A US Marine veteran showed his pride in an unconventional manner as he danced his way through Independence day, garnering the honks of supportive drivers who passed him.
According to WKBW, Marine veteran Nicholas Mitchell wore little more than shorts and an American flag as he danced, encouraging drivers to “Honk 4 America”. With an original goal of 750 honks, he received over a thousand from the amused drivers of Williamsville, New York.
“We’re super patriotic,” said Nicholas Mitchell, as he cheered on cars on the streets. “I love my country and I want to bring smiles to everybody’s face.”
Mitchell spent a large portion of his Marine career in Hawaii and moved to the New York town from Texas around a month and a half ago with one of his former comrades. The Marines decided that they wanted to show their support for their country.
“I cherish the fact that we live in the country we do,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been all over the world in numerous countries where you start to more or less forget some of the freedoms that we do have and that we take for granted.”
Although they received a noise complaint, the Marines were encouraged by many neighbors and drivers.
“I hope people get the idea that patriotism isn’t something that you have to have a big parade down Main street,” said Ed Gentner, one of Mitchell’s neighbors. “It’s something that you live everyday, and these kids do. It’s only fitting that we honor them.”
Gentner added that it is crucial to recognize those who have fought under the US Flag.
“When we came back 45 years ago, people were not that fond of the military,” said Gentner. “Today we spend a lot more time honoring these kids. They go into harm’s way for us and they don’t ask for nothing.”
Mitchell’s light-hearted tribute originally began on Memorial Day, when he met his original goal of 500 honks. He plans to do this again on Veteran’s Day, asking people to drive along his street and honk for America.
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