Maybe life's worked out alright for you, and you didn't get drafted into WW2 to drive tanks (have you SEEN Fury?) under Patton and been a part of the concentration camp liberations... and maybe you'd like to help an old vet out. Well, find one before Memorial day, 'cause Dan Rankin's dance card is full up. Someone has bought him breakfast for the past 3 years, and there's a waiting list to be the next to buy him breakfast

Dan Rankin can be found in his usual spot at Dueling Irons in Post Falls, Idaho every morning between 8 a.m.-10 a.m. And the 95-year-old veteran usually orders the same meal.

"Sausage patties, hash browns, wheat toast, eggs," Rankin said. "Once in awhile I change."

What hasn't changed is the generosity of fellow diners. Someone has picked up Rankin's check every day for the past 3-4 years.

The kindness isn't about to change, either. There is actually a waiting list of people wanting to pay for Rankin's meal.

"Everytime I've asked if I could pay for his meal, someone's already done it," said one customer.

According to KHQ, which posted the original story, Mr. Rankin was a tank driver in General George S. Patton’s army.

“I used to go out and get the pieces of the tanks that the Germans shot up and see if I could put ’em together again.” Dan Rankin

One local community member, Keith Boe, posted this on Facebook:

“I sat down with him yesterday and had a nice chat. He landed on the beaches at Normandy and later fought across Europe with General George Patton liberating concentration camps and he was on top of Berchtesgaden when the Germans surrendered.

He was given a 30 day “vacation” and the day before they were going to ship out to the Pacific Theater, all packed and loaded up to fight over there, they told them the Japanese just surrendered. I bet that was a happy day.

Mr. Rankin was a truck driver until he was 89 years old and stopped driving truck when he broke his hip. You got to be a tough fellow to fight in Patton’s Army.

He recently celebrated his 95 birthday and the restaurant showered him with balloons, birthday cake and cards. He is very much adored by the staff at Dueling Irons in Post Falls.

https://www.facebook.com/keith.boe.16/posts/2349640061943877
https://www.khq.com/news/random-customers-have-been-buying-this-wwii-veteran-s-breakfast/article_b27f95aa-5d4f-11e9-b758-e3d825525f5e.html
https://www.wthr.com/article/theres-waiting-list-buy-breakfast-wwii-vet-idaho

Stop by your local VFW, or ask around your work, or facebook friends. Someone can tell you of a vet that would really enjoy a bit of generosity. Maybe a beer that's always waiting for them at their favorite pub, bar, saloon, or bowling alley.

Or maybe a hot pizza any time they call the local Dominos. Perhaps you've noticed an old vet from WW2, Korea, or even Nam that's having a tough time mowing the lawn, washing the car... you get it?
Maybe you start something local and ask some friends to pitch in. You might just meet a cool old crusty jarhead, a nurse, or a field medic. Who knows? You might meet some Clint Eastwood type like in the movie Gran Torino.

But Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Grandparents Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day are all coming up soon. Think about it.

Most WW2 vets are between 90 and 110. There aren't many left... get to know them quick, and have them tell you about it. Or just buy them a beer