They don't make them like Fred Ladage anymore. That's why the tribute to a brother-in-arms by a semi-truck driver should resonate with everyone who has a pulse.
Ladage, a Navy veteran who served in World War II, passed away last week at the age of 91. He was a man of extreme loyalty, not just to his country, but his family as well.
"He was married to my grandmother for 61 years," Ladage's granddaughter Kristen Collins said according to WMAZ - Macon.
Enter Bradley Faulkner.
Faulkner was driving his semi-truck to an undisclosed location when he noticed the procession behind his trailer. That's when Faulkner sprang into action and pulled his truck over. There was nothing wrong with his vehicle, but Faulkner deemed it absolutely necessary to pay his respects to Ladage, not knowing who the procession was for other than it being for a veteran.
Collins took a picture of Faulkner in order to post it to Facebook so that she might have a better chance at finding out who the respectful man was.
Here's the picture:
Sure enough, Faulkner's wife saw the post on Facebook after people began sharing the proud gesture of respect. Collins and Faulkner connected, and within hours the two met face to face. Faulkner -- not surprisingly -- gave Collins words of support after the two embraced and Collins learned a little about Faulkner.
Faulkner is an Army vet who served one tour in Iraq as a member of the military police.
"It doesn’t change or alter your life at all to maybe lift up that one family and say, ‘Hey, in your time of need, I'm here for you whether I know you or not," Faulkner told Collins.
Rest in peace, Fred Ladage. And God bless you, Bradley Faulkner.
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