70 years after serving in World War II, Walter Kloc traveled 1,500 miles to commission his grandson, Joseph into the Air Force Academy.
Kloc, a 101-year-old WWII veteran, traveled from Amherst, New York to Colorado Springs, Colorado to not only watch his grandson graduate as an officer but get to commission him, himself.
“I’m so excited for him,” William Kloc, Joseph’s father, and Walter’s son told WGRZ before they went to Colorado. “He’s fulfilling his dream and he was so excited that his grandfather, a World War II Air Force bombardier pilot, could come and commission him.”
The Air Force Academy shared a photo of the two to Facebook, writing “this is what it’s all about.”
“Walter received a standing ovation, and everyone in the room was gifted with a memory they’ll never forget,” they added.
Joseph shared a post to his own Facebook as well, writing “Probably one of the best days of my life.”
President Trumps speech in honor of D-Day
Early on Thursday morning, President Trump joined world leaders in Normandy to honor the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
After watching a flyover of French and American aircrafts with French President Macron and First Ladies Melania and Bridgitte Macron, President Trump gave an address, honoring those who had given their lives.
Trump spoke to the crowd that had gathered at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, thanking the veterans for all that they had done.
“Veterans of the Second World War who join us today, you are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live,” he said.
“You are the pride of our nation. You are the glory of our republic, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
“Those who fought here won a future for our nation,” Trump said. “They won the survival of our civilization. And they showed us the way to love, cherish and defend our way of life for many centuries to come.”
Before he gave his own speech, President Macron presented the Legion of Honor medal to five D-Day veterans from the United States, which is France’s highest honor.
“We know what we owe to you, veterans: our freedom,” Macron said. “On behalf our our nation, I just want to say thank you.”