Hospice of Michigan to Honor Veterans during Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Luncheon

Jan. 16 event is also part of We Honor Veterans program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Jan. 11, 2017)Hospice of Michigan will recognize veterans during a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service luncheon on Monday, Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Senior Neighbors, located at 333 Division Ave. South in Grand Rapids.

AMVETS personnel and Kent County Commissioner Harold Mast will present approximately 20 veterans, representing each of the military branches, with a certificate and an American flag pin to honor and thank them for their service. The informal ceremony will also include a Posting of the Colors, displaying flags representing the United States Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. The pinning ceremony is part of the We Honor Veterans program.

As part of the program, Commissioner Mast will read a proclamation from the City of Grand Rapids and Mayor Rosalynn Bliss honoring Hospice of Michigan, AMVETS and Senior Neighbors for their service to veterans and seniors.

“Veterans have given so much of their lives to protect the lives of others. Hospice of Michigan is proud to give back by serving them during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service,” said Margaret Howard, Grand Rapids representative for Hospice of Michigan.

More than 50 seniors are expected to attend the luncheon which will be served by local business and community leaders, Grand Rapids Community College nursing students, as well as Hospice of Michigan staff and volunteers. Additionally, each table will be decorated with floral arrangements created by Hospice of Michigan flower volunteers.

HOM is a participant of the We Honor Veterans program, a partnership between the Veterans Administration and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). The program was developed to enhance care for veterans at end-of-life and includes educational and ceremonial elements.

Participating hospice organizations receive training to recognize and treat the unique needs of military families, provide access to community resources, and facilitate cooperation between VA health agencies and hospice services. As a Level Four We Honor Veterans partner – signifying the organization has met the highest standards set by the VA and NHPCO for this national program – HOM has trained its care teams in 48 counties across Michigan.

For general information about HOM or its involvement with We Honor Veterans, please visit www.hom.org.