Those who have spent time in the military or worked for the Defense Department, know what a challenge coin is. They’ve been an American military tradition for a century, meant to instill unit pride and reward hard work and excellence. The coins are not large, usually small enough to fit in the palm of an outstretched hand. These coins can represent many things such as special events, anniversaries or they can be presented to nonmilitary leaders in recognition of their contributions to those who are serving their country in any one of the military services.
Ed Zilli served his country in WWII and was on Utah beach in Normandy on June 6th of 1944. Over 100 years old now, memories of the battle that day are still etched in his mind. Veteran’s Day is specifically set aside to recognize these veterans, no matter where and when they served. But this Veteran’s Day would be special as Caring Edge Hospice and the We Honor Veterans program, took a few minutes to extend a special honor as Tech Sgt Thomas Wikoff, a Caring Edge volunteer, coined Ed during a special celebration held at The Parker Senior Center, where Ed lives, on Friday November 10th.
The social worker who organized the coining was Shelby Stucker from Caring Edge Hospice. Shelby graduated from Minot State University always planning to be a social worker, and more specifically work with end-of-life care and hospice. Her grandfather retired from the U.S. Army, her father retired from the Air Force, her older half-brother is serving in the U.S. Space Force, and her husband, Tech Sergeant Joshua Stuckey, is stationed at Minot Air Force Base.
Through her duties at Caring Edge Hospice, she met Ed Zilli, and with the combination of Wikoff and the We Honor Veterans program a coin was given to Ed Zilli to let him know that his country still very much appreciates his service in the military.
We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), invites hospices, state hospice organizations, Hospice-Veteran Partnerships and VA facilities to join a pioneering program focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment. By recognizing the unique needs of America’s Veterans and their families, community providers, in partnership with VA staff, will learn how to accompany and guide them through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.
Caring Edge hospice uses veterans to present the coins and according to Stuckey, she had never been told no when she asks a volunteer to assist with a coining. Family and friends are invited to the 10-15 minute ceremony, and the veteran is often asked to share stories about their service with those in attendance. Veterans and volunteers share a common bond as both have served their country as a member of the U.S. military, and the bond and friendship between veteran and volunteer can sometimes extend beyond the coining ceremony.
Most of the coined veterans proudly display their coin prominently with other medals they may have on display in their homes.
If you would like to volunteer for the We Honor Veterans program, you can call Shelby Stuckey at 818-223-4287.
