Hospice Atlanta Center Veteran volunteer Ron Stewart, 83, speaks with Jim Fox about his time in the British Royal Air Force (RAF) when he enlisted in 1951 and served in England and Germany. Ron has been a volunteer with Hospice Atlanta for more than 7 years and was honored with our 2012 Community Service Award.

In 1973, at the age of 18, Jerry Fleeman enlisted and trained as a medic in the Army.  After a robust 17-year career, a medical discharge placed him back in the civilian world. Jerry has volunteered at Camp STARS for many years and also actively participates in our volunteer program by providing pet therapy with his two dogs. Here he is talking to fellow Hospice Atlanta volunteer Jim Fox about his post-military life and career.

When Elliot Mackle, 75, was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, he immediately made the decision to enter Officer’s Training. He ultimately landed an assignment in food service, which suited him as he had been cooking since he was eight. Here he tells Hospice Atlanta’s Volunteer Coordinator, Ann Serrie, about some interesting moments in his military service, as well as his connection to our hospice program, where he came to us as the long-time partner of a patient residing at Hospice Atlanta Center.

Before beginning his career in finance in Atlanta, Jim Anderson, 76, served stateside in the Army. He and his wife, Marilyn, 77, are both volunteers at Hospice Atlanta Center, and it is also where they sat down to reflect upon his time in the service. Jim and Marilyn have been instrumental in our We Honor Veterans program, with Jim being our first Veteran to be honored in a recognition pinning ceremony.

Vietnam Air Force Veteran, Frank Miele, 67, comes to Hospice Atlanta Center not as a volunteer, but as an intern pursuing a master’s degree in social work. While, at the time, he was “less than ambivalent” about the war effort, he explains to Ann Serrie how serving in the military provided him with the determination and financial aid to earn the education to help others.

Paul Smith, 69, comes from the quintessential American military family – with dozens of years of service among them. Now as a volunteer with Hospice Atlanta, he talks with Melynda Lee about his more than 30 years working for the Office of Veterans Affairs and his involvement with Camp STARS.