Posted on 11/27/2015 9:00:24 PM PST by smokingfrog
The folks who run the Yorktown say a lot of kids love the ship, but no kid has ever fallen for a sailor who served on the vessel like these two boys have fallen for Mr. Harding. Which is why, for this trip, the Yorktown made special arrangements for a surprise visitor: Mr. Harding.
The boys ran to embrace him; hugging an old salt never felt so sweet.
It was hard to tell who enjoyed it more, or who needed it more. Over the years Mr. Harding says he'd kept most of his war stories to himself.
"I guess I needed somebody to talk to about it," said Mr. Harding. "It's surprising the way it worked out."
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Great story. Everybody needs a “grandpa”
Great story. Thanks for sharing it.
Watching that video reminded me of my sons when they were young, not so long ago. Boys are so much fun to raise... with the way they play and the sound effects they make and, of course, the game Battleship. lol
why are you so gender discriminatory? they’re gender neutral children, just like the toy store aisle at walmart, or is it target?
there are no boys and girls in the 21st century, didn’t you hear?
Great story! Every child needs a mentor and these boys have one of the best.
Dang it, my monitor has a blurry problem again. Dunno what it is...
Mine has the same problem.
Not too many WWII vets are left these days.
I’m still here..........Lol
Beautiful story. Now, if we can only make this nation’s blessed and hard earned history as real and appreciated by this generation as a whole. God bless them for embracing such a wonderful opportunity.
If you watch the video on the site, the boys get teary at the end recounting their friendship with Mr. Hardy. Their parents are doing a marvelous job instilling History and appreciation in these boys.
Thank you so much for posting!
“I’m still here” Was meant for you.
Thank you for your service!
When I read the first line in your post, for a split-second I took it seriously. LOL. Then I remembered this is Free Republic.
Thank you for your service. :-)
One of my uncles, also a WWII veteran, is still going strong, too. (Two of his brothers and a sister also served in WWII, but they’ve passed on.)
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