From left, Lockwood, N.Y. veteran Michael Farnham shakes hands with Waverly, N.Y. veteran George Whitfield at a wish-granting ceremony held Dec. 17 at the American Legion in Owego. Standing with them is Marty Dibble, a volunteer with the organization, Soldier’s Wish. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
On Sunday, Dec. 17, veterans and community members, along with individuals representing the non-profit, Soldier’s Wish, gathered at the American Legion Post 401, located at 263 Front St. in Owego to acknowledge and grant hero wishes to two Tioga County veterans. Soldier’s Wish, originating out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, provides for the unmet needs of active duty service members, veterans of military service and their families.
Representing Soldier’s Wish were Hugh Becker from the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Nichols and Marty Dibble, a 20-plus year American Legion Auxiliary member based out of Post 1194 in Hillcrest. Dibble’s husband, Bob, is a Vietnam Veteran and 45-year member of the Legion, and is working diligently to bring attention to the Soldier’s Wish organization.
In the last two years, the Dibble’s hosted a Soldier’s Wish Jamboree event at Binghamton’s Mountain Top View where upwards of $10,000 was raised. The next Jamboree will be scheduled during the summer of 2018.
John Holton, director of the Tioga County Veterans Service Agency, and Mike Middaugh, Veterans’ Service officer, attended the ceremony.
Holton shared, “Mike Middaugh and I met Marty Dibble about four months ago and we’ve since realized the opportunity exists to serve many more people in Tioga County.”
One veteran recognized at the event was Waverly, N.Y. resident, George Whitfield. A 20-year retired Air Force and Vietnam veteran; Whitfield received multiple medals and service awards.
From left, Marty Dibble, a volunteer with the organization Soldier’s Wish, and Hugh Becker, from the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Nichols, welcome veterans and guests gathered for a wish-granting ceremony held Dec. 17 at the American Legion in Owego. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Holton said of Whitfield, “He is a prime example of a hero walking among us that we don’t even know.”
Accompanied by his wife of more than 50 years, Nancy, Whitfield received money from Soldier’s Wish to have a new roof installed on his home.
A second veteran recognized at the event was Lockwood, N.Y. resident Michael Farnham. Farnham, an Army veteran, served in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom where he received multiple medals and service awards.
For Farnham, along with his family in attendance, Soldier’s Wish extended money towards paying six months of rent, and in addition presented a $1,000 Wal-Mart gift card.
Marty Dibble commented, “Soldier’s Wish is a phenomenal organization. To be able to help men and women who have served, it is very touching.”
From left, Lockwood, N.Y. veteran Michael Farnham shakes hands with Tioga County Service Agency Director John Holton at a wish-granting ceremony held Dec. 17 at the American Legion in Owego. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
A touching twist to the wishes granted, Whitfield and Farnham exchanged handshakes as Dibble explained, “And this is the gentleman who has volunteered to put the roof on for you.”
Regarding the Whitfield’s roof replacement, Farnham said he has sought out other volunteers to help and will get the job started as soon as weather permits.
Also attending the ceremony were Owego residents Eric and Gary Phelps, Air Force and Army veterans, who presented Whitfield and Farnham each with a memento to take home, a handmade quilt inscribed with their names. The patriotic-themed quilts, made by crafters from various quilting groups in the area and part of a project spearheaded by a local businesswoman, were given in recognition of Whitfield and Farnham’s service.
Whitfield held back tears when Dibble announced that a new roof would be installed on his home, and both Whitfield and Farnham were a little speechless, but very grateful for the wishes granted to them.
The first Soldier’s Wish granted in Tioga County was presented in November to the surviving spouse of Candor High School graduate Timothy Neild, who was a Bronze Star recipient and veteran of Afghanistan.
Pictured, from left, are Tioga County veterans Eric and Gary Phelps, who attended a wish-granting ceremony held Dec. 17 at the American Legion in Owego where they presented two other Tioga County veterans with a special gift. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Baker explained that all the money raised for the Soldier’s Wish organization goes toward granting wishes, adding, “One percent of the population defends the freedom of the other 99 percent.”
For more information about Soldier’s Wish, visit https://www.soldierswish.org. To inquire about services offered through the Tioga County Veterans’ Service Agency, call (607) 687-8228.
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