Connection in Full Bloom: Honoring Veterans Through Flowers & Friendship

Hope Blooms brought its Flower Empower program to veterans living in the long-term care unit at the Fargo VA Hospital. The day was filled with laughter, smiles and hugs as twenty veterans took part in this hands-on, interactive floral activity.

Each veteran was paired one-on-one with a Hope Blooms volunteer to create a bouquet from a beautifully arranged table of blooms. Side by side, they selected stems, trimmed greenery and arranged flowers that reflected their own style and story. But more than anything, the day was about connection—honoring those who have served our country while fostering companionship and belonging through the simple, healing power of flowers.

The room buzzed with joy and conversation. Veterans shared stories about their service and their families, and volunteers listened with care, celebrating each creation as it took shape. The focus wasn’t on the end result of the bouquet but on the shared experience—doing with, not for, and building dignity through participation and presence.

One veteran, Tom, had recently moved into the long-term care unit from his rural farm in Minnesota. He shared that it had been hard to know he wouldn’t live on his farm again. But that day, surrounded by blooms and kindness, Tom found comfort. Tom bonded with his bouquet-building partner, our founder Kelly, over raising boys, laughing as he offered his best advice for parenting: “You just have to work them hard!”

As they arranged flowers together, Tom smiled and said, “I’m just so glad you picked me.”

Moments like these are at the heart of Hope Blooms. Our volunteers and veterans connected not just through flowers, but through shared humanity—honoring stories, creating joy and reminding every participant that they matter.

Learn how you can help us create more moments of meaning for veterans like Tom.