A WORLD WAR II veteran will travel from the US state of Virginia to Australia to reunite with his wartime girlfriend after more than 70 years apart.
Norwood Thomas, 93, of Virginia Beach will travel to Adelaide next month to reunite with 88-year-old Joyce Morris, the Virginian-Pilot newspaper reports.
When the two recently spoke via Skype, Thomas told Morris that he would love to see her again in person and give her “a little squeeze.”
During their two-hour video reunion, the two recalled their time together when they met in England, a few months before he parachuted into Normandy with the 101st Airborne Division.
After the war had ended, the two went their separate ways. Morris has since lost much or her vision and currently resides in Australia.
Thomas has also health problems and lives on a fixed income in Virginia Beach.
After their story went public two months ago, more than 300 people made donations online to help the two rekindle their romance.
Others sent cheques directly to Thomas’ house. Almost $7,500 (€6,886) had been donated when Air New Zealand stepped in, and arranged for Thomas and his caretaker son Steve to fly first-class to Australia, free of charge.
Thomas said he was stunned by the generosity.
I’m numb. I have no idea what my emotions are going to be once we meet face to face.
Thomas and Morris are expected to spend Valentine’s Day together.
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