This month Avalon is excited to kick off a new tradition to honor residents who are Veterans from the various branches of the military and first responders like police officers and fire fighters. In all Avalon communities, a Wall of Honor is going up in dining halls or other common areas as an expression of our gratitude for those residents who have served and sacrificed so much for our freedom and safety. We are asking current residents and new residents from every branch of service to share a photo in uniform which will be framed and displayed for proper recognition.

Veterans Day 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, and the 30th anniversary of both the end of the Panama Invasion and the beginning of Desert Shield. Veterans Day evolved from Armistice Day, which was proclaimed in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. Armistice is when warring parties agree to stop fighting; Armistice Day recognizes the end of World War One when hostilities ceased on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour.

“We are so excited to start this new tradition at Avalon this year,” said Holly Bagwell, Community Liaison at Avalon Memory Care. The original goal was to have it up and running by Memorial Day, 2020 until COVID-19 caused the quarantine and lockdown from March to May. “We have so many veterans at all of our communities and especially here at Irving. It feels good to honor them this way.”

Holly says going forward, veterans in the Avalon communities will be honored twice a year with a proper ceremony, recognition certificates and a celebratory breakfast. She hopes we will all reach out to a veteran this month to thank them for the service and sacrifice.

If you would like to learn more about Avalon, our communities are once again open for in person tours with the proper COVID-19 protocol. Give us a call to set up your tour today or to answer any questions you might have regarding memory care.