Hamilton Health Care System, Alliant Health Plans and the West Walnut Avenue Chick-fil-A will honor the veterans of the community by hosting a free Veterans Appreciation Lunch.
All veterans and Patriot Guard members (military identification required) are invited to enjoy a free, dine-in only lunch at Chick-fil-A, 1517 W. Walnut Ave., on Monday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jeff Myers, Hamilton Health Care System CEO
“Our veterans have given so much for our freedom,” said Jeff Myers, CEO. “We want to thank them for their sacrifice and service. This is just a small token to honor them.”
Mark Mixer, Alliant Health Plans CEO
“We appreciate the opportunity to serve – in some small way – those brave men and women who have served our country,” said Mark Mixer, CEO of Alliant Health Plans and U.S. Army veteran.
For more information about the veterans lunch, please call 706-272-6114.
Recognizing military service is very important to those at Hamilton Hospice and Hamilton Home Health.
Throughout the year, Hamilton Hospice recognizes veterans. The Veteran’s Recognition Certificate is presented at family gatherings. The gatherings include the reading of poems, singing and reminiscing with family and friends.
Additionally, throughout the year, social workers coordinate with Veterans Affairs in getting benefits for patients who are veterans. On Veterans Day, thank-you cards and flags are given out. And at Hamilton Hospice celebration of life services, held each spring, veterans are recognized through the display of a veterans wreath and candle, and through the reading of their veteran status during a special bell ringing ceremony.
Mark Elam, MD
Hamilton Hospice began recognizing Veterans formally in 2010 when Mark Elam, MD, hospice medical director, made the recommendation to present a Veteran’s Recognition Certificate to veteran patients.
“I think it is the most important thing we’ve added to the program,” said Elam. “For veterans to receive recognition, it means everything, especially for Vietnam veterans.” Elam served as a physician with the U.S. Army, completing his service as a major. He practiced medicine at multiple military hospitals including the 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany (serving during the fall of the Berlin Wall). Also, he comes from a family of veterans, with his father and uncles serving in WWII.
Tommy Deal
Hospice chaplain Tommy Deal agreed. “It is such an honor to recognize our veteran patients in this way,” he said. “To say ‘thank you’ to them is important in recognizing the whole person God has created, and [He] has allowed us to serve [during] this time.”
Ann Larkin-Huff
Neal Brannen, RN, hospice case manager, served in the U.S. Navy as a 1st class petty officer/sonar technician. Often Brannen presents the certificate to hospice patients. “It is a very emotional moment to watch a veteran from one generation paying tribute to a veteran from another,” said Ann Larkin-Huff, hospice social worker. Larkin-Huff fondly remembers stories of her father’s time in service, which sparked her aspiration to honor veterans through her work today.
Several other team members at Hamilton Hospice and Hamilton Home Health are veterans or have strong ties to service members. They include:
Daryl Silver – served as an infantry medic
Kristie Ferguson-Johnson – father served in the U.S. Marine Corps and nephew is a U.S. Marine in active service
Deb Barnes – father served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea, son serving in U.S. Army
Tiffany Coker – father served in U.S. Army
Derek Crum – father served in U.S. Army, stationed in Korea
Mary Green – father served in U.S. Army, brother served in U.S. Marine Corps
Megan Little – grandfather served in U.S. Air Force (WWII), cousin is serving in U.S. Navy
Mandy Preston – son is serving in U.S. Navy
Candi Sanders – husband served in U.S. Army
Evelyn Wall – father served in U.S. Army (Korea)
Heather White – husband served in U.S. Marine Corps.
In celebration of Veteran’s Day and appreciation for the service provided by veterans, Hamilton Medical Center will offer a free meal to veterans on Friday, Nov. 8.
Veterans can present their military IDs and receive a free meal at lunch in the HMC dining hall. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
They also will receive a 20 percent discount in the HMC gift shop that day and a 10 percent discount on all other days. Gift shop hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“This is a small way that we can say thank you to the men and women who are or have protected our families, country and freedom,” said Rachel Ogle, marketing outreach manager.
Hamilton Hospice regularly recognizes patients who are veterans with the Veteran’s Recognition Award. Pictured at left is recent recipient James “Bobby” Underwood with his wife, Sue.
Recognizing military service is very important to those at Hamilton Hospice.
At the recommendation of Mark Elam, MD, medical director,Hamilton Hospice has been recognizing veterans with the Veteran’s Recognition Award since 2010.
“I think it is the most important thing we’ve added to the program,” said Elam. “For veterans to receive recognition, it means everything, especially for Vietnam veterans.”
Elam is a veteran, serving as a physician with the United States Army and completing his service as a major. He practiced medicine at Madigan Army Medical Hospital just outside Lakewood, Wash., the Eisenhower Army Medical Center near Augusta, Ga., and the 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany (serving when the Berlin Wall came down). Elam’s father and uncles served in the Navy and Army during World War II.
Others at Hamilton Hospice have either served or have strong ties to service members. Neal Brannen, RN, case manager, served in the U.S. Navy as a 1st class petty officer and sonar technician. Often, Brannen presents the award to hospice patients. “It is a very emotional moment to watch a veteran from one generation paying tribute to a veteran from another,” said Ann Larkin Huff, social worker.
Susie Compton,Hamilton Hospice director, has a son who is serving in the U.S. Navy as a missile technician. Her father also served as a missile technician in the Navy during World War II.
Recently, Hamilton Hospice recognized James “Bobby” Underwood. He was a specialist in the U.S. Army in Europe during the late 1960s at the height of the Cold War era.
“We appreciate the service Mr. Underwood gave to our country,” said Huff. “For our hospice patients who are veterans, the recognition reminds them that their sacrifice has been appreciated and gives closure. We feel that it is a privilege and an honor to do this for veterans as they have given their all for us.”
Veterans are recognized and supported at various times during the year as well. Social workers work with Veterans Affairs in getting benefits for patients who are veterans. On Veterans Day, thank-you cards and flags are handed out. And at Hamilton Hospice memorial services, held each spring and fall, veterans are recognized through a display including a veterans’ wreath and candle. A poem is read during the service as well.
“We want to honor our patients who are veterans in a special way,” said Compton. “They’ve given a lot so we can enjoy the freedoms we have.”
In celebration of Veteran’s Day and appreciation for the service provided by veterans, Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) will offer a free meal to veterans on Friday, Nov. 9.
Veterans can present their military IDs and receive a free meal at lunch or dinner in the HMC dining hall. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and dinner is served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
They also will receive a 20 percent discount in the HMC gift shop that day and a 10 percent discount on all other days. Gift shop hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“This is a small way that we can say thank you to the men and women who are or have protected our families, country and freedom,” said Rachel Ogle, marketing outreach manager.
In celebration of Veteran’s Day and appreciation for the service provided by veterans, Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) will offer a free meal to veterans on Friday, Nov. 9.