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.
UPS Driver Is Brought To Tears After Learning Why Cars Were Lined Up And Down The Road
A recent incident brought a UPS driver to tears as he encountered a street filled with parked cars and curious onlookers. What unfolded was a touching celebration of a child’s victory over cancer, highlighting the profound impact of small acts of kindness.
While on his regular route, the driver noticed a crowded street and, upon inquiry, learned that the community had gathered to celebrate a young boy’s remission from cancer. Overwhelmed by the scene and the uplifting news, the driver tearfully expressed, “This is the best thing I’ve ever seen. It’s just amazing.”
The heartfelt moment underscores the power of collective support and compassion. The community’s unity in celebrating the boy’s triumph over cancer serves as a powerful reminder of the positive impact such gestures can have. In the face of challenges, this incident resonates with the shared sentiment that people’s spirits can be lifted through empathy and shared joy.
In the driver’s own words, “It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen,” encapsulating the profound effect of witnessing a community come together to celebrate a young life overcoming adversity. This story beautifully illustrates the capacity of small acts of kindness to create a ripple of positivity and hope.
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