Old Soldier Meets Young Soldier | The Gap |  

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When a goddamn WW2 veteran says you’ve been through a lot then you must have been through hell

When a WW2 veteran is saying “you’ve been through a lot son” that must be a powerful moment for him

For those who didn't spot it. The ol' timer veteran wears the French Legion of Honour. That's the highest distinction this country ever gives along with the Order of Liberation which is a dead order (only ~1000 were ever given until 1946 and the last older died in 2021). This man is a war hero.

I fought in Afghanistan for the German Forces and never in all the years has someone said " You've been through quite alot son, havent you? ", not my parents, not my wife, my comrades ,society or anyone. Hearing this old Veteran say this words give me peace in some way I cant describe even he didnt aimed them at me. Thank you Sir

The old vet has dealt with his demons, the young vet has a long road ahead of him.

I just realized we're the last generation who can talk to WW2 vets.

Seeing the older veteran acknowledge how much the younger went through is so touching. Many of us including these younger veterans couldn’t imagine fighting in the older vet’s war, yet he says himself he wouldn’t want to fight in the younger man’s wars. It really speaks to how, to veterans, war is war no matter how bad or what was used.

My Great Grandad was one of the “forgotten soldiers” in Burma. He told a different story to those I’ve found online. He said that they were completely forgotten about. They didn’t even know the war was over in the jungle. The Japanese were still fighting. Communication lines were cut. He claimed that they only found out through some Indian soldiers. So he and his friend trecked hundreds of miles with what little supplies they had to make it out of the war zone to a port. Where they begged their way onto a ship and returned home. He was 7 stone when he came back and riddled with boils and disease, and he was one of the lucky ones. That war forever changed him. He was a cruel, bitter man who did terrible things. It was a long time before my grandmother (his daughter) was able to understand the hell he’d been through, and could forgive him for the man he had become.

“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t ya?” His silence was deafening.

Being called "son" from WW II veteran is bigger award and honor than any medal Edit: I get some responses that “son” is normal by any older people - I don’t deny in other countries, but where I come from, being called “son” by anyone but your own father is very rare and it already means something

I’m an American that was deployed to Iraq. The blank stare in response to being told he’s been through a lot was powerful. I felt that. The feeling of being understood by a veteran you respect is an indescribable feeling for Iraq vets.

People don't realize how traumatic WW2 was for the soldiers that saw action. The war drove my great uncle insane. He was seventeen and lied about his age to enlist. He was part of the third army during the battle of the bulge and the liberation of mauthausen. He showed clear signs of horrendous PTSD that nobody noticed because PTSD wasn't known much back then. He once held a gun to my grandfather's head thinking he was a German soldier. He rarely talked about his service, but on reflecting liberating Mauthausen, he got all teary eyed and said "I wouldn't treat a dog that way." Poor man drank himself to his grave. War is a terrible thing. It destroys people. I thank a merciful God that we haven't had a war that destructive since.

Gotta say, the old man looks actually really well to be 95

Elderly people affectionately calling younger guys “son” is my favorite thing

Hearing him say "you've been through a lot son" sent chills down my spine. And I bet it sent chills down his spine too. Hearing something like that from someone you perceive to have gone through worse must be Erie and comforting all at once.

I did six years in the US Navy, submarine service. It always baffles me when someone thanks me for my service - I am proud of it, for sure, but I never went through anything at all to compare with what these men went through. Empathetic as I am, I can't love their sacrifice enough. They changed their lives forever, and it can't be understated. God bless all the men and women who went into combat in war.

The older man has healed and can smile. The young lad is broken. Very sad.

I see a old man who made his peace, and a young lad with dead eyes who is still haunted.

I met a lady the other day, she was 95 and her husband lost his life in the war.. She was extremely humble and I thanked her...asked her about her husband and I said he's a hero... And she got teary and said..People are quick to forget in todays world

The young soldier who mentioned Paul McAleese, Paul's dad, who was an SAS soldier with a great service record, was the inspiration for Captain Price in the original Modern Warfare series

"You can't swim?" "Where would you swim to?" .... He's got a point.

Clean shave, wearing a tie, shine shoes, Wearing a lot of medals, combed hair.. Looks like he still follow the soldier routine.

Veteran: How do you think soldiers are viewed in the society. Young Soldier: It all depends on how the media portrays us. Indeed

It's sad to think that there's not many Vets left from WW2, probably the bravest generation of people that have ever lived.

goddamn that guy looks good for 95, both mentally and physically

"They never taught me how to swim.'' "Why?" "They said..where would you swim to.?''

2:45 - 2:48 facial expression = You see me. If that does not bring you to tears nothing will. words can not convey the respect i have for these two and those that serve.

When I was a private in Fort Irwin, CA, we often visited a veteran nursing home in Barstow. Most of the soldiers and I were female and one WW2 vet was so sweet. As soon as he saw us, he said if we were with them back in WW2, the enemy would've thrown roses at us instead of gunfire. I'll never forget that. They are full of amazing heroic stories. It's too bad that were moving on in time to where we won't be able to hear those stories anymore.

Who else is surprised that the elderly man is 95. He looks fantastic for his age.

The world war 2 vet saying “youve been through quite a lot havent you son?” Jesus Christ. What an honor

It was so interesting to hear the WW2 vet talk about how long it took to stop seeing Germans as enemies. My grandfather is from the Philippines and helped the Americans fight the Japanese. He never really talked about it. But to the day he died, he would never buy anything Japanese

What an absolute pair of heroes. When the Veteran said ‘you’ve been through quite a lot son’ it was like he was hugging the other ex-soldier who has obviously been through a hell of a lot of suffering. Brilliant to watch and understand what these men went through.

"You've been through a lot, haven't you son?" Jesus... Thats a hard hitter

The old man is just listening but that’s what the young man needs

The sense of humor on that gentleman was the quickest disarm maneuver I'd ever seen. "It's safer on a ship, I can't swim" really caught me by surprise. Quite impressive to see these two men from different generations discussing their experiences.

soldiers need to be treasured more by a country. Not just "thank you for your service" and " Welcome Home" then discharge them and leave them to their homes feeling broken and scarred. imagine the pain these people have been through and you'll just tell them those things. No matter what, if they fight for you, they're your hero. That's what I think. When the soldier comes home different than he's been before, irate and traumatized, it's going to affect the family's lives as well. Can a family be ever happy when the father comes home just to drink his life away? I just had a neighbor pass away. He was a soldier who had just 2 years off since he retired. He had this house already built. Big and nice. I thought it was great. Then news came out that he just died from a stroke or something and he was found alone, dead on the floor of his house. It was sad. He had no family with him until his death.

"Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die" - Herbert Hoover

"It's been 12 years. I'm still in fight mode." Jesus Christ

Had to hold back tears. I wonder if they stayed in touch after this interview. I have mad respect for the answer from the young guy about the "enemy."

I've volunteered at a nursing home for almost 11 years. Nearly all the men and some women were veterans of WWII when I started. Now...there's only one left. Their stories are so important, it breaks my heart that my niece and nephew will never hear them. With separation comes a lack of immediacy and relevance, which feels like one step closer to repeating it all over again. RIP, greatest generation

Had a housemate who served in Afghanistan. He used to wake up screaming. Came home from work one day to find a suicide note cause he couldn't take it anymore. Visit his grave every year. Still gets to me I couldn't help him.

This man looks, speaks, and carries himself very good for 95..

My grandmother was probably one of the few people in my life who could never bore me with her story. She was italian and died 2 years ago at 91 years old. She told me so many stories about the war with so much passion into it and she would always do it with a smile. I was only between 8 and 14 years old so I couldn't really grasp how hard it was for her. I remember her telling me she had to turn off the lights in her house and close the windows every night to avoid getting targeted by the planes and how her and the family had little to eat and there were 8 of them. Her husband died when my father was just 13 which means that she stayed alone, with her 3 sons and 1 daughter, for 43 years and managed to build what today exists. I don't remember telling her that I loved her, which is something I kind of regret, but I've always felt like she knew how much I appreciated her.

I remember talking with a veteran from WW2 while waiting at at&t, made me happy to see him smile when I asked him about his service, he told me that not many people would listen to his stories. I really hope hes doing fine. Should’ve caught his name

The pain of older generation's is knowing that your pain didn't spare his.

"War does not determine who is right. Only who is left." Bertrand Russell

My father was a US Marine who fought in the Pacific during WWII. He saw combat on many islands, in the Phillipines and on Okinawa, so he fought in the jungle and in the towns. When his best friend's son came home after fighting as a Marine in Vietnam, they would sit for hours and talk. My father never spoke much at all about the war and neither did Mickey (the Vietnam vet) but when they got together you could just sense that they had shared experiences. When my dad was in the hospital hospice, Mickey visited him, I left them alone to talk. When Mickey came out of the room he was crying. He looked at me and said, "I love your dad. He saved my life." I never forgot that moment. It was 25 years ago and I still tear up when I recall it. I loved my father but I never really realized until that moment how much other people loved him too and what he meant to them. I miss him every day and I can't wait to hug him again one day. I know I'll have to "fight" through the mob to get to him. Love you Pops ❤

I've met a lot of WW2 Soldiers over the year's,and one really stood out he was a regular customer and he was telling me about how much hassle it was going through a metal detector because he had so much German scap metal in his body,and yet he a very positive person who said something that still shakes me thinking about it.He said "Son you don't know Hell until you're using the dead body of the guy you were talking too as a shield".Ty to all who serve and continue to serve .

The young one has PTSD written all over his face. Poor man.

“You can’t kill someone without killing a part of yourself”

"you've been through quite a lot son, haven't you" what a powerful first few words, with that you instantly feel the connection they have. Thanks for the video.

The old soldier is wearing quite some distinction and yet talks like he was just on a ship and didnt have much trouble. So humble... I think he saw quite a lot more. And he rather puts the young soldier in the spotlight. We will miss this generation so much in the future. Probably already do nowadays... :(

The way the younger soldier stopped and looked at the older vet after he said "You've been through alot haven't ya son" was the most heartbreaking shit

"It's been 12 years I'm still in fight mode." Not all scars are on your body.

My grandfather was a ww2 vet, fought in Germany from 43 till the end of the war. Growing up I remember all the stories he would tell me of the experiences he had. Many stories I heard over and over because of his dementia but I never lost focus and always paid attention. He left me a German luger and an ss officers dagger he brought back from the war. I miss him so much, and wish I could hear the stories one more time. I love you grandpa and I miss you 😔

"I miss the clowns not the circus" -my buddy after getting out of the navy

“It took all my youth”. This is very sad.

This was surprisingly touching, especially when the older veteran said "You've been through quite a lot son, haven't you?" I have an incredible amount of respect for these two gentlemen and their peers.

Band of Brothers crosses generations. The respect between them is strong. It was a beautiful, honest conversation that I am thankful to be able to hear and see. Thank you both for your service. Hoorah!

"You've been through a lot, haven't you, son?" The video could have been just that and it would have been just as powerful. It felt like a stab through the chest.

2:45 i'd rather to be called "son" from an old soldier more than be called a "friend" from any celebrity. It costs a lot and its the highest respect.

Nothing but my deepest respect for these two gentlemen. True heroes.

Equal respect for both these men. Not even from the Britain area (from Canada) but still have utmost respect for them and their courage.

Imagine having a WWII veteran tell you that you've been through quite a lot... Must be tough for that guy.

This old soldier is wearing the "Légion d'honneur", it's the highest decoration of the French army, and was created by Napoléon. All my respect.

this is making me cry as well. sometimes i for got Brits also went to war with us. Sorry if im saying it wrong. Just a yank over here. A warrior is warrior no matter where you are from. I send love from America. Thanks for the help and survive you guys.

My great granddad was a ww2 vet, and I miss him every day.. hearing this gentleman talk about his experience during that time is crazy to me because my grandad never talked about it around me.

Man , when the elder said " Well you've been through quite a lot son , haven't you ? " It felt like he was saying to the other soldier " Are you Ok son ? "

“In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.” - Herodotus

My grandfather fought the Japanese, he was in the Bataan Death March. They were bayonetting the Filipino soldiers left and right. He said one Soldier bayonetted him in the leg, and as he lay bleeding a Japanese doctor had him lifted and stitched him up himself. He lived a long life, he's gone now but it's the only war story he ever told me as a child, the only 1 I remember anyway. I miss you Lolo.

The handshake at the end, how they embrace each other made me feel good. You can see the younger one wanted to talk a bit more.

"You've been through a lot, haven't you, son?" *Silence...*

Jesus Christ. As someone who works at an old folks home, that guy doesn’t look a day over 80.

I served in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2012 with one deployment to Iraq in 2008. We had tough vehicles, state of the art technology, breathable uniforms, and boots that were like sneakers. I have nothing but respect for those who served before me. Leather boots that gave you trench foot. Wool uniforms in hot climates. Charging towards enemy gunfire. War will never be easy, but it gets easier. What I went through was still one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I can't imagine what those who came before me endured.

That question "You've been through a lot, son..." - It just gives the perfect image of a loving grandfather, it just warmed my heart. And I think the younger veteran felt it too.

“You can’t swim?” “If you’re a long way from home, don’t matter if you can swim or not”

“War does not care who is right or wrong, only who is left.”

Incredible honesty and empathy sharing joint experience divided through decades, very powerful vid glad to have the privilage of viewing thank you

WW2 veteran about his war:"If I hadn't been there, I'd have missed a lot". To hear that was priceless.

The old guy telling the younger one "I learned a lot from you" That hit me HARD.

"Soldiers aren't machines. We're just people." - Thomas lasky.

"Where would u swim to?" , is such an incredible statement, applicable on many levels.

I’m an American veteran who deployed to Iraq the same time the young man did. I felt this whole video 🫡✌️🇺🇸

Look at that dude's chest, dude's decorated like a wedding cake. Bet he's been through hell and a half.

Damn, and not a single,”Well back in my day...” or “Well my army was the real army” or something to that effect. Just two soldiers, shooting the shit, and and talking about their experiences.

Well, this video made me cry... I don't approve of violence, guns, etc, I hate war, but at the same time, I have a great deal of respect for those that have served, who have fought to protect civilians, fought for freedom, etc. Hearing from these men was truly emotional.

Took my son to the Remembrance Day Service in Saskatoon today. Sad to see how few of these members of the Old Guard are left, but glad my 15 year old still wants to attend these services.

"Have you lost someone in your company?" The old vet didn't even answer that question because we all know the answer :(

“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t ya lad” Only a man that’s went through hell would ask a question like that... just to comfort him.

It was touching to listen to both of them. The older man was charming and wonderful. He is very special in his gentleness and has so much humanity in him. The younger man has my deepest respect for struggling to fight his demons, but I believe he's winning and I salute him for his courage. His head is on straight and I like his thinking and reasoning. He is mature and knows his path. Bless both these men, they are heroes!

What a beautiful conversation. So respectful of each other. They understand that they have both been through hell that civilians can never understand. God Bless both of these brave men.

"I was just a sailor." I see that Combined Operations patch. Not your ordinary sailor.

“We were fighting in someone else’s country and in a way they were just defending it” Damn.

The entire conversation, the energy they're both eluding, how each listens so intently with such care, everything is leaving me speechless. One of the most powerful and profound videos I've seen. Thank you for putting this together and thank you to the two gentlemen for sharing their stories.

The tangible respect they have for each other, their candid words, and their willingness to do what it takes according to what they believe...... It is remarkable these two men.

"Be Afraid of the Old Man in a place where Men die Young."

"you've been through a lot haven't you, son?" I felt like the younger guy was holding back a lot of feelings that he couldn't reply. Bless them both

„Where would you swim to? When you’re far from Home doesn‘t matter if you can swim or not“ That phrase catched me like there is no really escape when you leave home who knows how to come back. And there are better priorities than learning to swim. I like his humor even after all this happened. Glad he‘s still alive. Both of them. Edit: the old Man tells his story in a way that I imagine all situations in black and white sequences.

This one hits hard. The mutual respect is beautiful