Neighbors of 88-Year-Old Patriot Finally Realize Why He Stops 10 Times on His Daily Walk

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Staying home due to coronavirus lockdown orders recently led residents of one Pennsylvania town to discover why their 88-year-old neighbor was stopping some 10 times along his two-mile morning walk.

Rutherford resident Donald Bronson, a retired first sergeant who did two tours of duty in Korean and two in Vietnam, told ABC affiliate WHTM this week that he first started the practice that’s drawn the attention of thousands of commenters on social media when he was in the military.

In a Facebook video shot by a neighbor, Bronson can be seen stopping and saluting a flag while on his daily stroll.

  • It’s something he does for every flag he passes, every single day.
  • The patriotic habit has struck a chord with the public – the video of Bronson saluting the flag has been viewed more than 1 million times since being posted last month.

Susan Allen, Bronson’s daughter, said her father is a beloved figure in the community.

  • “A lot of people admire him,” she told WHTM.
  • Allen also revealed that she had no idea Bronson was saluting flags on his walks until a childhood friend sent her the viral Facebook video.

But for Bronson, showing deference to the Stars and Stripes is second nature.

  • “I fought for the flag,” he said.
By We'll Do It Live