You sometimes hear things, disturbing things about assisted living locations, retirement homes, or other Senior Citizens community homes. But you don’t hear much, or anything at all about a Veteran’s home, until you plan to visit one with a group such as RFTW.
If you have never been to a home before, prepare yourself for a mixed bag of emotions. It could be a great and cheery visit, or it could be a visit that someone doesn’t want anything to do with you. If so, that’s ok. Just keep one thing in mind, it’s not about you, it’s about them. (Thank you Rocketman for that advice)
I met with a couple of men when I first entered the dinner hall, George and Charles.
George, a fellow Air Force enlisted member, began talking about what it was like when he was enlisted and wanted to know what it was like during my enlistment. He then introduced me to Charles next to him as both men were wheelchair bound.
When I originally walked up to the table they were at, Charles had a distant look in his eyes and was not looking at anyone in the hall.
As I knelt down alongside his chair, I introduced myself. This man grabbed my hand with his only mobile hand and introduced himself, quite softly but still clear. The next request that came from him shocked me to my core.
Charles asked “Are you going to the Vietnam Wall with these folks?”
I replied, “why yes I am. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Yes,” he replied. “When you get there, I would like you to say hello to a buddy of mine.”
“It would be an honor to.” I replied
I spoke with a few others, one in particular that his daughter would come by everyday after work and hopes in a few months that he’d be able to move in with her.
I went outside to get some fresh air and soon realized many veterans were coming outside now that the rain had stopped. Then I noticed George again so I knelt down and started talking to him as he began to talk about his career.
After about 15 minutes, George wanted to go back inside as the heat was getting to him. On our way back inside I asked if he had any family of friends that would visit with him. Confusion swept over his face and I asked if his family would come and visit with him. He sat back quietly in his wheelchair and with a straight face and monotone voice replied “I have no family.”
I slowed the cart and he explained how his niece is the only one and doesn’t visit. “So you see, I have no family.” He finally stated.
“Sir, I really want you to know that we are family, maybe not from the same mother, but definitely brothers.” The smile and excitement that George expressed was undeniable. As I pushed him inside, I shook his hand and bid farewell, promising to return next year to see him again.
Back in the parking lot, everyone could see the different emotions after what they experienced.
My ride back to the hotel found me humbly quiet and thinking over what had just occurred.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but maybe to hear their stories so they wouldn’t be forgotten.
Tomorrow will take us to Bristol TN/VA since I40 was damaged by Hurricane Helene late last year. So we’ll see what venture awaits us tomorrow.
Written by STITCH
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 