https://www.wehonorveterans.org
