Vietnam Vet With Dementia Found 400 Miles From Home

A Vietnam War veteran with dementia was found Wednesday in Pennsylvania 400 miles from his Virginia home after being reported missing Monday. 

Louis Wingard Jr., 77, was found in his truck in Annandale, sitting outside a business, his stepdaughter Keisha said, CBS 6 reported. Someone noticed Wingard looked disoriented and called police to get him help, she said. 

Police found Wingard’s name in a database and realized he had been reported missing in Virginia. His family drove to Pennsylvania so they could bring him home.

Wingard was diagnosed with dementia last fall. He was reported missing after failing to show up to a doctor’s appointment at McGuire VA Medical Center in south Richmond, his family said, CBS 6 reported.

His family believes he became confused while driving and refused to stop and ask for help, according to the news station. It wasn’t clear whether Wingard had caretaking help at home, although such services are available through the VA.

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