Old Soldier Meets Young Soldier | The Gap | @LADbible

The Gap is a window into different lives and different generations. Two people, of vastly different ages, discuss a shared experience that impacted their lives, how it affected them and how they dealt with it to ultimately emerge stronger.

In this episode of The Gap with @LADbible, John Dennett, 95, a World War Two veteran, sits down with Ste Nicholls, 34, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through their conversation we learn about the positive and negative sides of service, and how war has changed over the years.

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[jeretqueen]

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

[molester]

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

[ghostfumes]

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

[rollolol]

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.

[__________________]

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

[Mr.LittleMeat]

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

[mappingoutthesky]

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

[julianstahl]

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

[darrensmith]

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

[tanthemusicman]

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

[moonshinetheleocat]

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

Jesus... Thats a hard hitter

[Turky]

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.

[JesterX]

"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

[StephenTherd]

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.

[ambientphotoph]

"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.

[ismaelnehme]

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.

[patrickkubinec]

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

[mariapiamontemitro]

“It took all my youth”.


This is very sad.

[rockyhutchison]

“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.

[Gkitchens]

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.