A soldier whose random act of kindness is going viral says that he just did what he "was raised to do."
Lt. Col. Robert Risdon was returning to Columbus, Georgia, from Mobile, Alabama, with his friend on Tuesday when they decided to stop at a Taco Bell in Greenville, Alabama, for some food.
Risdon noticed two young boys, a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old, walk into the restaurant with a box of "homemade baked goods" that they were trying to sell. The two boys asked Risdon if he would like to purchase one of their treats, but Risdon did not have any cash on him. That's when he decided to treat the boys to dinner instead.
Risdon, who described the two brothers as "great kids" and "super respectful," told ABC News that he asked the boys if they were hungry, and after the boys said "yes," he offered to buy them dinner from the menu.
"It seemed like a very small gesture I could do for two kids that were trying to make some money in the rain on a school night," said Risdon, who is currently stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. "So, absolutely it was my duty to at least get them something to eat."
After Risdon bought the boys dinner, he said the younger boy told him, "you know, I want to be just like you some day."
The boy then saluted the lieutenant with his left hand, and Risdon helped him and his brother learn the correct way to salute, which is "always with the right arm."
Risdon's friend, Jason Gibson, caught part of Risdon's random act of kindness on camera, and posted the video to his Facebook page later that night. The video has now been viewed over 200,000 times on Facebook, and has been shared over 5,000 times.
Risdon said that he is "blown away" by how far the news of his good deed has spread. He revealed that in the three days since the video was posted, he has received supportive messages from people from all over the world.
Risdon humbly insisted that his kind gesture "did not merit" as much attention as it's currently receiving, and admitted that he is "a little embarrassed by all the exposure."
As for the two young boys, Risdon said that the brothers are "two good kids and they’ve got good hearts," and had only one piece of advice for the boys.
"When you’re older and you’re in a position to help someone out -- don’t pass it up," Risdon said.
Watch the viral video of Lt. Col. Robert Risdon's random act of kindness below:
I was in a taco bell tonight when two kids came in trying to sell home made desserts for money. I over heard a soldier ask the kids if they were hungry and told them to follow him to the counter, he would buy them dinner. I had to video it and share. Our troops are always taking care of us. Thank u LTC Robert Risdon please please share this....I heard the little one say I want to be just like u when I grow up and saluted him.
Posted by Jason Gibson on Tuesday, January 26, 2016
