Wish Stories

Lucile, 89, from Holland, Michigan, is a sweet and caring woman. She graduated from school in 1942, right in the midst of the Great Depression. Her dream was to become a nurse. However, there wasn’t much money available and her mother believed another path would be...

Kenneth, “Ken,” is an 87 year old veteran that resides in Twin Lake, MI with his lovely wife, Connie. Ken’s Wish of a Lifetime was to be able to return to the place where he was captured as a prisoner of war during WWII: Anzio Beach, Italy. Ken joined the US Army when...

On October 14th, 2013, Wish of a Lifetime sent 20 Wish recipients from all over the country to Washington, D.C., some to see the memorials built in their honor for the very first time. We proudly took veterans who served in Vietnam, Korea, and WWII. Also included in...

Kathleen, 87, graduated from the Cadet’s Nurse Corps in 1947 shortly after WWII was over. The Cadet’s Nurse Corps was created in response to the need for more nurses after the United States entered the war. These women were trained to be professional nurses and would...

Al, 87, is a current resident at the Chancellor Place of Murrieta in California with a variety of skills and trades acquired through his lifelong dedication to learning new things and experiencing new places. After Al finished Officer Candidate School with the United...

Mr. Polan is a 90-year-old gentleman from Delray Beach, FL with an incredible history. Mr. Polan served in World War II in the 9th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group, a well-accredited and valorous division of the Pacific Theater. Following the attack on Pearl...

Bill (93) and Peg H. (94) are an incredible couple who currently reside at the Edina Park Plaza in Edina, Minnesota. Bill and Peg have been married for 70 years, and can still be found holding hands every day. Bill and Peg’s Wish of a Lifetime was to be able to travel...

Elsie K., age 88, is a resident at Freedom Inn at Scottsdale. Her Wish of a Lifetime was to go to Washington D.C. to view her pictures and interviews in the Library of Congress. Some years ago when Elsie was living in Yakima, WA, a woman by the name of Susan Chadd was...

Ted, 72, is a generous and patriotic man who currently resides at Lake Port Square in Leesburg, Florida. It was his Wish of a Lifetime to travel to the small island of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands to honor his cousin who was killed in battle during WWII. Ted was just...

On April 8th, 2013, 7 veterans from across the country, representative of all 3 major wars, had their wishes of a lifetime granted when they flew to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials established in honor of their courageous service. The trip consisted of 4 WWII...

Retired Lieutenant Thomas served as a firefighter in Queens, New York, for twenty years. In 1967, Thomas was among 15 firefighters of Hook and Ladder Company 127 and Engine 298 commended for their bravery during the 1967 Jamaica Queens gas explosion. He participated...

Donald M. is an 87-year-old gentleman living in Henniker, NH, who has recently started to reflect on his experience in Normandy while serving in WWII. Donald was part of the amphibious Navy, ferrying soldiers – alive, wounded, and dead – to and from the Landing Ship,...

Helen, 91, of the Village at the Arboretum in Austin, TX, had a very unique experience during her service in WWII. As a young clerk working in Washington, D.C., during the war, a young woman approached her and introduced her to a new and emerging opportunity for women...

Quentin, 90, of Denver, CO, traveled the world for years as an Air Force pilot, but as he reached 90 years old there was only one place he still wanted to see. Quentin’s Wish of a Lifetime was to visit his commemorative tree at the Veterans Grove at the College of the...

In October of 2012, 3 older adults from across the country made the trek to Washington, D.C., together to visit the memorials for the first time. It was a very special experience for everyone involved, and they had a great time sharing stories during their trip....