86-year-old Marine Corps veteran honors the heroes who died
LUTZ, Fla. - While friends and families gathered for picnics and barbecues on Memorial Day, an 86-year-old Marine Corps veteran who survived the Korean War honored his fallen comrades by waving the flag while in full uniform along U.S. 41 in Lutz. Florida.
Lester "Boddie" Osteen has been married and living in Lutz for 63 years.
Osteen says he went to Hillsborough High School and quit in his senior year to join the Marines. "I don't know why," he told FOX 13. "I just heard the call," he said.
Osteen fought in the Korean War from 1950 to 1954. He came back, but many of his friends who served in the Army and Marine Corps didnt, he said.
Monday, he stood in full uniform, waving his American flag and saluting motorists as they passed by, honoring those who served and fought, but never returned. "I'm out here to honor our heroes that died for all of us," he said.
"You hear these people honking? That's what makes me feel good inside," said Osteen. "It makes me want to cry."