Page 74 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2025 - Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES
have been a chaplain with
Hospice of Lubbock for almost
I three years. Previously, I worked
in spiritual care with various
hospitals, where I had limited
contact with veterans throughout
the years. Hospice of Lubbock
has introduced me to the world
of veterans—their struggles and
aspirations—especially in their
last days. I have had the honor
and privilege of working with
some of the finest ex-service men
and women that our country has
produced and have empathetically
listened to their life stories, as much
as they were willing to tell.
Serving in the military for one’s
country takes a special calling. A
certain pride follows them, when
they retire from service, that
remains with them—a sense of
accomplishment in having done
their duty, served with dignity, and
fulfilled their mission.
One common observation in
veterans is the brotherhood or
sisterhood that forms in their units,
which carries forward in loyalty
to their families and coworkers.
74 Lubbock Senior Link
VEtEranS
on HoSPiCE
by Randall Herrera, Associate Chaplain, Hospice of Lubbock
Many veterans have a deep love prefer not to speak about. It is my
and compassion for their families job to assure them that everything
that is exhibited in every interaction they did during their time of
I witness. I believe that they are service was done because of the
drilled with a deeper level of circumstances they were in and
commitment to the people they does not necessarily reflect their
served with, and it transcends to all real identity. It is difficult for many
their relationships. It is a blessing of them, especially combat veterans
to meet their families and witness who served in Vietnam or the
firsthand the love and respect they Middle East, to not suffer some
receive and deserve. form of trauma. It is my privilege
to provide them the time and space
As a historian, I have read and needed to heal.
studied military history from the
days of antiquity to the modern era. I am a member of “We Honor
I am always thrilled when a veteran Veterans,” a national organization
comes on (hospice) service, and I that takes care of veterans. Here
am chosen to provide spiritual care in Lubbock, we assist with many
for them. I try to give them as much of their needs, mainly groceries
time as they need, so they can share and sometimes other financial
all that is on their hearts and receive commitments. At HOL, we have
my great respect. My knowledge dedicated employees who always
of history helps me converse with go the extra mile to ensure that the
them on a level that many of them veterans on our service and their
appreciate, and we sometimes families are taken care of. To us,
spend hours discussing historical it’s not just a job; it is a calling to
events in our common interest. serve those who have served us so
courageously and selflessly.
Serving veterans is not always
an easy job, since many carry
with them deep emotional and
psychological trauma that they