LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — At the base of Monument Terrace in Lynchburg, veterans have been gathering every week for almost 25 years to show their support for fellow service members.
And now a 97-year-old Korean War veteran, Dan Villarial, needs support.
After serving his country in the Korean War and spending decades supporting fellow veterans at the weekly troops rally, Villarial is now on the receiving end.
His family has set up a GoFundMe for a golf cart to help give him a safer and easier way to get around.
After giving up his driver’s license less than a year ago, Villarial can no longer visit family members who live just down the road from him in his rural community.
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His family says seeing their once active father isolated at home prompted an idea to bring back some of his independence.
Local veteran Steve Bozeman said the veteran community is in full support.
“We support each other; we support the troops mainly when we started this, but now we support each other, like him, we need a fundraiser, okay, let’s do it,” said Bozeman.
A GoFundMe campaign is now up and running to help raise funds for a golf cart for Villarial, as nearly 8 years ago he had a quadruple bypass.
Villarial says he’s thankful he’s part of a community that serves others in their time of need.
“We’re here to help one another, and if other veterans do need help, we’re here to help them to make sure it will turn out just as good for them as it is for somebody else,” said Villarial.
Villarial’s son, Fred, says the outpouring of support has been eye-opening, as he can now see just how many lives his father has touched.
“He’s served the veteran community and the general community at large, so yeah, he’s well known, and we’re grateful that people are considering this and we’re blessed,” said Fred Villarial.
Villarial says he could not be more grateful for the group of service members standing by his side when he needs them most.
“It’s just a pleasure to know these guys, and just to be here with the guys and that I’m one of the veterans that kept this country of ours going,” said Villarial.
Right now, the Villarial family is just $1,000 shy of their fundraising goal.
If you’d like to contribute to their GoFundMe, click here.
