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Four Seasons earns 'We Honor Veterans' recognition

Four Seasons Chaplain Michael Wermuth, a U.S. Navy veteran, is shown in a pinning ceremony honoring U.S. Army veteran Bill Troutman near the end of his life. Troutman died at home on April 10. [CONTRIBUTED]

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 21, 2024

Four Seasons has  earned the "We Honor Veterans Level 4 Status," a demonstration of the hospice organization's ability to increase access and improve the quality of care for veterans in the community.

"This achievement is significant as there are only five levels hospice organizations can achieve through the We Honor Veterans program," Four Seasons said in a news release. "It also reflects the commitment and dedication of our Four Seasons team to ensure we continually understand, adapt and respond to the unique needs of veterans in our care."
We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs designed to honor those nearing the end of life who served in the United States Military. Four Seasons has been a WHV partner since 2014, when we joined with the Western North Carolina Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America to learn how we could best serve veterans together.
With the help of MOAA member and Four Seasons volunteers like former board member and retired U.S. Navy Capt. John Knapp and many others over the past decade, Four Seasons has conducted “Veteran Pinning Ceremonies” to acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
“The ‘work’ has truly been a labor of love for our veterans and their families. Every veteran who has been honored has at one point in his or her lifetime sworn an oath to defend our country at all cost," Knapp said. "The pinning ceremonies have afforded Four Seasons the opportunity to honor and thank those who have served our nation."
Four Seasons Chaplain Michael Wermuth added: “As a chaplain, I have been fortunate to participate in hundreds of pinning ceremonies. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I appreciate greatly the support of my community and nation. Many Americans do not realize the sacrifices that are made on their behalf every day by the men and women in uniform. When patients enter our care, we are blessed beyond measure to attend to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Scores of veterans never received the homecoming they deserved. With that in mind, it is our delight to at least give them the homegoing they have earned through their military service.”