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1. What is the importance of Veteran Volunteers?

Veteran Volunteers are essential to the delivery of quality hospice care. Veterans are a part of a distinct culture with their own common language and experience. When Veterans interact, their common language and experience can form a strong and meaningful bond. The camaraderie created between veterans has proven to be supportive for all involved.

Veteran Volunteers help veterans on hospice service in many ways, including:

• Visiting patients to reminisce and share military experiences and other life stories
• Educating and assisting patients in receiving veteran benefits
• Participating in veteran pinning ceremonies and other recognition events

2. What is a Veteran Pinning Ceremony?

A Veteran Pinning Ceremony is an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by the veteran and his/her family. The ceremony, conducted by a Veteran Volunteer, honors and recognizes a hospice patient’s service to our country and helps them and their loved ones find closure and peace at the end of life.

3. Do you do more for veterans than pinning ceremonies?

Yes! Treasure Coast Hospice is proud to be a Level 5 member of the We Honor Veterans program, part of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Level 5 is the highest distinction that can be earned in the program, and to achieve Level 5, an organization must meet rigorous standards of veteran outreach, staff education and enhanced services for veterans and their families under hospice care.

This means that each year, in addition to pinning hundreds of veterans in our care and within the community, Treasure Coast Hospice hosts special events and participates in community programs geared to educating and supporting veterans throughout Martin, Saint Lucie and Okeechobee counties. We also have an ongoing Veterans Visiting Veterans program, where we match one of our veteran volunteers to a veteran patient so that they can openly share and relate within the special bond achieved through military service.

To learn more about our efforts, please view our We Honor Veterans Annual Summary Report at the link below. If you are a veteran who would like to join our mission to serve other veterans within our community, please apply to volunteer here, and thank you for your service.

TCH We Honor Veterans Annual Summary Report