Charles in cub scout uniform in front of house

Dad Kenneth with Charles in enlisted dress blues

Living at WR Courtney Texas State Veterans Home in Temple, TX

Enjoying the outdoors on a warm spring day

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen

My dad, Charles, spent his final years at a Texas State Veterans Home.  Naturally, he didn't want to be there, found difficulty each day being happy in his circumstances, and spent a lot of time watching tv and reading.  It was very disappointing that I couldn't have him stay with me, but his medical needs were beyond my capabilities.   It broke my heart having him be unhappy.  

Perhaps seeing that family could not visit very often motivated my dad to open up to his community.  He made friends with other veterans, staff, and volunteers; started a poker night; joined in outdoor activities; sat on the residents board to voice grievances for his fellow residents; and even supported various staff members he felt were not being treated fairly.  

Since Dad passed away at the hospital, many veterans were in the dark about what happened to him, where he was, and felt deprived of a chance to say goodbye.  It was the residents who told me about the Honor March residents receive when they pass away in the home.  It was these same residents who demanded that Dad receive his Honor March!!  They saw to it that the home also provided the family a video and flag since the family could not attend.  

What surprises me is that I knew none of that until after Dad was gone!  Even when I visited or talked to him over the phone, he never told me any of this and maintained a lonely persona.  Maybe my dad was trying to get me to visit more often?  Or maybe he was trying to be humble about his engaging others.  My biggest surprise was my ultimate favorite...Dad started attending church services on-site and was observed being filled with the Holy Spirit!!   I was struggling with the grief of losing Dad, but was just beside myself seeing him denied entrance to Heaven and spending eternity alone.  So my biggest surprise was my ultimate favorite news!  I prayed to the Lord to show Dad grace, and hope Dad found the Lord after all.

CHARLES CYRUS ZENTMYER

Service

VIETNAM

US NAVY,

HN

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

undefined

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us