GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WXMI) — Lloyd Slack went to Lowell High School more than 50 years ago — before he was drafted into the Vietnam War.
Slack lost his life in the line of duty and died a hero's death on Dec. 14, 1967.
For all these years, his mom Lola Mondy has been missing something Spc. Slack rightfully ought to have. Wednesday, FOX 17, WXYZ's Grand Rapids sister station, was there when lost time was made up for.
It happened at Michigan Veterans Homes in Grand Rapids, when Slack's medals were presented that he earned long ago.
His nearly 97-year-old mother was there to accept the honors. And the crowd even sang "Happy Birthday" to her.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you for having me," Mondy said.
Many tears were shed in the audience. Mondy says the loss of her only son, Slack, is something she never expected when she sent him off to war all those years ago.
“I never thought anything like this would happen. You don’t think like that,” Mondy said.
A Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart were among the medals presented on Wednesday.
Ever since Slack's death, Tim Keenan, who served alongside him, has thought about his fallen friend and the honors he should receive.
He's hoped for Wednesday's event for a long time.
“Not even having time to grieve the loss of your friend. That’s something you can’t explain to a layperson... Lloyd, I found out he died and I was devastated, but I had to pay attention. That’s war. That's why we need to negotiate now, instead of that," Keenan said.
Congresswoman Hillary Scholten got wind of Lloyd's story and helped get Mondy what was owed to her.
"What a special day," Scholten said.
“Oh, I don’t know how I feel, but it’s been so long. I appreciate it. I thank them. I’ll take care of it,” Mondy said.
Keenan says through this process, Mondy has become like a second mother to him. He plans to drive down from Traverse City to visit her in Grand Rapids regularly.
