Fallen Comrade Ceremony Provides Hope and Healing for Soul Injury

To honor those who have served, survived and now carry the burden of the losses they have sustained, Samaritan partnered with Voorhees Township and Opus Peace to host a special Fallen Comrade Ceremony at Voorhees Town Center. 

The ceremony was based on the welcome home rituals for Native American warriors. It served as a special moment to restore hope for healing the “soul injury” that veterans and first responders who have endured dangerous-duty assignments can carry with them throughout their lives.

“This uniquely inspiring ceremony honors those who have humbly devoted themselves to our country and communities,” said Phillip W. Heath, president and CEO of Samaritan. “Samaritan is proud to partner with Opus Peace and Voorhees Township to not just thank them for their service, but to recognize their pain and trauma.”

The ceremony also included a presentation of colors by the Sterling High School ROTC; remarks from local leadership, including Voorhees Mayor Michael Mignogna, Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane, Police Chief Louis Bordi of the Voorhees Township Police Department, Fire Chief James Poland of the Voorhees Township Fire Department; and a presentation from Angie Synder, Executive Director of Opus Peace. 

Samaritan offers specialized care for local veterans in the South Jersey community as a proud Four-Star provider of the national We Honor Veterans program. Each year, the not-for-profit healthcare provider serves more than 500 veterans and their families with quality medical care and support services through respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgement. 

For more information, visit www.SamaritanNJ.org/Veterans. 

About Samaritan:

Samaritan is a not-for-profit, independent organization locally founded in Moorestown, New Jersey in 1980 as one of the first hospices in the country. Samaritan is now one of the State’s leading providers of hospice care, palliative (comfort) medicine, at-home primary care, grief support and counseling, advanced illness care, education and advocacy. Samaritan serves people in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties who are coping with the stresses of aging, serious illness or grief wherever they call home. Samaritan also has two dedicated inpatient hospice centers in Voorhees and Mount Holly. Beyond the services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance plans, Samaritan annually provides nearly $1M in donor-funded non-reimbursed care for patients and families in the South Jersey region. A thrift shop in Westmont also supports Samaritan services and programs. Samaritan is accredited by The Joint Commission; a member of the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation; and is a four-star hospice in the national We Honor Veterans program. For more information, visit www.SamaritanNJ.org.