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.
3 Years after Sons Death, Lady Opens Door on Halloween And Sees Kids in Costumes She Sewed for Him
This story is a touching reminder of the power of love and memory in the healing journey after loss. Rosemary’s journey back to Halloween, a holiday once filled with joy and then shadowed by grief, shows how facing painful memories can lead to unexpected healing. Her willingness to decorate the house and her reaction to seeing those children dressed in her late son’s costumes show both the depth of her loss and the transformative power of compassion.
Through her husband’s quiet act of kindness—donating Dave’s belongings to children in need—Rosemary discovers a way to channel her grief into something meaningful. By bringing Tom, a young boy who reminded her of Dave, into her home, Rosemary doesn’t just find comfort; she finds purpose, embracing the chance to love and care for another child.
This story serves as an inspiring message about grief, renewal, and the enduring impact of love. Sharing it could remind others that while loss can seem overwhelming, there’s often a way forward through acts of kindness and opening one’s heart to new connections.
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