Dewey Muirhead, a 101-year-old WWII veteran, was brought to tears after he met his great-great-granddaughter, for the very first time. In the touching video that has gone viral on TikTok, Muirhead is seen blindfolded before being surprised with his newborn great-great-granddaughter, immediately placing a tender kiss on her forehead. “Sweetie,” Muirhead says as he reaches out and gives the baby girl a kiss. “What in the world are you doing? … Oh, isn’t she pretty? Look at her.” As Lexie Fowler places her baby into her great-grandfather’s arms, his voice cracks with emotion as he wipes away tears.
@lex.fowlerA day I never thought we would get to see! My great grandpa Dewey Muirhead meeting (our daughter Millie Fowler) his great great granddaughter! 101 years apart! He served in World War II ♥️ just listen to his sweet voice tremble as he enjoys this sweet surprise!!♬ original sound – Lex
“To me, he is the definition of a true American hero,” said Lexie Fowler of Oklahoma to Fox. “Just to be able to watch your great-grandfather hold your own child is something I’ll never forget. A lot of people don’t get to have that opportunity and we are very fortunate for it.” Lexie shared what gave her the idea to surprise her great-grandfather during baby Millie’s newborn photoshoot. “Our photographer takes pictures of veterans free of charge and my great-grandfather is very near and dear to her,” Fowler said. “When I told her that I was having a baby, she immediately jumped on it and said, ‘We have to get photos with your great-grandpa because this makes five generations.'”
“It was honestly the coolest experience,” Fowler said. “Watching my great-grandfather cradle her in his arms — and she was just soothed. It’s almost like that’s what he has long held on for, for so long.” Muirhead served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. He was stationed in Germany, France and Belgium during his service. Muirhead married his wife, Inez, before he left for the war. The pair was married for 79 years before she passed away in 2021. “He’s been through more than I can imagine,” Fowler said. “I’m sure when he went to war, he didn’t even know if he would make it back home to his wife, let alone meet his great-great-grandchild. This is the first great-great-grandchild [in the family], so it was very, very special for him. There’s a photograph where he’s holding her and you can just see the look in his eyes, and he’s got tears.”
If she could give one message to the viewers, Fowler said to cherish your family while you have them. “But if I could just spread one message to anyone, it would be to cherish those moments with your family and that God is very good for allowing us to give this opportunity to him and our family — and be able to spread it across the whole world. This is something we will cherish forever.”