A Final Wish
A community helped give a dying man his final wish.
Dennis Hall of Oklahoma served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 with a Duster unit. The Duster was a nickname for the M42 40mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun that was called back into service during Vietnam.
Dennis had always wanted to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., but he and his family all assumed they’d have more time.
Then the 63-year-old was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor that gave him less than a year to live.
“It’s his final wish,” his daughter Amanda Moss said, watching her father at The Wall on Tuesday.
Amanda traveled with him, as did his wife Frances and his granddaughter Bianca.
Amanda said that when they found out about the brain tumor, they decided to come to Washington, but had to figure out how to fund the trip.
A family friend recommended a yard sale to raise funds and their friends and community donated items to sell. Bianca contacted the local television station in hopes that they would tell people about the sale. Instead, the station did a story about Dennis and his wish to see The Wall.
The community response was overwhelming, Amanda and Frances said. People came to the sale and didn’t buy anything, but in just one day, the community had donated enough money to completely fund the trip. Initially it was just supposed to be Amanda and her dad, but the community raised enough to send Dennis, his wife, Amanda and Bianca to Washington to fulfill his final request.
As his wife pushed him to The Wall in a wheelchair, Dennis was overcome with tears.
When he neared the apex, Jan Scruggs met him there and presented him with an Education Center coin. Scruggs, the founder and builder of The Wall, and Dennis swapped stories about their Vietnam experiences and Dennis showed him photos.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Scruggs told him.
Hall had seen a traveling replica of The Wall in Texas years back, “but I wanted to come see this one,” he said.
Several of his friends are on The Wall, including Howard Ray Thomas Jr., who was killed on March 11, 1969 in Long Khanh, South Vietnam. The Army specialist four was from Oxford, Ala.
Dennis left a POW/MIA flag and a hat in honor of his friends.
His wife also knew a name on The Wall. She grew up with Carl E Wheeler of Moore, Oklahoma. He was killed in South Vietnam on Dec. 14, 1969.
“He’s always been proud of his military service, it kind of molded him,” Amanda said of her father. “For me, this trip makes it okay for him to die because I know I gave it to him. I can’t even tell you what it means to him. He deserves it.”
Dennis lifted himself out of his wheelchair and reached up to touch the name of a friend on The Wall. When he sat back down, he took a few minutes to let the tears flow freely.
He turned back to his family, but was still emotional. His daughter and his wife embraced him and they cried together.
Today, Dennis Hall got his dying wish.
Wow, Im speechless. I was raised in a military family. I was always reminded of all those who fought and gave there all. Thank you to all those who served and continue to. Jerry
Welcome Home Dennis Hall ~ I salute you and thank you for you service ~ Debbie Sheadel
Mr. Dennis Hall , Thank you for your service . I would also like to thank the service of Your wife and family in caring for you during your time away from home and now. I am glad you were afforded this wish from your community as I know first hand how important it is for Vietnam vets to see the wall . Their losses are many and the wounds of those losses are deep . The wall gives some bit of closure and comfort to these men. My husband and I lived in New Jersey and traveled to Florida where we now reside. We stopped in the middle of the night to see the wall when it was very new . Searching for it in the dark we almost walked over the edge ! I commend the people who care for and are always improving this worthy monument.
We appreciate channel 9 and Bianca for giving Dennis hall this opportunity for his wish to come true.
your story touched me deeply…as a vet i feel a sense of brotherhood
a very well deserved trip for this man. thank you for his last chance. it meant the world for him to see and talk with his brothers again. AMEN
Thank you Dennis Hall, you make me so proud to be free in America thanks to you.
Another brother gets to have peace being able to get see the wall. It can only heal a little
And dennis makes it all worth saying proud to be american!!!
Sadly, his brain tumor may have been caused from being exposed to Agent Orange. He gave his life in trying to make Vietnam a better place for all. God rest his soul. I’m sure he’s been welcomed by his buddies in Heaven.
Dennis Gog Bless you brother. I am responding to what is a two year old story of your trip to the Wall. I just pray that this may have reached you with life left and God willing to continue to battle your horrible illness. For your wonderful family I want them to know Carl Wheeler was in our 1st Platoon of Bravo Company, we nicknamed him “pops”, he was just a 19 year old kid with soldier skills of an older man ( and his balding probably had a little to do with the name ).. I was there the nite of Dec 14th 1969′ bravo company was on bunker guard on LZ Bronco ( Duc Pho, South Vietnam ) I was in the main CP with the radio when I heard that Pops had been shot and ran down to his bunker. Several of the guys were already bringing him up on a stretcher and he had a single gunshot wound thru the head. I rarely ever cried during my tour but that nite I broke down like a bb we all loved POP’s and some have visited his gravesite in Oklahoma, I am in California but will get there some day soon Ron Adams BBB Company 4th Battalion 21st Infantry, 11th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division