Greg’s Act of Remembrance
Meet Greg, a protector of the fallen. Greg is a 67-year-old Air Force Veteran and foster parent who knows tomorrow is never promised. He solemnly laid our nation’s heroes to rest for four years as a Volunteer Honor Guard while serving at Offut Air Force Base near Omaha, NE.
In 2022, life took an unexpected turn when Greg was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. Despite the odds, he beat the disease, but not without sacrifice.
The shoulders and legs that once bore the weight of his brothers and sisters lost their strength, and he was left unable to walk. He missed some of life’s most cherished moments, like being able to walk his daughter down the wedding aisle. The physical and emotional toll eroded Greg’s sense of purpose.
Yet, a fire ignited within him. Greg set his sights on a new act of remembrance. The impact of 9/11 had deeply affected him. Through his battle with cancer, his longing to pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost persisted yet remained out of reach.
When we heard Greg’s moving story, we were honored to recognize him for his selfless service while helping him fulfill his wish. Accompanied by his wife, Greg embarked on a meaningful pilgrimage to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City, where he could pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Greg and Denise commented on how different the atmosphere felt from home as they walked through bustling sidewalks underneath glimmering skyscrapers.
“New York City is so different than what we are used to,” Greg said. “The city is exciting, and I started to feel this energy. The people were friendly, decent people— just like us— they smiled at us and asked us if they could help.”
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex, a green space now full of white oak trees. As Greg and Denise walked toward the stunning waterfall, they were greeted by their local guide. She explained the significance of the memorial’s design and shared stories of people whose names lined the bronze parapets surrounding the reflecting pools.
Standing on the hallowed grounds, Greg felt the echoes of heroism reverberate around him. He felt the weight of sacrifice, bringing meaningful memories from his days honoring fallen brothers and sisters in arms with the Volunteer Honor Guard.
“It was phenomenal and moving,” Greg said about the experience. “One thing that hit me was learning about the birthday celebrations for people who have passed; they put a white rose on their names every year.”
“We could see the look on people’s faces all around us; what we were feeling, everyone was feeling,” Denise added. “There was so much sorrow on that day. But with the museum and the tributes, what they have done for everyone is quite amazing.”
In addition to exploring the grounds and museum, Greg had the opportunity to meet and speak with NYC firemen from Ladder 10 and 2—an experience he said he’ll never forget.
“9/11 happened years ago, but it’s not over for the city of NY,” Greg said. He felt honored to experience the beautiful and powerful tribute and was moved by New York City’s resilience.
After they returned home from New York City, Denise said she continued to see the positive impact of her husband’s fulfilled wish.
“It was the one thing he’s talked about for years,” she said. “It has changed his life.”
Donate in Greg’s honor
We need you. You can be the bridge to unbridled hope and joy. A gift to Wish of a Lifetime in honor of Greg extends far beyond a donation.
It will forever change Greg’s life and the lives of others like him.
Want to see more stories like Greg’s?
Sign up for our email list and continue to be inspired by the stories of older adults fulfilling their dreams.
