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St. Thomas More students support hospice veterans

Posted at 12:09 AM, Dec 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-07 01:09:52-05

St. Thomas More seniors Emma Luke and Gabriel Watkins joined forces to give back this holiday season by supporting Hospice of Acadiana’s veterans program. As part of a service project, the two enlisted the assistance of fellow students and Beta Club members to create handmade cards to be delivered to HOA’s veteran patients.

Hospice of Acadiana veterans and St. Thomas More students

“Doing this project was important because we wanted to bring honor to the veterans that have secured our country’s safety,” said Emma. “We, along with members of our school, wanted to contribute in thanking them because they have done so much for us.”

Hospice of Acadiana veteran and St. Thomas More students

The We Honor Veterans Program offered by Hospice of Acadiana is a chance for all of us to honor and pay tribute to those veterans who are nearing the end of life. Veteran patients often have special medical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs, and Hospice of Acadiana is committed to giving them the support they deserve. Hospice of Acadiana was the 37th hospice in the country to earn a Level 4 certification in this program, the highest designation any agency can achieve.

“Our veterans dedicated themselves to serving our country, protecting our freedoms and ensuring our safety; it is a privilege for us to serve them. We cherish each opportunity we have to thank them for their service and their sacrifice,” explained Mary Bergeron, Director of Community Outreach.

We Honor Veterans is an initiative of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This affiliation enables member organizations to offer specialized programs for veteran patients, including educational programs and support from veteran volunteers. Veteran volunteers will share military experiences and life stories, educate and assist patients in receiving veterans’ benefits, assist in replacing lost medals, and participate in pinning ceremonies.