Madison Messenger - September 13th, 2020

www.madisonmessengernews.com September 13, 2020 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 7
A virtual trip through the war memorials in D.C.
Dedra Cordle
Staff Writer
It is not common for members of American Legion Post 248 in
Plain City to feel a vague sense of apprehension while attending
their regular monthly meeting, and yet it was one that pervaded
the room during a special presentation on Sept. 2.
Placed across tables spaced out to ensure physical distance were
large boxes with futuristic-looking devices tucked inside, marking
the first time most of the Legion members had seen virtual reality
goggles up close and personal.
For John Dellinger, post commander, the sight and the prospect
of putting them on brought forth a combination of excitement and
uncertainty.
Like most who think of or hear the words “virtual reality goggles,”
Dellinger envisioned people stumbling around, their arms
flailing about, lost in the visuals playing before their eyes as family
and friends look on, cackling at the sight.
“It was something I kept picturing,” he said with a laugh, “but
the presenters assured us that we would be sitting down the whole
time if we decided to wear them.”
While initially hesitant to do just that, Dellinger ultimately
knew that placing the reality augmenting device over his head was
something he needed to do.
“I wanted to see for myself if this was something a certain segment
of our veteran population could enjoy and feel safe while
doing,” he stated.
These were not ordinary, run-of-the-mill programs that the Legion
members were viewing, however; instead, they were vignettes
designed specifically for veterans who are terminally ill and in hospice
care.
According to Bob Allen, the American Pride coordinator for
Ohio’s Hospice Loving Care, these vignettes offer veterans an experience
akin to Honor Flight, a non-profit organization that flies
veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington D.C. free of
charge.
“It’s like a flightless Honor Flight,” Allen explained. “It gives our
veterans who are physically or emotionally unable to go on the actual
Honor Flight a chance to see the memorials that were designed
John Dellinger, commander of American Legion Post 248 in Plain
City, tries on virtual reality goggles to experience the war memorials
of Washington D.C.
Through its American Pride Veteran Care program, Ohio’s Hospice honors the service of veteran patients. Virtual
reality goggles that allow veterans to “travel” to the war memorials of Washington D.C. are part of the American
Pride array of programs.
to honor their service.”
Ohio’s Hospice Loving Care, an affiliation
of not-for-profit hospice providers
throughout the state, began offering the virtual
reality program several years ago due
in part to a partnership with Healium by
StoryUp Studios and a grant from PNC
Bank.
“This collaboration has been a great benefit
for the organization as a service for the
veterans under our care,” Allen said.
Watching veterans put on the virtual reality
goggles and visit the memorials has
been an emotional experience, he said—and
that’s coming from someone who not only
went on his own Honor Flight journey in
2017 but also has accompanied fellow veterans
as a guardian.
“It is just overwhelming to experience it
personally,” said Allen, an Army veteran
who served in the Vietnam War.
The implementation of the flightless
Honor Flight program, which is designated
as the “easiest level of viewing” for its
serene approach, has proven to be more difficult
and more necessary this year.
Due to conditions created by COVID-19,
the Honor Flight board voted in June to suspend
operations until the spring of 2021. It
was news that did not come as a shock to the
veteran community, but it was felt by all.
“It was understandable but disappointing
nonetheless,” said Steve Brown, vice
commander of American Legion Post 248.
“We want all of our veterans who are able to
get the Honor Flight experience because
witnessing that level of appreciation is
something they deserve.”
Having viewed several of the virtual reality
vignettes presented on Sept. 2 by Allen
and Stephanie Jeffords of Loving Care Hospice
and Home Health in London, Brown
said he felt veterans who could only experience
the journey through virtual reality
would be pleased with the program.
“I couldn’t believe how realistic it was,” he said. “It feels like
you’re really there and even some of us guys [who were watching
the vignettes at the special presentation] were getting emotional.”
Recently, Loving Care Hospice and Home Health, an affiliate of
Ohio’s Hospice, received a grant to purchase a pair of virtual reality
goggles equipped with programs that will allow veterans to experience
the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
the Marine Corps War Memorial, the Women in Military Service
for America Memorial, and the Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz.
Dellinger, a veteran volunteer with the hospice in London, said
the virtual reality program could be beneficial for veterans, as well
as their family members who often get to share in this experience.
“It could bring them that sense of closure and the sense that they
are appreciated for all that they have done,” he said.
For more information on how to download several of the vignette
apps, visit www.ohioshospice.org/virtual-tour.
Through American Pride Veteran Care by Ohio’s Hospice, Ohio’s
Hospice honors the service of veteran patients and assures them of
receiving the highest quality of care. In addition to celebrating and
thanking veterans for their service, American Pride assists patients
in obtaining access to all the benefits to which veterans are eligible,
provides spiritual support, and addresses individual post-traumatic
stress issues.