Honoring a Life of Service: CentraCare Hospice's We Honor Veterans Program Celebrates Julius (Jule) Ost
On October 23, 2024, family, friends, and CentraCare Hospice staff gathered at Copper Glen Assisted Living in Montevideo, Minn. to honor Julius (Jule) Ost—a remarkable 98-year-old hospice patient and Veteran. This celebration, part of the We Honor Veterans program, offered Jule the recognition he had humbly earned through his service and dedication. With loved ones at his side, and in the presence of longtime friend and fellow Veteran Lyle Henning, who carried out the pinning, Jule received the heartfelt tribute he deserved.
A Commitment to Serving Those Who Served
For Veterans like Jule, whose service to our country defined an important chapter in his life, the We Honor Veterans program provides a space for gratitude, respect, and shared memories.
CentraCare proudly participates in this national campaign developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, dedicated to honoring the sacrifices Veterans have made for their country. By meeting rigorous training standards, CentraCare Hospice offers compassionate, specialized care tailored to the unique experiences and needs of Veterans.
Each year more than 25 percent of those who die in the United States are veterans. The We Honor Veterans program honors these individuals through personalized ceremonies in which a Veteran receives a certificate and is thanked for their service.
Mary Jo Hannasch, who led the ceremony for Jule, highlighted how deeply meaningful this work is. "As a hospice social worker, it is my honor and privilege to be part of our Veteran patient's end of life journey," shared Mary Jo.
"The We Honor Veteran pinning ceremonies are a great way for us to publicly, and on occasion privately, show our Veterans our appreciation for their service to our country. I always get tearful at these pinning ceremonies as we make our best effort to shine the light on these wonderful men and women Veterans."
A Shared Journey
For Jule, this day was special not only because of the recognition but also because his dear friend Lyle Henning, a fellow Army Veteran and CentraCare Hospice volunteer, performed the pinning.
Having been friends for many years, Jule and Lyle shared various memories that day — from marrying their wives to raising their families together. "I love being a Veteran Volunteer because I get more out of it than anyone," said Lyle, reflecting his dedication and heartfelt gratitude for being part of his friend's tribute. "Volunteering is doing something for someone else without expecting anything in return."
A Daughter's Perspective: Honoring a Legacy
Carol Farchmin, Jule's daughter, also spoke of her father's journey and the impact of the ceremony.
"Dad was in the army. After basic training out east, he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. Because he was a postal employee prior to his military service he worked in the postal area of the base in Anchorage. He and my mother lived in a tiny travel trailer on base," she recounted.
Jule had noted in a journal in 2002 that he was given an agricultural deferment for World War II as he was the youngest son of a widowed farmer's wife and was needed to help his mother run the farm.
"He mentioned that the young farmers did their duty to meet the needs of the nation," said Carol.
A Heartfelt Tribute and a Final Wish Fulfilled
For Carol, CentraCare Hospice has been instrumental in granting one of her father's most sincere requests—to be able to live out his remaining days at Copper Glen, his home of nearly nine years. "To have the support with oxygen, to bring in a hospital bed, and the ‘on-call' support for the Copper Glen staff is a true blessing," Carol shared.
Reflecting on the pinning ceremony, Carol described what it meant for her and her family.
"To have a chance to gather friends and family to join in singing and recognition of service was a gift. It was certainly an event we wouldn't have coordinated on our own," said Carol.
"The most meaningful part of the ceremony was watching Dad's dear friend, Lyle Henning, give a tribute and do the official pinning. When those two men locked eyes it carried a weight of meaning and shared experience beyond words."
"Their salute to each other was filled with meaning, honor and respect. What we all long for more of."
Mary Jo added, "CentraCare Hospice values the sacrifices that our Veterans have made for our country. It's also nice for families to hear the final message that the Veteran wants to give to their family regarding how their time in the service shaped them. Sometimes the Veteran shares a message at the pinning ceremony that they haven't shared with family before."
Daughter Carol Farchmin (on Jule's left), his brother-in-law Bob and his wife Linda, were also a part of the WHV celebration.
A Life of Gratitude and Learning
Beyond his military service, Jule's life has been filled with gratitude, community, and a lifelong appreciation for learning.
"Growing up without his father who died five months before his birth, the community of supportive neighbors and extended family were very critical to his early life," Carol explained. "He always emphasized the power of words. Many times, he sent my brother and I to the hall closet for the dictionary to learn the meaning of a word and its proper usage. He always expected us to ‘mean what we say and say what we mean,'" she noted. "He took nothing for granted and strove to be a good steward of his many blessings."
Jule's life, she says, has been a testament to stewardship, education, and gratitude—values he strove to pass on to his family.
A Lasting Legacy
The We Honor Veterans ceremony allowed Jule's family to celebrate his legacy, share memories, and honor his service.
As Mary Jo expressed, the program not only brings joy to the Veterans and their families but also enriches the lives of caregivers and volunteers. For CentraCare Hospice, this program is more than a partnership; it is a commitment to ensuring Veterans like Jule are recognized and valued for their profound sacrifices.
As Jule remarked on this special day, the experience was "extraordinary"—a fitting tribute for a man who has given so much and continues to inspire those around him.