Memorial Day is a time to pause and honor the people who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to country and freedom. For Adam Butler, a critical care tech working in the emergency departments at Heber Valley and Park City hospitals, this sacrifice is personal. Adam lost his brother, Army Green Beret Aaron Butler, in Afghanistan in 2017.
Heber Valley Hospital Administrator Si Hutt with Adam Butler.
“At Aaron’s funeral, the flag was a symbol of respect for his service and sacrifice,” Adam says. “When I see the flag, it’s a fond memory from a difficult time. I wanted to offer something similar to families who are experiencing a difficult time, losing a family member who has lived a life of service.”
Adam submitted an idea in the CI Portal to create a program at Heber Valley Hospital to honor the passing of veterans and first responders. The program, Flags for Heroes, offers the families of veterans and first responders the opportunity to have a flag draped over their loved one after they’ve passed. The group of caregivers who’ve cared for this person in their final moments presents the folded flag to the family, along with bereavement resources. The family package also includes a message of condolence and a certificate to memorialize recognition of their service.
Adam was inspired by a similar program while working at the University of Utah. He says he couldn’t have gotten Flags for Heroes up and running without a lot of help from many fellow caregivers.
“I had the idea to start a program like this, but from the time I suggested it to the time it started at Heber Valley Hospital, a number of people have been involved,” Adam says. “They’ve helped to decide how the program should work and they’ve helped iron out kinks in the process. Lots of different minds have come together to make this a reality. They’ll continue to improve the process with their suggestions.”
“I’m grateful one of our emergency department caregivers saw a need and really did the work to put this program together,” say Si Hutt, Heber Valley administrator. “He did an excellent job. This is a great example of the many wonderful ideas our frontline caregivers implement to improve care, services, and community benefit.”
Adam says Flags for Heroes is a way to bring his experience and values to his work.
“It adds to the Intermountain experience and gives engaged caregivers the tools and knowledge to effectively show our respect for the sacrifice these individuals and their families have made for us,” he says. “It offers a special way to treat heroes with dignity.”
“I’m so excited about this benefit and what it will mean to the families,” says Sarah Oliver, RN, Heber Valley Emergency Department nurse manager. “Adam took a tragic loss and turned it into a way to honor his community’s heroes.”
Fortunately, there haven’t been any incidences of a veteran or first responder passing at Heber Valley Hospital since the Flags for Heroes program began. But caregivers are ready for when it does happen.
This Memorial Day, Adam encourages us all—especially those without military experience—to learn more about Gold Star families and the war-fighting community, and work to bridge the gap between us. He encourages you to seek out opportunities to learn from those who know the cost of freedom and know the sacrifices made to support the cause of freedom.
Adam’s special message to military families on this Memorial Day and every day is, “I express my gratitude for your family and the support you’ve given to a warrior in their honorable military service. I know uncommon sacrifices are made to support the cause of freedom. Thank you for your role in supporting a warrior. It’s with profound respect I say ‘thank you’ for the strength you gave them as they carried the burden of service. I hope the happy memories you had with your warrior will bring peace to your hearts and help remind you of the experiences you shared.”
To learn more about the Flags for Heroes program, email Adam Butler.