When one stops to consider just how long ago World War II was, it’s almost baffling to think that there are still men and women out there who lived through it; who fought in the battles, who worked hard to support the effort, who wondered if life would ever be the same again.
Given the timespan in question, World War II veterans are quite literally a dying breed. That’s why it should go without saying that we should praise and do our utmost to show respect whenever we encounter them.
After all, it’s no great exaggeration to say that we wouldn’t be here today – at least not in the world we know – if not for them.
Fortunately, Elizabeth Dowling, of Brooklyn, New York, knows the importance of paying tribute to veterans. She moved to Brooklyn about nine years ago, and it wasn’t long before she crossed paths with a 96-year-old WWII vet named Jack Le Vine.
As per the New York Times, Jack signed up to the Navy just a few short weeks before he turned 18. He was assigned to the USS Lesuth, out in the Pacific, before becoming a machinist’s mate first class on the aircraft carrier USS Gilbert Islands.
Reflecting on his time serving in WWII, he explained: “When they said, ‘Man your battle stations,’ my battle station was the throttle. I controlled the speed of the boat.”
It turns out, that when the war was done and won, and Jack could return to the US, he still sought out ways to help others. He then joined the New York City Fire Department in 1957, where he served for 20 years, becoming captain in the process.
Sadly, Jack’s wife passed away recently. Given that most all of his fellow veterans have died as well, that meant he was facing spending Veterans Day alone this year.
Elizabeth Dowling, who lives nearby, decided to intervene.
“A WW2 Vet lives on 18th St. He’s 96, and may not see another Veteran’s Day,” she posted on Nextdoor. “In the windows you’ll see an old photo of him in uniform. He’s also retired from the FDNY.
“Please consider leaving a little token of gratitude this Thursday. A flag, flowers, card, patriotic or Veteran related stuff, FDNY, something your kid makes… use your imagination. He’s lived on this block for his entire life.”
Even before Veterans Day, letters of appreciation began to flood in for Jack.
A potted plant showed up with a card featuring a hand-drawn soldier. It read: “Thank you for fighting for our country. From Abigail, age 7.”
Another man arrived with a gigantic stack of letters written by his children and their classmates at school. He told Jack: “You’ll be reading these for days.”
Ariel Clark and her 8-year-old twin daughters, meanwhile, gave Jack special thanks.
“We are so, so grateful,” Ariel told him. “My grandfather was in Auschwitz. … My father was born in a displaced persons camp and so without you, none of this would be possible.”
As for Jack himself, he was delighted at the appreciation.
“These people must love me on this block!” he said.
We’re sure they do, Jack! And we think it’s fantastic that a man who has so greatly served his country could be singled out for praise.
Share this article if you, too, have the utmost respect for veterans and people who have served this country with pride and honor.
Leave a comment to thank Jack for all he has done over the course of his long life.
