Serving Those Who Served: Local Veterans Find Support Through Highpoint Health – Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas

When Ronald Bottomley raises his electronic bugle to play Taps, it is his devotion — not his breath — that carries the tribute.

Decades after serving in Vietnam, including work in military intelligence that he still cannot discuss in detail, Bottomley still feels a duty to honor and help those who served alongside him. 

He plays Taps at veterans’ events and services, advocates for veterans and fields calls from veterans around the country who need help. 

But breath is something Bottomley can no longer take for granted. 

“Having COPD, I can’t go maybe 50 yards without having to stop to breathe because I totally lose my breath,” he said. 

Twice a week, Bottomley comes to Highpoint Health – Sumner for Pulmonary Rehabilitation. For a man who believes his duty to others has no expiration date, those sessions are part of that commitment. He puts in the work to care for his own health so he can keep showing up for his family, his country and the fellow veterans he has spent decades serving. 

On the day Bottomley shared his story at Highpoint Health – Sumner, that commitment was especially clear. When his treatment and interview were over, he left to attend the funeral of a fellow veteran. 

He wasn’t playing Taps at that service. He was there to honor his fellow veteran just the same. 

Taking Care of Those Who Keep Showing Up for Others 

Through VA Community Care, Bottomley was directed to Highpoint Health – Sumner for pulmonary rehabilitation. His experience has kept him coming back. 

“I have had extremely good care here,” Bottomley said. “The staff is very, very good. The facilities are very, very good.” 

In fact, after completing his initial 36 days, Bottomley requested an extension and was preparing to ask for a third. 

“This therapy has been helping me a lot with my breathing and just giving me good background information, intelligence on how I can live,” he said. 

Rebekah Harris, a registered nurse in Outpatient Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Highpoint Health – Sumner, works with veterans like Bottomley as they learn ways to manage their lung health and remain active. 

“We are very lucky to have pulmonary rehab here locally, especially for our veterans,” Harris said. “Driving to Nashville, especially when they have difficulty breathing and just difficulty getting around, is very hard for them.” 

Harris said education is also an important part of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. 

“A major part of pulmonary rehab is learning what you can do to improve your lung health, and it’s a lot more simple than a lot of people realize,” she said. 

Bottomley encourages other veterans not to minimize their own needs. 

“I would encourage all veterans to please get the help that is available to you,” he said. “A lot of guys say, ‘Well, I’m not that sick. Some other guy has to have it.’” 

But Bottomley sees accepting that help as part of his responsibility to the people who depend on him. 

“You’re robbing from your family if you don’t do it,” he said. 

Staying Active and Connected 

U.S. Navy veteran Larry Sharpton served from 1972 to 1975 aboard three ships, spending much of his time on the flight deck during aircraft operations. Today, he lives with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 

“There’s nothing they can do for it. I’ve been turned down twice for transplants,” Sharpton said. 

Still, Sharpton is determined not to let the diagnosis dictate his outlook. 

“I’m not going to lay over and let this just take hold of me,” he said. “I’m going to take every day just like she comes. I’m going to have a good outlook.” 

Pulmonary Rehab also gives Sharpton a reason to get out, remain active and connect with other people. 

“I come over here twice a week,” he said. “I get out, stay a little more active than just sitting at the house, and I get to see people and have a good time.” 

Taking Care of Yourself to Keep Serving Others 

U.S. Navy veteran Leslie “Les” Keller served as a gunner’s mate along the coast of Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.  He remains involved with the VFW and other efforts supporting veterans and their families. 

“I’ll probably always do it,” Keller said. “I will do anything I can to help my fellow vet and my fellow human being.” 

Keller has navigated significant health challenges. He said VA Community Care authorized him to receive rehabilitation locally because the VA facility he uses does not provide the pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation he needs. 

For Keller, taking care of himself has become part of being there for others. 

“You’re going to want to help the other guy. You’re going to want to have his back,” Keller said. “But by having his back is by you taking care of yourself and going down and getting the help. And the help is excellent.” 

His words capture a thread that runs through all three veterans’ stories. 

Taking care of yourself does not have to mean putting yourself ahead of the people you serve. Sometimes, it is what helps you continue showing up for them. 

For Harris, helping veterans do that carries special meaning. 

“Working with veterans is something that is very special to me,” she said. 

And for Bottomley, the mission continues. 

Sometimes it means answering the phone when another veteran needs help. Sometimes it means raising his electronic bugle to play Taps. And sometimes it simply means being there, as he was when he left Highpoint Health – Sumner that November morning and headed to the funeral of a fellow veteran. 

“There’s no expiration date on that,” he said. 

Know Your Lung Health 

Breathing issues are not something you should simply assume you have to live with. If changes in your breathing are affecting your everyday activities, talk with your healthcare provider. 

Highpoint Health’s Lung Care services include: 

• COPD and emphysema care 

• Pulmonary hypertension and asthma care 

• Pulmonary rehabilitation 

• Respiratory therapy 

• Lung cancer detection and treatment 

• Lung Health Risk Assessment 

Learn more about Lung Care and take the Lung Health Risk Assessment.  

Highpoint Health proudly serves our area veterans.