In-depth journalism takes time, resources and community support. Your gift powers reporting that helps Tarrant County make sense of complex issues. Help us reach our $400,000 goal<\/strong> and keep this work going in 2026.<\/p>\n She takes note of any service history the veteran would like to share and turns it into a story. Volunteers create red, white and blue blankets to give to them. She also sends Veterans Day cards to patients from the past year.<\/p>\n Welcome to 52 Faces<\/strong><\/p>\n 52 Faces of Community<\/a> is a Fort Worth Report weekly series spotlighting local unsung heroes. It is sponsored by Central Market<\/a>, H-E-B<\/a> and JPS Health Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the end of the year, these rarely recognized heroes will gather for a luncheon where the Report will announce one honoree to represent Tarrant County at the Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n \u201cIt might be the first time a veteran\u2019s been thanked. It might be the last time they\u2019ll be thanked. Might be the only time they\u2019ll be thanked, but what a wonderful opportunity to thank them,\u201d Garza said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The program has recognized about 1,500 veterans over its 11 years, she said. Garza\u2019s work in spearheading a program to honor veterans at the hospital earned her recognition in 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series highlighting unsung heroes.<\/p>\n Many of Garza\u2019s patients are in the hospital for palliative<\/a> care, a specialized form of care that provides symptom relief and comfort to patients living with serious or chronic illnesses. When people go to the hospital, especially in these critical times, patients don\u2019t typically fear death, Garza said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Instead, she found out they are searching for answers to questions like \u201cDoes my life have meaning?\u201d and \u201cDid I make a difference?\u201d<\/p>\n The Veterans Recognition Program is a way to answer those questions, Garza said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Garza is \u201ca wealth of love and information about the veteran patients,\u201d said Carol Hannibal, who nominated Garza for the 52 Faces of Community and is a fellow nurse who volunteers as one of the crochet artists.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hannibal nominated Garza because some people may not know about all the work she puts into honoring her veteran patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just who Mary is. She would never tell you anything about anything, unless you notice her good works,\u201d Hannibal said.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cShe is a wealth of love and information about the veteran patients in our hospitals.\u201d<\/p>\n Carol Hannibal, a nurse who nominated Mary De La Garza\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Over the years Garza has seen the program touch patients. She\u2019s seen how the recognition helps them open up and share stories of their service with their family. If a patient dies, the families have a memento such as the blanket or certificate to remember their loved one by.\u00a0<\/p>\n Looking ahead, Garza wants to find a way to expand the program and recognize other patients, such as first responders.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a spiritual need to know that we\u2019ve made a difference,\u201d Garza said. \u201cEverybody does have a story, whether they\u2019ve been in the military or not, and this program is just one way to honor that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762644491_852_2-edited.png\")
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Mary De La Garza spearheads the Veterans Recognition Program at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n\n
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Volunteers help crochet blankets for the Veterans Recognition Program at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
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