The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Veterans honored at Valor Home
The Valor Home of Lorain, 221 W. 21st St. in Lorain, and Hospice of the Western Reserve came together Nov. 8 to honor veterans who currently reside at the home with a recognition ceremony and breakfast.
“We make sure to do a lot of these recognitions, especially with Veterans Day coming,” said Laurie Henrichsen, public media relations manager for Hospice of the Western Reserve. “It’s a way of publicly recognizing the veterans for what they have done for this country. I feel that veterans, especially those who served in Vietnam, don’t get honored the way they should, so that is why we do this.”
Henrichsen said the veterans will receive a commemorative pin.
“It’s a way to recognize them and something they can take away from today,” she said. “We help veterans by focusing on care that meets their specific needs and providing veteran-specific medical education.
“They have unique needs, and we want to provide the best care to them as they enter hospice care. We like to show appreciation for veterans of all ages, and this is an example of that.”
David Fosselius, an Army veteran and Valor Home resident, said the event was a real experience.
“I’m thankful they put this on,” Fosselius said. “I like being here. Everyone is really nice and helpful. It’s great to be around veterans of the other military branches.”
Army veteran James Smith, who also is Valor Home resident, said he was blessed to be a part of it.
“I’m proud to have served my country,” Smith said. “I’m thankful for days like this.”
Don Stark, a volunteer with Hospice of the Western Reserve and a Marine veteran, said the day was all about the veterans.
“We have a lot of veterans in this country in need of care,” Stark said. “We help veterans and make sure they are not being neglected.
“We help out with PTSD that ironically has a tendency to come back to veterans toward the end of their lives. It’s about helping out and providing the extra care that families need help giving.”
Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer said the ceremony was well deserved for the veterans.
“Veterans Day events are always done well in Lorain,” Ritenauer said. “This is a very fitting place to have the event.
“It’s come a long way since nearly being abandoned ... to now a place that provides great care to our veterans. It pays honor to their sacrifice.”
Sandra Wright, program manager at the Valor Home, said the event was a welcome change.
“We often get consumed by the day to day problems,” Wright said. “Very seldom do we get the opportunity to thank the veterans for their service.
“It takes the mind away from their homelessness and focuses on what they have done for this country.”