Parris Island , South Carolina ( CNN ) -- Charles Burns steadies himself , using the arms of his wheelchair , before pushing up into a standing position . His wife , Lisa , places a firm hand under his frail arm , helping him to his feet . Once upright , Charles places his hand across his heart as the band plays the national anthem at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , the training facility for all Marine recruits east of the Mississippi River . The former chief petty officer in the Navy , who served a one-year tour of duty as a crew member on patrols along the Mekong River Delta in South Vietnam during that war , had just one wish for Father 's Day -- to watch his son , Ryan , graduate from Marine Corps boot camp . On Friday , his wish came true . `` I 've done this trip a million times in my mind , '' he said . Vets : There is no shame in not being Superman . The 65-year-old Navy veteran is dying , making last week 's feat bittersweet . But not even a series of strokes , diabetes and heart failure would stop him from making the 1,000-mile trek from Rockland , Massachusetts , to Parris Island , South Carolina , to see his boy . `` I promised him I would n't die unless he got out here with his uniform , in one piece , and that he earned it , '' he said . `` Outside of that , my commitment is just being a father . I 'm happy it turned out the way it is . '' With help from the Norwell Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice , and on-site medical assistance available from the Marines in case an issue arose , Charles was able to see his son 's big day in person . `` Ryan , '' he said , pausing . `` He 's an amazing kid . There is n't anything he 's done , or will do , that he does n't excel in . '' Following a stroke in 1998 , Charles ' health forced him to retire from his post as a power lineman for Boston Edison , the electric company serving the Boston area . By the time Ryan enlisted in the Marines last fall , his father had already spent six months in the hospital in need of treatment for heart failure . That and diabetes rule him out for a heart transplant . He entered hospice care in September . Ryan left for boot camp in April . Charles smiles in pride as Ryan 's Platoon 2053 , Hotel Company , 2nd Recruit Training Battalion passes his front-row perch in the covered stands , while a weeping Lisa buries her face in a tear-soaked tissue . `` Every child , whether it 's a boy or a girl , when they say they want to be a Marine , or want to be something other than just a civilian , that means a lot to me , '' he said . Scores of family members rush onto the concrete parade grounds after the ceremony concludes . Among the crowd is Charles , who is pushed by Lisa toward Ryan as he emerges from the crowd . `` There he is , '' yells Lisa . Ryan , dressed in full uniform , quick-steps toward his parents and throws his arms around his father . The two share a long , quiet embrace before Ryan hugs his crying mother . `` Amazing . Loving and fate-filled amazing , '' Lisa said about attending graduation . Military service is a Burns tradition . Charles joined the Navy following high school in 1965 . Ryan 's grandfather served in the Army during World War II . Ryan , now 20 , was a fourth-grader when he first decided he wanted to join the military after watching the 9/11 attacks . Then , 12 weeks ago , he answered the call of duty when he left for boot camp . It 's mission accomplished for Ryan , now an official U.S. Marine , and his terminally ill father . `` Me and my dad had a bet . When I came here to Parris Island , it was ' I 'll finish boot camp as long as you make it to my graduation . ' So we both had mission accomplished . And we 're here today . So I could n't ask for anything more , '' he said . Ryan said he does n't know what keeps his father going , adding that he was humbled to have `` that much support '' from his family . `` He 's definitely the strongest will-powered man I know . There 's no fight he has n't been able to overcome . He 's never given up , '' Ryan said . `` He 's my hero . '' As for Charles , he draws strength from his wife and son , and is taking life one day at a time . `` Have a little pride in yourself . And stick to it , whatever it is . Do n't let up , even if you fail . Tomorrow you can start again , '' he said . Justices dismiss law making lying about military honors a crime .
Charles Burns , 65 , entered hospice care in September . His dying wish was to see his son , Ryan , become a Marine . He died on October 1 at the age of 75 after battling cancer for several years.