A grandpa who received the Purple Heart was brought to tears when his granddaughter and her husband added a tribute on the back of his truck saluting the seven close friends he lost to war.
Bernard “Jake” Jackovich, 76, from Calumet, Michigan, is extremely well respected in his family and community due to his sacrifices for his country.
Jake joined the United States Marines in 1966 and was immediately sent to fight in the Vietnam War.
Months into his tour, Jake was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), which saw him lose two fingers on his left hand and part of his right leg below the knee.
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Having spent 16 months recovering in a Philadelphia naval hospital, Jake received the Purple Heart for his bravery, before returning home to marry his wife of 53 years.
Jake’s granddaughter Dallas Pihlaja (pronounced “peel-a-ya”) was aware of her grandfather’s story, so when her husband, Kyle, 35, was carrying out some bodywork on Jake’s truck, they decided to add a little surprise.
Kyle is the owner of Pristine Airbrush, an airbrushing company, and so he and Dallas, 28, settled on a tribute to the time Jake spent in Vietnam and the seven military brothers he had lost to war.
At Jake’s home, Kyle called the 76-year-old outside to look at a “blemish” that he said he had noticed on the back of his truck while carrying out the work.
When Jake instead laid eyes on his grandson-in-law’s amazing artwork, he was immediately blown away, with the tribute to his friends bringing him to tears.
Dallas said her husband enjoys working on special artwork for people in the community and was proud to honor her grandfather’s service.
She watched Jake’s surprise arm-in-arm with her grandma with tears filling their eyes, before later sharing a video of the moment on social media.
Dallas added: “My grandpa was absolutely blown away by the artwork surprise and started crying.
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“He gave my husband a huge hug and was in disbelief, and he absolutely loves the artwork.
“I have always had a close relationship with my grandparents, and my grandfather has always spoken of his time in Vietnam, answering any questions I have had from childhood to adulthood.
“He has maintained a positive outlook on life despite the hardships he has endured.
“He mountain bikes, cross country skis and runs – with a special running blade.
“He even completed his first half marathon last summer at age 75.
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“Running is his passion and what keeps his mental state in check.
“He has always said he is so grateful to be alive.
“We are so grateful to have him, his wisdom, and his inspiration.
“So many people have thought the video was extremely touching, heartfelt, and tear-jerking.
“It was most definitely emotional.
“My grandmother and I watched arm in arm, tears in our eyes, as my grandpa first saw the airbrushed artwork.”