{"id":5957,"date":"2024-02-16T23:17:01","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T23:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/?p=5957"},"modified":"2024-02-16T23:17:01","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T23:17:01","slug":"5-guys-repeatedly-disturb-elderly-veterans-meal-making-him-cry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourtimenew.com\/?p=5957","title":{"rendered":"5 Guys Repeatedly Disturb Elderly Veteran\u2019s Meal \u2014 Making Him Cry"},"content":{"rendered":"

While wearing a \u201cVietnam veteran\u201d hat, an elderly man stopped at a restaurant for dinner. He noticed a table of younger men nearby but didn\u2019t think much of it until the guys swarmed his table one by one, repeatedly disrupting his meal. Their conduct caught the attention of the entire restaurant as the veteran could only cry.<\/p>\n

Lou Zezoff of Granite City, Illinois, went out to eat at a Cracker Barrel with his wife Annette while wearing his \u201cUS Navy Vietnam Veteran\u201d cap. After being seated, Lou noticed five young men sitting at a nearby table. Little did he know, they noticed him and his hat too, and they were going to make this one evening he\u2019d never forget.<\/p>\n

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\nAfter Lou and his wife ordered, the young men sprung into action. One of them came over and stood at Lou\u2019s table. \u201cI stood up,\u201d Lou recalled as he came eyeball-to-eyeball with the guy. The young man threw out his hand, thrusting it in Lou\u2019s direction. \u201cI knew they were military by their haircuts \u2014 high and tight,\u201d Lou said, explaining how he knew they were service members even though they weren\u2019t in uniform.<\/p>\n

They were Marines, and the first man to approach Lou wanted to thank him for his service. But, the group was just getting started. As the first man returned to his table, another got up and walked over to Lou. Once again, the veteran stood up. The second young man said, \u201cI want to thank you for all five of us,\u201d motioning to the others.<\/p>\n

Lou nodded in acknowledgment, and they talked briefly. After expressing his appreciation and wishing them well with their military careers, Lou returned to his meal, thinking that was the end of it. They finished their dinner, then Lou gestured to their waiter for the check. Waving the bill with a big smile on his face, the waiter said, \u201cThis is your lucky day.\u201d
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While the fifth man was off paying the bill, the other four filed in front of Lou\u2019s table and extended their hand to shake the veteran\u2019s one last time, he recalled, admitting he tears up talking about it. Each thanked and hugged him, one by one. By the third guy, Lou said he was \u201ca basket case.\u201d As he described the incident, tears again filled his eyes.<\/p>\n

The low chatter of other patrons that once filled the room was replaced with an unusual quiet as onlookers watched the Marines\u2019 conduct. After the fourth Marine gave Lou \u201cthe sharpest salute\u201d he\u2019d ever seen, they turned and walked out, leaving Lou in \u201cawe\u201d and feeling the deepest gratitude for the men who so emphatically expressed their appreciation for his service. He turned to his wife, who said he better sit down and catch his breath after the moving moment.
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According to Belleville News, the five Marines were identified as Kevin Morris, Val Diaz, Eric A. Morales, Victor M. Andrade Gomez, and Elijah Reynolds \u2014 all private first class. When reached for comment, they simply said it was the right thing to do. \u201cHe fought for us. Now it\u2019s our turn,\u201d Pfc. Diaz said, explaining why he felt it was so important to show respect for the Vietnam veteran.<\/p>\n

Lou Zezoff served in the Navy from 1959 to 1963. During Vietnam, Lou, an E5 (Petty Officer Second Class), served on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea in 1961 and \u201962. Although he was designated a parachute rigger, he served as a plane captain on the carrier, responsible for a plane from its pre-flight checks until it returned to the ship.
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\nWhen Lou returned to civilian life, he continued to serve as a police officer for 32 years. He became a detective in the 1970s, then later worked court security with the U.S. Marshal\u2019s Service before retiring in 1996. At 74 years old, he serves as the senior vice commander of Granite City VFW Post 1300.
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