A Final Salute

A solemn hush falls over the hallways of the 8th floor at Rapid City Hospital. As a gurney draped in a custom-made American flag wheels along the corridor, the familiar funereal bugle call of Taps rings out and a handful of assembled Caregivers stand in silent reverence to the passing train. Under the flag rests a recently deceased veteran of the United States military, who is being escorted to a final rest. 

Known as a Hero Walk, this somber ceremony has become a familiar sight at Rapid City Hospital. The escort is a tribute Monument Health pays to acknowledge and celebrate the service of veteran patients who spend their last days under the care of one of our hospitals. About 35 deceased service members have been so honored in the last 12 months. Surviving family members are often on-hand, but occasionally the ad-hoc ceremony is just the Caregivers present on the ward paying their respects.

As Michael Morford, Human Resources Business Partner relates: “A significant catalyst for launching the Hero Walks was a particular incident that was brought to the attention of myself and Jeff Mengenhausen (former Senior Director of HVI) back in 2014. We were made aware of a dying veteran who was alone in the hospital. Another local veteran made a point to come to the hospital to pay his respects to the individual – even though he didn’t know the ill veteran very well – because he didn’t want his brethren to die alone.” 

Based on this stirring demonstration of fidelity, Michael and Jeff were inspired to create a similar way for Monument Health to recognize all veteran patients in their final days. “Hence what I believe to be the trigger for the Hero Walk initiative,” Michael says.

“Hero Walks are done in Rapid City and Spearfish Hospital. They are an opportunity to show appreciation and respect for veterans who have served when they pass away. It is also a way of showing that honor and appreciation to the veteran’s family members,” says Jason Callahan, Manager of Security at Rapid City Hospital.

The Hero Walk is emblematic of organizational values that go deeper than to just simply care for patients. It affords those brave souls one last acknowledgment of their dedication to protecting our way of life. 

Respect is a core principle that all Caregivers share here at Monument Health. When we couple that respect with our priority to have an impact on our communities, the beacon of our light shines into the hearts of our patients and suffuses them with the trust that we will always demonstrate the utmost respect. We strive not just to treat our patients and restore them to health whenever possible, but to actively engage in their comfort and wellbeing, even unto its expiration, as a matter of our collective character. 

Our patients have come to rely on this strength of character, sometimes right up until their very last moments. And sometimes beyond.