Honoring Service, Inspiring Care
November 26, 2025 | Benaroya Community Services, Health & Wellness, Hospice
Every November, our nation pauses to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of those who have served in the Armed Forces. At Kline Galland, that gratitude continues year-round. Through participation in the We Honor Veterans program, we ensure that the veterans who call our community home receive not only recognition for their service but also care that reflects the dignity and respect they deserve.
What is We Honor Veterans?
We Honor Veterans is a national partnership between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Established in 2010, the program helps hospice and healthcare providers meet the unique physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of veterans at the end of life.
More than 350,000 veterans die each year – or about one in four deaths in the United States. Many veterans face issues related to trauma, combat experience, or moral injury that can resurface as they age or enter hospice care. We Honor Veterans equips organizations like Kline Galland with education, tools, and best practices to respond compassionately and competently to those experiences.
Participation in We Honor Veterans offers both clinical and emotional benefits that extend to veterans, families, and caregivers. Among them:
- Personalized care planning. Staff learn to identify how military service (including branch, rank, and time of service) can influence health conditions, coping styles, and emotional well-being. This ensures care that honors both the person and the soldier.
- Specialized training. Through VA and NHPCO resources, care teams receive training on military culture, PTSD, and trauma-informed care. This knowledge helps create a safe space for veterans to share their stories and receive care free from judgment or misunderstanding.
- Recognition and rituals. From bedside pinning ceremonies to community events, veterans are publicly recognized for their service. Simple gestures like the presentation of a certificate or flag can bring profound comfort and closure.
- Family support. Families of veterans also receive resources and emotional support. Understanding how service may have shaped their loved one’s life helps strengthen connections and ease difficult transitions.
- Collaborative care. Providers connect veterans and families with VA benefits and community programs, ensuring they receive every layer of support.
Our commitment
At Kline Galland, our participation in the We Honor Veterans program reflects our ongoing mission to provide exceptional senior care by exceptional people, every day, in every way, for every one. Through the Kline Galland Campus at Seward Park, Mary Schwartz Summit, and Benaroya Services, we are proud to serve those who once served us.
Our interdisciplinary teams incorporate the program’s principles into daily practice, whether it’s ensuring specialized staff training, honoring service through remembrance displays, or simply listening when a veteran feels ready to share a story. Every veteran has a story. And every story deserves to be heard.
We recently held a special pinning ceremony to honor the veterans at the Kline Galland Campus. Volunteer veterans joined us to personally thank and recognize those in our community who have served our country. It was a powerful and heartfelt day of gratitude, connection, and remembrance.
How to join in
Families play a significant role in honoring their veteran loved ones. Here are a few meaningful ways to get involved:
- Share memories. Bring photos, medals, or letters to include in community displays or events.
- Attend recognition ceremonies. Participate in pinning ceremonies and other gatherings honoring veterans.
- Contribute to life review projects. Encourage loved ones to share their military stories with staff or volunteers, preserving history for future generations.
- Connect with Kline Galland. Families can speak with our staff to ensure their veteran receives care informed by their service background and preferences.
A lasting salute
The We Honor Veterans program reminds us that care is not only medical needs; it’s also meaning, gratitude, and connection. At Kline Galland, we are privileged to serve those who once served us, continuing a tradition of care that honors the past while uplifting the present.
To learn more about Kline Galland’s veteran programs or to share your loved one’s story, please connect with us.
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Sources: We Honor Veterans; Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing
