Ben Lopez, a self-proclaimed Facebook nut, posted a status update after chatting to Ted Fullerton in the pub that Ben manages.
Ted had popped into his local, The Duke of Cumberland pub in Cottingham, East Yorkshire for a meal and a bit of conversation but never thought that this simple pleasure would turn him into an Internet sensation.
In a quiet moment, Ben went aver and asked him about the medals he was wearing, then posted a photo and a some details about their conversation. Ted had been deeply moved by Ben’s interest in his war years, thinking that young people were not interested in the war service of older people. Ted said to Ben, “thank you, young man, no one cares about what I have to say anymore.”
Ted served, during WWII, as a serviceman in the ground crew of the RAF in India and, like many veterans, he did not think that the modern world had much to say to a 96-year-old veteran. This belief was exploded when Ben’s status update has received over 200,000 likes and has been shared more than 100,000 times.
Ted Fullerton was bowled over by the response and told The Hull Daily Mail in an interview, “I am dumbfounded. I think I’m dreaming. Someone, please pinch me.”
Not only did the post garner a stream of complimentary messages, it even resulted in people sending contributions to pay for Mr. Fullerton’s meals! Some of the comments left on the post were;
“As my husband says, ‘We don’t make men like that anymore’. You and your generation went through things that no-one should ever have to.”
“Thank you, Ted, and all who serve/have served their country. None of them should ever feel like this.”
Ben Lopez has implored people to listen to the stories that veterans, of all ages, have to tell. You may well find them fascinating.