Wish Stories
We’ve granted over 3,300 wishes
Dot Attends Granddaughter’s Wedding
When 87-year-old Dorothy “Dot” L. met her first grandchild as she came into the world 32 years ago, she fell in love and has felt that way ever since. Renee has been a great source of pride for Dot for all of her years, becoming a regional manager of 7 banks in Texas...
Dick Takes a Dive in an Aquarium
Dick is a 75 years-old native of Lamar, CO. He started scuba diving at the age of 15 in the lakes of Southern Colorado, and he carried that passion with him throughout his life. Unfortunately, Dick had a stroke in 1998, leaving the left side of his body completely...
Joann Brushes up on her Spanish
Joann, 70, of Denver is passionate about foreign languages, particularly Spanish. Her Wish of a Lifetime was to attend a Spanish-enthusiast meet-up group to practice her skills and enjoy the company of others who have a similar interest in foreign languages. Her...
Tom Takes One Final Ride in Fire Engine
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 Returns to the Shores of Normandy
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 Meets with the National Security Administration in Washington, D.C.
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 Visits his Commemorative Tree
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...
Three Seniors Make a Trip to Washington, D.C.
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....
Eleanor Meets Triplet Great Grandchildren for the First Time
Eleanor is a 100 year old woman devoted to her family. Her older adult living community, Wynwood of Madison West, gave her news of her greatest birthday wish: to meet her triplet great grandchildren. Eleanor was married to her husband Colbie for 66 years. During that...
Jim Flies in an Open-Cockpit Navy Training Plane
Jim, of Galleria Woods in Hoover, AL, is an 84-year-old retired Physicist with a passion for flying. Jim has had his Wish of a Lifetime to fly in an open-cockpit biplane for almost 70 years. Jim’s Wish started to take shape when he took an Aeronautics class in high...
Seven Veterans Visit Washington, D.C. for the First Time
On October 9th and 10th, 2012, 7 veterans - representing 3 major Wars: WWII, Korea, and Vietnam - were granted their Wish of a Lifetime to see the War memorials on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the very first time. The group hailed mostly from the Denver...
Lucille Attends Air Force Reunion
Lucille, 81, of The Sterling House in Salem, OH, is a proud veteran of the Air Force. She displays her Air Force pictures prominently around her apartment, explaining each of them to new visitors. She has gone to every reunion she possibly could – they are usually the...
Edward Revisits his Childhood Roots at the Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Edward, 93, is a resident of Chicago, IL. Edward's Wish of a Lifetime was to visit the Upper Peninsula in Michigan where he could relive some of his fondest childhood memories and honor his late grandparents. Edward's sight isn't what it once was, but he remains sharp...
Tuskegee Airmen Visit Moton Field
The Tuskegee Airmen are a unique group of veterans who overcame racial discrimination and segregation within the US Armed Forces, and who became one of the most successful aviation groups in Europe during WWII. It was the Wish of a Lifetime for four Airmen from Dallas...
Obie Sets Sail on a Patrol Torpedo 658
Owen "Obie", 87, of the Chambrel at Williamsburg, served in the US Navy during WWII from 1943-1946. He was the Gunner's Mate First Class on a Patrol Torpedo (PT) boat. He recently discovered that a PT boat exactly like his that was originally built in 1945 was...
