In June 2024, John Wolfe went on a ride of a lifetime thanks to AARP’s Wish of a Lifetime program. While John was piloting an airplane for the last time, seven-year-old TJ Hake was on the ground in York County doing something not all first graders do—watching documentaries about World War II. TJ is not your average seven-year-old!
When a local news segment featuring John and his airplane ride aired, TJ saw it and asked to meet the veteran. With the help of his parents, TJ wrote John a letter and quickly received a response. The two soon met and became fast friends.
Since their first meeting, the pair has spent hours discussing airplanes and war stories, visited museum exhibits and spent recently spent Veterans Day together. John invited TJ to his home on the Country Meadows York-West campus for a lunch and a chance to meet more war heroes.
During the lunch, TJ presented gift bags made by his Boy Scout troop to all veterans in attendance and individually thanked them each for their service. He had a special gift for his favorite veteran: patriotic shoes—just like the ones TJ wears—to thank him for his service, but also so the friends can match!
“Mr. John is the first veteran I ever met and I just love him!” exclaimed TJ.
“You don’t see a lot of adults interested in World War II,” said John. “TJ is a special kid, so smart.”
Learn more about their beautiful friendship:
- ABC27 – WWII veteran finds close friend in York County first grader
- CBS21 – An unlikely friendship: York County first-grader and WWII veteran united by history
- Fox43 – ‘You never know when you’re done’ says 98-year-old World War 2
- WGAL – York County boy and World War II veteran have special bond
- York Daily Record – The 7-year-old first-grader wanted to meet a WW II veteran. He did. Now they are friends
- York Dispatch – From war stories to matching shoes: How a World War II veteran and a first grader formed an unlikely bond
All Country Meadows campuses celebrated the life and service of the veterans in our community. With signs with each veteran’s name, to special lunches, guest speakers and performances, we are grateful on Veterans Day and every day for the sacrifice the men and women made to serve our country, especially those who are residents and co-workers at Country Meadows.