Death. Our final days, weeks, and months. For most, it’s uncomfortable to think about, let alone face. We spend a lot of our military careers evading death; learning tactics to prepare and shield ourselves from harm. But the truth is, no one escapes death. For retired Colonel Claude Schmid, death is less a last chapter, and more an opportunity to honor a final patrol.

About Veteran’s Last Patrol

They sit quietly…sometimes alone…and patiently count the days.

Thousands of military Veterans are in hospice care, nearing the end of their lives.

Veteran’s Last Patrol makes sure they don’t mark their days alone. They’re a volunteer non-profit which partners with hospice organizations through the country to support Veterans during their end-of-life care. Friendship and honor are their mantra, and they focus on building, sharing, and honoring the bonds that we hold dear in the fabric of military service. As you know, Veterans share a unique connection that only service can create. There are things in common, no matter the generation of service. When Veterans near the end of their life, Veteran’s Last Patrol makes sure their stories don’t go unsaid. They visit with the Veteran and talk with them to remember their sacrifices and honor the memories they hold.

The stories you hear are incredible. Like the World War II Veteran, a Navy landing craft operator who served in Normandy. During the podcast, Schmid remembered, “When I met him, he was alone. He’d lost his wife. He was in a small room with his wife’s urn, a TV, and his caregiver. He told me that during the D-Day landing, he dove into the water and pulled out another Navy Servicemember. He saved his life, and they shared a lasting bond for the next 43 years.”

Make a Difference

The average volunteer spends about an hour a week in the Veteran’s home or hospice care center. These are some of the most important hours for many.

Veteran’s Last Patrol is currently in 23 states and looking for more. Volunteers should visit the Veteran’s Last Patrol website where they can learn more about the mission and fill out a contact sheet. Once Veteran’s Last Patrol gathers some initial information, they will work to directly connect volunteers to hospice providers and Veterans in their area.

Want to get involved but don’t have a lot of time? Operation Holiday Salute focuses on collecting holiday cards to say “thank you for your service” one last time. Send a “Dear Veteran” or “Dear Hero” card to:

Veteran’s Last Patrol
140-B Venture Blvd.
Spartanburg, SC 29306

They’ll make sure it gets into the hands of someone who is celebrating their final holiday.

“There’s a lot of Veteran nonprofits and there’s so much important work to be done,” said Schmid. “As Veterans, we owe it to each other. We were teammates when we were in uniform, and we should be teammates until the end.”

This isn’t easy work. But it’s honorable work that makes a difference. As I always say, it’s about God. It’s about family. And this time, it’s about walking together on a last patrol.

For More Information

Watch the Veteran’s Last Patrol full video on this week’s Your Next Mission^® video podcast episode on our website or on our YouTube channel.

Your Next Mission^® is a program initiative of the American Freedom Foundation, a non-profit
dedicated to serving our Veterans and Families. Your Next Mission^® video podcast with host
12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley features insightful conversation with subject matter experts from the
military and civilian communities. It’s a place where we can have frank and honest
conversation, tackle the tough questions, share stories, and have some fun along the way.