Roy Explores his Heritage in the Smoky Mountains

Decorated Vietnam Veteran Roy knows he has wounds that may never heal. The 77-year-old Marine and Army National Guard Reservist has faced lifelong health effects from his exposure to chemicals and contaminated water during his service.

While some wounds are visible, others hide deep within. Roy experiences Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the things he’s seen, like the haunting memory of a friend dying in his arms.

“Daddy’s hand would jerk while he slept like he was shooting a machine gun,” his daughter Penny recalled. “Mama said he was dreaming about the war. We kids knew not to pop balloons or walk up behind him and touch him. We never used fireworks.”

Roy has remained determined that the traumatic events he has seen would not define his life; instead, he embraces his faith and pushes through his challenges with a focus on serving others.

Roy is known as a man who would give the shirt right off his own back. He takes every opportunity to help those in need, including years volunteering for the local county rescue squad. He is adored by his friends, wife, daughter, and granddaughters.

But when Roy’s eyesight started fading, everything changed once again. He felt a sense of urgency to make the most of every moment, especially with his family.

While his vision remains intact, Roy dreamed of having more adventures with his three granddaughters. His greatest wish was to visit Cherokee, North Carolina, a place where his family could explore the Cherokee part of their heritage in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. To witness his granddaughters’ excitement and wonder as they visited the home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation would be a profound blessing to Roy.

“It means a whole lot to me to be part of the Nation,” Roy said. His last visit to Cherokee had been 17 years earlier.

Roy’s complicated health challenges and financial limitations made the kind of adventure he desired seem impossible, but Wish of a Lifetime changed that.

We were honored to provide Roy and his family a trip to Pidgeon Forge, Tennessee, where they spent a day learning about Cherokee culture in the Qualla Boundary. Roy and his family were welcomed by the local American Legion Post, where Roy was honored with a medallion made especially for him. The family made new, meaningful connections as they enjoyed a day of fun at the well-known nearby theme park, Dollywood, and had the chance to see wildlife in the Smoky Mountains.