thedrifter
09-25-08, 10:38 AM
Fargo veteran granted one last wish
Jason Vincent, WDAY, Published Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - He served our country for years, putting in his years of service in the Marines and National Guard. Now, as he battles to stay alive at Fargo’s VA hospital, a North Dakota Veteran has one last wish.
As 62-year-old Robert Hoel gets wheeled out of Fargo's VA Hospital, fulfilling a dream is all he's thinking about. A quick week of planning by VA staff now has Robert taking off on his last wish. A Patriot Guard escort leads him to the Fargo airport, where an awaiting helicopter is ready to take him high above the ground.
Hoel hasn't flown in a copter since his days in the Marines and National Guard decades ago. During the Vietnam era, Hoel helped load weapons for military missions, but today's flight is like no other he's been a part of.
“I’ve been seeing everything from ground level for a long time and mostly the inside of buildings.”
On the ground, his wife of 39 years, and a whole group of onlookers watch as Robert takes off for his 20 minute journey of the valley. As he battles cancer, Robert knows his own life's journey could be cut short at anytime, but giving up is something Robert would not do.
Back on the ground, Robert says during his flight he saw life in a whole new perspective. Something he would have never had experienced without one last wish.
“All I can say is thank you, that's about as well as I can put it.”
MeritCare Physician and pilot Tom Naegle donated his helicopter and time to take Robert on his flight. Robert would like to start a program at the VA so other veterans can also experience their last wish.
Video
http://www.wday.com/tv/?page=video&vid=29_flyhelicopteragain
Ellie
Jason Vincent, WDAY, Published Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - He served our country for years, putting in his years of service in the Marines and National Guard. Now, as he battles to stay alive at Fargo’s VA hospital, a North Dakota Veteran has one last wish.
As 62-year-old Robert Hoel gets wheeled out of Fargo's VA Hospital, fulfilling a dream is all he's thinking about. A quick week of planning by VA staff now has Robert taking off on his last wish. A Patriot Guard escort leads him to the Fargo airport, where an awaiting helicopter is ready to take him high above the ground.
Hoel hasn't flown in a copter since his days in the Marines and National Guard decades ago. During the Vietnam era, Hoel helped load weapons for military missions, but today's flight is like no other he's been a part of.
“I’ve been seeing everything from ground level for a long time and mostly the inside of buildings.”
On the ground, his wife of 39 years, and a whole group of onlookers watch as Robert takes off for his 20 minute journey of the valley. As he battles cancer, Robert knows his own life's journey could be cut short at anytime, but giving up is something Robert would not do.
Back on the ground, Robert says during his flight he saw life in a whole new perspective. Something he would have never had experienced without one last wish.
“All I can say is thank you, that's about as well as I can put it.”
MeritCare Physician and pilot Tom Naegle donated his helicopter and time to take Robert on his flight. Robert would like to start a program at the VA so other veterans can also experience their last wish.
Video
http://www.wday.com/tv/?page=video&vid=29_flyhelicopteragain
Ellie