On Wednesday, November 11th, National Veterans Day, The Mayflower Community (Grinnell IA) celebrated its residents who are veterans and spouses of veterans. Their sacrifice has assured our way of life. It was fitting to celebrate their gift to us.
The original plan was to present a virtual address from veteran and resident Leo Lease to other residents in small group gatherings. Because of the escalating pandemic in the local area, those plans were abandoned. Instead, Leo’s recorded address, to be shared later on Mayflower’s Facebook, was presented individually to Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living residents and was emailed to independent living residents.
All 20 Mayflower veterans and 19 spouses were given thank-you cards crafted by Grinnell Middle School students, a special program listing all the Mayflower veterans, and mini-pies—apple or cherry—baked in the Mayflower kitchen. In addition, the veterans were given special walking sticks supplied by the American Legion.
For Health Center residents, “Veteran” and “Veteran Spouse” posters were hung at their doors, “Taps” was played at 11:11am by independent living resident Ed Adkins, patriot music was played on hallway speakers throughout the day, and each veteran and spouse were personally thanked by multiple staff members.
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