Walter Ryce has experienced a lot of tragedy in his life. First, as a soldier in Vietnam and later as a high school social studies teacher where his classroom overlooked the burning twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001.
However, now that he retired and moved to California, he’s finding renewed purpose as a volunteer at the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula.
“From warmly greeting and assisting visitors at the hospital, to helping cancer patients navigate their journey, to providing comfort through connection to a therapy dog, and other services, volunteers like Walter are known for going above and beyond the call of duty to provide patients with an extra level of support,” a story in the Monterey Herald reported.
“Anything that calls me into service gives me purpose,” said Ryce. “I was a medic in the military. It was fast, it was dire, it was hopeful. I always wanted to be a medic again. Volunteering for Community Hospital is stable, constant, demanding — just what I need right now, to be a contributor.”
The full story can be found at the Monterey Herald.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.