Celebrating Mr. Harvey Gardner: A Compassus Veteran and His 60-Year Love Story

We are honored to care for remarkable individuals like Mr. Harvey Gardner at Compassus. Harvey is a proud veteran and cherished hospice patient in our Yuma program. Recently, our Yuma team had the privilege of performing a Veteran Pinning Ceremony for Harvey, recognizing his military service, and celebrating a significant personal milestone – 60 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Martha.

The celebration was filled with love and joy, featuring flowers, balloons and cake. Mark Martinez, our dedicated volunteer and fellow Army veteran performed the pinning ceremony and presented Harvey with a pin and certificate to honor his service. The day was a beautiful tribute to both Harvey’s military commitment and the couple’s lifelong devotion to one another.

Harvey’s military journey began with Army boot camp at Fort Gordon, Georgia, followed by his stationing at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas. It was at Ft. Bliss where he met Martha, who was living with her aunt and going by the last name Brown at the time. After a period of courting, Martha shared something personal with him – that she was Mexican and from Chihuahua. She asked if he minded courting a Mexican woman, to which he lovingly replied, “Well, it’s too late now.”

Their love story continued to grow, even when Harvey was sent to serve in Germany, where he oversaw a platoon of twenty-nine Puerto Rican soldiers who only spoke Spanish. Thankfully, Harvey, fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish, was up to the task. Their bond, however, was rooted in their shared history even before they met. Both Harvey and Martha had served as missionaries through their church – Harvey for two-and-a-half years in Brazil and Martha for two years in Mexico and Southeast Mexico – without knowing one another until fate brought them together in El Paso.

As of September 4, 2024, Harvey and Martha have celebrated an incredible 60 years of marriage. Together, they have raised three wonderful children: their son, Thomas, and daughters, Angela, and Alena. Martha expressed her deep gratitude for the day’s celebration and was eager to share the news and photos with their children during their upcoming visit.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to our entire Yuma team for their dedication to our ‘Care for who I am’ philosophy, ensuring every moment is meaningful for our patients and their families. Special thanks to Dan Lopez Photography for volunteering and capturing these precious memories. Most importantly, thank you to Mr. Harvey and Mrs. Martha Gardner for their service, dedication and the sacrifices they have made in protecting our freedoms. Your love story, commitment and dedication are an inspiration to us all.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer with Compassus click here.

To read more stories on how Compassus honors our veterans click here.