Since the month of November was officially designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month, Cypress Village celebrated with an unveiling of their Wall of Heroes in their Assisted Living area, and by honoring veteran residents at the community who served in the United States Armed Forces. The community gathered photographs of residents with their service photos and held a special ceremony to dedicate the wall to honor the patriotism and sacrifice of those who served. It stands as a continued reminder to all those who pass by it. Cypress Village boasts of more than 120 veterans at the community, and Jessica Murphey, Resident Programs Coordinator and Emily Patel, Sales Manager, put the event together to honor them.
“These people are not only residents, but are truly an extension of my family and I wanted them to feel special and know that what they did was amazing, and it should never be forgotten,” Murphey said.
The dedication was attended by residents, associates, friends, family members, both active and veteran members of the military and honored guests. Ted Laveck of the Cypress Village Veterans Committee regaled the heroism of those who were honored and thanked them for their years of dedication to our country. Navy Color Guardsmen from NAS Jax opened the event with the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance and then the Assisted Living Director, Connie Hickman, expressed the community’s gratitude towards their resident service veterans and announced the names to be honored. Along with the seal of each branch of the United States Armed Forces, 15 photos were placed on the wall of those who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, as well as those who were first responders as firefighters and police officers.
Jeff Faulkner of the National Association of Veterans and Families spoke of the heroes on the wall, and how their organization partners with Cypress Village in order to serve those who once served us, and of the importance of fighting for veterans’ rights over the years. NAVF also presented a special service flag to go alongside the wall in the dedication of each branch of the military present. In an especially moving presentation, VITAS Healthcare awarded a “Military Wives Pin” to those surviving spouses in the audience to pay tribute to their sacrifice as well.
After a humbling moment of silence, a poem was read to dedicate the POW/MIA table that will forever remain set and empty and as a reminder that not everyone makes it home. Tears were shed, memories were shared, hugs were given as the ceremony closed.
The wall will remain at Cypress Village as a monument to the dedication, service and sacrifice of the residents and associates who dedicated themselves to protecting our freedom.
A similar wall was erected in Clare Bridge, Cypress Village’s memory care area, and plans are in place to add another monument to resident veterans in the community’s newly renovated bar and bistro. The community is an active advocate for veterans living at Cypress Village and hosts birthday parties for each branch of military service throughout the year. Additionally, the community hosts a regular “Coffee and Comrades” social group for veterans and has onsite services through NAVF, where residents receive assistance in maximizing their benefits from the V.A.
