Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, only 66,143 American World War II veterans will be alive in 2024. That is less than one percent of the original 16.4 million Americans who served. (Most are in their 90s or older.) US Army veteran Dennis Boldt, 99, is one of the few continuing to travel the world and share his story and experiences.

In a new emotional video shared by Walk Among Heroes, Boldt is seen visiting General George S. Patton's grave for the first time at Luxembourg American Cemetery. He is accompanied by General Patton's granddaughter, Helen. Boldt is in a wheelchair but is supported by Helen and another friend as he lifts himself from the chair and slowly stands. He takes small steps as he walks towards General Patton's grave, and makes a stunning show of respect: he uses all his strength to fully stand and give a full salute to General Patton's grave. As he does, he breaks down in tears.


"He is my General," an emotional Boldt says.


TikTokers praised the moving gesture in the comment section. One wrote, "Him fully straightening his body to salute General Patton is what got me. Probably took everything he had to do that and it probably hurt like hell but he knew he had to do it." And another added, "I wish I could listen to this man’s inner monologue as he began to breakdown and salute. Not for personal gain, but simply to understand a man of the greatest generation in American history." Another moved viewer wrote, "Oof, as soon as that salute started, that man relived every event that happened again... Knowing this would happen, he still chose to see his general, that's what respect looks like."

Boldt recently joined fellow WWII veterans in Europe (Belgium and Luxembourg) to be honored during festivities marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, which he fought. On December 11, 2024, he arrived in Belgium for the first time since the battle in a moving homecoming. Upon his arrival, revelers gave him a warm welcome. He lifted his cap and shook hands with supporters, becoming emotional. He then went on to explain what the visit meant to him.

"I'm going to be with a bunch of guys that were real heroes," he says. "I came up with George Patton. I came in and relieved the guys who told them. 'nuts'!"

During the visit, he participated in several ceremonies during 'Nuts Weekend'. The name comes after American Brig. Gen. McAuliffe replied "Nuts" to German emissaries offering surrender during the Battle of the Bulge. During a parade, he was cheered on by the crowds who offered him high fives as he was pushed in his wheelchair on the route.

In another TikTok video, the Royal families of both Belgium and Luxembourg also honored Boldt and his fellow World War II veterans in Bastogne, Belgium.

Boldt truly got a hero's welcome, one that is well-deserved.

More For You

kimberly dowdell, reunion, down syndrome

Brothers Blake and Jack have an emotional reunion.

thekimberlydowdell/Instagram

Teen with Down syndrome travels hundreds of miles for incredible reunion with brother

Going off to college is the break-free moment that most young adults long for. While the newfound freedom is an amazing change, it is also a time of transition--which can bring a lot of uncomfortable feelings with the adjustment. It can be overwhelming, scary, and unfamiliar. So when mom Kimberly DowDell (@thekimberlydowdell) received a message from her son Blake that he was feeling anxious and overwhelmed during his second semester at college, she knew exactly what to do. She loaded up the family, including her husband and Blake's brother Jack (who has Down syndrome), and got on the road to go see him. And the brothers had an emotional reunion that was shared on social media.

"Blake is in his second semester of college, and being away from home can be hard. When he told us he was feeling anxious and overwhelmed, we didn’t even think twice—we jumped in the car and drove 286 miles just to be there for him," she wrote in the post's Instagram caption. "To remind him he’s not alone. To give him words of encouragement. To wrap him in a hug that says, we see you, we love you, and we’re always here for you."

Keep ReadingShow less
Teacher unleashes glorious payback against school after forced to pay for class trip himself
Representative image by Canva

Teacher unleashes glorious payback against school after forced to pay for class trip himself

School excursions often provide unforgettable experiences and bonding opportunities for students, but for teachers, they can be loaded with logistical headaches. So when a teacher was asked to single-handedly finance a field trip—with zero compensation—Reddit user u/Unfunded_Teacher took to the platform to vent about this bizarre demand.

Representative photo by Pexels | Anny Patterson

Keep ReadingShow less
A child's hand in an adults hand.

Representative Image: A mother and son found their way back together.

She gave her baby up for adoption. Years later, he named his son after her.

Choosing adoption is never easy. It’s a decision filled with love, sacrifice, and hope for a better future. When Schauna Austin gave birth to her son at 20 years old, she made the difficult choice to place him for adoption. But thanks to the openness of his adoptive parents, she remained an important part of his life, proving that family isn't just about biology—it’s about love.

A mother’s love, even from afar

After giving birth, Austin named her son Riley and treasured every moment she had with him before saying goodbye. She held him close for 72 hours straight, making sure to soak up every precious second.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshots of a little girl in the hospital; little girl dancing with her father

Ava Cooper and her dad Sean celebrate a surprise daddy-daughter dance at Cleveland Clinic Children's.

Cleveland Clinic/Instagram

Hospital surprises 10-year-old waiting for heart transplant with her own father-daughter dance

One of the highlights for young girls in elementary school is the annual father-daughter dance. Not only is it an opportunity to get dressed up and get grooving, it's a special time for daughters to be celebrated by their dads and make new memories together. And for 10-year-old Ava Cooper, who has been in the hospital for more than 200 days awaiting a heart transplant, her mom Jamie and Cleveland Clinic Children's made sure she didn't miss out on the special occasion with her dad, Sean. They put together a surprise daddy-daughter dance in the hospital just for them, and the emotional video was shared on Instagram.

"There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, when 10-year-old Ava Cooper and her dad, Sean, danced forehead to forehead during an unforgettable father-daughter dance. Ava says, 'My dad is like having the best friend a girl could ask for'," the post's caption reads.

Keep ReadingShow less
 A groom speaks into a microphone during his wedding, addressing someone special in the audience.

Jefferson takes a moment during his vows to share an unexpected and emotional message.

YouTube | Jefferson

This groom's 'confession' shocked the crowd—and left his stepdaughter in tears

Every bride dreams of a perfect wedding day, but sometimes, the most unforgettable moments come from the unexpected. That was exactly the case when Jefferson, a loving groom, decided to surprise his bride, Jessica—not with a last-minute change of plans, but with a confession straight from the heart.

After exchanging vows with Jessica, Jefferson took a deep breath and admitted that there was someone else he loved just as much, if not more. Gasps filled the room as guests tried to process what he was saying. Jessica herself began to cry, overwhelmed by emotion. But before anyone could assume the worst, Jefferson turned to Giovanna—Jessica’s 8-year-old daughter—and revealed the truth: he wasn’t just committing to Jessica that day, but to Giovanna as well.

Keep ReadingShow less