A different day of thanks

by Andrea Powell,  HPCCR Electronic Communications Manager

Haircuts were a much-needed service provided at Stand Down Charlotte

I don’t know how it happened, but we are just around the corner from November, a month that most people associate with Thanksgiving and the official “kickoff” of the holiday season.  But there is another observance next month that is equally important.  On Friday, November 11, we honor United States veterans.

I was born in the 1970s.  That means that until several years ago, I did not live in a “wartime” society.  I didn’t grow up knowing what “rationing” was unless it involved my Halloween candy.  I did not worry about the men in my life getting drafted and I do not remember seeing many men in uniform.  In other words, I don’t think I’ve had the proper appreciation for the many men and women who have made great sacrifices to preserve the freedom I am afforded by living in this country. 

But I certainly do now.  Especially after attending Stand Down Charlotte, an event held a couple of weeks ago at the Grady Cole Center to support homeless veterans living in our city.  Even before Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region set up a booth to participate in Stand Down Charlotte, our staff members collected personal hygiene items, such as travel-sized soap, deodorant, and toothpaste to hand out at the event.  And then on the day of Stand Down Charlotte, we had nurses available to take blood pressures and temperatures of any veterans who asked.  Of the 250 veterans in attendance, we served 144 of them through our supplies and services.

It was a humbling morning.  These homeless men and women had many simple needs they could not take of themselves simply because they don’t have the resources.  Once it was announced that several barbers were giving free haircuts, long lines formed in front of each one.  Within seconds. 

One veteran I talked to was beyond grateful because he had a pair of socks in his HPCCR “goody” bag.  His current pair is wearing out and he told me how thankful he is to God for answering his needs.  Another man we spoke to has been homeless for two years.  After becoming disabled during his service, he fell into drug addiction.  For years he struggled with sobriety but has been clean for over five years now.  But he has no job and no home. 

I learned recently that one out of every four individuals who die in this country is a veteran.  It stands to reason, then, that hospice organizations are going to be involved in the care of many veterans, especially as our current population ages.  Most of the veterans under our care are fortunate enough to live in their own homes or in long-term care communities.  But it was eye-opening and heart-breaking to realize that there are men and women, living in shelters and on the streets, who gave years of service to their country and have nevertheless fallen through the cracks.  They fell because of economic, health, or circumstantial conditions.  But hopefully through our efforts, we were able to soften the blow of that fall just a little.

November is no longer just about Thanksgiving for me.  Oh, it’s still about giving thanks, don’t get me wrong.  But I’ll be doing it a little earlier this year.  On November 11, to be exact.

Explore posts in the same categories: advocacy, awareness, hospice, special events

Tags: homeless veterans, HPCCR, Stand Down Charlotte, Thanksgiving, veterans, Veterans Day

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