October 30, 2024

EveryStep Hospice Team in Mount Ayr Honors Vietnam War Veteran

Vietnam Army veteran Darrell Stewart was honored for his military service during a “pinning” ceremony arranged by the EveryStep Hospice team in Mount Ayr. EveryStep staff and volunteers gathered in Darrell’s home in Maloy, where he is receiving care from EveryStep Hospice.

Darrell grew up in Creston and later moved to Mount Ayr, where his family farmed and he graduated high school. Darrell says he attempted college, but preferred farming; however, he couldn’t get a bank loan to start his own farm because he didn’t have his military obligation out of the way. So in 1968, at age 19, he went to the local draft board and volunteered for service.

“[My parents] weren't real happy, but they understood because my dad and my stepdad were both Navy personnel, and I had three uncles that were Army,” says Darrell, whose oldest brother had gone into the service in 1966, and whose two younger brothers would also enlist before the war was over.

Darrell and several of his friends all completed Army basic training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where Darrell was with Charlie Company 6, 3rd Battalion, 4^th Infantry. He says it helped having his friends around during that time. “I scared to death. They have to tear you down, and then they build you back up.”

Out of basic training, Darrell volunteered to go to jump school and went to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Gordon in Georgia. He then completed U.S. Army Airborne School — widely known as “Jump School” — at Fort Benning, Georgia. Though he was nervous on his first jump, Darrell calls the experience “exhilarating.”

Darrell spent 18 months stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska as a paratrooper in Charlie Company, 6^th Battalion, 9^th Infantry, 171st Infantry Brigade, arriving in 1968 and being discharged in 1970. “We were on alert for Korea, and they had the largest airplane that was going to take us over and drop us. We had weapons, our ammo, and all the gear that we would need,” says Darrell. “And then they canceled. So, we didn't have to go, but we were eager to go.”

Darrell recalls how cold it was during his service in Alaska. “I remember being on a mountain doing recon and living in a tent while the temperature was 72 below zero,” says Darrell. He and his team lived in a tent. “There was about six of us and we had a little heater. Then in the morning, everything under your feet was mud. It was quite an experience. I got a Letter of Commendation for that.” Darrell left the Army ranked as a Sergent and came back to Iowa to farm.

Diagnosed with cancer, 75-year-old Darrell now receives hospice care in his home from the EveryStep Hospice team in Mount Ayr. “They couldn't be better,” says Darrell, whose wife passed away four years ago. He especially appreciates that his nurses will spend time visiting with him and are always available if he has a concern.

EveryStep’s veteran pinning ceremonies provide honor, dignity and recognition to veterans at the end of their lives. Pinning ceremonies are celebratory events that include the Pledge of Allegiance, the awarding of a veteran service flag pin, the singing of “God Bless America,” a reading of "What is a Veteran," and the presentation of a certificate of recognition.

EveryStep is a nonprofit health care organization and a Level 4 partner in the nationally recognized We Honor Veterans initiative. Through its hospice program, EveryStep offers several specialized services for veterans. EveryStep’s Veteran-to-Veteran program is a special service pairing veterans who are volunteers with hospice patients who have served our country. A specialized Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer can provide companionship while talking, reading and sitting with patients. Veterans bring a unique skill set to help patients find peace at the end of life.

If you are a veteran interested in volunteering your time to visit hospice patients, learn more or complete a volunteer application here. To learn more about EveryStep Hospice, click here.

If you or someone you know needs care or support, complete the confidential "Find Care" form here. The form sends a message to EveryStep staff who then follow up with a phone call. It's a great way to start a conversation and get answers with no cost or commitment.