Continuing the legacy of Reno County Veterans, Hospice House celebrates Veterans Day

Olivia Perkins, The Hutchinson News
·4 min read

As the United States National Anthem played, Reno County Sheriff's Honor Guard members Michael Fleming and David Radke raised the American flag for the first time in front of Hospice House and Homecare of Reno County in honor of the nation's veterans.

Hospice House, 2020 N. Waldon, dedicated the new flagpole to U.S. Navy veteran Steven Walle, father of Hospice House coordinator Rhonda Schur. Schur said she saw the facility did not have a flagpole, so decided a Veterans Day ceremony would be perfect to mark the new installment.

In dedication to Steven Walle

The 1 p.m. ceremony included a Veterans Day speech by Calvin Wright, retired U.S. Air Force, the presentation of colors by the Reno County Sheriff's Honor Guard, playing of the National Anthem and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks on the partnership between the Hospice House and the We Honor Veterans programs by Tara Dahlstrom.

Stacy Goss, Hospice House and Homecare community liaison, ended the ceremony with a thank you written by Schur.

Rhonda Schur, left, daughter of Navy veteran Steven Walle, wipes her eye during the playing of the National Anthem during a dedication ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2021, at Hospice House. Her family is a fourth-generation military family and Schur, who works as the Hospice House Coordinator, said that the family wanted to show its appreciation to the Hospice House for their great care of Walle, who died Jan. 1, 2021. The family donated the flagpole in honor of all who have served and in memory of their hero, Steven Walle.

Schur's father, the late Steven Walle, fought in the Vietnam War and eventually came to live in the Hospice House in Schur's care. In Schur's statement read by Goss, she spoke about the importance of Veterans Day and the connection created between her and her father.

"Every year on Veterans Day, despite my location near or far, I made an effort to call and send a certificate of appreciation for Veterans Day to my father, my hero. Through a simple act of thanks, we connected each and every year; this became our special moment," Schur said.

Schur's family dedicated the flagpole in his honor. A mural installed within the building showcases the five branches of the military. Schur said the Hospice House cares for multiple veterans at any given time and wanted to make sure those veterans felt appreciated.

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Other than her father, Schur's family has multiple generations who served in the U.S. armed forces, including her son Staff Sgt. Quinten Schur.

"My father was treated with such dignity, dignity well deserved," Schur said. "It is a combination of shared core values, goals and experiences. It is developed when we serve side-by-side and stays with us for the rest of our lives."

The front foyer of the Hospice House is newly decorated with plaques of the military branches, Kansas and American flags, and a poem called "A Hero's Welcome." The tribute is part of a national program called "We Honor Veterans," that promotes collaboration between hospice organizations and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The front foyer of the Hospice House is newly decorated with plaques of the military branches, Kansas and American flags, and a poem called "A Hero's Welcome." The tribute is part of a national program called "We Honor Veterans," that promotes collaboration between hospice organizations and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Insight from an Air Force veteran

Wright some of his experience in the military and after as a veteran. Raised on the west side of Chicago, he said he joined the Air Force for reasons other than liberty and honor but eventually realized the importance of service.

"What I love is the time that I was there, I was there in service to my country and to the people who are here and the ideals and rights. The things that when we speak to the Pledge of Allegiance, that we talk about justice, the liberty for all becomes the reason that you're functioning the military," Wright said.

Wright said that most follow the same pattern while serving in the military and realize the importance of honoring veterans of wars and conflicts in the United States.

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The Sheriff's Department Honor Guard

Det. Sgt. Shelby Shull, a member of the Honor Guard, served for more than 18 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. He said he continues to serve today in the National Guard, drilling one weekend out of the month and two weeks in the summer.

Reno County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard members Shelby Shull, left, David Radke, Matt Franklin, Chris Massingill, Michael Fleming, and Dylen Snedeker stand at attention after posting the American flag on the new flag pole during a dedication ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2021, at Hospice House, 1523 E. 20th Ave.
Reno County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard members Shelby Shull, left, David Radke, Matt Franklin, Chris Massingill, Michael Fleming, and Dylen Snedeker stand at attention after posting the American flag on the new flag pole during a dedication ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2021, at Hospice House, 1523 E. 20th Ave.

"Veterans Day has always been very important to me and my family and friends, and I appreciate all the support that we get," Shull said.

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Continuing a legacy

Inside the Hospice Home, Schur presented a video from her son Quinton after the ceremony concluded, with a photo of Quinton and Walle sharing stories of their military experience, even Walle trying on some of Quinton's uniform. Schur said this moment was notable for her family since her father didn't share much about his time in Vietnam until his grandson joined the U.S. Army.

The Hospice House worked with multiple community members to create the ceremony, and Goss said organizing with all of the different members made the event special. Goss said this dedication remained close to her heart.

Stacy Goss, Community Liaison for Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County, begins the dedication ceremony honoring veterans Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2021, at Hospice House.
Stacy Goss, Community Liaison for Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County, begins the dedication ceremony honoring veterans Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2021, at Hospice House.

"Rhonda's story aligns with my personal story, very much so, and that we both come from a long line of veterans who served throughout decades and generations. So being able to honor her family through the flagpole is very meaningful. Personally, I know I'll enjoy driving by each day knowing that we have done something for the community to honor veterans," Goss said.

Schur said she hopes to continue the legacy of veterans within the Reno County community and keep her father's memory fresh for her family.

This article originally appeared on The Hutchinson News: Hospice House celebrates Veterans Day in Reno County on Thursday