Frank Bartlett, a World War II veteran in Largo, Florida, received replacement medals after his beloved awards somehow got lost during a move.
According to the Tampa Tribune, the 102-year-old man served in the Army as a surgical technician. While he never engaged in combat, he experienced a number of bloody battles as he traveled around Italy, France and Germany with the 9th Infantry Division. Not only did he provide life-saving care to a number of soldiers, but Bartlett also donated his own blood to a number of injured servicemembers during moments of extreme emergency. The source reported that the medic received an American Defense medal, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star during his time in the service.
While Bartlett is a New York native, he moved to Florida to live with friend and fellow veteran Carl Cabello and his family, who have helped take care of the aging vet in his life after service. When Cabello learned that Bartlett's medals had gone missing in the transition, he knew he wanted to help his friend out. While Bartlett tried to shake off the loss, Cabello knew the awards were important to him.
"He has a lot of pride, but he spoke of his medals, and they must have been important to him," Cabello told Bay News 9.
The source reported that Cabello reached out to Congressman David Jolly, who was able to procure replacement medals. He visited Bartlett at home, surprising him with the brand-new awards. Although the former soldier is now legally blind, he felt the medals with his hands and was practically speechless at the kind gesture. While he had been alerted that he might be able to get new medals, he had no idea he would receive a personal visit from the congressman, noted the Tampa Tribune.