Aging veterans tell their stories in new study

Jim Russo of Seaford served stateside during World War II. Today, many of his memories, while crisp and clear, are in danger of being lost.

Delaware Hospice and the University of Delaware have partnered on a study designed to collect the oral histories of veterans and to examine whether retelling their stories improved the veterans' sense of satisfaction as they approached the end of their lives. The study will also ensure memories shared by veterans are remembered and celebrated for years to come.

The end-of-life study was the brainchild of Dr. Andrew Himelstein, medical director at Delaware Hospice. He helped secure funding and partnered with University of Delaware researchers to interview 14 veterans. He hopes to expand the project in the future.

Himelstein said he wanted determine if veterans in hospice care experience an increased sense of satisfaction after telling their military stories.

Russo’s daughter, Cindi Smith, said she is proud her father's story will now be part of Delaware’s war history thanks to the project.  “I was very honored that my dad was included,” Smith said. “He will be 90 in June, and it is just a great feeling knowing that someone is paying attention to that part of his life.”

Russo moved to Seaford in 1998 with his late wife, Joey Ann. The couple helped raise their grandchildren and enjoyed attending the annual Veterans Day memorial event. Russo plans to attend the event again this year.

Engineer works stateside

Joining the military was not exactly Russo’s plan for his life. A native of Massachusetts, he attended Northeastern University for engineering. He was one of three members of a new aeronautical engineering class who were called up by the U.S. Air Force. While he originally enlisted with the Navy Reserve, Russo was picked out for his engineering background and transferred to the Air Force.

“The three of us were sent to Cleveland where we worked for the forerunners of NASA,” said Russo. “I remember I had a 1934 Plymouth, and we drove it out from Boston. The draft board found out we were there, so we were all drafted into the Air Force.”

He worked on a supersonic wind tunnel and helped develop jet engines before ending up in Dayton, Ohio, doing research for the military during the war. When asked to become an officer and re-enlist, Russo declined and instead returned to Massachusetts to be with his family.

Himelstein said the study focuses on veterans as they near the end of their lives in hospice, but he hopes in the future to expand it to all veterans living in Delaware. So far, 14 veterans have been interviewed; 13 of them said it was a positive experience during exit interviews.

“Part of what we try to do is assign meaning to lives, and looking back can be very helpful,” said Himelstein of his work with hospice patients. “Through the study we have the goal of improving quality of life for veterans who are at the end of life. It seemed the veterans enjoyed talking about their military experience and that it was a type of closure.”

Improving care of veterans

Evelyn Hayes, University of Delaware professor of nursing, helped with the pilot research study, which used veterans to talk to veterans. She said it was easier for the hospice veterans to open up when they realized they were talking to another veteran.

“Military service is often expressed by veterans as one of the major sentinel events affecting life’s purpose and meaning,” Hayes said. Military veterans may have unique stressors because they may have experienced the horrors of combat or duty assignments aligned with war efforts. There is a need to manage these stressors to achieve a level of personal satisfaction in remaining life.”

Hayes said the study offers a guide to end-of-life care for veterans.

Himelstein hopes to continue the study in the future. The initial hospice funding covered this year’s pilot study; full results won’t be analyzed until next summer. For more information or to volunteer through hospice, call 800-838-9800.

“It would be great if every veteran was recorded for a living history,” said Smith of her father’s experience in the study. “It’s such a great idea to preserve these living legacies and create something for future generations.”

Veterans Day events

• American Legion Post 17 ceremony, American Legion Road, Lewes, set for 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 11, in Lewes.

• VFW Post 7447, State Road, Rehoboth to host a ceremony at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 11 at Rehoboth Bandstand.

• American Legion Post 5, King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach to host an open house, 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11.

• Oak Orchard Riverdale American Legion Post 28, Legion Road, Millsboro, will host a ceremony at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 11.

• Milton CHEER Center on Reynolds Road, will host a Veterans Day dinner, 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10.