EASLEY — It all began at Baptist Easley Hospital in February of 2024. They wanted to honor the military veterans in their care with dignity and gratitude.
“The program originated when a veteran on comfort care was nearing the end of life,” said Will Chapman, administer for the campus. “His bedside nurse asked the unit manager if there was anything we could do to honor him in a special way. This led to the simple yet powerful idea of draping an American flag over his bed. The veteran’s family was deeply moved, expressing that this gesture provided a sense of honor that he had not received upon returning from the Vietnam War — a time when many veterans were met with silence or conflict rather than recognition.”
This act of respect has since become a standard of care for veterans on comfort care at the hospital. The American flag is carefully draped over the bed, serving not only as a tribute to the patient’s service, but also as a visual reminder to all staff entering the room that this individual served our country…