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90-year-old American hero still serving his country

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    WWII POW's Vets Helping Heroes provides service dogs to wounded veterans

  • Duration 8:16
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Paula back to Hannity now every now and then we come across a person who has a story that is so remarkable that just has to be shared -- that is the case -- -- truly great Americans still serving his country.

Long after most of us -- well be enjoying a quiet life in retirement.

And say yes sir my name's will.

When ninety year old -- stole -- -- -- sick and injured vets at the West Palm Beach VA hospital.

Well they have a good reason to say thank you there's a wonderful day counts because of her win that that hospital has Bruce a black -- service dog that the vets say.

Is -- wife changer he's a great guard.

-- is more than Andre is wonderful.

Let us say and do we -- one.

My program is that's helping heroes and were all veterans but -- the patient does not know was the journey that brought her win improved to their door.

-- -- a journey that began more than seventy years ago.

American soldiers of the sky -- one section in the multiple stroke of war.

They fly crews here have real friends -- about to win the European -- When the US and -- for war to.

Urban -- -- was a nineteen year old bomb a deer in the air force flying 24 bombers over Europe.

I was very own.

And I wanted to do my part.

Germans had -- 88 -- and it was and incredibly accurate.

Almost 50%.

The planes that went in to combat were shot.

The 34 bombing raids are woods' final mission took -- over Nazi occupied France.

We were just gonna go blow up of these bridges.

Watching the Germans escaping from that from the coastline in Normandy I was lining up my -- side.

And whale and got hit the -- 44 was going down fast.

Put on my issue and I just go head first.

-- -- -- And covered with them and then -- went -- It was on the right on the front lines and -- -- shooting -- -- coming -- there was another waking up realization.

You but he.

Really -- Deeper trouble than the rest of his ten -- crew because as they fell -- to Nazi hands.

-- -- knew that his dog tags identified him as being Jewish.

The first thing I did when I land that was to throw my -- -- that way and -- that way.

They were there and they just had a -- guns around me and there's.

Coming to surrender.

Irwin and his unit survived the crash but was suddenly POWs.

It was soon stuffed -- cattle cars and headed for Germany I was taken and put into.

I can't in -- Germany which is harmful it.

Right near the polish court.

So it was cold he was held by the Nazis and deplorable conditions for more than a year yet for most of that time he held out hope I was.

Very optimistic.

Until in February of 1945.

Hitler decided.

In this crazy mind that anything that was anywhere near that you should be killed.

And that's when in my camp -- Saturday.

Knowing that they really truly -- can -- was a very very unpleasant experience.

But.

We made it.

Now before he could be executed the camp was liberated and eventually Irwin made it back home -- recognize.

That I am very fortunate man.

I am very proud of the fact that I really and truly did do something.

And comment for my country.

Seventy years later her win takes an annual flight on the old B 24 bombers.

You can let anything.

It's -- I'm happy I did have a.

And shares a bit of living history with generations that have only seen these things in books what we -- trying to do -- save the world.

And we did -- slowing down is never abandon her wins nature.

I work till I was 75.

And when I retired.

I decided that there was something more then my ability to play tennis which was getting pretty crappy I wanted to do something.

To help those.

That were coming back not -- lucky.

So we started -- helping heroes raising money to provide specially trained service dogs to injured troops returning from today's wars I learned.

For the first time.

That our government has no funds.

For train service stones or guide dogs for the blind disabled.

I couldn't believe it and so at age ninety he's more determined than ever to make sure that those returning from war -- going to be taking care of him.

Now we're talking about young people coming back that are brain damage to young people coming back -- -- of slaves.

And how are they going to get around whose gonna help them and who's gonna guide them and has to be a dog it's.

-- so poorly lost one leg and severely damage the other in a roadside bomb attack in Fallujah Iraq.

I was service dog Benjamin helps him with his daily -- that he used to take for granted.

For a lot of guys these dogs could be basically their only support system I mean I think for some guys vital.

Depending on the extent of the training -- ability.

-- cost anywhere from about.

20000.

Of the sixty.

60000 dollars is -- guys.

That's for the moment can you imagine taking.

Having them sign a contract he's willing to -- life.

In this country and then when he comes back home.

He hasn't taken carefully.

Lieutenant colonel Kathy champion served in the army for more than 27 years while treating sick Iraqis she contracted a virus that left her blind.

Devastated she completely shut down -- quit school I quit my job.

Quit being social I didn't want talking about and it might tell that it was wrong what was really happening to me until she was given Angel a service -- -- She is.

Branded me back that life that I.

Felt like take away from -- because -- glory.

But for me.

It was going back to me then -- That's a good lie -- back at the VA hospital Bruce roams the halls helping the veterans cope with daily life.

He's about a -- effect on me.

-- turned around and finds that the -- play with them he cheers me up he really -- that the military -- -- in the sunshine through great this is the the living proof.

Of what a dog can mean -- kill anybody have anybody to anybody but especially.

To a veteran.

Especially -- -- -- pleaded offense and get the play with them it's just -- breaks the monotony incidents.

You may feel like you're not hospital.

He's an Angel and -- -- that wings.

Somebody item I don't know -- that put him but he's got -- fairways somewhere.

When somebody's suffering from there's -- PPP SP which we've got thousands of compact.

You know they're afraid to leave their house and when they have the dog would.

They're not afraid and they change their life changes to bear this.

Look at the medals on this guy.

That's -- saves and that's okay.

How or when -- service -- cash helps him with the PT EST that he still lives went from his time as a POW.

And he is determined to make sure that every returning soldier who needs a dog will be able to get one of their own if people -- are watching this and people are understanding.

What what we're trying to accomplish.

Help us.

When you help us your -- your veteran.

And he's earned.

You deserve -- two.

Irwin and thank you for everything that you do for our country.

That a help or win and the vets who need these -- just go to that's helping heroes battle that's that's helping heroes dot --

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