Supporting Veterans Through The End Of Life

Qwynn Galloway-Salazar, PhD, is the founder and CEO of In Their Honor. An Army veteran, spouse of a combat veteran, end-of-life doula, storyteller, and educator, she has spent more than two decades supporting military and veteran communities.

In 2023, she partnered with PsychArmor Institute to launch the groundbreaking Caring for Veterans Through the End-of-Life Collection.

“The heartbeat of this work is how we can bridge the military-civilian divide through end-of-life care built on a foundation of trust, connection, and commitment.”

EW: Death is often considered taboo. Was there a defining moment that inspired you to discuss end-of-life experiences more openly?

Qwynn Galloway-Salazar: My passion for this work began while I was working in military and veteran suicide prevention.

During the pandemic, as I was socially isolated and confronting the urgency of two public health crises, I found myself asking deeper questions about how we approach death and dying as a nation. Those questions extended beyond suicide to the broader human experience of mortality.

The loss of a mentor, who was also a fellow veteran, deepened that commitment. His death led me to consider how military service shapes a veteran’s end-of-life experience, whether they are facing suicide, aging, serious illness, or a terminal diagnosis.

I wanted to raise awareness, build a movement, and develop meaningful ways to say “thank you for your service” through action.

That realization strengthened my commitment to honoring the veterans who came before me and those who will follow.

I began envisioning a nation that acknowledges service while intentionally building compassionate communities to support veterans and their loved ones through the end of life.

EW: How does your background intersect with conversations about grief and the end of life? What will you discuss on the End Well stage?

Qwynn: Several years ago, my mentor told me, “Qwynn, not all who wander are lost.”

I came to understand that more than two decades of caring for service members, veterans, and their families, along with my own life experiences, had been preparing me for this moment.

My background as a veteran, spouse of a combat veteran, end-of-life doula, educator, and storyteller brings richness to this work.

Those experiences come together in the meaning behind In Their Honor: stories of service, compassion, and a deep commitment to honoring those who served.

My work creates spaces where people can speak openly about military service and its long-term effects.

On the End Well stage, I will explore how end-of-life care can help bridge the military-civilian divide through trust, connection, and commitment.

I will also discuss the relationships between storytelling, service, and end-of-life experiences, and how each of us can help build compassionate communities that honor the lives and legacies of veterans.

EW: Cultures around the world have different practices and beliefs surrounding death. How has your cultural background shaped your perspective on grief and the end of life?

Qwynn: As an African American woman, my culture has profoundly shaped how I understand grief and the end of life.

I grew up within a culture that values resilience, strength, and community. It taught me to honor our ancestors and the legacies they leave behind.

My heritage also taught me the importance of communal grief, gathering to support one another through loss, and drawing strength from shared experience.

That is a gift that should never be overlooked.

EW: Which societal belief about death and dying most needs to be challenged?

Qwynn: We are dying in isolation.

Death and dying are social experiences, and there is much more we can do to ensure that no one dies alone.

Death is a natural part of life. Although accepting it can be difficult, we can be proactive about showing up for one another.

We need more intentional and compassionate conversations about what matters most near the end of life.

We can create environments where people feel empowered to express their wishes. We can also inspire communities to provide meaningful social support when it matters most.

EW: How can different professions and disciplines work together to create more human-centered end-of-life care?

Qwynn: Creating a more human-centered approach requires interdisciplinary collaboration.

We must come together with a shared commitment to serve.

That means envisioning care that addresses physical needs alongside emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual well-being.

It also means putting down the metaphorical clipboard.

We need to focus on the whole person rather than simply checking boxes on a care plan.

When we do that, end-of-life care becomes what it should be: a profoundly human experience.

EW: Is there a book, film, artwork, or other piece of media that profoundly influenced your views on mortality?

Qwynn: I return to Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie at least once a year.

Each time I read it, I discover something new. Its lessons about life, death, and the pursuit of meaning resonate differently during each phase of my own life and my evolving understanding of mortality.

The book reinforces my belief in having open and honest conversations about the end of life.

It reminds me that acknowledging mortality can bring greater meaning to our lives and help us offer more compassionate support to people approaching the end of theirs.

It also reinforces a question I ask every day:

“God, what do you want me to do with the 20,000 breaths you are so graciously giving me today?”

EW: Imagine the End Well Project’s goals have been realized a decade from now. How would society approach the end of life differently?

Qwynn: I can sum it up in one word:

Compassionately.