Elderly Veteran Receives Birthday Gift From Anonymous Patron At Outback Steakhouse: Patron Pays Bill, Leaves Touching Note [Photo]

Robert Neiman, a WWII veteran, received a relatively surprising gift for his 92nd birthday. His recent visit to an Outback Steakhouse in Florida on February 21 was more gratifying than he probably expected, and it wasn’t just because of good food. Apparently, a couple dining at the restaurant noticed his USS Lexington CV 16 hat and what it signifies. Neiman, one of the last remaining plank owners of the ship, has quite a historical background. So, they opted to cover the $58.59 bill for his entire family.

What this restaurant did for an elderly veteran on his birthday is the definition of CLASS http://t.co/e0UzuDVrju pic.twitter.com/FjC73t8BBR

— Young Conservatives (@YoungCons) March 10, 2015

The receipt for the bill also included a brief message to Neiman thanking him for his years of service to the country.

The receipt read, “Thank you for your service!!” It was signed, “Very Grateful Americans.”

The act of kindness was so touching, the Outback Steakhouse location decided to share details about the gesture with Opposing Views. The veteran’s son, Bob Nieman, recently recounted the heartwarming gesture during an brief interview with the publication. Although the bill was paid by an anonymous patron, Bob actually had an idea of who may have paid the bill. He revealed there was a couple sitting near them that he noticed. The waiter admitted that they did cover the bill. However, no one knows their names!

“I wheeled my dad in & sat him down as I usually do. I noticed this 1 couple across from us watching [and] 10 minutes later they were gone. Thinking no more about it we started offing our food with the waiter as we were doing so he said to all of us, ‘Don’t Worry about the bill it’s already been taken [care] of because of this man service to our country.’ My dad was at the time wearing his Lexington Hat like he always does started beaming from ear to ear. My mom asked who did this & the waiter said, ‘Don’t worry they already left but they wanted to make sure you all were taken care of.’ Me being the ex-cop I am had to know and pressed him some more. ‘It wasn’t the couple sitting at that table?’ I asked, ‘the couple I noticed earlier?’ He told me yes, it was…how did I know? ‘Just a good guess,’ I said.”

The heartwarming gesture has gone viral in less than two days. Since it was reported on March 10, thousands of social media users have shared touching comments, commending the anonymous patron for their act of kindness. Here are some of the comments written via Facebook.

“Wonderful!!!! More places and people need to thank and appreciate all our service people!!! They are all Heroes for us”

“Thank you for paying his meal!!!Thank you Sr for your service!!! If alot more people would do the same we would be living in a better world…Its such a good feeling, i know because i do it once in while.”

What do you think about the anonymous patron’s birthday gift to Robert Neiman? Share your thoughts.

[Image(s) via Opposing Views]