By Chris Stone

Robert Doyle, an 89-year-old veteran of World War II, listened to a bugler play taps and a patriotic poem read Friday at a University City senior living community.

Veterans at Patrician, a senior living community in La Jolla, received a certificate and pin by Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. Photo by Chris Stone

His memory drifted back to the early 1940s when asked what Veterans Day meant to him.

“The greatest achievement of my life,” he said after a pinning ceremony at The Patrician — where he was among 14 military service veterans presented an American flag pin with “Veteran” inscribed.

Spouses and residents also attended the ceremony put on by the San Diego branch of Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care.

“This piece is what’s so precious to us,” said former chaplain Michelle Tiernan, a community educator for Seasons.

She said the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has a program called We Honor Veterans, and Seasons has put on eight of these programs locally in the past week.

A Veterans Day poem was recited by Denise Welsh, and Seasons music therapist Christine Gallagher led the residents — including the veterans of at least three wars — in patriotic songs such as “God Bless America” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Cake, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served afterward.

The veterans received personalized certificates reading: “We pay special tribute to you for your military service to America and for advancing the universal hope of freedom and liberty for all.”

A poem for veterans was read at a pinning ceremony at The Patrician, a senior living community in University City. Photo by Chris Stone
Veteran Ed Reuben, who served in the Air Force, takes part in the Veterans Day ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
World War II Navy veteran Robert Doyle receives a pin honoring his military service. Photo by Chris Stone
A Vietnam veteran salutes during the national anthem. Photo by Chris Stone
A Korean War veteran salutes during the national anthem at a Veterans Day ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Veterans were given pins and a certificate honoring their military service. Photo by Chris Stone
Veterans’ wives and residents at The Patrician took part in the singing. Photo by Chris Stone
Christine Gallagher (left) and Denise Welsh lead a sing-along of patriotic songs. Photo by Chris Stone
Veterans at The Patrician received a certificate and pin from Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. Photo by Chris Stone
Roy Zanni of Buglers Across America played taps and hymns from the different branches of the military. Photo by Chris Stone
Veterans at The Patrician received a certificate and pin from Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. Photo by Chris Stone
A Vietnam War veteran receives a pin and certificate from Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. Photo by Chris Stone
Michelle Tiernan of Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care speaks at the Veterans Day pinning ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Abe Levine received a certificate and pin for his military service during World War II. Photo by Chris Stone
More than a dozen military veterans were given certificates honoring their service. Photo by Chris Stone
Veterans at The Patrician received a certificate and pin from Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. Photo by Chris Stone
Veterans at The Patrician received a certificate and pin from Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. Photo by Chris Stone
A Korean War veteran receives a pin and certificate at the Veterans Day ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Veterans at The Patrician received a certificate and pin from Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. Photo by Chris Stone
A cake was a part of the post ceremony commemoration at The Patrician in University City. Photo by Chris Stone
A woman observes the Veterans Day pinning ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone