When Marine Corps Veteran Ivson Shelley was admitted to hospice care at the Lebanon VA Medical Center in Pennsylvania, he shared a heartfelt wish: to marry his lifelong love, Wanda Rivera.
The couple had dated over 50 years before and rekindled their relationship 10 years ago. Upon hearing the Vietnam War Veteran’s wish, the VA team quickly came together to make it happen.
Last-minute preparations
Staff coordinated with a judge to waive the three-day marriage license waiting period and helped the couple complete the application virtually. Nurses helped Shelley trim his beard while other staff quickly decorated the day room on the hospice floor. A social worker made a last-minute trip to pick up the marriage license just in time for the ceremony.
Music, wedding cake and grilled cheese
In the presence of his daughter, sister, beloved dog Oprah, and more than 50 staff members, Shelley married Rivera. A VA chaplain performed the ceremony and a local harpist who regularly plays on the hospice unit provided music for the reception.
The couple celebrated with wedding cake and the Veteran’s favorite comfort food: grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, lovingly prepared for all who attended by a nursing assistant.
Congratulations to the happy couple and thank you to the dedicated Lebanon VA team for making this unforgettable day possible.
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Semper Fi Marine, may you & your bride have many happy days together. May God bless the two of you.
Semper Fi Marine, may you & your bride enjoy each other for the time you have left. May God bless the both of you.
My fellow brother, Vet-God bless you and your wife, happy wedding day!
God be with you forever!
Willaim ONeill-Vietnam Vet! 1966-67
What a sweet story. Can’t believe the ole boy waited 50 years though and for the most part it looks like she hung in there. It surely is true love. There is just something about those Marines! I’ve been married to mine for 63 years! First time he saw me he told me he was going to marry me. Love the treamthat put everything together. Nothing like a grilled cheese and tomato soup. God Bless you all. Semper Fi ???
Thank you very much for sharing the marriage . My husband was in Korean War during 1953-1957. He has been diagnosed with Leukemia and also has blood disorder cancer on top of the horrific pain he endures with his knees which is service related. I do not know the procedure or where to start to gather information for him.
His info is on record. I hope you get back to me so I can help him or give a contact number so I can contact for information I should have.
Thank you very much again for sharing.
Siempre fi
I’m a 67 years young Marine… You hardly ever hear about these stories any more thus it was great to read the “Marine marries in hospice… ” Thank you and God bless the 50 year (on and off) couple recently married… ABOUT TIME MARINE!!
Thank you for making their wishes one true.
Truly “SEMPER FI”
My, my, my..what an amaxing story. God bless them on their journey and those that made it happened….blessings.. Happy marriage. Aloha from Hawaii
Thank you for your service, Sir.
Ho’omaika’i to this Ahmazing Beautiful Couple with loved ones surrounding their Holy Covenant. A Marriage Made In Heaven ?! Love Never Fails ? Thank You For Your Service Sir ??????
Wow. A wonderful love journey. Congratulations to the couple and continued blessings. Thank you Lebanon VA Team.
This is very touching. I pray that they can cherish every moment together.
This is wonderful.
“Ride On” you lovely couple! Eternal Love and Peace to you!
\s\ Sergeant Major E9 (USA-Ret)
There’s nothing like seeing and making any and everyone happy. There’s really not any words to express the gratitude I feel right now.
Thank God for all who made this event come to life, you’re awesome!!!
Beautiful story.
True love!
I hope we can all love like this.
So glad this veteran was never left alone.
what a tear jerker. magnificent story of love. thank you lebanon va medical center for always going the extra mile. may the shelley family be blessed.
Beyond EXCELLENT…..Glad to see the VA Team make a Vets last moments/time a beautiful occasion. Its VA People like these that make me VETS really feel appreciated and what we did – it was worth it. God Bless the Happy Couple.
Congratulations! Real, soul searing love transcends time. What mortal time remains between you both, will be eclipsed with the knowledge the heart always wins.
What a fantastic story.
Ahh, a happy ending. I believe in love everlasting. Congratulations.
Brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks to all who did this beautiful wedding.
Congratulations!!! So happy you guys finally got married.
So happy for you both, Congratulations!
How wonderful to read this sweet story. Happy that the VA staff helped this lovely couple to get married. It warmed my heart to read this story. Thank you for sharing!
That was such a great story. Bravo Zulu to the Lebanon Medical Center.
Never give up on a good thing.It seems love was waiting for a second chance.May love and happiness be with this couple for the remainder of their lifes.This is not the first good story I have heard from the Lebanon VA team.
Congratulations to Ivson and Wanda. This is a wonderful heartwarming story. Thank you VA for all you do.
Thank you for making his dream come true. God Bless him , his wife and the VA Staff for all you do and have done for him and other Veterans.
OOOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAH and beaucoup CONGRATULATIONS Wanda and Ivson, Mr & Mrs Shelley!! God Bless your beautiful Marriage!!!
Congratulations. All the best.
This is beautiful for the marrying couple and for the staff at Lebanon VA medical Center. You all should be proud of yourselves!
Beautiful story!
What a touching story! The care provided by all the staff is immeasurable. What a blessing to be surrounded by such a village of caring individuals. Everyone pitched. in to make this a memorable day for all who were there to witness the beautiful marriage celebration Mr. Shelley and Ms. Rivera exemplified the true meaning of in sickness and in health.
Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Shelley. I wish you a life worth of I do(s).
What a wonderful story, too bad it didn’t make national news. Enjoy this moment! Thanks to the staff who put this all together, true Angels!
Congratulations to the newlyweds. Benefits or not aside, marriage does allow for his wife to make crucial medical decisions on his behalf. God bless the staff for pulling everything together, especially the aide who made soup and grilled cheese sandwiches! Sounds like the day was filled with love.
Thank you for sharing this story.
Congratulations Ivason & Wanda The love of your life
May God work a miracle for the newly weds.
Wonderful. Love never grows old and it’s never too late.
Congratulations to you, and may God bless you both!
We send our congratulations and best wishes from California to the both of you Ivson and Wanda on a very happy marriage.
John & Patti
The way he looked at her, brought tears to my eyes. I am glad they were able to make his wish come true.
Congratulations! God Bless your marriage. ❤️❤️❤️
What a sweet, beautiful story – it brought tears to my eyes. My gratitude goes to all the staff that made this wedding possible. May God bless you all for blessing Ivson and Wanda.
Congrats to the Lovely Couple. May the Lord Bless & keep you always & forever!
USN(Ret) Vet
That is awesome!! Dozens of kudos to staff that made it happen for them. You guys went above and beyond for this couple
Congratulations ?. It is too bad she will not receive his benefits. Just happened to me. We lived together 14 years, married last St. Patrick’s Day. He lost his battle with small cell cancer in September. We had been “legally” married six months. VA says by getting married it cancelled out any 14 year common law & denied all benefits as we were not married a full year. Receiving NOTHING. Will continue the fight so I be laid to rest with him when my time comes. Very sad. Can’t even get USAA insurances.
Hello Tammy,
Your story is heartbreaking. Do you have a service officer helping you? I pray you will get some relief. Losing your husband is a grief that is hard to bear, and this is beyond sense. Deepest condolences. Kathleen
It’s nice to have something nice comes out from something so sad. I salute to my follow Marine and also ‘Thanking him for his service”! Sempi- Fi.
It’s never too late for dreams to true. Congratulations
?⚘
So awesome, many blessings.
Congratulations Ivson & Wanda, and may God bless you, glad you were able to marry your sweetheart!!
A loving story. Thank you Sir for your service and I’m also is a disabled veteran.
SEMPER FI MAC, IT’S THOSE SMALL MIRACLES THAT GO ALONG WAY .CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL CONCERN….
What a beautiful y wonderful love story. I found my lost love after 40
years. Married him at 80 years old.
Now our dream came true.
Age y health should never make a difference when you love someone
and you know what your doing.
May God Bless them with happiness.
Time goes fast, but love stays!!
Worth a million. Fine reporting.
That’s the most beautiful love story I have ever heard. It inspired me because my ex-husband and I want to remarry. He is a disabled veteran in a nursing care facility. We have been together for 45 years. I have taken care of him for the last 25 years. He says as soon as he is discharged, he wants to get remarried. Ivson and Wanda have inspired me.
Congratulations to the married couple. What a beautiful loving friendship now husband and wife! God bless them. I commend the VA hospital there in Va that helped this happen.
Our mortal frames are temporary, but love is forever. Peace upon you.
This is very exciting! The best to both of you.
Beautiful what a blessing God is good all the time
Congratulations May God continue to bless your union!
Absolutely Beautiful!
Such a sweet love story…
Awesome and congratulations
Now that is LOVE!
Nice! Much well deserved happiness.
Awesome! Congratulations to you both ??
Congrats to such a cute couple. May you enjoy each other and for that love never ends. Thanks to the VA for making this possible.
I am so happy for you both.
May God grant you both many happy years together. Miracles happen if you believe.
The spouse may be qualify for benefits not available to a non-spouse. Contact the VA Benefits Center to apply. I immigrated to our great country seventy years ago as a teenager and without direction in my life. I joined our military which afforded me future job training, exposure to the American way of life and a way to see a good portion of our country. Upon discharge, I took advantage of the G.I. Bill and obtained a college education, primarily thanks to Uncle Sam. Everything I have or own is the result of the opportunities citizens have. God bless the USA!
Congratulations to the both of you!
Congratulations ???
Such a touching story?
Congratulations Ivon & Wanda, and may God bless you
Congratulations to Devil Dog Ivson Shelley and his lovely bride, Wanda Rivera.
Congratulations!
A wonderful story congratulations to you both V A is the best