The Veterans Day flag-raising ceremony at Huntington Hospital included comments from Cindy Bengtson Budzyn, Leadership Pasadena executive consultant; Jaynie Studenmund, vice chair of the hospital’s board of directors; Dr. Lori J. Morgan, hospital president and CEO; and Lorenzeno Pereyra, a retired U.S. Navy corpsman.
Huntington Hospital hosted its inaugural Veterans Day flag-raising ceremony at the entrance of the hospital as more than 100 nurses, physicians and employees — joined by family and friends — gathered to recognize the service of those in the United States’ military, past and present.
The hospital’s driveway was lined with American flags and names of veterans, several of whom are Huntington employees.
The flag was raised by members of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, U.S. Marine Corps., shown with Huntington Hospital’s president and CEO, Dr. Lori J. Morgan.
Huntington held the event in partnership with Leadership Pasadena, whose community leadership course helps redirect high-potential, service-driven military veterans into civilian roles. The nonprofit’s ultimate goal is to empower local vets and help them become civic, government and business leaders and actively engage with their new community.
“While the San Gabriel Valley is home to an estimated 30,000 veterans, there is a great need for resources for our servicemen and women when they return home,” said Cindy Bengtson Budzyn, executive consultant for Leadership Pasadena. “On Veterans Day, it’s my honor to encourage citizens to be intentional, stop, think and remember and honor our veterans, especially those who are still deployed and those who gave everything to protect us. I’m proud of the work of Leadership Pasadena and thankful to the community at Huntington Hospital for honoring our veterans in this meaningful way.”
The event was especially personal for the hospital’s president and CEO, Dr. Lori J. Morgan. “As a proud daughter of a serviceman who fought in three wars, I’m so pleased to be with you today as we pay tribute to the individuals in our lives and communities who are veterans,” she said. “Military service is a family affair: Our Huntington family is proud to raise awareness and support for Leadership Pasadena’s local resources and programs for our veterans.”
To learn more about Leadership Pasadena, visit leadershippasadena.org.
