On Friday, July 11th All Care employee, Paula Dercolo was headed to Revere Beach for the Sand Sculpting Competition to do some sales and marketing. Here is her account of the humbling experience she had that day…
The theme this year was a Salute to our Veterans. As I was trying to find a spot to put out my marketing materials, I noticed an elderly gentleman trying to make his way on to the beach with his walker. I urged him not to go because it was unsafe, but he kept telling me he needed to see this certain sculpture. As he proceeded to make his way down the steps, he started to fall. I helped him make his way over to the sculpture, and then I noticed his cap which said he was an Iwo Jima Survivor. He told me his name was Bill Quinn, and he was at Iwo Jima. As he got to the sculpture, he took out two American Flags, a picture of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, a book “The Flag of our Fathers”, and the names written down of the original men in the infamous Iwo Jima flag raising.
Two hours later, Bill Quinn was the star of the beach! He was telling everyone who
asked all about Iwo Jima, the casualties of the war, and the friendships he had with the men who served with him. Bill Quinn is 93 years old! Everyone who walked by thanked him for his services. Families with children went up to him and shook his hand. I took many pictures of him and promised him I would bring them to him.
I brought him the pictures a few weeks later, and he was thrilled! He remembered me, and sent me a thank you card. It was probably one of the most humbling experiences of my life.