Many people have secrets from their pasts. Not everyone is eager to reminisce about the intricate details of their lives with others. William Crawford, also known as Bill, was an ordinary janitor at an American Air Force Academy. He kept his private life to himself until one day, everything changed when a cadet was reading about him and discovered that he was a trooper with a fascinating story.
An Inconspicuous Janitor
William “Bill” Crawford was a janitor at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He was quiet and kept to himself while strolling around the squadron cleaning and picking up after 100 young cadets, generally only offering a passing greeting.
The old man dutifully did his job without anyone raising an eyebrow. Crawford blended in so well with the background that he appeared inconspicuous, yet he was hiding a shocking fact about his past.
Diligent and Discreet
The diligent janitor went about his work respectfully. His ability to keep the premises in pristine conditions allowed him to fade into the background of the busy academy without drawing any attention to himself.
The cadets who paid little attention to him didn’t know whose magnificent presence they were in. Mr. Crawford, as he was known by everyone else, kept his personal life private, but the secrets of his history weren’t kept hidden for long.
An Enigmatic Presence
William Crawford was born in 1918 in Pueblo, Colorado, where he came back to retire after a lifelong career of traveling all over the world. He wanted to go back home and get a low-stress job he could do peacefully without attracting much attention.
He happily took the janitor job at the military academy and decided to keep his identity to himself. Crawford was regarded as “an old man working in a young person’s world.”
Not Just a Simple Janitor
James Moschgat is a retired Air Force Colonel who was a cadet at the time Crawford worked at the academy. He recalled him being kind of shy and solemn. Because of the big age disparity between them, Moschgat never got to know him on a more personal level.
Moschgat explained, “The Academy, one of our nation’s premier leadership laboratories, kept us busy from dawn till dusk. And Mr. Crawford … he was just a janitor.”
Ordinary or Extraordinary
At first sight, Crawford seemed to be an ordinary elderly man doing an ordinary routine job that could give him a little extra money on top of his pension benefits. No one was really curious about his background, so no one really inquired about it.
Everyone assumed he was another “retired military” hire working at a minimum wage job at the academy. Little did the oblivious cadets know about his extraordinary background in the Force.
Change Was Near
Bill Crawford felt at home at the academy surrounded by his military family. He was comfortable in spending his time there and doing the most menial tasks as the young cadets studied for tests and trained hard for athletic events.
He rarely interacted with them, unless they ever spoke to him directly. Time passed on and it was in 1976 when everything would change. Until then, Crawford dutifully continued to sweep and empty trash cans.
An Incredible Discovery
One Saturday afternoon, then-cadet Moschgat was in the library reading a book about the Allied ground campaign in Italy during World War II when he came across an astonishing discovery that would change things instantly. He gasped in amazement and could not believe what he was reading.
Moschgat unintentionally discovered an incredible truth about the aging janitor who walked around the Air Force Academy with a courtly smile. Soon enough everyone would know the truth.
The Curious Connection
As Moschgat was turning the pages of the history book, a name in bold letters caught his full attention. He read a fascinating story about a trooper from Colorado named “Private William Crawford”.
He asked himself whether this Crawford had any relation to his squadron’s reserved janitor. Soon enough, he and his entire class would discover the real connection between the brave trooper in the war history book and old “Mr. Crawford” from janitorial services.
A Tale of Bravery
Cadet Moschgat was having a hard time believing what he read. The book narrated a story 30 years in the past, about the encounter of the US Army’s 36 Infantry Division with enemy forces near Altavilla, Italy during World War II.
He was captivated by the part where it said: “in the face of intense and overwhelming hostile fire…with no regard for personal safety… on his own initiative, Private Crawford single-handedly attacked fortified enemy positions.”
An Unsung Hero
Moschgat and his roommate were curious to know if the fearless soldier described in the history book was the same person as the inconspicuous janitor at the Air Force Academy. They planned to approach him and ask him about this to get to the bottom of it.
As soon as they were able to, the two cadets chased down Mr Crawford with the book in hand. At first, Crawford was hesitant about answering their questions.
The Truth
The janitor stared at the page for a silent while while the two young cadets anxiously waited for an answer. They looked at each other back-and-forth with open mouths in anticipation of the old man’s words.
“Yep, that’s me,” Crawford nonchalantly admitted. They inquired why he never spoke of it before, to which he calmly answered, “That was a long time ago and one day in my life.” However, this incredible story doesn’t end there.
Regarding the Past
Crawford enlisted in the United States Army in July 1942. He was serving as a soldier with the 142nd Infantry Regiment 36 Infantry Division on the frontlines in southern Italy just over a year after enlisting.
He was serving as a simple squad scout when his company attacked an enemy position at Hill 424 in Altavilla Silentina on September 13, 1943. The American troops were quickly besieged by heavy enemy machine gun and mortar fire.
A Heroic Display of Bravery
Crawford stepped up in an act of pure courage, playing a crucial role in the battle against the Germans. He bravely located the aggressive enemy and amazingly hurled a grenade and, without formal instruction, eliminated one enemy firing point using his clean line of vision.
Although Crawford’s feat saved lives, he continued to march into the oncoming attack. He crept through the gunfire and managed to eliminate two more strongly entrenched German machine gun positions.
From Daring to Danger
Crawford’s valiant acts caused the remaining of the opposing forces to flee after losing three of their entrenched stations. To Crawford’s dismay, his frontline position quickly became a source of great peril.
He was captured by German troops after being caught in close proximity to the enemy. Crawford was reported MIA and considered dead due to his limited prospects of survival. The tragic assumptions only added to the surprise of what was to come.
Tragedy and Honor
As all indicators pointed to Crawford’s death as a German POW, the US administration made preparations to honor the private at the highest level. Crawford was awarded America’s most prestigious military honor, the Medal of Honor, “posthumously” in 1944.
US Major General Terry Allen proceeded to give the prestigious medal to Crawford’s father George. It was a brief but impressive ceremony, as it was later recalled. Nonetheless, the future held an unexpected turn of events.
Astonishing Update
Many months passed, and Crawford’s family and closest friends kept trying to figure out what had happened to him. When a troop of soldiers was rescued from German captivity, Crawford was actually found alive and among the released troops.
Crawford, hailed as a national hero and triumphant survivor of a German prisoner of war internment camp, returned home ignorant of the greatest medal he had received or the unexpected circumstances that lay ahead for him.
National Hero Returns Home
Following the war, Crawford returned to civilian life and married Eileen Bruce in 1946. He re-enlisted in the Army a year after his wedding, despite everything he’d been through.
Crawford stayed in the army for another 20 years before retiring as a master sergeant in 1967. Crawford and his family relocated to Palmer Lake, Colorado, where he worked as the director of the Lucretia Vaile Museum and as a janitor at the adjacent Air Force Academy.
Dedicated Patriot
Crawford rarey wore his Medal of Honor during his military career because he didn’t feel as worthy. The humble patriot didn’t hesitate to work as a janitor without complaint, as others of such distinction might.
Crawford was greeted in awe and reverence as the truth about his history came to light. The Air Force recruits became more involved with him, and they made a conscious effort to avoid causing messes that he would clean up.
Between ”Dedicated Patriot” and “No Expectations”
He Deserved More Than His Salary
In the United States, janitors earn from $24k to $33k. Bill was a committed employee who took pride in his work. But knowing what we know now, he deserved more than this.
This anonymous unsung hero deserved way more compensation than what he was getting. He shouldn’t have had to struggle to work after retirement to help his pension income.
No Expectations
Crawford started to become more involved in the Air Force academy activities such as attending more squadron functions and he even warmed up to the cadets.
Without ever expecting anything, he had mentioned to his friends that because he was presumed dead, he had never personally received the Medal of Honor from the president. That was his only unfulfilled wish.
Special Surprise
Crawford was invited as a guest to the Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony in 1984, unaware that he would be in for a treat. The war hero-turned-armed forces janitor was 66 years old at the time.
Despite the fact that the academy’s staff and cadets were well aware of his accomplishments, he had yet to receive the gratitude that he deserved.
Long Overdue Recognition
At the graduation ceremony, then-President Ronald Reagan was among the cadets, generals and family members. Crawford was the focus of the commander-in-chief’s remarks which included praise for the veteran’s leadership and modesty.
The president hailed him as an example to follow since he had gone “above and above the call of duty.” Crawford was about to have a significant experience.
A Heartwarming Acknowledgment
At the packed stadium of the Air Force Academy, Reagan proceeded to recount the heroic efforts of Crawford during World War II. The president voiced Crawford’s valiant service in Europe and subsequent captivity in detail.
The true identity of the man who had been misidentified as an ordinary janitor for years was about to be revealed to the entire world.
The 40-Year-Wait Is Over
The president went on to say that the former soldier was unable to accept his Medal of Honor when it was first presented to him because he was taken captive.
Reagan then did something that would, without a doubt, irrevocably alter Crawford’s life. He summoned him to the podium where he was finally publicly awarded with the Medal of Honor.
Reagan’s Speech
“Courtesy makes a difference,” Reagan said. “Be respectful to all around you, regardless of rank or position,” Moschgat continued, referring to both military and customary courtesies. Then Reagan stressed the need of getting to know your people.
“For years, a hero strolled among us at the Academy and we had no idea,” Moschgat continued. Who are the heroes in this story?
Unsung Hero
Former President Ronald Reagan declared, “Anyone can be a hero.” Mr. Crawford didn’t meet the traditional description of a hero in any way. He was also a private on the day he received his Medal.
“Don’t sell your people short,” Moschgat continued reflecting, “because any one of them could be the hero who rises to the occasion when duty calls.”
Striving for Excellence
The president went on to say that while life doesn’t always give you what you think you deserve, you shouldn’t want glory either. Rather, he consequently stated, it’s preferable to strive for greatness.
Using Crawford as an example, Moschgat subsequently stated that Bill didn’t seek notoriety nor fame; instead, he did his duty and then made a career sweeping floors.
The Dignity of The Janitor
The last thing Reagan emphasized was that “no job is beneath a leader.” “Is there any job beneath your dignity if a Medal of Honor winner like Bill Crawford can clean latrines and smile?”
Reagan stated, “Life is a leadership laboratory.” It was a call to learn from the people around us. The speech had come to an emotional end.
Rightfully Due Honor
Bill Crawford gracefully accepted the honor, shaking the president’s hand and holding back a contagious smile till the end of the ceremony. Both Crawford and Reagan were visibly affected, and the crowd erupted in applause.
Crawford never sought praise for his actions, despite acting with “conspicuous gallantry,” as Reagan put it, from his time in the war until his retirement.
No Small Feat
Crawford may have chosen to minimize the importance of his accomplishments, but history has proven him wrong. Crawford had never had an official ceremony for his Medal of Honor until then.
Crawford became part of a select group that is saluted by all members of the uniformed services, regardless of rank, due to the late public recognition of his achievements.
A Humble Hero
In response to his extraordinary actions in war, he humbly said “I was just glad that I was doing my part…I figured it was just a normal call of duty…I happened to be at the right place at the right time.”
He was finally recognized as the true hero he was. But his acknowledgment didn’t end there.
Thoughts on the Legend
Col. James Moschgat, who found his academy’s janitor was a Medal of Honor winner, said the remarkable circumstances that led to the knowledge of Crawford’s case instilled in him “some tremendous leadership lessons.”
In the heartfelt eulogy, the colonel noted that “Bill Crawford was a janitor. However, he was also a teacher, friend, role model and one great American hero.”
A Full Life
William Crawford died on March 15, 2000, at the age of 81, at his home in Colorado. His wife Eileen survived him and was laid to rest beside him in 2009.
Even after his death, Crawford kept making history. The US Army veteran became the first non-Air Force military to be buried in Colorado Springs’ US Air Force Academy Cemetery.
The Hero Lives On
Colorado Governor Bill Owens ordered all Colorado flags to be lowered to half-mast in Crawford’s honor as a mark of respect. Crawford’s memory was also honored by a bronze statue at the Pueblo Convention Center’s Hero Plaza.
It stands among sculptures honoring Drew Dennis Dix, Raymond G. Murphy, and Carl L. Sitter, the town’s other three Medal of Honor recipients.
Timeless Testimony
Moschgat perfectly summarized Crawford’s legacy in his commemorative essay “A Janitor’s Ten Lessons in Leadership.
With utmost respect he wrote, “Private Bill Crawford didn’t pursue glory; he did his duty and then swept floors for a living…If Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor winner, could clean latrines and smile, is there a job beneath your dignity? Think about it.”
Did you like this story? If you liked it, you’d probably love the next story
Here’s another incredible story about a woman who found out her husband’s secret after more than 60 years of marriage
His Wife Discovered His True Identity After More Than 60 Years of Marriage
Audrey Phillips, 85, had been married to Glyn Phillips for 64 years, she was clearing his paperwork after he died in 2015 and discovered records that exposed the truth about the work he did in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, after they married. Audrey remembered Glyn as a family man and civil engineer who enjoyed playing football for his local side. Two children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren were born to the marriage. However, documents show that he worked at the national security services after being pulled out of school in 1944 due to his photographic recall and began working for a secret mission.
Part of the Truth
Audrey Phillips, a retired economics teacher, led a quiet a simple existence with his spouse. She admired her husband and considered him to be one of the best decisions she’d ever made.
Despite the fact that they were not wealthy, she was satisfied with her life and everything she had. So it hit her like a ton of bricks when everything she thought she knew about their carefree existence turned out to be wrong.
She Felt Something Off About Him
They started their relationship in a bar. According to Audrey, when she first encountered Glyndwyr, she noticed a peculiar aura around him. However, she rapidly felt at ease and relaxed in his company.
Of course, the way he gazed at her as if she were the only girl in the world was what made her become more and more interested. It wasn’t long until Audrey started wanting to spend all her time by his side.
When They Were Dating
When Aubrey and Glyndwyr met each other, they rapidly discovered that what they were feeling was new for both. They’d never felt anything like what they were feeling for another individual and as a matter of fact both became in love for the first time in their lives.
After that, they went on several dates together, touring the city together. Even though Glyndwyr was frequently away on personal matters, he always made time for her.
Happily Ever After
Their love became stronger, and they married shortly after. For everyone around them and even for themselves, it was clear that their story was a match made in heaven. She was certain she knew more about her husband than anyone else and that they were destined for each other.
The doctor gave them some shocking news a few months into their marriage. Their lives were going to change forever as a result of this news.
A Big Surprise
One day, Audrey was experiencing an excruciating pain in her abdomen. She quickly made the decision to go to the emergency room and see a doctor. It had only been a few months since they were married.
At that time, Glyndwyr had just returned from one of his private ventures, which were so common around this time. The doctor glanced at them both and paused after evaluating her. He had some critical information to convey.
The New One
After a thorough examination, the doctor finally informed the young couple the good news, they were expecting a child! When they heard this amazing announcement, they became overjoyed and breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the pain was not a problem, but rather a great blessing for both.
After thinking it through, they decided to name their baby Jake; and the three of them were able to create a happy and loving household together.
His Unwavering Love
During their time together, Audrey always felt greatly reassured by her husband’s love for her. Although he continued going on some unexplained travels and had some mysterious endeavors on a regular basis, these behaviors never made her doubt about his love for her and their family.
Nevertheless, although Glyndwyr was always nice with her wife and child, at some point, she started having some concerns about what he was up to on his strange trips.
A Strange Crisis
One day, something weird happened. Although it was very common for Glyndwr to go out for a walk from time to time, that day unlike others, he returned home very agitated and anxious. He had something really important to tell Audrey.
He gave his wife the surprising news that they only had one week to move to a new neighborhood. Audrey was perplexed by the announcement; she didn’t want to relocate, especially not so quickly.
Unexpected Event
After hearing the shocking news, Audrey began to feel a tremendous discomfort in her abdomen. The announcement impacted her notably, and while the couple was still trying to manage the situation caused by the unexplainable demand for a quick house move, her pain started to increase more and more.
In the exact moment, she was trying to explain to Glyndwyr why the idea was such a horrible decision when her stomach symptoms became more severe.
The News
Just like the last time, Audrey rushed to see the doctor. After he examined her, the couple discovered that Audrey was pregnant for the second time.
They were going to have a baby girl; however, a bigger problem arose with this second pregnancy, the doctor explained that this would be the last time they could become parents. It was time for the couple to decide what option they were going to pick in this situation.
Making a Decision
After thinking it through, the still young couple finally decided to carry Audrey’s pregnancy to term. This choice had a big impact for their family, because it meant that the couple couldn’t proceed with their relocation plans.
Her pregnancy was dangerous, and it wasn’t wise to put her through the stress of moving. While moving to a new home was out of the question, she could see Glyndwyr was frustrated by this inability to relocate.
Their Family
While Audrey was complying with the rest recommended by her doctor, Glyndwyr took care of the house duties and their youngest son. Fortunately, his mysterious travels were reduced and one day he confessed to his wife that he had changed his mind about the idea of moving.
He explained that after thinking about it a lot, he realized that they now had 2 children and that they would need all the support for their upbringing.
The Coming Years
The years passed, the kids grew up and the couple moved on. Audrey and Glyndwyr went through a good part of their fifty years of marriage in relative harmony. They had a peaceful relationship during this time.
However, at some point Glyndwyrs’ health began to deteriorate, posing a new obstacle for the couple. Two of the significant health issues that Glyndwyrs experienced at the time were the trouble walking and the tremors in his hands.
Terrible News
Glyndwyrs decided to go to the hospital to visit a doctor because of the symptoms he was having. After a careful medical examination, Glyndwyrs was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease by his doctor.
The news deeply shocked Audrey, who became horrified and devastated to learn about her husband’s prognosis. After learning about her husband’s complicated health condition, she made the conscious decision to make the most of their time together for as long as possible.
Glyndwyrs’ Passing
After some time, Glyndwyrs’ health deteriorated rapidly. He was confused and debated internally whether or not he should inform his wife about his secret. He wondered if he should tell Audrey about this confidential information that he kept for himself before it was too late.
Unfortunately, he was not given the opportunity. Audrey was still in the dark about his secret life when he died. For Audrey, this wasn’t the end of the awful news.
In Loving Memory
His death was mourned by a lot of people who knew him, including friends and family. These people were very sad about his departure. For all of them, Glyndwr was always considered as a family man who worked all his life as a civil engineer to provide for his family’s necessities.
Although these people were part of Glyndwr’s life and they all adored him and spent time with him, they had no idea who Glyndwr really was.
Dealing With Her Loss
As it usually happens in these cases, it was very difficult for Audrey to deal with the death of her husband. Due to this, she initially did not have the courage to dispose of her husband’s belongings.
She kept his things for a while; however, she knew that this situation could not continue like this indefinitely. At some point, Audrey would have to face this situation and deal with her husband’s things sooner or later.
Facing Her Fears
After her husband’s death, Audrey needed three years to make the decision to take out her husband’s stuff.
This decision was extremely tough for her because as she cleaned his belongings, old memories that they had together, and that until that time she was trying to ignore, started to show up. It took her quite some time to clear everything out. At this point there was just one drawer remaining to be cleared.
His Hobby
The drawer remaining to be cleared was Glyndwyrs’ office drawer. In the course of their marriage, they had shared almost everything. This drawer, on the other hand, was something she had never noticed before. She was very curious to see what she would find in there.
She knew that Glyndwyr always enjoyed writing, he wrote numerous novels and poems, so she was pretty sure that she was going to discover his writings in his drawer.
A Strange Name
When she finally opened the drawer, she couldn’t help but notice several unusual documents. These papers caught her interest so she decided to take them out and pay a closer look. Glyndwyr had never told her wife about the old documents.
To make matters worse, the documents were given an unusual name. She had no idea who the person was.
An Astounding Memory
One of the documents she discovered looked like a test result, where it was claimed that the person who had taken the test had an exceptional memory.
The document mentioned that this person had a good recall for photographs and maps. It was described as having a photographic memory. So, she started wondering how this was related to her husband.
A Strange Letter
She was very intrigued, so she kept looking. Soon after she discovered another document in the drawer. This one was written in the form of a letter and had a date on it.
The document explained a decision of taking a boy out of school was made. They said that his removal from school was due to his photographic memory.
She Became Wary
Audrey made some calculations and got to the conclusion that her spouse was thirteen years old at the time the document was signed.
She noticed that this was the same age of the boy mentioned in the certificate. At first, she assumed it was probably one of his friends, but she soon became skeptical and tried to find out more.
More Strange Documents
She proceeded to look through the document for any fresh information that could help her determine whether this was related to her husband or not. She was really curious about the young man in question- and wanted to find out more.
Surprisingly, when she neared the bottom of the stack of papers, she stumbled upon an even stranger looking document.
Secret Operation
The document she discovered was about a counter-espionage initiative called ‘XX’. The papers seemed to be referring to a top-secret project. She was baffled as to what it was all about and wanted to know what it meant to her spouse.
Finally, she came upon a small note with a phone number. Could this help her get closer to the truth?
The Suspicion
Audrey was hoping that the phone number might reveal something about what she had seen. She was very confident about deciphering what she had read.
While she kept wondering what to do, a hidden voice warned her that this might change her feelings about her late husband. But at this point, she was so close that she couldn’t go back.
Choices
Audrey spent days deliberating over her decision. Uncertainty ate her alive. She began to wonder why her husband kept a secret drawer and why he had never told her about it.
She also started thinking about the implications of moving on with the investigation. Would he be offended if she tried to figure out the truth now that he’s gone?
Dialing the Number
After some time thinking it through, she finally made up her mind. She picked up the phone and dialed the number she had found in her husband’s drawer.
She realized she had to figure out what she was seeing, and this was her best chance. She dialed the number again and received no response. She received a call later that night.
A Stranger Answered
A smooth, quiet voice came on the line as Audrey answered the phone. “Do I have Audrey Philips on the line?” the voice asked. “Yes,” she said and continued: “I found your number among some documents from my husband that I don’t understand; perhaps you can assist me.”
The man said, “Let’s meet tomorrow,” “I’ll go through everything with you.”
His Colleague
According to what was agreed, the next day, an elderly gentleman arrived at her home. The man said: “Audrey, I’ve known your husband for more than thirty years, and there’s something he never told you about.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. And the man continued: “You should know that Glyn wasn’t the man you expected him to be.”
A Boy With Talent
He went on to say, “Glyndwyr was a gifted individual who was also extremely intelligent. This ability was discovered a really young age. As you know, the world was in turmoil at the time, and there was a lot of anxiety in the air.
The army recruited us both for training, however this instruction wasn’t to only become regular soldiers.
The Rigorous Training
“We were chosen for a unique project. Our mentors explained that we were only allowed to tell our fathers about it, and we had to keep it a secret from everyone we ever met, including partners or any other family members.”
“They made us participate in a variety of training programs, which included all types of German lessons and memory exams.”
No Idea
“We were both young, and school seemed boring at that time, so we were eager to embark on this journey. We had no idea what kind of jobs we would be assigned or how our lives would unfold at the time.”
“We were almost finished with our training when the Second World War broke out, and we received terrifying news…”
The Adventure
We went to war, where our major mission was to speak to German prisoners to try to gain useful information. After the war ended, we kept in contact with our captain, who told us he had something new planned for us.
This new assignment would demand new training and we will never be allowed to discuss our work with others.
The Fake Identity
We had to live a double life that required us to have fake identities. Our first job was to apprehend two spies, which required us to enter a military base, keep a watch on the suspects, and confirm that they were the proper people, before reporting their whereabouts so they could be captured.
However, certain missions were riskier than others.
Scary Missions
“Some operations were becoming really risky. Glyndwyr once had to pull a fellow spy from a boat to pick up a shipment of guns. He needed to deploy the searchlight on one of the two gunboats to ensure that neither he nor the other spy were apprehended.
However, you’ll be shocked to discover when this occurred” said the man, smiling.
After Their Wedding
Remember how, weeks after you were married, he went for a football weekend? Well, he was actually doing this secret assignment during that weekend. He came up with a good excuse because he knew he would return with bruises and soreness.
Audrey couldn’t believe she’d never suspected anything in all her years of marriage. She had a lot of questions.
A Note for Her
He left a handwritten message just for her. She was stunned when she read what the note said.
The letter began with the phrase: “Dear Audrey, if you ever read this, then you’ve discovered my biggest secret. I hope you understand I could never tell you what I did, I did it to keep you safe.” But there was more…
A Gift
For her surprise, Glyndwr had left her a large check with all of his earnings as a spy. He set aside all of this money to leave to her when he died.
They were able to live a basic life as a result of this. He handed her this as an apology for lying to her for their entire lives.
The Veteran Relief
Audrey opted to donate the entire sum to veteran assistance. She was incredibly proud of her husband and all that he was able to accomplish for his country during his lifetime.
She can now tell her grandkids stories of Glyndwyr and the brave life he led in the shadows. His memory is still remembered and celebrated by his entire family.