Veteran honored with pins, certificates by local nonprofit

Nonprofit hospice care provider Avow honored hundreds of veterans on Thursday with thank you’s, pins and a certificate thanking them for their service.

89-year-old Korean War veteran Bruce Hayhoe helped thank some of the nearly 900 being honored by Avow on Veterans Day.

“Thank you for your service, God bless you.” Hayhoe got to say those words countless times on Thursday, and he enjoyed it every time.

Many of the veterans live in the senior living community The Arlington Naples.

“I’m recognizing the veterans that are out here. They’ve seen different phases of whatever it may be that they are involved in. And none of it is pleasant,” said Hayhoe.

This proved to be an important moment for Hayhoe. A year ago this tribute was done online. This year, he got to talk to veterans in person.

Dwight Richardson was one of the veterans thanked Thursday. He served as a horn player in the marine corps during the Korean War.

“But as I reflect on it, it’s really the depth of the experiences of people that you can depend on, and they depend on you,” said Richardson. “And if I think about today, all of a sudden it comes realization is that once you’re a vet, you’re always a vet”

Always a veteran, no matter how many years pass. Richardson said that being a veteran is like being a part of a brotherhood with an unspoken understanding that lasts a lifetime.

Among the moments of patriotism and gratitude, was an emotional moment for naval veteran James Lackey. “I wanted to mention my brother Harry, who was killed while serving the country.”

Lackey said, “over the years, he was sort of my mentor, my parent that, you know, watching out for me I get a little emotional about it because we got really close. Yeah. He took great care of me. I always think about it.”

Lackey was one of nearly 900 veterans honored by nonprofit Avow today across collier county care facilities.

Veteran Joe Haack was a cook in the army during the 1960s. He gets together with other veterans on a weekly zoom call.

Haack said of being a veteran, “you belong to a tribe, so to speak, and you feel a connection. And today, more veterans show up than we usually have on our zoom tool. It was fun being with all these people today. And all of us having something in common.”

Those also thanked on Thursday were the spouses of military veterans.

Hayhoe said, “when I went into service, my wife stayed home, obviously, and we had our baby and I didn’t know about it for almost four weeks. Come on, you know, that’s a sacrifice.”

A sacrifice from military members, family and friends that will never be forgotten.

Every veteran thanked by Avow on Thursday received an Avow pin with an American flag and a certificate recognizing their service.