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About a month after being admitted into the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, a colorful banner with the word ‘celebrate’ hung on the frame outside of Marine Corps Veteran Robert Strong’s

intensive care unit room.

There was a flurry of excitement as ICU staff passed around congratulatory cards and wrapped a gift.

As everyone gathered outside Strong’s room, a pop-up paper flower bouquet held by his “Love Dove” and companion of more than 30 years, Cynthia Tomasello, was replaced with fresh-cut roses.

The medical center director held a flameless candle as a Milwaukee VA chaplain read the couple’s nuptials.

Strong and Tomasello were wed on Tuesday, May 27, surrounded by more than a dozen ICU staff members and Strong’s best man, Jack Bucholtz – his friend of more than 55 years who grew up right

down the road from him.

Strong quipped that they wouldn’t have had as big of a turnout if they held their wedding at an outside venue.

Just days prior to the wedding, Strong expressed his desire to marry his sweetheart.

Knowing that tomorrow is not promised, the bride-to-be, Milwaukee VA social workers, chaplain services, and ICU staff jumped into action to fulfill Strong’s request.

Tomasello went to the Washington County Clerk office to apply for a marriage license Tuesday morning. She brought a letter written by Strong’s doctor to justify waiving the waiting period

for the marriage license.

Once the waiver was granted, Leah Giuliani, the ICU social worker, notified the chaplain, the ICU team, other key players, and a Marine Veteran who works as a nurse at the Milwaukee VA to

ensure Strong had a fellow Marine at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the couple contacted Bucholtz to see if he could make it to the medical center before the start of the ceremony. He was doing yard work with his chainsaw and had left his phone in

the house.

“I put the saw down and was filling up the trailer,” Bucholtz said.

He tried to start the chainsaw again, but it wasn’t working. In that time, his wife’s phone rang. It was Tomasello asking if Bucholtz could get to the medical center by 2 p.m.

“There’s a reason why the chainsaw wouldn’t start, because of these guys,” he added, pointing to Strong and Tomasello. “Otherwise, I would’ve been out there still.”

The ceremony went off without a hitch, and the couple expressed their gratitude for those attending.

“Thank you all for being here,” Strong said. “I consider each and every one of you my family members. I wish I could take you all home with me.

“Thank you very much for everything you have done. And I will never forget this day. Ever. It means a lot to me. It’s all from the heart.”

Giuliani coordinated with a fellow social worker to have a small cake delivered for the couple to cut and enjoy.

When asked where they were going on their honeymoon, the couple optimistically resounded with the same answer: home.

Strong, a Vietnam Veteran, is no stranger to the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. He maintains a notebook, writing down the names of the nurses, physicians, and other staff who have directly

impacted him through their attentive care and support. 

He continuously praised the ICU team and his care providers at the Milwaukee VA, adding that everyone smiles here - a simple, uplifting gesture.

The day’s events amplified the dedication and compassion the Milwaukee VA’s ICU staff has for Veterans.

“All of us are so proud to work with Veterans, and whatever they want to try to make their final wishes come true, that's what we try to provide,” Giuliani said. “It's been an emotional day

for all of us because he's been here for a little while.

“We're very grateful. Our team is very blessed to work with all these Veterans. And if we can give them something happy, as little as it is, that's what we try to provide.”