Sometimes life gets really tough for people, and they need love and support from those around them to help them through hard times. This is especially true for brave individuals who serve their country without expecting much in return.
Unfortunately, many veterans struggle when they return from duty. If a soldier hasn’t served for a certain amount of time, the benefits they receive may not be enough to live on, and some don’t know where to turn when they come back to civilian life.
Larry Robeson, a Vietnam veteran, went through this. He could barely afford basic things and didn’t know where to go for help. Luckily, he crossed paths with the Fox 5 Surprise Squad at a grocery store in Las Vegas.
Even though Larry was facing financial difficulties, he took his friend Stephanie, a disabled fellow veteran, to the store. Stephanie was buying food for herself and her dogs, but she was down to her last $50 and didn’t know what to do after that.
Dave Hall, the reporter leading the Surprise Squad, happily told Stephanie that he and his team would cover her groceries. Stephanie was thrilled with this generous offer. While talking to Stephanie, Dave noticed Larry standing quietly behind her.
It turned out that Larry, a friend of Stephanie’s husband, had set up the Bones for Blankets club many years ago. The club’s purpose was to donate blankets to homeless veterans who were left on the streets after their service.
Larry started the club after three fellow veterans froze to death, wanting to prevent more veterans from suffering the same fate. He explained how Stephanie’s husband, who was a truck driver, was away a lot, so he kept Stephanie company and helped her through the challenges she faced due to her disability.
Dave Hall was determined that Larry wouldn’t leave the store without the Surprise Squad team paying for his groceries as well. Larry had only planned to buy dish soap and candy, but Dave insisted, saying, “You served us. It’s our turn to serve you now.”
So Larry got to choose whatever he wanted in the store. His total came to $278, and Larry wiped tears from his eyes after Dave and the others settled the bill.
“This is just overwhelming. I’ve been taking care of myself since I was 13,” Larry said.
You can watch Larry’s experience with the Surprise Squad in the video below.
