At Hospice of Redmond, we are deeply committed to providing specialized care and a wealth of resources for our local Central Oregon veterans and their families. Why? Because their courage has shaped our freedom.
We are proud to announce that we’re working towards achieving Level V We Honor Veterans partner status through the National Alliance for Care at Home. This is the highest level of recognition in the We Honor Veterans program, and is a testament to our dedication to providing exceptional support to our veteran community. As a partner, we ensure that every veteran in our care is acknowledged, recognized, and appreciated for their service.
Beyond Clinical Care, We Honor Their Legacy
At Hospice of Redmond, we strive to create meaningful experiences that honor the service of our veterans. Some of the special programs and initiatives we offer include:
- Veteran Pinnings: These special ceremonies formally recognize and thank our veteran hospice patients for their service and often involve their family and fellow veterans, such as the Honor Guard, Band of Brothers (see below), and VFW.
- Veterans Wall of Honor: The only one of its kind in Central Oregon, the Veterans Wall of Honor honors both living and deceased veterans. Any veteran with ties to Central Oregon can have their name, service details, and military conflicts added to the Wall of Honor.
- Monthly TAPS at the Wall of Honor: The third Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm, we host TAPS. This poignant tribute to fallen military service members is held on our campus, providing a space for reflection and remembrance.
- Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Event: This year, we were honored to host a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans” event, marking 50 years since the war’s end and providing long-overdue recognition for these brave individuals.
- Project Recover Presentation: We recently hosted a special presentation dedicated to “Project Recover,” an organization committed to finding and repatriating military personnel missing in action. As Jody Logsdon, Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice of Redmond, shared, “We are honored to partner with Project Recover – an organization committed to finding those still missing in the line of duty.” Their vital work brings closure to countless families, and we are proud to support their mission.
- Veterans Lunch at Senior Center: We are proud sponsors of a free monthly Veterans Lunch at the Senior Center, providing an opportunity for veterans to connect and share camaraderie.
Engaging our Veteran Community with Upcoming Events
Along the same vein as the events mentioned, we’re proud to have some exciting events happening later this year.
Veterans Panel
This fall, our veterans support team at Hospice of Redmond is planning a collaborative community event with other local veteran support organizations. This will likely be in the form of a panel! A community-wide invite will be coming soon. We love to partner with other nonprofits helping veterans, like the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch. Central Oregon Veterans Ranch is one of the wonderful organizations participating. During the event, they will offer insights into their therapeutic, vocational, and agri-therapy programs that create a healing community for veterans.
Vet to Vet Cafes
For four consecutive weeks this fall, Hospice of Redmond will attend the meetings of the Redmond chapter of the Oregon Band of Brothers to support their organization and foster connections among veterans.
Navigating Veteran Benefits with a Central Oregon Veteran Service Officer
Many veterans mistakenly believe that VA services are only for those with combat-related disabilities or severe health issues. These veterans often realize later that they missed out on valuable benefits. It’s crucial for every veteran to explore the full range of VA resources available to them.
Understanding and accessing veteran benefits can be a complex process, which is why we emphasize the crucial role of the Veteran Service Officer (VSO) and help connect veterans with them. A VSO is responsible for helping veterans take advantage of the resources available to them. We are pleased to announce that a VSO will be available at the VFW on September 18th at 10 AM. This is an excellent opportunity to get personalized assistance with your veteran benefits and connect with knowledgeable support. If you are unable to make this event, we are happy to provide you with a referral to one of our favorite VSOs supporting Central Oregon veterans.
If you are a veteran or know of a veteran in need of local resources, give us a call. We are here to help. Additionally, if you or someone you know has a serious illness and would like to explore the support available to make your life a little bit easier, please contact us to learn more about how we can walk alongside you or your loved one.