BRISTOL, Tenn. – Fred McGuire of Bristol, Va., said that, decades later, he remains proud of his duty as a U.S. Army soldier during the Vietnam War.
“Like a lot of guys, I didn’t want to go at first,” McGuire said Sunday afternoon. “But I went and I’m proud I went and served with the brave people I served with. And if I had to do it again, I would go again.”
Some 50 years later, McGuire is stepping forward for another opportunity to stand beside his military brothers and sisters. The 68-year-old Norton, Va., native is among the first taking part in a volunteer program, supported by Wellmont Hospice, to provide support and comfort to area hospice patients who are military veterans.
The program - known as the “We Honor Veterans” project - is a national partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and hospices across the country to offer emotional and spiritual comfort to veterans entering the last phases of life in those facilities. In this area, the Wellmont Hospice – which is part of the Wellmont Health System – cares for patients in facilities across Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
“It’s part of a very extensive effort to make sure we’re really honoring our veterans, particularly as they near the final phase of life,” Jackie Everett, Wellmont’s assistant manager of hospice services, said Sunday
Everett said Wellmont Hospice is preparing to train its volunteers and staff on how to meet the needs of veterans in area hospices, and that community active military vets like McGuire will play a critical, valuable role.
“People like Fred, who have also answered the duty to serve their country, can instantly strike a unique and natural connection with a veteran patient,” Everett said. “He’s one of our first recruits and we’re thrilled that he’s stepped up to volunteer. It’s going to help us tremendously in reaching out to other veterans to take part and volunteer for the program.”
McGuire, who served in Vietnam in 1966 and lost a cousin during the war – which resulted in 58,000 American deaths – said he was looking forward to providing hospice veterans with a ready ear and a comforting word.
“Sometimes, a veteran just needs another vet to talk with, because there’s a camaraderie that is there no matter what military branch you served in,” said McGuire, whose wife, Peggy, is a longtime Wellmont Hospice volunteer.
“I’m excited about getting involved and being someone [a hospice veteran patient] can talk with,” McGuire said. “I’m ready and willing to help however I can.”
McGuire, his wife and Everett were among several hundred people who attended a Sunday afternoon memorial ceremony at Bristol Regional Medical Center to honor patients who have previously received care from Wellmont Hospice.
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