Marine Veteran Volunteers to Ensure No Veteran Dies Alone
Guest Contributor
At the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, a quiet act of service is taking place—one that speaks volumes about dedication, compassion, and the enduring bonds of military brotherhood. Marine veteran Frank Steffel has spent the past nine years volunteering with the “No Veteran Dies Alone” program, a national initiative designed to ensure that veterans in hospice care are not left without companionship in their final moments. This powerful mission reflects a solemn promise: no service member should ever be forgotten or left behind.
Steffel’s work is part of a broader effort that has been active at the Milwaukee VA for about a decade. The program supports veterans who lack nearby family or loved ones to be with them at the end of life. Volunteers like Steffel step in to provide comfort simply by being present—holding hands, reading aloud, playing music, or sitting in silence. As palliative care coordinator Alyssa Schroeder-Mann explained, these seemingly small gestures have a profound impact. “They will spend time with them, sit with them, hold their hand, read, play music that they enjoy, and we really appreciate all that our volunteers do,” she said.
“No Veteran Dies Alone” is more than a slogan; it is a guiding principle that resonates deeply with those who have served. For Steffel, it is a continuation of the oath he took as a Marine. “It’s a commitment you make that you feel like you owe it to the family, and you owe it to the servicemen,” he said. “You just don’t want them to be alone while they pass away. You don’t leave any Marine behind.”
I found this detail striking: Steffel has sat with more than 40 veterans during his time volunteering. Each experience carries emotional weight. He described the feelings that come after leaving a bedside—sometimes before a veteran has passed—as complex and deeply moving. “You hope they find peace very soon,” he reflected. It’s a reminder that emotional labor, though often invisible, is central to this kind of caregiving.
The program’s impact extends beyond the veterans themselves. Staff on the palliative care floor have noted how meaningful it is for families to know that their loved ones are not alone. According to Lisa Hopson, a registered nurse and case manager at the Milwaukee VA, volunteers are an essential part of the care team. “As a nurse, it’s very comforting to know that they are a part of our interdisciplinary team to actually come there and be part of us,” she said. “To bond with them and just have an active presence.”
There are more than 30 volunteers currently involved in the Milwaukee chapter of the program, each offering their time and emotional presence to uphold the dignity of fellow veterans in their final days. The initiative is active across VA hospitals nationwide, reflecting a shared commitment to honoring those who served. The presence of volunteers at such a vulnerable time adds a human touch that medical care alone cannot provide.
Steffel’s dedication is especially poignant in a world where loneliness at the end of life is a growing concern. His actions are not rooted in obligation but in gratitude. “It means a lot to me to help out. It makes me feel good,” he said. “It certainly is very difficult. The emotions are kind of interesting... but it’s very rewarding in my own mind.”
Programs like “No Veteran Dies Alone” show how volunteerism can bridge the gap between clinical care and emotional connection. They also highlight the ongoing contributions of veterans who, even after their active service has ended, continue to support one another in profound ways. Steffel’s story is a testament to the enduring spirit of service and the powerful legacy of the Marine Corps ethos: once a Marine, always a Marine.
In a time when community and connection are more important than ever, this story serves as a quiet but powerful reminder of the difference one person can make. Frank Steffel’s commitment ensures that those who served our country are honored with presence, compassion, and dignity in their final moments. It is a service that asks for no recognition, yet deserves our deepest respect.
