We Honor Veterans
We Honor Veterans is a special program that honors United States Armed Forces veterans who are nearing the end of life. This national program was originally founded by the Veteran’s Administration in conjunction with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. The program is entirely supported by our Four Seasons Foundation. Four Seasons is currently a Level 3 member of We Honor Veterans.
We Love our Veterans!
Through a partnership with the Military Officer’s Association of America, the program honors veterans receiving hospice care with special pinning ceremonies. During the ceremony attended by families and friends, a current military officer salutes the patient. The patient is then presented with a certificate, blanket and pin. Often the attendees will share significant stories, our music therapists play specially requested music, and sometimes prayers are offered. The ceremonies are customized to the desires of the individual being honored. At any given time, over 25% of the patients being served by Four Seasons are veterans.
Education & Awareness
We offer education around veterans’ concerns and are working to increase both staff and volunteer awareness of unique issues that a veteran may encounter. We have big hopes for additional community partnerships and are excited to have the ability to record veterans’ oral and/or pictorial stories.
Veteran’s Memorial Garden
In addition, Four Seasons is excited to share the Dan and Nancy Barber Veteran’s Memorial Garden at Elizabeth House with our community.
Meeting Unique Needs
We work to ensure Veterans and their families receive the care they need during difficult times.
Compassionate Listening
With respectful inquiry, we compassionately listen and gratefully acknowledge their military service and sacrifice.
Care for Those who First Served Us
We provide honor to veterans and their families with dignity and respect during difficult times.
Pinning Ceremonies
For Veterans facing life-limiting or chronic illness, the pinning ceremony provides a way for them to be honored with dignity, often helping families find peace during a difficult time.
Read the stories of two special Veterans served by Four Seasons.
Brigadier General Frank E. Blazey, Jr., a much loved and deeply respected member of the community for 40 years, retired to Hendersonville after 33 years of military service.
During his retirement, General Blazey was involved with many local nonprofits and service organizations, including Four Seasons Compassion for Life, which provided hospice care to wife Joy during her end-of-life journey.
General Blazey attended The US Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1946. During the Korean War, General Blazey served as an infantry company commander, including assignments with the 65th Infantry Regiment where he was awarded The Silver Star for valor under fire.
Between the Korean War and the Vietnam War, General Blazey was assigned to West Point as an instructor and had two different assignments on the US Army Staff at the Pentagon.
In Vietnam, General Blazey first commanded a brigade and after an assignment commanding the Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he was sent back to Vietnam during the withdrawal of US military forces in 1972 and 1973.
General Blazey has two sons. Frank served in the Marine Corps and Drew served in the Air Force and later the Air Force Reserve. He has five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Gifts to the Blazey Fund will be used to support end-of-life care for Veterans and the We Honor Veterans Program. The Blazey family will be notified of gifts made in his memory.
When Hank Ludlow said these words after going with Blue Ridge Honor Flight to Washington, D.C, what he meant was understood. Hank had not only seen the World War II and other memorials for the first time; he had also been accompanied by his 91-year old brother Chuck Ludlow, also a World War II Veteran. Five days later, Hank said, “It was worth the wait.” He died the next day.
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