Wish Stories
We’ve granted over 3,300 wishes
Charles Visits his Alma Mater
Charles, 89, of Clare Bridge of Asheville in Asheville, NC, is a brave military veteran with an inspiring life story. After Charles served in the US Marine Corps, he went to college at Purdue University and was a fullback on their football team for one year. Charles,...
Marjorie Takes a Helicopter Ride
Marjorie’s strong Native American spirit has helped her through a lot in her 69 years. She persevered through the loss of a husband and a child, and survived a battle with cancer. She is very active and involved in her community, volunteering with the Southwest...
Dorothy Plays the Piano at Nordstrom
Dorothy B., 94, of the Carriage Club in Charlotte, NC, is a lovely woman who has a strong passion for playing the piano. Dorothy has been playing the piano for as long as she can remember and has a real gift of music. She can always be found playing the piano for...
Elinor Returns to NYC
Elinor S., 83, of Pittsburgh, PA is a kind-hearted older adult who has dedicated many years of her life to caring for others. Elinor’s Wish of a Lifetime was to go back to New York City, where she was raised, to relive her life’s best memories. Elinor has maintained a...
Peter Tours Winchester Mystery House
Peter, 77, has had a lifelong fascination with the Wild West and the famous Winchester rifles that played a prominent role in that era’s history. His Wish of a Lifetime was to visit the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA. Peter joined the Army on his 18th...
Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Elmer Relives Game Days!
Elmer J. is an 88-year-old former World War II Navy vet and semi-pro football player. Elmer served in the Navy and spent time on active duty, fighting in the South Pacific. Elmer's Wish of a Lifetime is to attend a Pittsburgh Steelers game, to relive some of his most...
Mary Helen Shares a Special Day with Two of her Nieces
Mary Helen is a sharp 86 year old from Charlotte, FL. Her Wish of a Lifetime is to meet her sister Betty's two daughters. She has always had a good relationship with her sister, and they talk on the phone almost every day. Her sister resides in Omaha, NE and has eight...
Don Visits National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force & National WWII Museum
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...
Sandy Becomes a Washington Correspondent
Sandy, 75, is a clever and kind woman who lives at Clare Bridge of Portage, a Brookdale community in Michigan. Sandy loves writing, editing, and politics. Though all have been life-long passions of hers, she's never been able to bring the three together. Sandy was a...
Morris Visits USS Hazard Minesweeper
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...
Lucile Follows in her Father’s Footsteps
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...
Madeline Finally Visits Mackinac Island
Madeline, 91, from Hoffman Estates, IL, is a very determined woman, and always has been. During WWII, she wanted to serve. At that time, a woman had to be 21 to enlist herself without a parent's signature. She was six months shy of 21 and her father was reluctant to...
Naomi Attends her Granddaughter’s Wedding
Naomi, 96, from Georgia was one of the first female dentists in the United States. She went to school at the University of Maryland where she met her husband. After graduating at the top of her class, Naomi and her husband practiced pediatric dentistry together....
Prisoner of War Returns to Anzio Beach
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...
Journey of Heroes October 2013
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...
