Maxine Hamon Handziak volunteered for the Women’s Reserve in the U.S. Navy (WAVES) in 1943. One evening after WAVES training, she met her future husband Edward at a chance encounter at a roller rink. Edward fell for her, literally, and the two corresponded throughout the war. Afterwards, he proposed, and they were married for over 70 years. On September 1, 2022, Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) honored her for her service with a Veteran’s Pinning Ceremony. 

“It’s rare that you have a WWII vet that can still story tell with you,” Kristin Jones, social worker in the Cynthiana office, said. “Her love story was unique, and she had a sweet, pleasant and joy-filled personality, in spite of being bedbound.”

The pinning ceremony is a powerful moment for veterans and their families. Volunteer Neil Riggs, also a veteran, performs the ceremony, thanking the patient for their service and giving a certificate, blanket and flag pin in appreciation. The service concludes with a prayer, if desired, and Neil salutes the veteran.

As part of Maxine’s ceremony, her family had set up a table display with photos and memorabilia of her and Edward’s life together. This included pictures, newspaper clippings and Maxine’s military cap.
 
“Although she couldn’t remember a lot of stuff on that table, when Neil did the salute, her tiny, frail hand came up, and she returned his salute,” Esther Sapp, Maxine’s Chaplain who attended the ceremony, said. “Due to her hearing loss, I’m not sure what she heard, but she definitely felt honored and appreciated, and her sense of humor came out.”

Sapp described Maxine as someone who had learned to live in the present. When Neil presented Maxine with her blanket, she felt it and fiddled with the knotted ties. One of her kids approached her for a closer look. Maxine’s sense of humor shone through as she teased, “Don’t try to take my blanket!”
 
Upon intake, patients and families are invited to share patient care goals and are made aware of a variety of volunteer services that include veteran pinning.

“I just want people to realize that hospice is not your final days,” Jones said. “You can still make memories even though you’re at home with hospice and your legacy can continue. Hospice isn’t the end; it’s actually the beginning for a lot of things.”

BCN is a Level 4 partner in the We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration through the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization and the Veterans Administration. BCN has been specially trained to address the unique needs of our nations’ veterans at end-of-life. As part of the program, BCN trains veteran volunteers to perform the Veteran’s Pinning Ceremonies.

“Sometimes veterans don’t feel like they receive the care and recognition that they deserve, so we make sure that all of our patients feel recognized and receive the care that they truly deserve, especially our veterans,” Kelli Callihan, Community Engagement Team Lead in Hazard, said.
 
Volunteers are a vital part of the BCN team and come from varied backgrounds, bringing many rich, diverse experiences and talents that help in unexpected ways. BCN is always looking for more volunteers to fulfill a variety of needs with warmth and compassion. All volunteers receive training to prepare them to serve others. To learn more about volunteering and to sign up, visit bgcarenav.org/volunteer.