90 World War II Vet Has Special Visit From A Friend
The friendship between Emmett Rychner, a 4-year-old from Minnesota, and Erling Kindem, a World War II veteran, made headlines last year. Despite their 86-year age difference, the neighbors have ridden bikes together, raced lawnmowers (Emmett’s is a motorized toy) and played croquet. In the winter, Erling even made sure their visits could continue by snow-blowing a path between their neighboring homes.
Emmett’s mother said she “cried for about an hour” when they decided to move, but the timing was right. Erling and his wife were also moving to a senior facility that could better equip their needs.
But according to Minnesota’s KARE11, the friendship between Emmett and Erling is still thriving.
Emmett’s parents recently brought their preschooler to Erling’s retirement community for his 90th birthday, and he brought a gift: a set of dog tags that read: “Emmett & Erling” and “Friends Forever” in Norwegian, which Erling reportedly learned when he was young.
This was the video below from last year that I posted which tells more of how they met as neighbors where they used to live.
In a small Minnesota town, a three-year-old boy and an 89-year-old World War II veteran live next door to each other. But they’re more than just neighbors.Emmett Rychner and Erling Kindem are the best of friends, almost inseparable. They play together every day, enjoying each other’s company on everything from croquet to baseball to racing through the yard, Erling on his lawn tractor and Emmett on his toy model.And they’re savoring every moment, because both are moving away soon
Wild Thing’s comment………..
This is such a special and wonderful story.
That is so neat.