Allied Services Honors Veterans Through Meaningful Hospice Recognition Program

At Allied Services Hospice and Palliative Care, a deeply meaningful initiative ensures that veterans receiving end-of-life care are honored for their military service. The Allied Services Hospice and Palliative Care Veteran Recognition Program brings dignity, gratitude and comfort to veteran patients and their families during one of life's most profound moments.

The program is supported in part by a $2,500 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. This generous support helps Allied Services continue its mission of recognizing veterans and honoring their service and sacrifice.

Through the program, veteran patients receiving hospice care in their homes, at Allied Services inpatient hospice centers or in other care facilities are honored with personalized recognition ceremonies conducted by fellow veteran volunteers.

During each ceremony, patients and their loved ones receive a certificate of service, a commemorative star from a retired American flag, a small American flag and a flag representing the veteran's branch of military service. These personal tributes create meaningful opportunities for reflection, connection and gratitude.

"Recognizing a veteran's service brings comfort, dignity and often a sense of healing to patients and their loved ones," said Laura Marion, AVP of Hospice and Palliative Care at Allied Services. "These moments remind us that the sacrifices they made were not forgotten."

At the heart of the program are dedicated volunteers, many of whom are veterans themselves. Among them are Ron Skamanich, Michael Grady, and Jamie Heid, whose shared experiences and commitment to service have helped shape the program.

Skamanich, a Vietnam War veteran, was instrumental in the program's beginnings. Encouraged by his wife, Linda, to visit veteran hospice patients who had no family by their side, he began offering companionship and recognition that eventually grew into the program that exists today.

"Coming back from Vietnam, veterans weren't treated very well," Skamanich shared. "We should always honor our veterans when we get a chance."

For volunteer Michael Grady, the experience offers an opportunity to listen to fellow veterans and honor their stories, sometimes helping families discover experiences their loved ones have never previously shared.

For U.S. Air Force veteran Jamie Heid, volunteering became a personal mission after his father received hospice care through Allied Services and experienced a recognition ceremony firsthand. Today, Jamie and his wife, Lori, volunteer together, bringing compassion and personal connection to the families they serve.

The Veteran Recognition Program reflects Allied Services' commitment to providing compassionate, individualized care that honors not only the medical needs of patients but also their lives, experiences and legacies.

Thanks to the dedication of its volunteers and the generosity of community partners such as the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, Allied Services can continue recognizing the service and sacrifices of veterans while providing meaningful moments of comfort and gratitude to patients and their families.