WASHINGTON — An unlikely friendship between a 90-year-old World War II veteran and a 4-year-old boy is withstanding the confines of distance and age.
Next-door neighbors 90-year-old Erling Kindem and 4-year-old Emmett Rychner enjoyed growing tomato plants, racing lawn mowers and playing croquet in their Minneapolis-area neighborhood. However, last summer, the Rychners sold their house and moved after a decade of living next to Kindem, reported KARE-TV.
Around the same time, Kindem decided it was time to leave his home and move with his wife into a senior apartment.
Even though the buddies live about 30 miles apart, Emmett and his family have maintained contact. And on Sunday, Emmett and his family stopped by Kindem’s 90th birthday party, KARE-TV reports.
Emmett came with a recognizable gift for the World War II veteran who flew combat missions in Europe: a matching set of dog tags. Each dog tag has an engraving with “Emmett & Erling” and “Friends Forever.”
WWII vet Erling marks his 90th birthday with a visit from his best buddy Emmett. Tonite@10 on KARE pic.twitter.com/JmyNan9TBG
— Boyd Huppert (@BoydHuppert) March 2, 2015
When the pair parted ways, Kindem had a message for his young friend.
“You come back again,” the 90-year-old said.
“I will eventually,” Emmett responded as he walked away. He turned back, wrapped his arms around Kindem’s legs and said, “Happy birthday, Erling.”
Watch the KARE-TV report:
