VITAS is committed to serving the needs of diverse and underserved communities near the end of life. For more than 30 years we have quietly and compassionately provided hospice care to America’s military veterans, all of whom have a story to tell.
One of the most remarkable is the story of the
Tuskegee Airmen, brought into the spotlight once again in the 2011 George Lucas film “
Red Tails.” In many venues it was accompanied by the Lucas-produced documentary “
Double Victory,” which explored the all–African-American pursuit squadron’s simultaneous double battles: against racism at home and against the Germans abroad. VITAS was proud to be a sponsor for this long-overdue tribute.
VITAS provides hospice care for many of these living heroes. As we do with any patient who is a military veteran, we help those Airmen who still fight private demons, encourage them to remember, help them share with their families and make sure they receive the VA benefits and other resources for which they are eligible. We also support grieving loved ones for more than a year after a death.
In addition, VITAS has supported the nonprofit Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (TAI) organization conferences since 2010. We have joined local TAI chapters to share our expertise in hospice care, grief and bereavement. Our caregivers have escorted Airmen and their families to milestone events from the 2008 presidential inauguration of Barack Obama to “Red Tails” premiers across the country.
We are truly partners with both the national office of TAI and its 55 chapters, and we continue to look forward to the honor and distinction of serving its venerable members.