Cancer Can’t Steal This Navy Vets Dream

I am a navy vet who retired after 30 years of service. I am thankful for my time in the navy where I fell in love with the ocean and enjoyed so many wonderful experiences cruising the world. When I retired my only dream was to take a cruise and not have to work. With the demands of raising my family and providing for them I have not be able to realize this dream yet.

In August as my wife and I prepared for our youngest to begin his senior year the plans of being empty nesters started the talks of finally realizing the dream of cruising. Unfortunately, in late August I found out that I had stage 4 cancer related to my Navy service. Treatments have been difficult, but we remain hopeful for healing. All this has really made me know that I want to take my dream cruise with my kids. I missed so many things serving in the Navy for 30 years. Birthdays, Holiday, Sporting Events and I want to share this time with them while I can. I have always wanted to do two things. Cruise without working and visit the USS Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor. I was privileged to serve on the Missouri and was aboard the crew for her last trip. I have so many amazing memories aboard this ship. I want to share this with my kids, and I can’t afford to make the trip without your help. Several people have contributed towards me making this trip a reality and I am so thankful. Many of you have asked over the past months how you can help our family, and we have been grateful. We would love it if contributing to this trip would be the way for you to help.

We are hopeful that my cancer will be defeated but we do not know if this is the only trip I will have or the first of many. I don’t want to miss this opportunity of living out my dream so please partner with me to achieve my dream.