Unity Honors Veterans With November Pinning Ceremonies

November 8, 2019
Ceremonies Reflect Unity’s Commitment to Care for the Heroes Among Us

De Pere, Wis. – Unity Hospice will honor veterans and recognize their service and sacrifice by hosting three area pinning ceremonies. Pinning ceremonies create a time and space for veterans to share their stories with friends and family, and reflect on their life of service.

The first ceremony will take place on Friday, November 8 at 2:30 p.m. at Sturgeon Bay Health Services, 200 N. Seventh Avenue in Door County. All Door County veterans and their families are invited to attend. Beth Wartella, Door County Veterans Service Officer, will provide education on veteran benefits after the ceremony. Refreshments will follow.

Additional ceremonies will take place on Veterans Day, November 11. A morning ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at Renaissance Assisted Living, 250 S. Ninth Street in De Pere where approximately 13 veteran residents will be recognized. An afternoon ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. for residents of Green Bay Health Services, 1640 Shawano Avenue in Green Bay.

“One out of every four dying Americans is a veteran,” said Alisa Gerke, Unity Hospice Executive Director. “A pinning ceremony is a way to extend our deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by the veteran and his/her family. It helps veterans find peace and closure as they near the end of their lives.”

During the pinning ceremonies, Unity will present each veteran with a personalized certificate of appreciation and a metal flag pin that can be placed on his or her military shirt or hat.

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Unity is committed to providing military veterans facing advanced illness and end of life with personalized care and support to address their unique sets of medical, emotional and spiritual needs. Among Unity’s services:

  • Customized Care Plans. Goals of care are based on the branch and era of military service, service-related illnesses/conditions and past experiences.
  • Specially Trained Psychosocial Staff. Staff are trained to assist with unresolved issues associated with the stresses of military service, PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts.
  • Grief Support. Unity’s grief counselors support veterans’ loved ones through one-on-one support, grief groups and memorial services with special veteran honor and recognition.
  • Veteran Resources. Unity’s collaboration with area Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, American Legion posts and Veteran Administration agencies connects families with the resources needed for veteran benefits, military honor funerals, burial assistance, honor flight applications and more.
  • Jack & Engrid Meng Hospice Residence. Special veteran recognition at the Meng Residence includes the Veteran Walk of Honor and Veteran Memorial Candle Lighting.
  • Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program. Partners specially-trained veteran volunteers with Unity patients who have served in the military. The camaraderie created between the veterans has proven supportive for all involved, bringing great peace and closure.
  • David S. Rasmussen Fund. Established in honor of David’s service in the U.S. Army, this fund supports veterans who are receiving care from Unity and are in need of financial assistance to cover the costs of basic needs.

Unity is also a proud partner in the We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help improve the care veterans receive from hospice and palliative care providers. For more information about Unity and its veteran-centered care services, contact Christy Brozak at (920) 339-6772 or CBrozak@unityhospice.org.

About Unity
Unity Hospice is a nonprofit provider of hospice care, palliative care and grief support throughout 13 counties in Northeast Wisconsin. A continuation of Bellin Hospice, founded in 1977, Unity was the first hospice in Wisconsin and the third in the nation. Patients and families are served by more than 225 paid employees and over 350 volunteers living the mission of bringing the best end-of life experience by delivering unwavering strength, compassion and support. Unity is a caring, nonprofit partnership of Bellin Health, HSHS St Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and HSHS St. Vincent Hospital.