“At the start of the corona period, of course, like here in the U.S., the elderly were isolated a lot,” Lt. Col. Groen mentioned. “We decided to call all the veterans to hear how they were doing.”

The Dutch soldier informed Lt. Col. Groen he obtained the category ring from one other Dutch soldier, who obtained it from an American soldier throughout the Korean War within the Fifties.

Lt. Col. Groen mentioned it’s unclear why the American soldier gave the ring to the Dutch soldier, however Lt. Col. Groen wished to return the ring to the American soldier’s surviving relations.

Using the ring’s markings and inscriptions as a information, he found it got here from St. James Catholic High School in Chester.

The St. James Alumni Association recognized the soldier as Joseph Sullivan, a 1946 graduate of the varsity.

The affiliation posted a photograph of the ring on its Facebook, which Melissa Jenkins, Sullivan’s great-niece, instantly acknowledged as her nice uncle’s class ring.

After two years of on-line communication, Lt. Col. Groen personally returned the category ring to Jenkins at a Friday afternoon ceremony within the St. James Alumni Association’s Bulldog House.

“Let me present you the ring of your uncle, Mr. Joseph Sullivan, a Korean War veteran, and I’m happy that I can bring it back to your family,” Groen mentioned.
Despite pledging allegiance to completely different flags, Groen says American and Dutch veterans share a detailed bond, particularly after World War II.

“You fought for our liberation so we think we should always do something for American veterans, so I’m very honored to be here,” Groen mentioned.