The reunion of two aged veterans who fought in the Second World War went viral in China, moving plenty of people to tears, according to an article by The Telegraph.
Zhuang Shuifa, 88, and Lin Shuishou, 90, were comrades in arms during the Second World War. They were part of the same platoon from 1944 to 1945, and helped fight the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong and southern Guangdong Province.
They eventually lost contact with each other, however, and both men thought they were lost to each other forever.
By some miracle, the two veterans were able to reunite.
Zhuang and Lin were admitted to the same hospital in Shenzhen, where they were also scheduled to receive the same treatment for the same illness.
Zhuang was only admitted to the hospital on April 15, Saturday. He shared his military background with his doctors a few days letter.
According to a report by The People’s Daily, “through casual chatting with the nurses, Zhuang realized that the patient next to him was none other than his former comrade in arms.”
Medical staff who have attended to the needs of Zhuang and Lin upon their admission to the hospital said that both veterans were weak--until they were reunited with each other.
Ling Li, a medical worker at the hospital, told the China Central Television (CCTV) that Zhuang’s mood also improved dramatically when he saw his old friend again.
“Their eyes shined when seeing each other, with hands tightly held together,” Lin said. “They were too thrilled to believe that they saw each other.”
Zhuang and Lin were able to meet one more time after the war, but they eventually lost contact with each other for approximately 20 years. Upon their reunion, the two held hands as if to overcome one last mission.
Zhuang reportedly told Lin, “Hold on, old friend. We’ll leave the hospital together!”