Mokie and Brenda Stancil's Story

Tears form as I remember the many ways my father was honored as a veteran at the SECU Hospice House.

One is never prepared for the journey to hospice, even with an almost 99-year-old father. Upon Dad’s arrival there in an unconscious state, I was in shock and sadness. Catina, the lovely nurse who checked Dad in that afternoon took note that he was a World War II veteran. Later that afternoon, Wanda, the volunteer coordinator, stopped by to inquire if I would like to have a Veteran’s Ceremony to honor Dad’s service to our country. Not expecting my father to live long, Wanda organized the event for the next day. Active and retired veterans participated in prayers, song, and words to thank my father for his service. They spoke to my father as though he was listening to every word, although he was still unconscious. Surrounded by veterans, hospice staff, volunteers and the hospice chaplain, my family felt the importance of my father’s role decades ago in a war often forgotten. That day, tears filled our eyes and gratitude our hearts to the vets who gave their lives, to the thoughtful people who took time to prepare this celebration, and to my father’s generation and family who sacrificed for our future.

Hospice House Cares for Veterans

It is fitting that Dad has a brick in the Veteran’s Memorial of the SECU Hospice House, under the flag of our country. It's a place where we can visit to recall our precious father and remember the wonderful care he had there. Beside him are the bricks of two of his dear friends, who were in hospice shortly after Dad died. The bricks are like footprints remind us that our loved one passed through this caring environment on the journey onward.

Brenda Stancil, daughter of Mokie Stancil