I met Elmer while delivering Meals on Wheels and I discovered the most humble, kind, gentle and sweet man. He served our country in WW2 and he has the heart of a saint. Because Elmer has well outlived his expectations, his savings for medical care and home care have run out. I ask that if you can help in any way, that you might pray for Elmer and possibly contribute financially to help with his ongoing medicine and nursing needs. Any amount you can help contribute will make a difference. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for caring about others! Iris https://gofund.me/e397532f
Thanks for your interest, Owen. He does receive very limited coverage from the VA, but it's not enough for the 24/7 nursing care that he needs. His last wish is to be able to die in his own home rather than in a state facility; especially because he doesn't have any family to help take care of his needs. I suppose he would feel very alone and abandoned in a facility and that's why he prefers to be able to pass in a peaceful place like home. He does also get social security, but it's not enough to cover his care. He needs help with pretty much everything (meals, bathing, medicine, etc) since he can't get around too well, but he's such a happy guy despite the fact that he's committed to an easy chair most of the day. And his mind is so sharp...he tells me stories from WW2 and his life and he can recount everything. He's really an amazing man who has had an amazing life and I would love for his last months/years to be just as nice. I know his funds will run out soon, so I'm trying to help out in any way that I can to help him stay where he's at with his current nurses who take great care of him. I've been delivering Meals on Wheels to him for over a year now and I love getting to visit with him shortly each time I deliver to him. Thanks again for your question, Owen. I will continue to explore opportunities to help Elmer.
Elmer's full name is Elmer Shapiro. Here is a link to his service information from the LIbrary of Congress: Elmer Shapiro Collection I'd also love to share some articles about him from the OC Register: 2 Laguna Woods veterans to be guests of U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor commemoration – Orange County Register Honor Flight Network provides World War II vets their ‘final tour,’ in D.C. – Orange County Register Laguna Woods honors ‘Greatest Generation’ of veterans – Orange County Register If you need me to print any of the articles for you (and attach them) just let me know. I think the OC Register requires that you are a member to view the articles. Thanks for your interest in Elmer! Iris
Oh thank you so much, Opana! That means a lot to me! I'll head over there right now and get it posted there! Thanks again very much! iris
Hi Opana! I registered on the WWII Forum and I'm just awaiting approval - thanks again for your help with that. In the meantime, I was able to convert those OC Register articles to PDF, so I wanted to share Thanks! Iris
What unit was he in ? If there is a modern equivalent , maybe today's soldiers could do a sponsored event to raise funds.
He served in the US Army from 1943-1946, but I don't know what his unit was. I can ask him when I see him this Friday. That's a great idea to have a sponsored event within that network. There is even a small network of support for the WW2 vets within his senior community so maybe I can reach out to them as well. I appreciate the ideas! Thank you! Iris
