Some forms of service do not end when the uniform is folded away.
For many veterans, military service becomes part of the memory, body, and story they carry for the rest of their lives. Some come home to celebration. Some come home quietly. Some come home changed in ways they cannot easily explain. For many, those memories rise again near the end of life, when silence can feel especially heavy.
That is where the Hope Honors Veterans Program steps in.
Founded in September 2010, Hope Honors Veterans is a program of Hope Hospice created to support veterans and their families through the unique needs that can come with end-of-life care. Its mission is to support and educate veterans and the community, recognize and honor military service, and help veterans achieve a peaceful passing.
The program serves veterans receiving care through Hope Hospice while also engaging other veterans and community members in that mission. Through education, veteran-to-veteran visits, help with VA enrollment, recognition ceremonies, and emotional support, Hope Honors Veterans offers the chance to be seen, thanked, understood, and cared for in a way that honors the whole story.
“Less than half of veterans are enrolled in the VA,” says Chris Sitton, Community Liaison for Hope Hospice. Part of the program’s work includes helping veterans and families navigate that gap, but the mission reaches beyond paperwork. It is also about connection, dignity, and understanding what many veterans carry.
One of the program’s most meaningful areas of focus is what Sitton describes as “soul injury.”
Many veterans struggle at end of life because of things they saw, witnessed, or experienced during military service. Some have carried these memories for decades. Some have never spoken them aloud. For Vietnam veterans, the pain can be especially layered. Many returned home without the welcome, honor, or gratitude they deserved.
Hope Honors Veterans works to address that pain so veterans can experience peace and feel honored near the end of life.
Recognition is a powerful part of that healing.
The program hosts community ceremonies for Veterans Day and Vietnam Veterans Day, as well as individual recognition ceremonies for patients. Volunteers speak about the American flag, the oath each service member took, and the camaraderie among those who served. They present meaningful items connected to military service and create space for remembrance and gratitude.
Sometimes, the impact is immediate.
Sitton recalls meeting a Vietnam veteran while walking into H-E-B. He stopped the man and presented him with a pin specific to the Vietnam War. On the back was a message: “A grateful nation thanks and honors you.”
Then Sitton said two words many Vietnam veterans waited far too long to hear.
“Welcome home.”
The man collapsed sobbing into his arms.
It is a moment that says everything about why this work matters. For some veterans, a simple thank-you is not simple at all. It can reach a place that has been waiting for years.
Several Hope Hospice patients have shared similar sentiments, saying, “No one has ever thanked me for my service.” While our culture has become more intentional about honoring veterans, many still carry old wounds from a time when their service was ignored, misunderstood, or met with silence.
The program also depends on community support. Readers can help through financial donations, volunteer time, and spreading awareness. Volunteers are needed for veteran visits and for patients who are not veterans but still long for connection.
For veteran patients, a visit from another veteran can open a door that others cannot. Shared experience creates trust. A fellow veteran may understand the pauses, memories, humor, and weight without needing everything explained.
“Our veterans risked all to serve us,” Sitton says. “Many came back changed. It is our honor to serve them when they need it most. Unfortunately, we can’t do it alone.”
For veterans with time to give, Hope Honors Veterans has a place for you. As Sitton promises, what you receive from it may far outweigh what you give.
How You Can Help Hope Honors Veterans
Hope Honors Veterans supports veterans and families through end-of-life care, recognition ceremonies, VA enrollment help, education, and veteran-to-veteran visits. One of the program’s greatest needs is volunteers, especially veterans willing to spend time with patients who may open up more easily to someone who has also served. Volunteers also visit non-veteran hospice patients who need companionship and conversation. Financial donations help support the program’s mission, while sharing its work helps connect more families and veterans to care. To volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit hopehospice.net or connect with Hope Hospice on social media. A little time can become a deeply meaningful gift for someone nearing life’s end.