Veteran Profile: Jimmy and Dorothy Wiseman, Up for the Adventure
Jimmy and Dorothy Wiseman are each mechanically-inclined in their own way. While Dorothy’s career as an aerospace technical writer made her part of the pioneer engineering team of the C-17 flight simulator, Jimmy’s expertise served him as the lead brake tester for Waste Management’s fleet of trucks. But many years before Jimmy helped deploy these trucks familiar across the country, he repaired Dorothy’s roommate’s truck one fateful day.
“He was a skinny little guy,” Dorothy laughs, reminiscing about their meeting. Both she and Jimmy had previously been married, had children, and begun careers when they crossed paths in their early 40s. As a sometime ballroom dance instructor, Dorothy charmed Jimmy, who offered to pay her to be his dance partner. From there, they learned just how much they had in common. Along with a budding romantic connection, they soon became partners at Jimmy’s mobile mechanic business, with Dorothy providing administration.
Armed Forces Service
In 1975, a young Dorothy had been working at a shopping center in her hometown of Kansas City, KS, when she came across a suite of recruiters. “I happened to walk up to the Army National Guard,” she says, “and that’s where I signed up.” Seeking educational opportunities and some adventure, she went to Fort Jackson, SC, for basic training, then was largely stationed at Fort Reilly, KS, with some service in Michigan. Along with technical writing, she was assigned duties driving vehicles or assisting drivers, such as when she helped guide the Gama Goat, a huge, heavy amphibious vehicle developed for Vietnam-era combat. When the Goat once got stuck between two trees, “they had to just cut them down!”
She also went hang gliding and piloted a converted Cessna T210 plane, reaching 17,500 feet—just 500 feet lower than commercial aircraft. After six years in the Army National Guard, Dorothy settled in California to continue an aerospace career as a civilian, working for the McDonnell Douglas Corporation (part of Boeing since the 1990s).
Meanwhile, Jimmy had joined the Army in 1970, serving in the Vietnam conflict and completing basic training at Fort Ord on the Monterey Bay. He was promoted from E-4 to E-7 so that he could command a bridge tank (a sight for anyone who hasn’t seen one). Serving part of his time in Frankfurt, Germany, Jimmy commanded a tank and served as a helicopter crew chief. While he remembers Vietnam as “a bad time” with some very difficult experiences, he fondly remembers travels through Europe, notably Amsterdam. He marveled at castles and churches and learned a lot about the world’s beauty.
He also remembers small moments of levity, like when his general made him the only soldier allowed near the floor shiner after he proved his aptitude. Decades later, he is still proud of standing out for his care and attention to detail.
Remembering their time in the service, Dorothy says she wishes others “would understand the rigorous training you have to go through” to respond to potential threats. Once servicemembers return to civilian life, the rules change, and they have to adapt to de-escalation, sometimes with little support. Jimmy agrees, and adds that the armed forces are all about following directions. “If you go with what they say, you’ll do fine. If you don’t, you’ll have a bad time.” He adds that he succeeded by remembering “spit-shined boots, and starch and creases in your uniform.”
Life After Service
Meeting as veterans, Dorothy and Jimmy had much in common, including a sense of adventure. In 2004 (they think), the couple set off on a multi-year road trip on an 18-wheel semi truck, visiting the 48 contiguous states. Sometimes, Dorothy would be cooking in their kitchen in the truck while Jimmy drove. They became a fixture among other road warriors, especially those stuck in snow, for offering coffee and hospitality. For decades now, they have lived together, worked together, and traveled together. 
Currently, they live in a small town in Missouri, which made it difficult to get the assistive care Jimmy needed. “It is extremely hard to find someone that’s good. I could tell you some horror stories,” Dorothy notes. Thankfully, they found caregivers they love and trust. “I love my girls. They help me a lot,” says Jimmy, with Dorothy adding that she now feels secure leaving Jimmy at home when she runs errands.
Care for Jimmy was made possible through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit, for which he qualified and which the Wisemans accessed with VetAssist’s help. They were also able to access devices like a shower chair and support handle for the bathroom—and, Jimmy’s favorite, a therapeutic massage chair. “Every time I ask for something, they usually give it to me,” says Dorothy.
Thanks to Aid and Attendance, the Wisemans’ life has gotten safer and easier. It’s VetAssist’s privilege to take part in helping amazing veterans like this couple.
