Private Anthony Grasso is one of the last surviving World W.a.r II veterans. For the last 76 years, this man has carried the story of his friend in his heart. When the 96-year-old veteran realized time was running out to pay final respects to his friend, he travels 900 miles to salute a fallen soldier’s grave. It’s really a powerful story.
Anthony entered the w.a.r when he was still a kid. Merely, a young buck at the age of 19 and he didn’t know much about the world except that there was a w.a.r and he was leaving home to fight.
Several years later, when Private Anthony Grasso came home , he wasn’t the same man. He loved life a little more and cherished family a little deeper. God, the United States, and the American flag also held deeper meanings in the depths of his soul because he carried the memories of what happened overseas on e.n.e.m.y soil.
Anthony Grasso remembers men living in fox holes, he remembers going to one of the danggerous regions of the European theatre, the Hurtgen Forest, and those who lost their lives.
This included the man who saved his life, Army private Lt. Frank DuBose.
Anthony at that time was serving as Frank’s private radioman when they were on a mission to scout enemy positions in Germany when the covert operation went sideways. Their positions had been found and targeted by enemy fire. They knew they weren’t getting out alive.
The man said: “There was artillery fire, and next thing I knew I was flying 30 feet through the air,” he said. A howitzer shell hit the pair, just as Frank pushed Anthony away to grab the radio. “He took the brunt of the blow and I’ll never forget it.”
His friend Frank DuBose sacrificed his life so that Private Anthony Grasso could live. Can you imagine losing your friend in one of the most profound and sacrificial ways possible? Anthony was definitely difficult to accept even though he was and still is grateful. Since that moment, Anthony tried to live a life worthy of his friend’s sacrifice.
For the last 76 years, Anthony lived with PTSD and survivor’s guilt. However, the story of Frank DuBose who saved his life still burns in his heart. And he realized at the age of 96 he was running out of time to say thank you.
After he had put plans together with his family, he learned where his friend was b.u.r.i.e.d and then trekked over 900 miles to South Carolina to lay his hands on Frank’s gravestone to say, “Thank you” on this side of heaven.
Frank DuBose was a 24-year-old Army lieutenant and Anthony Grasso was a 20-year-old private serving as DuBose’s radio man as they scouted enemy positions in Vossenack, Germany on Nov. 2, 1944. https://t.co/ipTZ9d4s2P
— WNDU (@WNDU) May 31, 2021
The moment was so moving and profound that people witnessing the events unfolding were moved to silence. Residents of the area also began waving flags and at the same time Anthony also received a bagpipe tribute and a police escort on the way to the airport.
Anthony’s story reminds us how he served, fought, and protected our country. We can realize the magnitude of a soldier’s service and honor them for trading their freedom for our own. Thank you Anthony and Frank.
Source: https://www.godupdates.com/private-anthony-grasso-salute/
