JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It was 77 years ago that Jacksonville veteran Andrew Elias joined the U.S. Army, eager and ready to serve.
"So, one day they said 'Elias.' I said, 'Yes sir.' 'You're going to the South Pacific,'" Elias said.
He was sent to Guadalcanal in the jungle, fighting hand to hand combat.
Today, he’s 101 and, while his spirit is young, some everyday tasks, like mowing his lawn, are a challenge.
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That’s where Rodney Smith stepped in.
Smith is traveling to 50 states to mow lawns for veterans in need, as pasrt of his "Thank you for your service tour", his organization Raising Men lawn Care Service, provides free lawn service to the elderly, the disabled, veterans and single mothers.
Smith hopes his acts of kindness will motivate other young people to help the brave men and women who need it most.
Smith has mowed veterans' lawns in 47 states and will complete his goal in Hawaii and Alaska next week.
He has previously mowed lawns for people in need of lawn care in Jacksonville.
Feel Good Story ALERT! @iamrodneysmith is traveling to all 50 states to mow lawns for #veterans. He's calling it a 'Thank you for your service' tour. Here he is with a 101 year old WW2 Veteran in Jacksonville who was in need of lawn care service. @ActionNewsJax at 5:55 pic.twitter.com/d99HgR7d1N
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) May 28, 2019
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