It hit him—the overwhelming feeling of gratitude and respect, the magnitude of the struggle and sacrifice his mother and father had to endure—as he was getting ready to move from Washington to South Florida in 2010.
John Collins was only 14 years old when his mother, Lydia, decided to retire from 21-plus years of serving in the Air Force. The pair was ready to start a new chapter in their lives, move closer to family members still living in Lydia’s native home in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
But local community members wouldn’t let them leave without a proper send off.