'Deals & Steals for you and your home!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • Copyright © 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. All Rights Reserved.
  • Family

Grandfather with Alzheimer's gives Navy-bound grandson his 1st salute

VIDEO: Grandfather gives Navy-bound grandson his 1st salute
1:00
Grandfather gives Navy-bound grandson his 1st salute
ABCNews.com
ByKatie Kindelan
June 17, 2021, 2:17 pm
•4 min read

When Nicholas Allen, 22, graduated from Cornell University last month, he had hoped his grandfather, Gail Allen, would be able to be there to watch him be commissioned in the U.S. Navy.

Nicholas Allen, who is going to nuclear power school with the goal of working on a Naval submarine, said he grew up hearing stories of his grandfather's own service in the Navy.

"My dad would tell the stories from my grandfather of his military time," he told "Good Morning America." "When it came time, I decided I also wanted to be in the military. And I knew I liked engineering and knew that career path with submarines would be a good one to follow."

Editor’s Picks

How this handy dad became the 'Internet's Dad' with his how-to fix-it videos

  • May 27, 2020

Mom sobs as military husband surprises her in hospital after she welcomes twins

  • Feb 19, 2019

Retired police officer with ALS reunites with military son during surprise parade

  • May 12, 2020

Gail Allen, 78, enlisted in the Navy out of high school and served for 13 years, only leaving the service so he could gain custody of his two sons, one of whom is Nicholas's father, Ret. Lt. Colonel Kenneth Allen, who served 24 years in the U.S. Army.

"He gave up his career for us," said Kenneth Allen, Ph.D., a physics and nuclear engineering professor at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. "He always talked about the Navy and was so proud of it that I decided I wanted to join the military, too."

PHOTO: Gail Allen, Kenneth Allen and Nicholas Allen pose together in their military uniforms.
Gail Allen, Kenneth Allen and Nicholas Allen pose together in their military uniforms.
Courtesy Kenneth Allen

Nicholas's hope that his grandfather could travel from his home in South Carolina to New York to attend his commissioning was dashed when Gail Allen was diagnosed last year with Alzheimer's disease.

"He remembers things from a long time ago. He remembers his time (working on the family) farm and his time in the military," Kenneth Allen said of his dad. "He forgets things short-term like whether or not he has eaten."

When Nicholas learned that his grandfather could not attend his graduation, he decided to go to his grandfather in South Carolina to do his first salute, one of the most storied military traditions in which a newly-pinned officer receives their first salute from an enlisted service member.

PHOTO: Gail Allen, right, a U.S. Navy veteran, poses with his grandson Ensign Nicholas Allen.
Gail Allen, right, a U.S. Navy veteran, poses with his grandson Ensign Nicholas Allen.
Courtesy Kenneth Allen

"It's a really big deal," Nicholas said of the tradition. "It's a sign of respect to be given the first salute."

Last week, Nicholas stood in the backyard of his grandparents' home and saluted Gail Allen, who wore his Navy uniform -- the first time he had worn it in decades, according to his son.

"My mother was determined that there was no way my dad's uniform was going to fit, and it fit perfectly," said Kenneth Allen. "We put it on him and he came out and he was standing taller than he has in years. My mother was in tears."

PHOTO: Ensign Nicholas Allen salutes his grandfather, Navy veteran Gail Allen.
Ensign Nicholas Allen salutes his grandfather, Navy veteran Gail Allen.
Courtesy Kenneth Allen

It marked the first time Gail Allen's son and grandson had seen him in uniform, according to Kenneth Allen.

MORE: Soldier surprises daughter at high school graduation after not seeing her for years

"I never saw him in uniform, but he talked about the Navy all the time," he said of his dad. "He still to this day wears his (Navy) submarine service hat. It was such a big deal to him and so important to him."

Making the moment even more special was that Gail Allen is still within the progression of Alzheimer's where he recognizes his son and grandson and was able to appreciate the significance of the moment, according to Kenneth Allen, who shared the moment in a viral LinkedIn post.

"We're at a good time to be able to share this and be together," he said. "I'm thankful that we captured the moment."

Editor’s Picks

How this handy dad became the 'Internet's Dad' with his how-to fix-it videos

  • May 27, 2020

Mom sobs as military husband surprises her in hospital after she welcomes twins

  • Feb 19, 2019

Retired police officer with ALS reunites with military son during surprise parade

  • May 12, 2020
Up Next in Family—

Mom's viral TikTok about plane seats sparks debate about parents' labor divide

September 20, 2023

Retired pediatrician-turned-grandmother shares viral parenting tips

September 19, 2023

NFL star whose daughter died by drowning honors her after scoring 1st career touchdown

September 19, 2023

These states are where it will cost you the most and the least to raise kids

September 19, 2023

Up Next in Family—

Mom's viral TikTok about plane seats sparks debate about parents' labor divide

September 20, 2023

Retired pediatrician-turned-grandmother shares viral parenting tips

September 19, 2023

NFL star whose daughter died by drowning honors her after scoring 1st career touchdown

September 19, 2023

These states are where it will cost you the most and the least to raise kids

September 19, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

Copyright © 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. All Rights Reserved.