Community Hospice honors veterans with compassionate end-of-life services

Press release from Community Hospice & Palliative Care

GAINESVILLE, Fla. –  As our nation honors the sacrifices of military service members this Veterans Day, Community Hospice & Palliative Care is proud to recognize the nearly 1,800 veterans cared for last year throughout Northeast and North Central Florida. From honoring service through bedside ceremonies to providing specialized end-of-life care, the organization’s veteran services ensure that those who served our country receive the compassion, dignity, and respect they deserve.

Veterans often carry unique physical, emotional, and spiritual experiences shaped by their military service. Community Hospice understands these challenges and has developed programs to meet them with sensitivity and honor. Care teams receive enhanced training to recognize the impact of trauma, moral injury, and service-related illness. Veterans are supported through personalized plans that may include counseling, spiritual support, and specialized therapies designed to address their needs and ease the burdens on their families.

One hallmark of care is the Veteran Pinning Ceremony, where patients are formally thanked for their service. Branch-of-service flags are often displayed outside patient rooms, creating a visible tribute for staff, families, and fellow veterans. These moments of recognition offer comfort to both patients and loved ones, reminding them that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Community Hospice & Palliative Care has been recognized as a Level Four Partner in the We Honor Veterans program, the second-highest level available in the national initiative led by The Alliance for Care at Home in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This distinction reflects expanded staff and volunteer education, strengthened community partnerships, and a deeper commitment to honoring veterans at the end of life.

Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s mission extends beyond medical care, embracing a promise to honor those who defended our freedoms. Whether through ceremonies, specialized support, or quiet moments of gratitude, the organization ensures that veterans are surrounded by compassion in their final days.