MADISON — Frank DiPiazza, WWII veteran and 105-year-old Agrace Hospice Care patient was honored Friday, Nov. 10, with a Quilt of Valor.
A Quilt of Valor is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted with three layers, each with a special meaning. The top of the quilt’s colors, shapes and fabrics represent the many communities and individuals; the batting in the center represents hope that the quilt will bring warmth, comfort and peace to its recipient; and the backing represents the strength of the veteran.
Frank was nominated for this honor by staff at All Saints Assisted Living, where he lived before moving to Agrace’s hospice residence in Madison. “I can say that this was all very unexpected,” said Frank.
The quilt was made and presented by representatives from the Sugar River Quilts of Valor — a Foundation whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.
“We are honored to award a Quilt of Valor to veterans like Frank who have done so much for our country,” shared Susan LeVan-Green, Sugar River Quilts of Valor representative. “Frank is the oldest veteran my chapter has ever awarded with this honor.”
Agrace participates in the We Honor Veterans program, a collaboration between the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help improve the care veterans receive from hospice and palliative care providers.
Through this program and the Agrace Veterans Task Force, Agrace Hospice Care patients who are veterans are often recognized with certificates of service, pinning ceremonies, and other ceremonies like Quilts of Valor. Agrace also offers Vet-to-Vet volunteers to its hospice care patients who are veterans. These volunteers are veterans themselves, and they provide companionship, support, and understanding to other veterans at end of life.
On Nov. 10, 2023, a private Veterans Day ceremony took place at Agrace to honor veteran patients — as well as volunteers, staff and family members who have served.
To learn more about how Agrace honors veterans, visit Agrace.org/Veterans.