RETURN TO SEARCH
ID: TT-6288

Purple Heart Vet Surprised With Tribute Artwork On Truck Saluting Seven Lost Brothers

A grandpa who received the Purple Heart was brought to tears when his granddaughter and her husband added a tribute on the back of his truck saluting the seven close friends he lost to war. Bernard "Jake" Jackovich, 76, from Calumet, Michigan, is extremely well respected in his family and community due to the sacrifices he made for his country. Jake joined the United States Marines in 1966 and was immediately sent to fight in the Vietnam War. Months into his tour, Jake was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), which saw him lose two fingers on his left hand and part of his right leg below the knee. Having spent 16 months recovering in a Philadelphia naval hospital, Jake received the Purple Heart for his bravery, before returning home to marry his wife of 53 years. Jake's granddaughter Dallas Pihlaja (pronounced “peel-a-ya”) was aware of her grandfather's story, so when her husband, Kyle, 35, was carrying out some bodywork on Jake's truck, they decided to add a little surprise. Kyle is the owner of Pristine Airbrush, an airbrushing company, and so he and Dallas, 28, settled on a tribute to the time Jake spent in Vietnam and the seven military brothers he had lost to war. On September 8, at Jake's home, Kyle called the 76-year-old outside to take a look at a "blemish" that he said he had noticed on the back of his truck while carrying out the works. When Jake instead laid eyes on his grandson-in-law's amazing artwork, he was immediately blown away, with the tribute to his friends bringing him to tears. Dallas said her husband enjoys working on special artworks for people in the community and was proud to honor her grandfather's service. She watched Jake's surprise arm-in-arm with her grandma with tears filling their eyes, before later sharing a video of the moment on social media.
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
* More Information
Location: Calumet, Michigan, USA
  • Date Acquired: 09-24-2024
  • Date Filmed: 09-08-2024
  • Orientation: Vertical
  • Footage Type: Cell Phone
  • Rights :  TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing
Tags:  grandpa , veteran , truck , brothers , marines , vietnam , war , calumet , michigan

Purple Heart Vet Surprised With Tribute Artwork On Truck Saluting Seven Lost Brothers

Follow link below to enquire about a Custom Package
Order
*Sign In Or Sign Up for Instant Access*
Custom Package? Get In Touch

Daughter Takes Blind Veteran Dad On Rollercoaster

Veteran Given Hero's Welcome On Honor Flight

Grandpa Wipes Away Tears When Grandson Restores Beloved 1954 Truck To Working Order

Veteran Grandpa Battling Illness Insists On Standing To Welcome Navy Grandson Home

Veteran Fights Back Tears When He's Surprised With Banner In His Honor

Veteran Has Pure Reaction To Military Son Surprise Reunion

Vietnam Veterans Reunite For First Time Since Battlefield

Vietnam War Veteran Meets Daughter For The First Time In 50 Years

Couple Apart For Longest Time Since Vietnam War Reunited

After 20 Years, Marine Surprised By Battle Buddies For 40th Birthday

Marine Battling Mental Health Issues Surprised By Former Colleague Disguised As Waiter

Marine Surprises Kid Brother

Navy Veteran Surprised By Battle Buddy After 30 Years

Boy Born With 'Nubby' Has Lookalike Doll To Help With Baby Sister

Nurse Sings Song To Give Dying Patient Hope To Keep Fighting

Obstacle Course Leads Boy To Military Bonus Dad After Deployment

WWII Vet Sees Wife For First Time In Two Months

90-Year-Old Beams With Delight As He Plays In Park For First Time In Life

Teen Looks Stunned When Airman Brother Photobombs His Family's Festive Photo

Prankster Wife Repeatedly Scares Husband Around House

Daughter Surprises Mom With News She's Moving Home

Dad Opens 'Late Birthday Present' To Discover News He's Set To Be A Grandpa For First Time

Teen Promposes To Date With Airplane Message

Son Surprises Mom With Dream Puppy She Thought Had Sold

Family Host Drive-By Concert For Residents In Quarantine

When Grandpa Can't Make Quinceanera Granddaughter Surprises Him In Dress In Hospital

Soldier Sister Comes Home To Surprise Brother In Epic Raffle Win Prank

Woman Gifts Rainbow Lorikeet That Landed On Her Head To Grandpa

Sister Sobs Happy Tears In Restaurant When Military Brother Surprises Her