The coronavirus pandemic has killed hundreds of thousands of people all over the globe, but it met its match in the form of one 99 year-old Marine veteran who fought in World War II.
Max DeWeese is a veteran from Kansas City who was awarded two Purple Hearts for his bravery during World War II. After testing positive for COVID-19, the 99 year-old ended up in the hospital and then a rehab facility before he was able to defeat the deadly virus. On Thursday, DeWeese was discharged from Ignite Medical Resorts.
“I’ve gone through hell more than once and this came almost as close,” DeWeese said afterwards, according to WSLS-TV.
WATCH:
For 99-year-old Max Deweese, fighting off COVID-19 was just another battle won. We congratulate you, Max. 🇺🇸 For more >>> https://t.co/PBOpcHGAgq pic.twitter.com/4PN6v9zGXT— 41 Action News (@41actionnews) May 8, 2020
DeWeese signed up for the Marines after the attacks at Pearl Harbor in 1941, and he was a flamethrower in the South Pacific, fighting in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Paul Chappa with Friends in Service of Heroes, a veteran support group, placed a medal around his neck that read “I Beat COVID-19 in 2020″ after he left the rehab center.
“There’s nothing that Max can’t do,” said Chappa, according to FOX4 KC. “It certainly scared us when we heard that Max had been admitted. But it’s no surprise that Max has beat this.”
“Max’s attitude and never-give-up spirit is something that was ingrained in him as a young Marine, and it still lives with him today,” he continued.
Upon his discharge, DeWeese was given a surprise sendoff by his family, friends, and healthcare workers. Officers with the Kansas City Police Department, fiirefighters and a Marine Color Guard unit also attended the gathering to let DeWeese know how happy they were that he pulled through.
“I’ve gone through four engagements in the Pacific in World War II and that was hell,” Deweese said. “This wasn’t near as bad because at my age, I figured out what’s going to happen is going to happen and I’ll ride with it.”
The veteran added, “I’ve ridden it and thank goodness the good Lord has seen fit to keep me around for a little while longer.”
God bless Max DeWeese for showing coronavirus who’s boss!
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