Newport Veteran Honored by Lake Sunapee VNA Ernie Garceau, US Army Veteran, was recently honored by Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) for his military service to our country. Joined by his wife, Polly, two of his stepdaughters and a granddaughter, Garceau was presented with a We Honor Veterans plaque, pin and memory book. Also attending were Ted Rivera, Veteran and hospice volunteer, and Barb Woolley, social worker. The presentation is part of the LSRVNA We Honor Veterans program. LSRVNA became a national We Honor Veterans Partner in 2011, the first home care agency in New Hampshire to do so. As such, the agency has made a commitment to train staff and volunteers to better meet the unique needs of home care and hospice patients who are veterans. Compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment are coupled with veteran-centric education of staff caring for veterans. Enlisting in the Army during World War II at the age of 21 and surviving malaria during his tour of duty, Ernie Garceau served five years before a serious bayonet injury during the Battle of Bougainville, which nearly cost him his leg. After being hospitalized and treated he was sent home. Bougainville Island is the largest of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific near Papua. New Guinea. In 1942, Japan invaded the island. Allied forces launched the Bougainville Campaign in 1943 to regain control of the island, and combat operations ended with the surrender of Japanese forces in August of 1945. Army troops were sent in to support Marines already engaged there. It is reported that over one million rounds of artillery were fired during this campaign. Garceau has vivid memories including the 100 soldiers in his gun crew alone and the name of his gun - Pistol Pete. I dont regret a minute of it, said Garceau proudly. In April of this year, Garceau was further honored by being part of a military Honor Flight from Manchester, N.H. to Washington, DC. World War II veterans, whose numbers are rapidly declining, who take the Honor Flight are escorted by personal guardians who volunteer to be travel companions on the flight and for the tour of Washington monuments dedicated to their bravery and service. Garceau described it as an amazing and deeply moving experience. Garceau grew up in Manchester, N.H. He has lived in Claremont, N.H. for the past 30 years, where he met his second wife Polly. Married 3 1/2 years ago, Polly was a widow for 32 years until she met Ernie. He was the only man I met who was husband material! says Polly. LSRVNA is proud to honor Ernie Garceau and many other veterans through this program. For information contact Deb Dumond at 603-526-4077 or [email protected].
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:44:27 +0000