W]illiam is a volunteer with Blue Ridge Hospice’s We Honor Veterans program, a joint effort of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide specialized veteran-focused end-of-life-care. “I have always felt called to serving those in need,” says William, “and after concluding my ten years in the army, I was looking for a way to continue serving my community.” Since 2020, William has helped coordinate and conduct numerous Recognition of Service ceremonies to honor our patient’s military service.
“So often, we honor our veterans after they have died,” William explains. “While that is important, too, the We Honor Veterans program allows us to recognize a veteran’s service along with the patient’s family.”
During the recognition ceremony, William presents the veteran with a certificate and pin of the branch in which they served. At Blue Ridge Hospice, they also receive a handmade quilt and pillowcase provided by the Shenandoah Valley Quilting Guild. “I make sure to allow the veteran room to reminisce, share stories, and be the center of attention – something veterans often shy away from, but that I think is well-deserved when recognizing their service.”
The fact that William is a veteran himself adds a unique aspect to the ceremonies he helps coordinate and present. “There’s an authentic camaraderie that brings out this trust, allowing patients to open up and share their stories. Sometimes the patient even shares stories the family has never heard before,” William shares.
“Working with William has been an honor,” says Christina Thomas, one of Blue Ridge Hospice’s Grief and Loss Counselors.
“You can feel the care and respect he has for everyone, particularly the veterans. He is so patient and kind, and I feel privileged to get to present with him.”
Volunteering with Blue Ridge Hospice and working with our patients and families has left a mark on William as well. “What amazes me,” he says, “is that the patients and families we work with are always so warm and welcoming, inviting me into their home as one of their own even though they are going through a difficult time. I have made such meaningful connections with people and still stay in touch with some families today.”
Continuing to devote his life to serving others, William is currently in graduate school, studying to become a psychologist. He plans to work with veterans in a professional capacity after he graduates and will continue to be a volunteer with Blue Ridge Hospice’s We Honor Volunteers program. “Volunteers like William and our other We Honor Veteran volunteers provide comfort to our patients and families through their understanding and compassion for those who have served their country,” says Tonia Sweeney, Blue Ridge Hospice’s Director of Volunteer Services. “I am amazed at the dedication, compassion, and support our volunteers provide and I feel privileged to work with such generous people every day.”
Christina Thomas, a Grief and Loss Counselor with Blue Ridge Hospice, has coordinated multiple Recognition of Service Ceremonies with William. "Working with William has been an honor," she says.
