Ross Longo, a 98-year-old World War II and Korean War veteran from Lake Placid, Florida, has become a social-media star — thanks to his 26-year-old neighbour, and a family who took him in as one of their own.
Longo’s story is told through the TikTok and Instagram account @your98yearoldvet, run by his neighbour Sevastian Munguia-Barajas, 26. One of their first videos drew a million views overnight.
Longo enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 at the age of 15 and served six and a half years, deployed to Europe during World War II and to Korea during the Korean War.
He has lived next door to Munguia-Barajas and his parents for more than 20 years. With no relatives nearby, the family welcomed him in, and last month he moved into their home. “They adopted me, and I adopted them,” Longo said.
The account documents everyday outings — fast-food trips, holidays and life advice — and paying it forward by helping other veterans in need. Munguia-Barajas has received a Good Neighbor Grant from the nonprofit Fosters Outriders for his community work.
A GoFundMe for Longo’s care, covering in-home caregivers and groceries, has raised more than $31,000.
The story arrives just ahead of Veterans Day, on Wednesday, 11 November — a fitting moment to celebrate a veteran whose neighbours became his family, and whose new audience has embraced him in return.
It was a big weekend for feel-good stories in America, from the giant pandas making their public debut at Zoo Atlanta to the strong US jobs report for October. Ross Longo’s story is the warmest of them all.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.