Veteran Grandpa Battling Illness Insists on Standing to Welcome Navy Grandson Home

A veteran grandfather battling severe illness insisted on rising from his bed and standing to welcome his Navy grandson home before sharing an emotional hug.

Deshawn Liptrap, from Killeen, Texas, left for boot camp with the United States Navy in November 2023 and had been desperate to travel home to visit his sick grandpa, James, 75, a Vietnam veteran.

James was diagnosed with cancer, and Deshawn, having spent months in boot camp and then A School, was presented with a chance to return home after graduation on May 2.

Deshawn, 18, opted to head back to Texas right away, where he walked into his family home and surprised his grandpa, who was lying in bed.

Upon seeing his grandson, a proud James made his way to the edge of his bed before insisting on standing under his own strength.

He and Deshawn then shared an emotional hug, which Deshawn felt extremely proud of, as during his time with the Navy, he had dreamed of making his grandpa proud and seeing him one last time.

READ MORE: Military Grandson Surprises Grandma In Hospice With Kidney Failure

Deshawn also paid surprise visits to his brother Damarion and grandma Woong, capturing all three moments on video.

Having returned to base in Florida two weeks later, Deshawn was then given the sad news that, on May 30, James had passed away.

By sharing the video of his grandpa’s strength on social media, Deshawn hopes to inspire others and honor his late grandpa.

READ MORE: Military Granddaughter Surprises Grandma On Family Vacation After 3 Years Apart

He said: “When I graduated and went home that same day, surprising my grandfather was the most important to me out of everything.

“He was very sick with cancer, and we were told by doctors he didn’t have much time left.

“But, in the meantime, he was fighting it and pushing through, so for me to see him before he passed away was everything to me.

“A lot of people have told me the video made them cry and they were happy for me to see my family again.

“You won’t know how much you miss them until you are away from them for a while.”

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