Daughter asks US Marine to honor her dying war hero dad. She broke down when she answered the door next day

Patients admitted to hospice care deal with the grim reality of impending death as they have little time to bid farewell to this world. Their families bear the most pain in seeing their loved ones slipping into a vulnerable state. Some families take a rather unspoken route to provide closure and peace during the patient’s final moments. Similarly, a woman chose to honor her veteran father while he was drawing his final breaths. The daughter turned to a former U.S. Marine and motivational speaker, Tim Chambers—who goes by @thesalutingmarine on TikTok—to pay her ailing dad a quiet yet touching tribute. An emotional video showed Tim arriving at the facility in his Marine uniform, celebrating the senior retired Marine’s valor during the Korean War in the early 1950s.

The Korean War veteran’s daughter, who was seen standing beside him in the footage, wanted her dad to be remembered as a national hero in his final moments. At the daughter’s request, Tim visited her dad and thanked him for his service to the country. “Marine on deck. Good afternoon, Sir. Staff Sergeant Chambers, reporting his order. You ever run across that horse in Korea that was running artillery rounds in evacuating wounded?” he asked the veteran, referring to Sergeant Reckless, a famous horse that served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.

“What’s amazing about the Korean War is that over 20 nations came together to fight the evildoers. And that’s what this man was doing on the counter-offensive, fighting the Chinese near the end of the Korean War. We lost a lot of Marines on those hills,” Tim continued, honoring the veteran. In a follow-up video, the former Marine was seen dedicating the Marine Hymn to the veteran just two days before his passing. “First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean, we are proud to claim the title of United States Marine,” were the powerful words filling the quiet room.

The veteran lying in his bed seemed physically weak, not responding to the people surrounding him. With his skin pale, his mouth slightly open, and his eyes gently closed, the only way he could acknowledge the emotions was through almost unnoticed, rare leg movements. The Korean War vet’s wife, lying in another bed next to him, had been diagnosed with dementia. The room was filled with other veterans who had made their way to the hospice to show their solidarity.

“This Marine served in one of the bloodiest battles of the Korean War. Near the end of the war, he fought the Chinese and retook a hill. I was asked two days prior to be there for this Marine. The family wanted a uniform to be present before he passed away,” Tim wrote in the description. He shared footage of his veteran friends riding in a motorcade to honor the Korean War veteran. Tim’s humbling gesture to commemorate the veteran’s efforts during the tough times for the country received applause on social media.

Among the countless reactions, @wildbuck426 remarked, “Sir! You’re relieved of duty. Please enjoy the paradise that’s waiting for you. Thank you for your service and dedication to the U.S.” @user9242190377538 noted, "This Marine is marching while hearing his tribute.”

You can follow Tim Chambers (@thesalutingmarine) on TikTok for more military-related content.