LONGVIEW — Community Home Health & Hospice admitted and honored its 1,000th veteran on July 29. According to the organization, one in every four Americans dying is a veteran, and since 2014, the hospice has presented each veteran it admits with a certificate of appreciation, acknowledging the military branch they served. Donald Fuesler of Cowlitz County died on July 31 at age 96 after being under their care for two days. “Fuesler’s rich and heroic life perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the 999 veterans who preceded him,” a news release reads. He served in the Army during World War II. He landed on Normandy and liberated prisoners from Nazi-occupied France, the news release said. He was awarded the Legion of Honour for his service, the highest French merit for military and civil service. Fuesler settled in Longview, where he spent 40 years as a general practitioner. In 2019, the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington presented him its Lifetime Giving Award. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to recognize these American heroes at the end of their life,” said the hospice’s president and CEO Greg Pang. “Being able to provide peace of mind to the men and women who sacrificed to serve and protect our country is a privilege for everyone at Community.” Community Home Health & Hospice has two locations, one in Longview and the other in Vancouver. Learn more at www.chhh.org.
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