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When Marine Corps Veteran Ivson Shelley came to the Lebanon VA Medical Center for a follow-up visit with his oncologist, Suhail Ali, MD, the staff was concerned about how much the former New

York resident had declined since his last appointment. They didn’t think he could be cared for at home any longer, so a decision was made with the family to admit him to the medical

center’s hospice unit Thursday afternoon. Once there, the Marine shared a heartfelt wish with the staff – he wanted to marry his lifelong love, Wanda Rivera. The couple had dated more than

50 years ago and rekindled their relationship 10 years ago. Upon hearing the Vietnam Veteran’s wish, the VA team, led by Hospice Nurse Manager Jessica Himes, RN and Hospice Social Worker,

Erin Miller, MSW, LCSW quickly came together to make it happen.  Palliative care nurse Melissa Buchinski, RN began to research what the requirements were to secure a marriage license for the

couple. She learned they could assist the couple but there is a three-day waiting period in Pennsylvania before a license may be issued once application has been made. Miller and Himes

reached out to their Public Affairs Officer, Douglas Etter, a retired Army chaplain. They asked if something could be done to expedite receipt of the license. Brian Hartman, a Navy Veteran

and the facility’s Safety and Occupational Health Manager was with Etter at the time. He did a quick search online and discovered a waiver could be granted in extenuating circumstances.

Etter knew the Lebanon County Clerk of Orphan’s Court, Brain Craig, so he contacted him and explained the situation. Craig (a USAF Veteran) promised his help and sent the waiver form to

Miller, who completed it with the family. Craig then got a judge to sign the waiver.  Miller used a VA iPad to conduct a virtual meeting from Mr. Shelley’s room with him, his fiancé Wanda

and the county clerk to complete the marriage license application. She then printed it, had the couple sign it and drove it to the courthouse for processing. Staff paid the application fee.

In the meantime, Miller and Etter asked a member of Lebanon’s Chaplain Department, Joel Risser, M.DIV. to perform the wedding ceremony.  The following day, Nursing Assistant, Robin Long,

picked up a cake, trimmed the groom’s beard and then made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup which he requested for the wedding meal. Edna Franchescini Ramos, NA and Louisa Torres, NA

trimmed the excited Veteran’s hair and dressed him for the ceremony in a suit the family brought that morning. The Palliative care team provided a floral bouquet for the bride and Dr. Scott

Shreve provided flowers for the reception decorations. Bobbi Jo Fasnacht, RN, Kim Lysinger, RN, and Himes quickly decorated the day room on the hospice floor while Miller made the

last-minute trip to pick up the marriage license from the courthouse. She arrived just in time for the ceremony! On Friday at 11 a.m., surrounded by his daughter, sister, beloved dog Oprah,

and more than 50 staff members, Mr. Shelley married his sweetheart. Chaplain Risser performed the ceremony and Dr. Edward Kim played his guitar and sang. VA photographer Douglas Wagner 

captured all the expressions of joy. A local harpist who regularly plays on the hospice unit provided music for the reception. The couple celebrated with a kiss, wedding cake and the

Veteran’s favorite comfort food! Mr. and Mrs. Shelley are grateful it’s never too late to fulfill a heart’s desire.  Congratulations to the happy couple and thank you to the dedicated

Lebanon VA team—as well as the Army, Navy and USAF Veterans who all came together to help this USMC Veteran—for making this unforgettable day possible.