Columbia VA Employee Goes Above and Beyond to Fulfill Veteran’s Final Wish
Navy Veteran James Anselmo had one final wish: to spend his last days surrounded by family at home in Pennsylvania. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Columbia VA Health Care System and the support of the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, James’s wish became a reality.
After a routine appointment led to the discovery of serious health issues that required immediate hospitalization. Eric Anselmo, James’ son, received a call from his father. “He told me, ‘It’s not good,’” he recalled. Eric immediately flew to Columbia, South Carolina, to be by his father’s side. During this time, Eric stayed at the Columbia Fisher House on Columbia’s WJB Dorn VA Medical Center campus, which provided him with a place to stay close to his father. “The Fisher House was a blessing,” Eric said. “It gave me a place to be close to Dad when he needed me most.”
As James’ condition worsened, his family knew how much he wanted to return home to Pennsylvania. Eric recalls the moment he approached staff with his father’s heartfelt request. “We just wanted to get Dad home. It’s where he wanted to be,” Eric said.
Enter Ashley Crone, a Columbia VAHCS social worker, whose determination and expertise made the impossible possible. Ashley coordinated every aspect of James’ journey, from arranging travel to the airport and securing a medical flight to coordinating transportation from the Pennsylvania airport to the Wilkes-Barre VA. She also ensured paramedics were on hand to accompany James throughout the trip.
“It wasn’t just a transfer; it was fulfilling a Veteran’s final wish,” Ashley said. “I knew how much this meant to the family, and I wanted to make sure everything went smoothly.”
Ashley reflected on the importance of her role in making this happen. “It was about giving James and his family peace,” she said. “Helping a Veteran fulfill their final wish is the greatest honor I could imagine.”
Eric and his sister, Mikki Anselmo, were moved by Ashley’s dedication. “She went above and beyond for our family,” Eric said. “It wasn’t just about logistics for her; it was about making sure my dad felt respected and cared for every step of the way.”
James’ journey wasn’t without challenges, but the collaborative efforts of the Columbia and Wilkes-Barre VA teams ensured his comfort and safety. Upon arrival, James was admitted to the hospice unit at Wilkes-Barre VA, where he spent his final days surrounded by loved ones.
Mikki expressed gratitude for the care her father received, saying, “It’s hard to put into words what it means to have had those last moments together as a family. Ashley and the VA gave us a gift we’ll never forget.”
Dr. Mark Scinico, Chief of Medicine at the Wilkes-Barre VA, echoed the sentiment. “This was a team effort,” he said. “Our mission is to honor and serve Veterans like Mr. Anselmo, and it’s incredibly rewarding to know we helped bring him home.”
James passed away peacefully two days after arriving in Wilkes-Barre, leaving behind a legacy of service and a family deeply appreciative of the care and compassion shown by VA staff. His story is a testament to the lengths VA employees go to honor the wishes of those who have served.
“We couldn’t have done it without Ashley,” Eric said. “She made my dad’s final wish come true, and for that, we’ll always be grateful.”
For more information about what’s going on at the Veterans medical center, clinic locations and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, keyword: VAColumbiaSC.