HOUSTON – Just before sunrise on a beautiful morning in Galveston Bay, a small group headed out on a fishing boat to find their morning catch. Today’s VIP: Marine Veteran Dicker Ray Chavis.
For Mr. Chavis, fishing isn’t just a hobby, it’s a connection to his childhood.
“I was born in Opelousas, Louisiana,” said Chavis, who is now 68 years old.
“I grew up fishing, but it’s been years and years since I’ve been able to fish like this,” he added, explaining that he had never actually been fishing from a boat.
At 19 years old, Chavis enlisted in the marines, serving six years during the Iran hostage crisis.
“It was when they first bombed the United States embassy in Iran, and all of a sudden we got deployed,” said Chavis, who admitted he was a bit nervous.
“I was just a boy from Louisiana. All I could do was say a prayer and hope for the best,” he added.
Mr. Chavis says his time in the Marines shaped the rest of his life.
Now, decades later, one simple wish brought him back to something he loves: fishing. It all happened through the Houston chapter of Twilight Wish, a national non-profit that honors seniors 65 and older who have dedicated their lives to serving others.
Sometimes the wishes are for an experience like attending a sporting event or meeting a celebrity. Other times, it’s for basic needs.
“We’ve had requests for wishes for hearing aids, for something as simple as sneakers,” said Jena Buchanan, Wish Coordinator for the Twilight Wish Houston Chapter.
“We want to be able to give these experiences and these things to seniors that wouldn’t otherwise be able to provide that for themselves,” she added.
For Mr. Chavis, his wish mean climbing aboard a boat at Eagle Point Fishing Camp in San Leon, with volunteers determined to make sure he caught dinner.
It didn’t take long before the fish started biting.
For Eagle Point Fishing Camp’s owner, Eric Valentino, offering his boat and his expertise was an easy decision.
“We have the resources and if he wants to go out fishing and that’s a wish he had, then I wanted to make it happen,” said Valentino.
Initially Mr. Chavis was hoping he would catch at least one fish so he could cook it for dinner. So naturally, after catching fish after fish after fish, his smiles and laughter continued to build.
“This is the most I’ve heard him laugh, smile, and have such a great time in a long time,” said Stephanie Brooks, who coordinates activities for Veterans through U.S. Vets.
Tonight, there’s no doubt about what will be on Mr. Chavis’ dinner plate.
“I’m having a ball,” exclaimed Mr. Chavis.
“My wish have come true,” he added.
Twilight Wish has granted more than 7,400 wishes to deserving seniors around the U.S.
