As a World War II veteran, Robert Rouffelow is often approached by strangers thanking him for his service. Sometimes, when children come up to shake his hand, he is so moved that he cries, said his wife Joanne.
But Tuesday marked a first for the 87-year-old DeFuniak Springs man, who joined the U.S. Navy when he was 17 and served in the Pacific during the war.
A Good Samaritan paid for the couple’s lunch when they stopped at Wayne’s Catfish House on their way to a doctor’s appointment in Crestview.
He was using a walker and wearing a billed cap identifying him as a World War II veteran.
“Your meal has been paid for from one veteran to another and he thanks you for your service,” the server told them.
Joanne said they had noticed one active duty airman eating lunch with his family when they came in, but don’t know who actually paid for their lunch.
“We just want to say, ‘Thank you for your service as well,’” said Joanne. “And God bless you.”
Assignment Editor Wendy Victora can be reached at 850-315-4478 or wvictora@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @WendyVnwfdn.
