“It just speaks volumes for the military. I thought of my son, who is retired Air Force, and the people who thank him for his service. It’s rewarding to see that the military is so strong and so polite.”

According to Belleville News, the five Marines were later identified as Kevin Morris, Val Diaz, Eric A. Morales, Victor M. Andrade Gomez, and Elijah Reynolds — all private first class.

When the paper reached out for comment, they simply said it was the right thing to do.

“He fought for us. Now it’s our turn,” said the 21-year-old Pfc. Diaz, from Texas.

Lou Zezoff served in the Navy from 1959 to 1963. During Vietnam, Lou, an E5 (Petty Officer Second Class), served on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea in 1961 and ’62.

CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE