Saluting our veterans
She bent down and whispered in his ear, “Thank you for your service!” while securing an American flag pin onto his shirt. This motion was repeated almost 30 times as The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine team members Kari, Emily and Sam recognized resident veterans during a Veteran’s Day program held on Nov. 12.
The program led by Mark Hayes, Vice President of Mission Advancement, featured the Belle Plaine Veteran’s Club and several patriotic songs accompanied by organist Jan Manthe.
“It is a privilege and honor to say thank you to those who have served our country,” said Mark.
Recognizing veterans and their service to our country is extremely important to TLHA as our organization began with death of a civil war veteran and a loving gift from his mother. A 15-year-old Ernst Boessling from Belle Plaine volunteered to serve with the Minnesota troops. He died in September of 1863 in service to his country at Vicksburg, Mississippi.
His mother, Sophie, had saved the government death benefits she received all the years after Ernst died. Wanting to provide a home for others like herself, she donated the money and her family’s farmland to build das Alten und Waisenheim—the Aged and Orphans’ Home. Now more than a century later, Sophie’s gift continues to benefit countless lives including several veterans.
Across campus at Kingsway Retirement Living, resident veterans were honored with a pining ceremony hosted by St. Croix Hospice on Nov. 9 and recognized by the Belle Plaine Veteran’s Club and a special lunch on Nov. 12.
“Veteran’s Day allows us to recognize and honor our residents who gave something of themselves for our country,” said Vlada Gladis, Life Enrichment Manager at Kingsway. “We are so thankful for the sacrifices they have made.”