In an emotional We Honor Veterans Pinning Ceremony, The Assisted Hospice Care Team of Phoenix, AZ recognized the military service of Ms. Patricia Lomax and her family.
Veteran pinning ceremonies represent an opportunity to acknowledge the military service and sacrifice made by Veterans and their family members. Such ceremonies also provide Veterans with a sense of meaning and purpose at the end of life.
The ceremony recognizing and honoring Ms. Lomax’s service took place in late September of 2023 in Ms. Lomax’s home. Ms. Lomax served as an Army Specialist Five and a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the U.S. Army. After over three years of service, Ms. Lomax left her post to dedicate her time to raising her three children. Ms. Lomax’s unwavering dedication to “helping people trying to save [her] country” was evident in her decision to subsequently join the Army Reserve. Upon receiving her pin and this recognition for her service, Ms. Lomax quickly called her daughter, Tina, to her side to join in the celebration.
All three of Ms. Lomax’s children went on to serve in the military – her sons to the Marine Corps and her daughter with the U.S. Army. The Assisted Hospice Care team also took this opportunity to recognize the service and sacrifice of Michael, Ms. Lomax’s late son. Michael was a member of the Marine Corps who died as a result of multiple sclerosis (MS). The Phoenix-based hospice passed the pin honoring Michael’s service to Ms. Lomax’s daughter who affixed it above the pin for her mother’s service.
“I don’t know what to say – just thank you,” Ms. Lomax proclaimed tearfully at the close of the ceremony.
The celebration of Ms. Lomax’s military service concluded with Ms. Lomax’s favorites, rocky road ice cream and German chocolate cake, and the request that her We Honor Veterans Certificate and photos from the event be displayed at her funeral.
