Hospice Care Company Captures the History of Veterans

Director of the Veterans History Project for the Library of Congress, Robert “Bob” Patrick is working with Unity Hospice to collect and preserve the accounts of this nation’s experienced combat and wartime veterans. (Photo courtesy of Michaela McNichol).
Director of the Veterans History Project for the Library of Congress, Robert “Bob” Patrick is working with Unity Hospice to collect and preserve the accounts of this nation’s experienced combat and wartime veterans. (Photo courtesy of Michaela McNichol).

Hospice Care Company Captures the History of Veterans

By Monique Smith

If you have ever had the unfortunate experience of having to place a loved one in hospice care or just the thought of what hospice represents or its meaning, you think end of life, end of story. Unity Hospice which has been a leader in hospice and palliative care for more than 20 years is spear heading a project that contradicts what you may think is traditional hospice care. Unity Hospice is taking part in a national initiative on behalf of the Library of Congress called the ‘Veterans History Project’. Unity Hospice of Chicago is conducting interviews with veterans, regardless of age with wartime service or combat experience. Brenda McGarvey, Unity Hospice Director of Program Development is spearheading the project.

“We’re inviting veterans in Chicago and surrounding areas to video record their story of military service for submission to the Library of Congress.” McGarvey, who is also a veteran, commented on why she feels a project like this is so important. “Think about a family member came from some other place and the generations down the line want to trace that history, how great would it be to discover that you had a family member who served in World War II or Vietnam? It’s also a great research database for writers and filmmakers who produce projects on different wars.”

On June 22nd – June 24th, Unity Hospice care will be conducting interviews at two of their offices in Chicago located on 600 W. Cermak Rd., Suite 3D, Chicago, IL 60616 and at their Skokie office, 4101 Main Street, Skokie, IL 60076.

“I encourage veterans to take the opportunity to record their story of military service for the Veterans History Project through this outreach program of Unity Hospice,” said Bob Patrick the Veterans History Project Director.

“They will be performing another patriotic act by ensuring the account of their service and sacrifice will be preserved for the nation at the Library of Congress to instruct and inspire future generations,” he said.

Unity Hospice was congratulated by Patrick for their efforts in capturing these accounts that are assets for veteran’s families. Unity Hospice has conducted 90 interviews with veterans which it sends to the Library of Congress for preservation.

Veterans interviewed also receive DVD copies of their interviews. McGarvey travels all over to conduct these interviews and while there is a big push to get veterans to come to Unity Hospice offices later this month, they conduct interviews all year long. “People are more interested in participating around certain times of the year like Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veterans Day because they feel more patriotic during those times of the year surrounding those holidays,” said McGarvey.

History has not always given accurate accounts of what really transpired in the military and this is especially true for many African Americans who served in World War II. The accounts of those black soldiers helped make the American military what it is today.

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