Veterans honored to serve fellow vets

Lovin' Life
Feb. 2025
by Lin Sue Flood

Hospice of the Valley’s Saluting Our Veterans program was launched in 2011 to thank military veterans in hospice care for their service to our country.

Since its inception, more than 4,000 veterans have been honored by a team of 54 volunteers — military veterans from every branch of the armed services. They delight in bringing well-deserved recognition to our veteran patients and families. Many times, tears are shed as the veteran shares memories long forgotten. The respect and gratitude displayed at these visits are beautiful to behold, and leave behind a precious memory for family members to cherish forever.

Volunteer Doug Zimmerman recently met with a Vietnam veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange and was part of a four-man reconnaissance team. All four were there for the tribute visit and freely shared how dangerous and difficult their work was — being dropped into the jungle for days at a time for scouting and reconnaissance, relying only on one another for support.

In his wheelchair and out in the sunshine, the patient relived memories as they all talked, laughed and even cried. Before leaving, Doug saluted the four brave heroes. They returned the salute like soldiers. Being a veteran of the Vietnam War himself, Doug felt grateful to honor these men, and felt that he worked through some of his own trauma during the visit.

We hear time and time again how our volunteers feel privileged to listen to such remarkable stories of courage. One patient mesmerized his three sons for three hours, recalling memories of his service and experiences he had never shared with them before.

Volunteers come bearing a special lapel pin and service flag to honor a patient’s military career and the sacrifices they made to serve our nation. However, they are given a gift. They have been invited into a veteran’s intimate story, evoked memories he or she can fondly share with family members, and offered them justly deserved recognition.

“Every one of these people has a story, and it’s nice to listen to it and pass that story on,” said Fred Selinsky, a retired Navy chief petty officer. “I hear about their lives, what they’ve gone through. That’s very satisfying. It’s living history.”

Salutes volunteer Rodney Dehmer agreed. “I know what it feels to come back from combat. There’s a brotherhood and we appreciate each other,” said the Goodyear veteran, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War.

“Being the mechanism that passes down family history is an honor,” said volunteer Gale Winters, a retired Air Force veteran who was disabled in Vietnam. “I enjoy so much being with these guys — they are my heroes.”

If you are a veteran who would like to have a meaningful impact on the those whose courage and sacrifice protect our freedoms, visit hov.org/volunteer or call 602-636-6336. We welcome volunteers in Maricopa County, northern Pinal County and the Tucson area.