Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center

Mr. Elmer Wesman, Air Force Veteran, fulfilling his Butterfly Wish to visit the grave of his wife, Henriette.

Thanks to the generosity of employees, volunteers and others outside of the VA, OGJVAMC was able to fulfill wishes for three hospice/palliative care Veterans through its Butterfly Wish Program.  The Butterfly Wish program allows Veterans in inpatient or home-based hospice or palliative care an opportunity to make a wish.  The VA staff collaborates to make their wishes come true. These Veterans selflessly served our country, and fulfilling their wishes had a tremendous impact on them and their families.  Sadly, two of the Veterans have since passed away.

Steve Steeno, 63, is an Army Veteran who served in Viet Nam and retired after serving 24 years at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center.  He had always been physically active biking, running and weight lifting.  However, after his diagnosis of cancer he had to give up his physical activities; he especially missed riding his bike.  Steve’s wish was for a bike that would allow him to be able to ride again.  With the help of VA employees, volunteers and others, and with the assistance from the Veterans Dream Foundation, a red recumbent bike was delivered by VA employees to Steve on August 23, 2012.   Mary Bertucci, Social Worker for Home Base Primary Care, coordinated the wish and arranged to have family members present with their bikes so they could take a bike ride with Steve.

Richard Waldron, 82, served with the Army in Korea from 1951 to 1953. After his discharge, he worked as a farmer for many years as well as at the steel mill. He developed Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the skin. When asked what he would wish for, Richard stated he would like to see his three great grandchildren before he died.  Again, with the help VA employees, volunteers and others, and with the assistance from the Veterans Dream Foundation, Richard was flown from Iron Mountain to Lansing. Michigan, where he spent time with his family from August 21 to August 28, 2012.  While there, he celebrated his 82nd birthday.  His Butterfly Wish package included air fare, calling cards, and a birthday cake.  Richard died at OGJVAMC on September 28.

Mr. Elmer Wesman, 83, served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1952.  After his discharge he was employed by Lockheed, McDonnell-Douglas and Air Research in California, and then as an electrician at the White Pine Copper Mine.  His wish was to visit the gravesite of his wife, Henriette, who died in 2008.  On Sunday, August 5, 2012, Mr. Wesman was escorted by Selena Okler, Palliative Care RN, and driven to Bruce Crossing, Michigan, where he visited his wife’s grave, put a beautiful wreath on it, and had a nice picnic.  Mr. Wesman died at OGJVAMC on August 22. 

Special thanks to Mary Bertucci, HBPC Social Worker, for coordinating the Butterfly Wishes for Steve Steeno and Richard Waldron; the Veteran’s Dream Foundation for managing the funds raised for both wishes; and Susan Scullon and Bryan Carter for helping Ms. Bertucci deliver Steve’s bike.   Special thanks also to Selena Okler, Palliative Care RN, for coordinating Mr. Wesman’s wish and traveling with the Veteran; Adam Hayes, Assistant Recreational Therapist, for identifying the wish; Greg Weiss, Chief of Voluntary Services, for coordinating transportation and the wreath; Nikki Janczy and Tia Romagnoli, CNAs,  for making preparations for the trip; and Christopher Teuteberg and Arms of Angels for providing transportation.

For more photos of the three Butterfly Wishes visit OGJVAMC’s Facebook site at www.facebook.com/VAIronMountain