Honoring Veterans Through Ecumen Hospice Pinning Ceremonies

At Ecumen Hospice, honoring those who have served our country is an essential part of the care we provide. Every day, we have the privilege of serving veterans, men and women whose lives have shaped our nation’s history and whose stories continue to inspire us. 

Since 2021, Ecumen Hospice has formally integrated Veteran Pinning Ceremonies into our standard hospice care, ensuring every veteran patient has the opportunity to be recognized for their service. Before that, our teams held ceremonies occasionally as part of the Mosaic Moments program. Now, they are a deeply valued tradition, one that connects generations, celebrates lives, and offers comfort at a meaningful time. 

Each pinning ceremony is individualized to reflect the wishes of the veteran and their family. Some gatherings are small and intimate, just the veteran, a few loved ones, and members of the hospice team. Others are full of life and laughter, with 30 or more family and friends filling the room. In some cases, when time doesn’t allow for a ceremony during care, families choose to include one during a memorial service. 

Before each ceremony begins, our team invites the veteran or a family member to share part of their story. Many bring treasured photographs, medals, or memorabilia from their time in service. The ceremony often includes: 

• A personalized certificate, recognizing the veteran’s courage, dedication, and sacrifices. 
• A flag pin, placed on the veteran’s shirt—often by a loved one. 
• A handmade honor quilt, created by local volunteers and funded by generous community donors. 

These quilts have become a beloved Ecumen signature, made with care and respect by quilters in our community. Each one is unique and offered as a tangible reminder that our veterans are never alone and will always be remembered. 

As one Vietnam veteran shared through tears when receiving his quilt, “This is for me? I can’t believe someone made this for me.” His family later expressed their gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much for the way you honored my dad—the certificate and pin were lovely, but the quilt was amazing.” 

Hospice care is rooted in honoring the whole person. Their life, their history, and their legacy. Our pinning ceremonies reflect that mission. They offer a moment for reflection, healing, and connection, whether the tone is celebratory or solemn. 

As of 2025, Ecumen Hospice has had the honor of pinning 48 veterans, with each ceremony leaving a lasting impact on patients, families, and teams alike. 

Ecumen Hospice is proud to be a Level 3 partner in the national We Honor Veterans program, and we are actively working toward Level 4. This partnership empowers end-of-life care providers to meet the unique needs of America’s veterans through respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgment. 

When we say, “thank you for your service,” it goes beyond words. It’s a promise to listen, to honor, and to care for the men and women who have given so much for our freedom. 

To every veteran and family member we have served, and those we have yet to meet, thank you. Your courage and sacrifice continue to guide us in the work we do every day.