The uniformed military veteran stepped forward, raising his hand to his brow in a silent salute.
Lewis R. Shannon watched him with emotion on his face, nodding ever so slightly to the gesture of respect.
Shannon, a World War II veteran, was surrounded by family, friends and neighbors. Joining them were staff and volunteers from Main Street Hospice, who had come to Shannon’s home to honor him for his military service.
For the 102-year-old Franklin resident, it was a wonderful feeling.
“I’m proud. This has been nice, very nice,” he said.
Shannon, who recently started treatment at the hospice, sat with a smile on his face as hospice personnel shook his hand, thanked him for his service, and presented him with gifts.
The ceremony was a small gesture to recognize the sacrifice Shannon gave for his country, said Kim Weddle, administrator of Main Street Hospice.
“It’s an honor for us to be able to serve our veterans. We love to be able to give back and show them how much we appreciate their service for our country,” she said. “It’s so meaningful for us, to be able to make a difference in that veteran’s life.”
Main Street Hospice is part of We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The program invites hospices, state hospice organizations and veterans affairs facilities to use respectful inquiry, listening and acknowledgment when treating veterans.
Through the program, Main Street Hospice can coordinate care with veterans affairs facilities, make sure patients get all the benefits available to them, and focus on the unique needs of veterans and their families.
The hospice also started offering military honor ceremonies any time a veteran starts treatment, Weddle said.
“We’ve done this since we opened,” she said. “Upon their initial assessment, we find out their veteran status and history, then we schedule a ceremony with the family. We just kind of chat with them and let them share anything they want to share about their service.”
One of the hospice’s volunteers, Steve Prosser, is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Navy Seabees, as well as a chaplain. During the ceremonies, he dons his Honor Guard uniform to salute them in a moment of silence.
Being part of the ceremonies is one of the most fulfilling things he does.
“It’s such an honor and privilege to serve these gentlemen who came before us,” he said.
Honorees are presented with a branch pin, a framed certificate and a homemade red, white and blue throw blanket. Prosser also gave him a “challenge coin” — a medallion representing the five military branches given to veterans.
To recognize Shannon is important, Weddle said.
“It is so touching for our staff to be able to go and do this,” she said.
Shannon, who was born on March 27, 1919 in Sidney, Ohio, was drafted into the U.S. Army in February of 1941, leaving his work as a painter. He went through basic training at Fort Stevens, Oregon, before moving to Tennessee to train as a diesel engine mechanic.
But for most of World War II, he served at Fort Stevens, preparing the West Coast for a possible Japanese invasion. Much of his time was spent planting mines in the ocean — an uncomfortable assignment for someone who doesn’t like water, said Mary Fletcher, Shannon’s daughter.
Shannon was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Service Medal and the Victory Medal for his service. He was an expert M1 rifle gunner.
Following the war, he was discharged in 1945. Shannon returned to Ohio, moved to Wisconsin and then Indiana, where he worked in a number of factories, including RCA and Stewart Warner, alongside engineers. He also attended locomotive school, Fletcher said.
On Tuesday, he was surrounded by loved ones and neighbors, who sat in the shade and stood around him, holding his hand and giving him a supportive pat on the shoulder. Those who couldn’t attend were able to watch through a video call.
A photograph of Shannon and his wife was set up in a silver frame on the table beside him. His medals and awards were arranged around it.
The entire experience was one that Shannon — and his family — were grateful for.
“It’s awesome they would do this for Dad. It was rough for him back then,” Fletcher said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Shannon File” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Lewis R. Shannon
Age: 102
Home: Franklin
Military service: Drafted by the U.S. Army in 1941. Stationed at Fort Stevens in Oregon until 1945.
Honors: The American Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Service Medal and the Victory Medal
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