Music, Moving Words, and Gratitude Mark Fourth Annual Veterans Event
According to the Westchester County Veterans Service Agency, of the almost one million veterans living in New York State, close to 100,000 live in Westchester County. Continuing its tradition, the region’s four hospice organizations hosted their fourth annual inter-hospice countywide breakfast. The event, titled For Those Who Have Served, commemorates Veterans Recognition Month and honors County residents who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Find out what's happening in Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A record number of close to 300 veterans, representing the five branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the Coast Guard, attended the breakfast. The event was sponsored by Patricia Lanza, President, The Lanza Family Foundation as part of its LIVE, Lanza Investment in Veterans Empowerment Initiative. Co-sponsors included Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester (HPCW); Hospice Care in Westchester and Putnam; Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care; and Phelps Hospice.
Find out what's happening in Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Following a heartfelt welcome from hospice community representative Cornelia Schimert, Hospice Chaplain Reverend Mary Ellen Summerville offered a moving invocation. Presenters at the breakfast included Vito Pinto, Director, Westchester County Office of Veteran’s Affairs; Wavell Hodge MD from VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System; Captain Lauren Incontrera, RN, USAF, Manager, Women Veteran’s Program; and Veteran’s Writing Workshop members Tech Sergeant Jeni Thompson and Captain Matt Coffey.
The morning’s program included many heartfelt comments from Keynote presenter Lieutenant Colonel, Elise Hunt, US Army who shared her personal history and motivations to join and remain in the military. Lieutenant Colonel Hunt spoke about her combat experiences in the Middle East and her role in making an important difference in the lives of many people across the world.
In addition to the program, musical interludes were provided by The Westchester Chordsmen Quartet who sang a medley of patriotic tunes that included Yankee Doodle Dandy and renditions of the service hymns and fight songs for each military branch.
At the breakfast’s conclusion, Hunt returned to the podium for the Remembrance service joining Hospice Chaplain Rev. Ervin R. Graves, and Staff Sgt. Kenneth Barnes who offered a moving trumpet rendition of Taps.
Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester is located at 311 North Street, Suite 204, White Plains, NY. For additional information, visit www.hospiceofwestchester.com or call 914-682-1484.
About Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester: Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester is a private, not-for-profit healthcare agency that provides skilled, compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life care to patients with any diagnosis and gives support to their families and loved ones.
