| In my position as a non-clinical staff member at Cornerstone Hospice, I do not often have the opportunity to interact with patients. It is always such an honor when I do. Recently, my experience was more than an honor; I was deeply touched and humbled. One of our physicians had visited a patient who had just arrived at the Tavares Hospice House. She realized that he had a very short time to live and overheard one of the other staff say that the patient was a veteran, a Marine like her father. Immediately she wanted to thank him for his military service to his country before he slipped away. She rushed to my office to get an American flag lapel pin and a veteran from our staff to pin it on her patient. We located a Marine from our finance department and a Navy man from the Chaplaincy; both were proud to be asked. At the House, the Marine leaned over the patient, pinned the flag to his shirt and simply said in a soft but strong voice, “From one Marine to another, Semper Fi.” The Navy man blessed the veteran, thanked him for all Americans for his courage and service to America, and then told him he could go in peace. Soon thereafter he did. I had just witnessed a very elegant, yet simple rite and was able to glimpse our entire staff’s dedication to patients and our mission. In my heart I will always carry that very special moment.-Julia 0 comments |
| Salute to a Marine Veteran |