Wish Stories

On October 20th, 2014, ten veterans representing the Vietnam War, Korean War, and WWII traveled to our nation’s capital to see the memorials built in their honor. This was Wish of a Lifetime and The Vital Life Foundation’s third Journey of Heroes trip, an experience...

Annette Z., 91, of The Pointe at Newport Place in Boynton Beach, FL, is a courageous and selfless woman who is devoted to her country. During World War II, her two older brothers and twin brother all served in the Navy. She said she could not just sit around while her...

Annette Z., 91, of The Pointe at Newport Place in Boynton Beach, FL, is a courageous and selfless woman who is devoted to her country. During World War II, her two older brothers and twin brother all served in the Navy. She said she could not just sit around while her...

Robert, “Bob,” is a resilient 85-year-old Korean War Veteran who has strong emotional ties to his Navy days. From Fall 1952 to Fall 1954, Bob served as a Hospital Corpsman on the USS Midway, which at the time was the largest aircraft carrier in the world. Sixty years...

Alta W., 92, of Sterling House of Kerrville in Kerrville, Texas, was part of the first group of women who were allowed to work at the Pentagon. It has been almost 70 years since she’s been back, so her Wish of a Lifetime was to once again visit the Pentagon, a place...

Clarence, 94, of Brookdale’s Horizon Bay of San Marcos witnessed the “date which will live in infamy” on December 7th, 1941. Clarence, a Marine, arrived on Pearl Harbor on December 1st 1941. On December 6th, Clarence and two friends were given leave for a night on the...

Roy, 90, of Springfield, Ohio, is an inspiring example of the Greatest Generation. Brookdale and Wish of a Lifetime commemorated Roy’s service by sending him and his son, Bill, to Washington D.C. to visit the War Memorials for the first time. Drafted into the Army in...

Ernie C., 88, is a remarkable Navy Veteran and a true American hero. At 17 years old, he joined the U.S. Navy, and was sent to Europe just weeks later during the height of hostilities and shortly before the invasion of Normandy. His Wish of a Lifetime was to return to...

On May 29th, 2014, 10 WWII veterans packed their bags and boarded planes to Washington, D.C. This would be the first and possibly the only time any of these amazing veterans would see the memorial created in their honor. Without their sacrifices and courageous service...

This year's spring Washington, D.C. trip was quite the experience. On April 28th, 2014, veterans from all over the country, representative of the Vietnam War, Korean War and WWII, traveled to our nation's capital. Tough weather conditions awaited our veterans in DC,...

The story of veteran Abe S., 94, from Delray Beach, FL is an awe-inspiring tale of triumph, passion, and positivity. Abe was a navigator and 2nd Lieutenant for the Air Force in WWII. He flew 10 successful missions, but on the 11th his plane was shot down. Forced to...

Robert, 90, is a current resident at Brookdale Place at Fall Creek in Indiana. Robert has always been proud of the Army Division that he served in during WWII and the Battle of the Bulge- the 11th Armored Division. The 11th Armored Division was disbanded on August 15,...

Don C. is an 89-year-old WWII Veteran who lives in Denver, CO. Don served in the Mighty Eighth Air Force stationed in Attlebridge, England where, as a Second Lieutenant Aircraft Commander, he was the first pilot in command of an 11 man B-24 bomber crew. His crew flew...

Morris, 89, is a World War II Veteran who resides at Wilora Lake Lodge in Charlotte, NC. Morris’ Wish of a Lifetime is to travel to Omaha, NE to see one of the only remaining ships like the one he served on-The USS Minesweeper. Morris served in the Navy from 1943-1945...