ST. LOUIS — Delmar Gardens Retirement Living and Senior Care Services counts many military veterans among its residents. The Pathways Hospice program is taking measures to honor them.
During the week before Veterans Day, it sounded like there were military ceremonies taking place inside Delmar Gardens facilities.
“Okay, every ready?” said Delmar Gardens Veteran Volunteer Ambassador, Nick Ohlman, from inside a resident’s room.
“Detail, attention!”
A young man wearing dress blues took over from there.
“Be it known that Leonard Tony Debello has served in the United States army in the name of freedom and democracy.”
Delmar Gardens-Pathways Hospice is part of the We Honor Veterans partnership. It’s a collaboration between the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization and the Veterans Administration.
“We honor you and we're thankful for the sacrifices that you made, and your friends made,” said an unidentified member of the military during a ceremony held in Tony Debello’s room.
U.S. Navy Chief Taylor Halbrook continued reading from a proclamation.
“This testimonial of personal gratitude is presented on this day, November 7th, 2024, from Cassie Howard, the Director of Pathways Hospice, and Nick Ohlman, Army veteran volunteer ambassador.”
Ohlmann spoke to Debello, personally.
“Tony, I'm going to give you this panel streamer which reminds everybody that sees you that you served,” he said. “You were in the military, you served, and you should be honored and remembered for that sacrifice.”
Later, Ohlman spoke to 5 On Your Side.
“We bring in representatives of the Army and the Navy and the Air Force and they lend a credibility to what we're doing,” he said, “residents can see that these are actually active military service people.”
Debello reacted with humility characteristic of his generation.
“I'm embarrassed,” he said.
Why?
“I didn't do it for any kind of honors.”
The military members who participate in these ceremonies are making an impression on those who went before them.
“Every time,” said Halbrook. “I walk into the room, and everyone is looking at the dress uniform. They think it looks sharp, and people always compliment us on the way it looks. They're always happy to see the military presence, and the etiquette that we provide.”
“Right hand salute,” said Ohlman, before following his own order. The two active military members complied.
So did Debello.
And after the etiquette and military precision of a salute, Ohlman gave Debello some “knuckles.”
“At ease,” said Ohlman.