Most stories that come out of Washington, D.C. are about politics. This one is not.
On Wednesday, 87-year-old Army veteran Nick Kennedy stormed the barricaded World War II Memorial with the aim of reflecting on his time during the great war.
The World War II veteran intended to pay his respects to friends who perished in battle and look back at the sacrifices Americans made during the war.
But, on the cool autumn day, Kennedy would also unexpectedly forge a new memory — his family had secretly planned to bring his great grandchild to meet him for the very first time while at the memorial.
The infant, Alec, had just been born this past summer — on the Fourth of July — to his family who lives in Northern Virginia, just outside D.C.
Kennedy, who lives in Missouri, had not been able to see the child until this exact moment:
World War II veteran Nick Kennedy meets his great grandson Alec for the first time Wednesday at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Kennedy was one of the Honor Flight veterans who stormed the memorial despite the closure due to the government shutdown. (TheBlaze/Oliver Darcy)
Kathy Roberts, Kennedy's daughter traveling with him, said she kept the entire plan under wraps.
"I didn't say anything to him because he was so excited for the day and sometimes too much is overwhelming," Roberts told TheBlaze.
"I knew it was going to be a wonderful surprise for him but it turned out to be even better than I expected," she continued. "It was truly a blessing."
World War II veteran Nick Kennedy meets his great grandson Alec for the first time Wednesday at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Kennedy was one of the Honor Flight veterans who stormed the memorial despite the closure due to the government shutdown. (TheBlaze/Oliver Darcy)
Kennedy, she said, loves his great grandchildren and even spends time crafting each one of them a wooden plaque. He had recently made one for Alec, but was unsure if he would ever have the opportunity to meet him.
Afterwards, the Army veteran reflected on the surprise.
"He said, 'Boy that was a surprise I didn't expect. This whole day has been a whole day of wonderful surprises,'" Roberts said.
"He is going to sleep really well tonight," she added.
UPDATE — 10/4, 8:15 PM ET:
Below is a local news clip about the surprise visit Kennedy received:
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