October 29, 2019

Veteran Pinning Ceremony: Arthur Evans

Joined by family, friends and his caregivers, Arthur Evans received recognition and honor for his time in the service during a veteran pinning ceremony hosted by the EveryStep Hospice team in Mount Pleasant. 

"It was a nice little gathering we had," Evans, 77, said of the honorary ceremony held at his home in mid-October. "I enjoyed it and got to visit with everybody."

EveryStep Hospice's veteran pinning ceremonies provide honor and dignity to veterans at the end of their lives. 

A long-time resident of southeastern Iowa, Evans was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. While Evans' service didn't include combat, he was stationed in Germany for two years.

"It was tough for a young guy to be away from home," he recalls. After his time in that army, Evans returned to Iowa.

Veteran Pinning ceremonies provide honor, dignity and recognition to veterans at the end of their lives. Family members and friends are often on hand with EveryStep staff and volunteers during the celebratory events.  The ceremonies include the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer of thanks, 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.

Are you interested in making a difference for EveryStep's veteran patients? Consider becoming a Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer.

Our 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. There are some issues veterans only feel comfortable sharing with other veterans. Veterans bring a unique skill set to help patients come to terms with past events, finding peace at end of life.

EveryStep is proud to be recognized as a We Are Veterans Level 4 hospice provider. As a participating We Honor Veterans program, EveryStep Hospice “earned its stars” by providing Veteran-specific education to our staff and volunteers, building organizational capacity to provide quality care for Veterans, strengthening relationships with Veteran organizations, and improving access and quality of care for Veterans. 

Those interested in learning more about volunteering with EveryStep Hospice are encouraged to complete our volunteer interest form, and we’ll connect you with an EveryStep program that could use your time and talents!