Erlanger, Kentucky police officer John Sterling first met 83-year-old Korean War veteran Norm four years ago after responding to a 911 call the vet had made about a suspicious person. The two became fast friends, bonding over their shared love of history. Earlier this year, Norm was diagnosed with dementia, and with no family members around to care for him, Sterling knew what he had to do.
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“Norm is a good guy,” the officer told Cincinnati.com. “He was always looking out for his neighbors. We became fast friends. We’d run into each other at the store occasionally and just stop and shoot the breeze for hours. He has a larger-than-life personality.”
In February, Sterling became Norm’s legal guardian. He knew Norm was no longer going to be able to live on his own, so he applied for veterans benefits on Norm’s behalf and started looking into local care facilities. While social security and the new benefits would be able to cover Norm’s expenses from month-to-month, the veteran needed $5,500 for his entrance fee. Sterling set up a GoFundMe campaign and quickly raised the necessary funds.
“It makes me feel awesome, but I knew this would happen,” Sterling said. “The people here in Erlanger, Elsmere, and Crescent Springs–the Tristate–are good people. Norm deserves this. He deserves a place where he can spend his day comfortably.”
Norm has since settled in nicely to his new digs, and Sterling remains overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the complete strangers who helped his friend.
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We need more people like this in the world. I love it! ❤
Posted by Power of Positivity on Wednesday, July 5, 2017
“It was all about Norm,” he said. “People have praised me for this, but really, it’s not about me. I didn’t do this for me, I did this for Norm and I’m thankful to everyone who contributed or shared our story. Whatever you did to help, words fail. It’s just fantastic.”
H/T: Power of Positivity