Every day is Veterans Day

On October 22, 2015, staff at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center received a call from a Veteran’s wife.  Her husband – a Purple Heart recipient - had passed away.  For a while, he had lived in the medical center’s Community Living Center (CLC, or nursing home) and the widow said her husband had loved his time at VA.  She said she was so grateful for the treatment he’d received that she had requested the funeral procession take him past his beloved VA hospital one last time on its way to the cemetery.  The procession was expected around 11:00 a.m. – the beginning of lunch time for many of employees.

Nurses on the CLC floor requested an email be sent to all staff explaining what was happening and telling them that the CLC employees planned to use part of their lunch to stand at the road while the procession passed.  The email went out at 10:00, inviting others to do the same.  There wasn’t much time to spread the word, but the people who had cared for the Veteran wanted to honor him the only way they knew how.

They weren’t alone.  Nearly 100 of their colleagues joined them at the roadside.

Some had managed to locate American flags and held them up as the procession passed by.   Administrative staff at the annex (a mile away) were also on the procession route, and they, too, paid their respects.

As cars pulled to the side of the road for the procession to pass and the bustling city street became quiet, the remaining stillness was filled only with respect for the fallen hero.

Martinie, a social worker, says, “I recall the grief in the mourners passing by, but the awe as well - that this was done in honor of their loved one. I didn’t know the Veteran, but it didn’t matter - honoring that person and their family was everything. I’m holding back tears just remembering how powerful a moment it was.”

The Veteran’s widow was overcome with gratitude and after the funeral was over, she called the medical center to thank the staff for their expression of love and respect.

A Grassroots Tradition Begins

As word spread of the heartfelt, spontaneous response to this Veteran and his wife, mortuaries in town began to reach out with requests from families - an average of about once each month.  The medical center’s chief of police established a process for the requests. The funeral homes contact the chief and arrange for the Veteran processions to pass by the hospital around break or lunch times.  A text and/or an email would be sent to interested staff and they, in turn, would present by the roadside to honor the fallen. 

Soon, the Facilities Management team began bringing the facility’s flags for employees to hold.  If the funeral home mentioned what branch of service the Veteran was in, that flag was presented, as well. Before long, each procession passed nearly a quarter of a mile of large, waving flags. 

The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center team began to appreciate these occasions not only for the opportunity to pay their respects, but also for the chance to stop and remember the mission.

Leanne, medical center administrative officer, says, “I participate whenever I can because it is important to me—it’s a pause button. Sometimes you lose sight of what’s important with all the everyday stresses. It is very humbling to stand out there. I get chills and tears every time I do it.”

Engineer, Lance, agrees. “I try very hard to make it to every flag presentation as I love to give respect to our fallen heroes and what they sacrificed for our freedom.  It reminds me I am blessed to live in this country and that freedom isn’t free.”

Health technician, Rebecca, says “I may not have ever met the veteran that we are honoring, but in my small way, I am paying respect.  One of the family members that I know was in the procession, said she was overwhelmed by the hospital’s response and it’s something she will always remember.”  

John, in Laundry, agreed, “I’m always proud when I can be a part of this.  It lets Vets in our community and elsewhere know that we truly care, like when we salute a fallen brother or sister in our facility.”

As new employees joined the team, they, too, wanted to participate.  Melinda, a new nurse on CLC, tells this story:

“I had not been employed here but about a couple of weeks when we had a Veteran pass.  I was off work the day of the flag presentation, but I was driving by and noticed everyone standing with the flag, so I pulled over and parked and went across the road to join in.  It was very overwhelming for me.  My daughters asked if they could hold a flag and they were greeted so openly and without hesitation.”

Community Gratitude

The community’s response was immediate and appreciative.

“I have had many people ask me what we are doing when we hold the flags by the road and when I explain that it is respect for our fallen Veteran heroes, they are very impressed and state that they are glad that the VA does this for the fallen,” says Lance.

“I hear folks talking about this all around town!” says Linda, a program support assistant.

Kara, a management and program analyst, said, “I have asked several different people in our community about their experience with this act of love on the journey to their loved one’s final resting place.  Every single person, whether in our VA employee family or a member of our community, reflects on the moment with such appreciation for the respect and honor bestowed upon the Veterans.”

“VA globally participates in many big events and gives so much back to the communities we serve, but often it is the little things in life that matter the most.  The staff standing at the roadside holding our flag in honor of a Veteran might be a small thing, but so appreciated and recognized by those driving by the VAMC,” agrees Vicki, a nurse.

Tonya, an administrative officer, says, “It means so much to the families - and me as the employee - as the final wave of goodbye and ‘thank you for your service.’ I try to attend as many as possible and I leave the procession with teary eyes every time. I have a close friend that was driving on Highway 67 one day and witnessed one of our flag processions and she messaged me about the overwhelming feeling it gave her to see us do this. She portrayed it as being soooooo awesome and a great tribute to the veteran. She stated she was typing the message as she cried over witnessing this event.”

“There have been occasions that I have had other family members with me as we drove by and noticed the flags and we pulled over to park and watch.  They all become very overwhelmed with feelings.  It is such as honor, and they expressed that as well. I think this shows to our community and our veterans just how much we do appreciate them,” says Melinda, a nurse.

Others began to join in.

“I will continue to proudly stand and display our national colors and military service flags for our fallen as long as I am able,” says Tim, safety officer.  “The (Facilities Management) team is on site early and they ALWAYS have the flags ready for our employees and volunteers to hold.  Always ready, in heat, cold, rain, sleet or snow, this Maintenance and Operations Team is top notch! We’ve had several folks pull over and park, just to join the JJP team in holding flags. Multiple contractors on site have also participated in these events as well.”

“I have witnessed people pull over and get out of their vehicle and salute the passing funeral motor pool and brings a tear to my eye,” says Lance.

Meranda, a nurse, agrees. “I have seen vehicles that stop, and people get out on other side of road or pull over into (a nearby parking lot) to get out of cars and pay respects.”

Even the weather does not deter participants.

Rebecca remembers, “Let me say it was frigid cold and windy the day I was outside, however, I soon forgot all about the weather when the funeral procession came by, I was humbled beyond words watching the family pass by.” 

“I’ve seen our folks out there in the wee hours of the morning, in the rain or snow, and in temperatures over a hundred degrees,” says Angela, public affairs officer.  “There is no describing how proud that makes me to be a part of this medical center team.”

Family members of the Veterans have been grateful for the support, say local funeral home personnel.  “The families have all said they get goosebumps, feel a sense of honor and pride, and are so appreciative of how thoughtful and caring the staff are to provide such an honor,” says Monica.

Carla echoes the sentiment.  “A lot of the families are so grateful that the employees take the time to honor their loved-one.  Many just can’t speak without crying.  My families think this is a wonderful tribute for their Veteran.  I just have to say - wow – how awesome is this.”

Edie, a medical center inventory management specialist says, “I have been one of the members in the funeral procession.   I was moved, and so were the family members of the veteran.   They thought it was a wonderful way to honor him."

Recently, the practice has grown to include a happier occasion.  The local “Honor Tour” takes World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War Veterans to Washington to see their national memorials.  Honor Tour Coordinator, Jerry, requests the presentation for the annual departure.

The staff are glad to wish the Veterans well as they depart and enjoy the opportunity to wave and cheer to celebrate the occasion.

A Special Part of the Team

While the whole team is involved in these presentations, everyone agrees it could not happen as beautifully without the Facilities Management service line (FMS.)  The team has put together a special trailer that holds all of the flags and is ready at a moment’s notice.

“I think the FMS staff puts all of their heart and soul into this event. Some even come up to help on their day off and show tribute to the Veterans. That itself means a lot,” says Tonya.

Leanne agrees.  “There is no way we could pull this off without our facilities management team—somebody (multiple somebodies) have to be there in the background working diligently to ensure this can happen.”

Patricia, a program support assistant, says, “I think the Facilities Management staff are the best for making sure that we have flags and everything else we need; in a timely manner in order to make this happen time and time again.  The message that this sends to our community is that the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center really cares, that we are willing to go the extra mile.”

The Tradition Continues

What started as an impulsive reaction of love and respect has grown into a treasured practice at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center throughout the city of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. 

“It helps to show our community that here, we believe every day is Veterans Day,” says Angela.

“I feel such a sense of pride and feel part of a greater good, honoring our Veterans in this manner,” says Sandra, a Community Care Nurse.  “And the response from drivers that go by is amazing.”

Lindsey, a social worker, agrees.  “For me, it is about honoring the Veteran, to stand in respect, to witness their passing, and to remember their sacrifice. It is also a reminder to our community that at this VAMC, we do stand up for Veterans, and are willing to take the time and make the effort to do so.”

Rhonda in HR sums it up, simply. “They were there for us – let us be there for them.”