Brighten Your Day

‘How Lucky Can I Be?’: One Small Act Leads To Big Love For 96-Year-Old Veteran

August 13, 2025

On Thursday afternoons at the Anchor Bar in Frederick, Maryland, you’ll find a scene straight out of Cheers. The doors swing open, and in walks 96-year-old Korean War veteran Charlie Rentzel. Smiles spread, greetings fly, and yes — everyone knows his name.

“Mr. Charlie” usually claims the same seat, orders his beer, and enjoys the company of friends. But one ordinary day a few months ago, something unexpected happened.

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Another patron, Alex Nowlin, noticed Charlie’s Korean War cap. A veteran himself, Nowlin felt compelled to quietly cover the tab for Charlie and his wife, Anna.

“As a veteran, it was personal to me,” Nowlin explained.

That one small gesture set off a chain of events that neither man could have imagined.

While chatting, Nowlin learned that the couple often stopped in at the bar after Charlie’s oncology appointments — he’s currently being treated for blood cancer and showing signs of dementia. He also discovered their home in Brunswick needed serious updates to keep Charlie safe: an ADA-compliant bathroom, safer windows, new concrete for the walkway.

“They didn’t ask for this,” Nowlin said. “I’m literally telling them, ‘We’re going to make this happen.’”

And he meant it.

Word spread through the Anchor Bar regulars, and soon the whole community — friends, strangers, and neighbors — jumped in to help. Donations and elbow grease poured in, resulting in more than $10,000 worth of improvements: fresh paint, stairwell repairs, landscaping, and accessibility upgrades so Charlie no longer needs to climb stairs.

“Half the people who helped, I didn’t even know their names,” Nowlin said.

Anna was deeply moved. “There’s not enough thank-yous for what they’ve done for us,” she said.

Charlie, who has nearly a century of life experience, said he’s never seen anything like it. Blinking back happy tears, he shared, “I’m not doing it because I’m sad. I’m doing it because I’m happy.”

The love for Charlie hasn’t gone unnoticed. Anna says people now joke they want to grow up to be just like him. Charlie’s quick reply? “God help them,” he laughed.

All of it — the laughter, the repairs, the outpouring of kindness — started with one beer quietly paid for by a stranger.

“How lucky can I be?” Charlie said with a smile.

Those who wish to support the Rentzel family can visit their GoFundMe page.