CLEVELAND — Independence Day is more than the nation’s birthday, but also a day to celebrate the men and women who fought for our country’s freedom. A program in northern Ohio is connecting veterans with veterans during holidays and every day. 

Emory Crowder Jr.’s neighbors know it’s the Fourth of July when they hear a loud bell ringing through the neighborhood.

“It’s great for the kids and to see generation after generation come back and want to be a part of it,” he said. 

There’s a good reason why he’s traveled past his neighbors' homes on the holiday for more than 50 years, ringing a bell from a steam locomotive. 

“Because I had that bell and I wanted to put it back in service,” he said with a laugh. 

Not even the pandemic could put the tradition on pause. 

“It was early in the morning anyhow,” Crowder said. “I went around the block three times ringing that bell.”

The bell ringing is a nod to the 97-year-old’s civilian career. 

“I worked on the railroad for 42-and-a-half years,” he said. 

His railroad career came after he earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart in World War II. 

“I served my country and did what I was assigned to do,” Crowder said. 

That level of service is something only other veterans can really relate to.

“I just shook hands with him and said ‘Semper Fi’ and saw his eyes brighten up,” said Don Stark. 

Stark is a volunteer with Hospice of the Western Reserve.  He’s also Crowder’s brother in service. 

“Once a Marine, always a Marine,” said Crowder. 

“Oorah,” Stark replied. 

Stark is a Vietnam War veteran. Though the men served during different wars, they share a special bond. 

“It’s good to be able to discuss things which a person on the other side of the table has experiences with to understand them,” Crowder said. 

“If we can help in one way or another, just by sitting down and talking with them,” said Stark. 

Stark visited with Crowder as a part of the Peaceful and Proud Program, which in addition to providing clinical care for veterans in need of end-of-life care also encourages emotional healing through self-expression. 

“There are people that suffer through a long time in their lives because they don’t discuss,” said Stark. “They don’t let go of their innards of what they’ve seen, what they’ve felt, what they’ve endured.”

Veteran volunteers, like Stark, visit with other veterans to share stories about their time in the service as a way to improve mental health and well-being. 

“Emory’s in a very good place, but I’ve held hands with dying men that are in trauma that are back in that zone,” Stark said. “Where they were. They’re frightened. They’re afraid. They don’t know what to do.”

 “I’m determined to stick it out,” said Crowder. 

Hospice of the Western Reserve is a non-profit, and provides support and services throughout northern Ohio.