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Greetings!
Veterans Day is November 11th and serves as a day for all of us to honor and thank our Veterans for their service. Our country has been celebrating this federal holiday for 74 years and with over 8 million Veterans 65 or older, there's a tremendous opportunity for us to grant many Veterans their Wish of a Lifetime.
Thanks to your support in 2012, Wish of a Lifetime (WOL) has sent more than 53 Veterans from WWII, Korean, and Vietnam wars to see memorials honoring them in Washington, D.C. To read more about these amazing Veterans and view photos, please visit seniorwish.org.
One of our volunteers, Cindy Abrahamson, RN, accompanied two groups of Veterans to D.C. in 2012, she observed an interesting dynamic in each tour: the forging of new friendships. WOL supporters have not only honored these Veterans with a visit to the monuments dedicated to their service, but gave them an opportunity to bond with complete strangers yet comrades, brought together by their past. There's no doubt these new found friendships will live on.
We hope you will join us in acknowledging and honoring our Veterans this November. It could be as simple as expressing gratitude and thanks or as involved as doing something for a Veteran or with them. You can also make a donation to WOL, allowing us to continue to thank other Veterans for their service to our country. For other great ideas on how you can honor a Vet, please click here to go to the History Channel's Veterans Hub
As always, we thank you for our support of WOL and to all our Veterans who have made this country so great.
Best Wishes,
George Bogdewiecz
CEO
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 Workplace Giving All around the country, companies are gearing up for the employee giving campaign season. Whether your workplace participates through United Way, Combined Federal Campaign, your State or City Coordinated Campaign, Community Shares, or another giving system, it is quick and easy to designate your workplace giving to Wish of a Lifetime.
Simply select "other charity," provide Wish of a Lifetime's Tax ID Number of 26-2123649, and our address: Wish of a Lifetime, 1821 Blake St., Suite 200, Denver, CO 80202.
If you have questions, or would like an e-brochure or videos to share with your workplace, please contact Suzanne at (303) 954-9144 x19 or suzanne@seniorwish.org.
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Veteran's Wish Granted to visit Okinawa
Wish Recipient Philip Prince, 86, the youngest of four brothers, was in training for the Army in Florida when he received a call that his oldest brother, Palmer, had been killed in action. Given the opportunity to return home for the memorial service, he chose to continue his training so that he could get into action as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the war ended, and he would ultimately serve in the post-war Philippines. He lived on with the burden of never paying his respects. That is, until last month when his Wish came true...to visit Okinawa and say goodbye. WOL supporter, Dr. Mike Wasserman, accompanied Philip on his journey and shared his thoughts.
It was both an honor and a privilege to accompany Philip to the exact coordinates where his brother was buried at sea after being killed by a kamikaze pilot in 1945. The morning of our boat ride, Philip sat contemplative under overcast skies and choppy waters. It wasn't easy to take a step without holding onto something. However, with a strength belying his years, Philip stood up and moved to the side of the boat. He spoke of the spirit and courage of Palmer and his nine comrades. He stated his thanks for the opportunity to honor their memory. Holding a wreath in his hands he looked to the ocean and tossed it into the water. Mr. Yamada, the fishing boat captain, handed him another bouquet, and Philip paused, then also tossed it overboard. As he watched them float away, the impact of the very moment was obvious. Tears formed in his eyes and after a few moments passed, he turned and gave a thumbs up. Philip told me later that he could feel a huge relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders after 67 years. He could now be at peace with the loss of his brother.
The members of the Greatest Generation gave up a lot for our country. Some gave their lives, many suffered the loss of their loved ones. Those who returned continued to give back to our country including Philip, who lead an exemplary life after serving his country during WWII and the Korean wars.
While this trip was about his Wish, it was also a reminder as to how much seniors have to offer each and every one of us. I am sure that everyone who came in contact with Philip during this journey gained from this experience. I certainly know I did!
Dr. Michael Wasserman
To read more about Philip's journey, please go to Wassdoc.com
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| Our New Mission Video
We are happy to present our new Mission Video and ask that you share it with anyone who may be interested in learning more about Wish of a Lifetime. We believe the video encapsulates everything Wish of a Lifetime embodies and does so through an emotionally moving account from our founder, Jeremy Bloom. The Mission Video can be found on Youtube/JBWOL or seniorwish.org.
A warm and gracious thank you to Linhart PR for their creative vision and production.
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Wishes in the News
Wish of a Lifetime recently gained national attention for some amazing Wishes. Click the stories below to see the effect of your generosity:
Tom's Wish to receive postcards from around the world in USA Today
Ken's Wish to experience zero gravity on WABC-TV in New York.
Four Tuskegee Airmen's Wish to return to Moton Field by Montgomery Advertiser
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