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U.S. WWII Veteran Maxine Handziak Honored for Military Service
Maxine Hamon Handziak volunteered for the Women’s Reserve in the U.S. Navy (WAVES) in 1943. One evening after WAVES training, she met her future husband Edward at a chance encounter at a roller rink. Edward fell for her, literally, and the two corresponded throughout the war. Afterwards, he proposed, and they were married for over 70 years. On September 1, 2022, Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) honored her for her service with a Veteran’s Pinning Ceremony.
“It’s rare that you have a WWII vet that can still story tell with you,” Kristin Jones, social worker in the Cynthiana office, said. “Her love story was unique, and she had a sweet, pleasant and joy-filled personality, in spite of being bedbound.”
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The pinning ceremony is a powerful moment for veterans and their families. Volunteer Neal Riggs, also a veteran, performs the ceremony, thanking the patient for their service and giving a certificate, blanket and flag pin in appreciation. The service concludes with a prayer, if desired, and Neal salutes the veteran.
As part of Maxine’s ceremony, her family set up a table display with photos and memorabilia of her and Edward’s life together. This included pictures, newspaper clippings and Maxine’s military cap.
“Although she couldn’t remember a lot of stuff on that table, when Neal did the salute, her tiny, frail hand came up, and she returned his salute,” Esther Sapp, Maxine’s Chaplain who attended the ceremony, said. “Due to her hearing loss, I’m not sure what she heard, but she definitely felt honored and appreciated, and her sense of humor came out.”
Sapp described Maxine as someone who had learned to live in the present. When Neal presented Maxine with her blanket, she felt it and fiddled with the knotted ties. One of her kids approached her for a closer look. Maxine’s sense of humor shone through as she teased, “Don’t try to take my blanket!”
Upon intake, patients and families are invited to share patient care goals and are made aware of a variety of volunteer services that include veteran pinning.
