Proudly Celebrating America’s Veterans

By:  Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care

Six KCH nurses take the flight of a lifetime with Heartland Honor Flight

On paper, Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit whose mission is to celebrate America’s Veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials. 

In reality, it’s a tremendous step toward showing Veterans the appreciation and honor they deserve. Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH) is proud to have partnered with Heartland Honor Flight, a local organization, since 2013. 

This September, six KCH nurses accompanied Heartland Honor Flight participants on their latest mission to Washington, D.C.:

• Patty Poore, RN, BSN – Director of Clinical Service
• Heather Murphy, BSN, RN – Director of Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Carolyn Kinzel, BSN, RN – Float/Admissions, Kansas Team
• Stephanie Turner, BSN, RN, CHPN – Patient Care Manager, Missouri Team
• Cappi Lawrence, LPN – Missouri Team
• Jeanna Herrman, BSN, RN – Inpatient Charge Nurse, NorthCare Hospice House

Genesis of the KCH – Heartland Honor Flight Partnership
Kansas City Hospice connected with Heartland Honor Flight in 2013, when KCH was developing its We Honor Veterans program.

KCH hosted a special event for Veterans, related to the 2012 movie, Honor Flight. The documentary follows a Midwest community coming together to show their thanks to living World War II Veterans before it’s too late. 

KCH hosted two showings at a local theater and invited long term care facilities to bring their Veterans. Heartland Honor Flight, hearing about the showings, asked if they could attend and distribute applications to Veterans to go on an actual Honor Flight. Hugely successful, they estimated about 40 Veterans signed up and went on the next Honor Flight. They invited Patty Poore and Kelli Traylor from KCH to join the flight. Patty has since joined a total of 18 flights. She says she “continues to feel honored each time, to escort these heroes to see their memorials.”

Reactions from Participating KCH Nurses
Carolyn Kinzel, BSN, RN had this to say about her September 2024 Heartland Honor Flight experience: “It was amazing. To be able to accompany a Vietnam Veteran to Washington and watch them get the respect many of them never received, was something I’ll never forget. 

The Veteran I accompanied was a quiet, reserved man. During our two days together, he began to share his experiences and explain how his 13 months in Vietnam changed the course of his life. 

On the flight home, Veterans received a surprise mail call and were given cards and letters written by family, friends, and even complete strangers. My Veteran became emotional while looking through his mail, and told me receiving those was the very best part of the entire trip. 

It still makes me teary when I think about arriving back in KC and walking into the airport with so many people cheering, clapping and holding signs to recognize these amazing men and women. I’m so grateful they felt loved, appreciated, and finally acknowledged for their sacrifice to our country.”

Cappi Lawrence, LPN also found the chance to join the September Honor Flight a “privilege and honor” she’ll always remember. Knowing that KCH Director of Clinical Service Patty Poore had experience with the program, Cappi raised her hand: “I made mention I would love to go on a flight. When Patty emailed me about going, I was so excited! To accompany a Vietnam Veteran to Washington, knowing he fought for the freedoms I have today, was a heartwarming experience.   

Being able to watch the Veterans’ faces when they reconnected with a fellow serviceman, then tell stories, laugh at some of the wild things they did and call each other names in fun was so enlightening! The Veteran I was partnered with was full of joy. He was able to open up to me and tell me what it was like when he came home from Vietnam. He was very angry upon his return, didn’t know what to do with himself or how he felt about the homecoming he received.  

Knowing these men and women never received the proper recognition they deserved is heartbreaking to me. 

As we returned and walked down the ramp at KCI, seeing people clapping, chanting ‘USA’ and waving the American flag, giving them the welcome they all deserved – was something my Veteran said he never thought was possible.   

At the end of our flight, during mail call like they had in the service, I heard several Veterans say they couldn’t believe all the letters and cards from family, friends and even people they didn’t know. They thought it was one of the best parts of the trip.  

Since our return, I’ve kept in contact with my Veteran. He’s such a hoot!  He’s made me an ‘honorary Marine’ and he calls me ‘Private’. I’m so grateful and blessed to have been given this opportunity…and I’m ready to go again: just say the word and I’ll be there!”

Jeanna Herrman, BSN, RN also joined the flight; it was her second time accompanying Veterans. “When Patty asked if I was up for another flight, I didn’t hesitate. I was able to rearrange some days with the other charge nurses at NorthCare Hospice House to make it work. 

We get randomly placed with a Veteran who lives in our area. I met Russ the night I picked him up for the [flight prep] meeting and we hit it off! The vibe was great, and we made friends with others very quickly. He and I have the same type of personality. 

The day in Washington was rainy. Russ had mobility issues, so I pushed him in a wheelchair throughout the day. I’m not that great of a wheelchair driver, but we made it! He loved it. Specifically, he loved being the center of attention and getting all of the thank yous and hugs from folks. 

On our trip home, the plane had maintenance issues; we ended up Ubering to a hotel in Maryland and spending the night. I stayed with Russ because he was a potential fall risk. I was afraid he would fall or worse, and I promised his family I would take good care of him. 

We arrived home weary and yet happy. This group of Veterans truly bonded, as we faced some adversity and stayed together longer than usual. This shared experience led to a deeper bond among us. 

I’ve visited my friend/Veteran a few times since the trip. He, his daughter and I text and call often. I’ve made new friends for whom I’m so thankful.” 

More About Honor Flight
Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives Veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades, to remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences with other Veterans. Honored Veterans always travel free of charge, thanks to generous donors. For more information, to donate or to kick off the application process for a Veteran, click to visit the Heartland Honor Flight website. 

More About KCH – We Honor Veterans
Since 2013, KCH has been a proud partner in the national We Honor Veterans program, achieving a Level Four Partnership. As one of the most active hospices in Missouri and Kansas for honoring Veterans, our goal is to improve quality of care for all Veterans at the end of their lives.

KCH’s We Honor Veterans program helps Veteran patients receive absolution for trauma they may have experienced during their service. The program also gives permission to “stand down” from their service on earth and achieve the peace they need to say their final goodbye.

Honoring a Veteran’s service can also be very meaningful to loved ones, who are preparing to say goodbye. Please click for more information about the KCH We Honor Veterans program.