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Paramedics finish cutting the grass for Vietnam War veteran, 83, who collapsed from heat exhaustion while mowing his lawn

  An 83-year-old war veteran who collapsed from heat exhaustion while mowing his lawn on a hot South   Florida   day got a helping hand from...

 An 83-year-old war veteran who collapsed from heat exhaustion while mowing his lawn on a hot South Florida day got a helping hand from first responders who were happy to cut his grass to show their appreciation for his service.

Prince Pinkney, a Vietnam War veteran who lives in Fort Lauderdale, was doing yard work in front of his home on Monday when the 91-degree heat took its toll.

‘It was hot, and I got overheated,’ he told WSVN-TV


Pinkney said that one of his legs, which never fully recovered after he suffered a stroke years ago, gave out on him.

‘When it gave out, I just fell right in the yard out there,’ he said.


Paramedics with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue pose with Prince Pinkney (third from right), 83, and his wife, Rebecca (second from left), at their home in Fort Lauderdale

Paramedics with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue pose with Prince Pinkney (third from right), 83, and his wife, Rebecca (second from left), at their home in Fort Lauderdale

Prince Pinkney (right) collapsed from heat exhaustion while mowing his lawn. A passerby saw that his wife, Rebecca (left), struggled to help him up. That's when first responders were called to the home

Prince Pinkney (right) collapsed from heat exhaustion while mowing his lawn. A passerby saw that his wife, Rebecca (left), struggled to help him up. That's when first responders were called to the home

After Pinkney collapsed from heat exhaustion, paramedics treated him until he fully recovered. They then took it upon themselves to finish mowing his lawn

After Pinkney collapsed from heat exhaustion, paramedics treated him until he fully recovered. They then took it upon themselves to finish mowing his lawn

Fort Lauderdale paramedics cut Pinkney's grass in a gesture of gratitude for his military service during the Vietnam War
Fort Lauderdale paramedics cut Pinkney's grass in a gesture of gratitude for his military service during the Vietnam War

Fort Lauderdale paramedics cut Pinkney's grass in a gesture of gratitude for his military service during the Vietnam War

His wife, Rebecca, tried to help him.

‘I had him by the arm, but I couldn’t hold him up.’


A passerby who saw Pinkney on the ground while his wife struggled to help him up alerted first responders.

The Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue immediately dispatched a crew of paramedics and firefighters to the home on Southwest Third Court in the Melrose Manors section of the city.

‘We treated them and checked them out,’ said FLFR Lieutenant Matthew Wells.

Paramedics said they were honored to mow Pinkney's lawn after learning that he served in the military as a missile technician during the Vietnam War

Paramedics said they were honored to mow Pinkney's lawn after learning that he served in the military as a missile technician during the Vietnam War

Pinkney was given treatment and recovered, but the crew would not leave until his lawn was mowed as he intended.

FLFR posted video on its social media page showing two paramedics cutting Pinkney’s grass.

The crew said they were honored to lend a helping hand to Pinkney, who was drafted in the military more than 50 years ago and served as a missile tech in Vietnam.

‘Their story is amazing in itself,’ FLFR Captain Terry Maylor told WSVN.

‘Their age, what they’ve gone through, his history as a veteran serving this country.

‘If that doesn’t move you to go ahead and do what you’re capable of, then nothing will.’ 

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