Before Hurricane Milton made landfall in Tampa, Florida, officials there made an effort to help a man who went by the TikTok handle “Lieutenant Dan.” The man, whose true name is apparently Joseph Malinowski, defied their attempts to disembark from his 20-foot boat and chose instead to weather the storm.
Malinowski was filmed by Terrence Concannon, who uploaded the popular TikTok on October 8 and showed him justifying his choice. Malinowski, who was inspired by the Forrest Gump character, boldly declares his belief in God in the video, saying, “God told me to come out here and acquire a boat. I’m safe with him. We’re going to get through this. He brashly said, “Hell no,” when asked if he would be donning a life jacket, stating that his yacht was the safest place for him to be.
Around 43 million people had viewed the film as of October 9, garnering both local and national interest. Authorities in Tampa were worried about his safety, but Malinowski refused to leave despite multiple attempts to persuade him. The local police said that although they would have helped, they would eventually be unable to get to him due to the storm’s increasing conditions.
Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa first said that Malinowski had been rescued and taken to a shelter during a press conference. Brian Entin, a reporter for NewsNation, swiftly refuted this, posting a picture of Malinowski remaining on his boat as evidence that he had not departed. Later on, the mayor’s office stated that Malinowski had initially decided to depart but ended up staying.
Concannon, the person who first uploaded the popular video, launched a GoFundMe page in support of Malinowski, which raised almost $23,000. The money is meant to assist Malinowski—who has been called a “modern-day pirate”—in buying a new boat because his present one has “seen better days.”
With sustained winds of 120 mph, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, was predicted to make landfall on Florida’s west-central coast as of October 9. Malinowski made the decision to stay on his boat despite several orders for the locals to leave, putting his faith and the security of his craft at risk.
He was asked about grandparents. Little boy’s message about grandmas goes viral
Grandmothers occupy a special place in our hearts, showering their love on their grandchildren and always willing to go the extra mile for them. Unlike parents, who are often burdened with daily responsibilities, grandmothers can focus solely on their deep affection for their grandchildren.
A heartwarming video featuring a young boy in an adorable martial arts outfit has captured the internet’s attention. When asked about why God created grandmothers, his response is priceless. While his answer is simple, it carries profound truth.
However, it’s not just their forgiving nature that makes grandmothers extraordinary; they also know how to have fun. They get to relive the joys of childhood without the burdens of responsibility.
There’s no worry about finances, healthcare, or schooling—just pure enjoyment. Establishing traditions like going out for all-you-can-eat buffets or watching movies together becomes treasured moments in the grandparent-grandchild relationship.
While there is ample evidence highlighting the greatness of grandmothers, this young boy’s video offers a unique perspective. We won’t spoil it; it’s best to watch for yourself. Prepare to be touched by his heartfelt thoughts on his grandmother and mother.
How does this video of the boy make you feel? If you find it as heartwarming as we do, consider sharing it with others. Grandmothers truly are a precious gift!
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