96-year-old war veteran with blood cancer visited cafe after checkups—stranger’s $10K surprise changed his world
A struggling person might find help in the most unlikely places. A 96-year-old Korean War Veteran hadn't expected to receive help at a bar he went to after his oncology appointments with his wife, either. The man, Charlie Rentzel, used to frequent the bar often and everyone knew him there. It was a usual trip to the place when a man approached him and offered help that brought tears to the man's eyes, per WUSA 9.
Rentzel visits the Anchor Bar in Frederick, Maryland, every Thursday after his appointments for blood cancer treatment and orders a beer. Everyone at the bar is really fond of him. "We love Mr. Charlie — he’s such a doll," a customer remarked. "He's fun, a lot of fun," another customer continued. The man usually orders the same thing and sits in the same spot every time he visits. During one of his visits with his wife, Anna Rentzel, the man was wearing his Korean War Hat and another veteran, Alex Nowlin, noticed that. Nowlin told the bartender that he would like to pay for the couple. "As a veteran, it was personal to me," the man went on.
Nowlin started talking with the couple and learned that they lived in Brunswick and visited the bar after Rentzel was treated for blood cancer. The Korean War Veteran had started showing signs of dementia as well. Nowlin learned that the couple's house was in desperate need of repairs so they could continue living there safely. They needed an ADA-compliant bathroom in the basement so the man wouldn't have to climb up the stairs multiple times a day to use the bathroom. They needed safer windows around the house and concrete for the front walk. The couple hadn't asked him for anything, but Nowlin decided that he wanted to do something for the US Air Force Veteran on his own accord.
"They didn’t ask for this. I'm literally telling them, 'We're going to make this happen,'" Nowlin expressed. The man managed to raise $10,000 with the help of regular customers at the place and strangers who pitched in to help. The renovations and improvements to the house included new paint, stairwell repairs, landscaping and updates that would ensure that Rentzel wouldn't have to climb the stairs. "Half the people who helped, I didn’t even know their names," Nowlin pointed out. "There’s not enough thank-yous for what they’ve done for us," Anna added. It also turned out to be the kindest thing Rentzel had experienced in his life. "I’m just so happy. I’m not doing it because I’m sad. I’m doing it because I’m happy," the man went on.
Many people came across the story and were inspired by Rentzel's life. "We’ve got people saying they want to grow up to be just like Charlie," Anna revealed. "How lucky can I be?" Rentzel questioned. The people started a GoFundMe to help the family with all the work they needed to get done at their house. "Please donate kindly so we can support this veteran who did a lot for our country," the organizer requested. They managed to raise $7,086 out of their $12000 target since April.