‘Soldier’s Wish’ granted

Last Sunday, the community came together to honor a fallen soldier, and to grant a soldier’s wish. The gathering, which took place at the VFW Post in Owego, was to present Timothy Neild’s family with a wish through Soldier’s Wish, an organization based out of Oklahoma.

In October, 37-year-old Timothy Neild’s life was cut short. Neild served in the military for 19 years, with one of his final tours being in Afghanistan. He returned a decorated veteran, and was an active member at the VFW and one of the newest member’s of the Post’s Honor Guard.

But Timothy Neild was involved in a couple of accidents in which he sustained injuries. According to his mom, Wendy Neild, the accident in December of 2013 caused severe injuries, and her son was not the same after that.

With massive injuries from the accident, Timothy was sent for rehabilitation at Walter Reed for two years. But he never left, and Timothy Neild took his own life on Oct. 13, 2017; leaving behind a daughter, stepson, and a wife and family. 

The sudden loss was tremendous for the family, leaving a grieving widow behind, as well as a father and mother who now have to deal with this tremendous loss.

“He was my best friend, my captain, my son, my best friend,” said Rick Neild.

His mother, Wendy Neild, stated that the support they have been receiving from the veterans in the area and the Veterans Service Agency has been helpful through this process.

“The VFW has been supportive,” said Wendy, adding, “They even provided an honor guard.”

For Soldier’s Wish, a non-profit organization, the goal is to assist the families of veterans, as well as veterans, with a wish. And although there is not a chapter locally, Binghamton residents Marty Dibble and her husband Bob presented the wish locally, and hope to bring a chapter to the Binghamton area.

There were two wishes to be granted to Neild’s widow, with the first being housing assistance, and the second a $1,000 gift card to Walmart. 

Timothy’s widow, Sha-la Neild, decided to move in with her mother for awhile in Johnson City, so the housing assistance wasn’t needed. She was, however, presented with the Walmart gift card last Sunday. 

The process to honor the wish was initiated by Michael Middaugh, from the Tioga County Veterans Service Agency.

Middaugh contacted Soldier’s Wish in Tulsa to learn more, and soon was connected to Mary Dibble, who set the wish in motion.

To assist with funding, Dibble holds a Soldier’s Wish Jamboree each year, and plans to continue hosting them to raise dollars for their efforts to assist families of fallen soldiers, as well as veterans. 

The annual event offers bands, raffles and more. In 2016 and 2017, according to Dibble, over $10,000 was raised for the program. 

Last Sunday’s presentation, Dibble added, was the first wish granted in Tioga County. In 2016, there were two wishes granted out of state.

Dibble further explained that Soldier’s Wish is 100 percent non-profit, and is funded and backed by the American Legion.

Dibble herself has been a 20-plus year member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Susquehanna, Pa. Her husband, Bob, is a two time Vietnam veteran and a 45-year member of the legion. Both are committed to bringing a Soldier’s Wish Chapter to the region, and more information can be found on Facebook, at “2018 Soldier’s Wish Jamboree” or at soldierswish.org.

As for Timothy Neild, he graduated from Candor High School in 1998, and attended Delhi University and Binghamton University for Carpentry and Mechanical Engineering. He was an Afghanistan Veteran and a Bronze Star Recipient, and served as a Captain in the Army National Guard in the 27th Brigade, Syracuse, N.Y. 

In 2013, Neild was discharged from the military after serving time in Afghanistan. That same year he got into a car accident that caused severe head and brain injuries. 

His family says he was in rehab to help him get stronger, but Neild would never return home.

His grieving widow, Sha-la Neild, arrived at the presentation last Sunday, and is in the beginning stages of the grieving process following the loss of her husband.

“Being here is rough,” said Sha-la prior to the presentation.

“It has been exactly one month since his suicide, and the community and the VFW has been very supportive,” she added.

Tearfully, Sha-la added that she would be a different person if it had not been for her husband. The two met in a hospital, and it was love at first sight!

Sha-la explained that they were married after a little over 70 days. “When you know, you know,” said Sha-la Neild.

“I was head over heels in love, and I still am,” she exclaimed.

As for others that might be dealing with the loss of a loved one who served, Sha-la also offered some advice, stating, “Hang in there and take things a day at a time.”

As for Timothy’s father, who served in the military at one time at Ft. Jackson, S.C. and as a Military Police Officer, he praised the Veterans Service Agency and the veterans of the VFW Post for supporting their family.

“Mike [Middaugh] has gone above and beyond for me,” said Rick, adding, “Freedom isn’t free, and I saw a lot of that when I was traveling to Walter Reed Hospital. You see the good, and you see the bad.”

Hugh Baker, from the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Nichols, arrived last Sunday to say a few words at the presentation. 

“Every dime raised goes to this,” said Baker. “One percent of the population defends the freedom of the other 99 percent,” he added.

And for Timothy Neild’s family, this support means everything.

“He was the greatest man I’ve ever known and I pray he’s in God’s graces,” Sha-la Nield, stated. “I know he’s in God graces. I just want him back.”

The event was held at the Glenn Warner Post 1371 in Owego.