Honoring Employee Veterans in Leisure Care Communities

Nov 11, Alissa Sauer

At Leisure Care, we are fortunate to have veterans who bring their rich experiences, values, and dedication to our communities. This Veterans Day, we celebrate the incredible stories of three individuals: Pasquale Nuzzolillo at The Landing of North Haven, Thomas Outlaw at MacKenzie Place – Colorado Springs, and Kemit Allard, a resident at MacKenzie Place – Fort Collins. All have dedicated their lives to service—first to their country and now to their Leisure Care communities! 

Pasquale Nuzzolillo: A Navy Corpsman’s Lifelong Commitment to Care

Pasquale Nuzzolillo, Assistant Manager at The Landing of North Haven, has a remarkable journey through the military that has shaped not only his life but also the lives of those around him. With six years of military service and a lifelong dedication to helping others, Pasquale brings his passion, discipline, and compassion to his community every day.

Pasquale began his military service in 1969 as a Navy Corpsman, training at Great Lakes and graduating from Hospital Corps School. While many of his peers were sent to Vietnam, Pasquale’s medical background in hospital equipment and inhalation therapy led him to serve in the inhalation therapy department at the Naval Hospital in Orlando, Florida. After 6-7 months of providing essential medical care stateside, Pasquale received orders to serve at the Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy, during the height of the Vietnam War.

In Naples, Pasquale worked in the surgical and orthopedic ward, treating wounded military personnel. When nearby hospitals became overwhelmed, Pasquale would get on helicopters to bring patients from the Naval Hospital in Rota, Spain, to the Naval Hospital at the Naples base for further care. His experience caring for military personnel, many of whom had faced unimaginable circumstances, gave him a unique perspective on life, one that continues to influence him today.

While stationed in Naples, Pasquale also had the opportunity to connect with his extended family, who lived just outside the city. “Spending time with my mother’s family and sharing their culture was a beautiful experience,” Pasquale recalls.

Following his time in Italy, Pasquale served aboard the USS Puget Sound AD38, a destroyer cruiser tender stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. There, he worked alongside two doctors, a dental department, and 12 other corpsmen, providing care for over 2,700 sailors and anyone else the ship berthed alongside. His work ranged from basic first aid to performing tasks that would later be associated with a physician’s assistant, such as sutures and more complex medical care.

Newport wasn’t just a place of professional growth for Pasquale—it’s where he met the love of his life. He met his wife, a Quebec native who spoke only French, while she was visiting Newport with her brother, a friend of Pasquale’s. Six months later, they were married. “We communicated with a dictionary,” Pasquale says with a smile. “Now, 53 years later, I still count my blessings.” After four years of active duty, Pasquale transitioned to the Naval Reserves, where he continued to serve for another two years at Ft. Nathan Hale, working closely with veterans at a local VA hospital, where he found deep fulfillment as a companion to long-term residents.

Today, as the Assistant Manager at The Landing of North Haven, Pasquale’s military background continues to guide him in everything he does. The community is home to 27 veterans, and Pasquale finds immediate camaraderie with them, sharing stories, experiences, and the unique perspective that comes from military service. “The military prepares you for a life of service,” Pasquale reflects. “It teaches discipline, how to follow orders, ensure excellence, and have high standards. It also teaches passion and compassion.” His medical training allows him to better understand the residents’ health concerns, but his love for their stories and their resilience is what drives him.

“I love spending time with our residents, learning about their lives, hearing what they did, and how they survived. Every day, I count my blessings, and I feel incredibly blessed to do what I do.” – Pasquale Nuzzolillo, Assistant Manager at The Landing of North Haven

Pasquale’s service to others didn’t end when he left the military—it continues today through his work at The Landing of North Haven. The military taught him to value excellence, empathy, and hard work, traits that he now brings to his role in caring for others.

Thomas Outlaw: From Army Sergeant to Dedicated MacKenzie Place Team Member

Thomas Outlaw, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, has been a member of the MacKenzie Place – Colorado Springs team for over 16 years. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Thomas began his journey at MacKenzie Place on April 1, 2008, serving as both a chauffeur and a cook.

Thomas’s military service began in 1984 when he was stationed in Bamberg and Mannheim, Germany, as well as Fort Carson, Colorado. As a Food Service Specialist, he worked hard to ensure soldiers were well cared for. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant (SGT) and held the title of Noncommissioned Officer, a role that underscores his leadership and dedication.

When asked about his time at MacKenzie Place, Thomas expresses deep pride in being part of the team. His sense of duty and camaraderie—values instilled in him by the military—continue to guide him in his work. Even after 16 and a half years, Thomas loves being part of the MacKenzie Place family and remains dedicated to the well-being of the residents he serves.

Kermit Allard: A Lifetime of Service and Resilience

It’s not only staff members who have given their lives to service but also many Leisure Care residents.

In the 1960s, young men had limited choices: join the military, get drafted, or get married. For Kermit Allard, a MacKenzie Place – Fort Collins resident, joining the Army was the path forward. He had taken a break from his studies at Colorado State University due to illness and was working on earning his pilot’s license. Before he could complete his flying certification, Kermit received his draft notice and began his military journey at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, where he learned to maintain the OV-1 Mohawk, an unarmed surveillance aircraft.

Kermit’s service took him to Vietnam, where he flew missions in the OV-1, monitoring movement and gathering intelligence. Alongside a fellow soldier, he identified heat signatures and relayed critical information to the Pentagon and Saigon, waiting for orders that could dispatch B-52s. His time in Vietnam was marked by intense responsibility, but it also came with unexpected memories, such as managing the Enlisted Members, NCO, and Officers’ clubs due to his college experience.

One particularly vivid memory was introducing a popcorn machine from the Philippines as a popular snack option in the club. However, during an attack on a moonless night, a mortar struck the kitchen, destroying the beloved machine. Despite the setback, Kermit and his team adapted, using a hot plate and aluminum foil to keep the popcorn tradition alive—a testament to their resilience and ingenuity.

Kermit continued his service in Germany, working with the 29th Transportation unit and serving as Crew Chief on a Beechcraft King Air. His military experiences profoundly shaped his life. Unfortunately, years after his service, Kermit was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease due to exposure to Agent Orange, a challenge he navigates daily.

Today, Kermit is an active resident at MacKenzie Place in Fort Collins, Colorado. He enjoys participating in community events, including the monthly Veterans’ Donut Social and the annual 4th of July Parade. His presence brings stories of courage, adaptability, and camaraderie that resonate throughout the community.

A Legacy of Service in Leisure Care Communities

Pasquale, Thomas, and Kermit demonstrate that the values learned in military service—discipline, compassion, and a commitment to excellence—continue to guide their lives long after their military service has ended. At Leisure Care, we are proud to have them as part of our communities, where their leadership, dedication, and service touch the lives of residents and staff alike.

Thank you to all veterans for your service to our country and for the continued impact you make every day in Leisure Care communities. Your stories inspire us all, and we are grateful to have you as part of our family.