The military community — and beyond — is mourning the loss of Kenny Jary this week. Known as “Patriotic Kenny” to his 3.3 million TikTok followers, Jary was an example of kindness and patriotism, encouraging a love of country for all generations.
“Be out there with patriotism,” Jary said. “We need this so much in this world right now.”
The 84-year-old Navy veteran-turned-influencer amassed an impressive online following with his patriotic spirit, compassionate acts, and advocacy for mobile independence for veterans needing scooters.
A legacy of patriotism
Jary grew up in a military family that spanned all Armed Forces branches that existed at that time, noting only one went the route of the U.S. Marine Corps. His father served in the Army during World War II as a guard for German soldiers, and his Uncle Jim — his favorite uncle, though he was quick to point out his love for all his uncles — was in the Navy.
When Uncle Jim said Jary should follow in his footsteps, he listened. “I always remember him saying, ‘Kenny, join the Navy! You’ll probably like it. I think you’d do good.’ So I took his advice, and I did,” Jary explained with a chuckle.
In 1959, Jary joined the Navy Reserve. Tensions were high because of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. When Jary’s mother learned that he enlisted, she was worried.
“She didn’t like the idea … but I said, ‘Mom, I’ll be fine. I’ll write to you as much as I can. I’ll come home and see you as much as I can,’” he said. “Finally, I went. She had tears in her eyes, and she didn’t want me to go, but I went and I wrote to her as much as I could.”
A man of his word, he made good on the promise to visit.
“Every time I had liberty for a week or two weeks, I would go home,” he said.
Passing the mantle
Jary found incredible success with social media, though he was still surprised that he influenced people from all over the world.
“Little old me from Minnesota,” he shared. “From the bottom [of] my heart, [it] makes me feel so good.”
Offline, Jary continued his mission to encourage patriotism for younger generations by striking up conversations in person. Easily identified by his flag-decorated scooter, he was a crowd favorite when visiting coffee shops. Children would come up to him to request flags with parents standing nearby waiting to speak with him. He happily handed out flags and explained their importance.
“I tell them, ‘Now that’s patriotism for freedom,’” Jary said with heartfelt emotion. “I tell them, ‘You got to display those flags. That’s the number one thing for your generation because you’ll be taking over. Make sure you hang that flag.’”
TikTok thoughts
When the future of TikTok was uncertain, Jary shared the concern of millions who enjoy the platform, though his worry naturally turned to those who benefit. Because of TikTok, he raised awareness about veteran mobility and helped veterans receive mobility scooters through his nonprofit, the Patriotic Kenny Foundation.
“When it went dark, I felt like, ‘Now what?! What are we gonna do? This is not good.’ It is so sad,” he admitted. “Everything we’ve been doing for the veterans, too, with mobility scooters … now they’re hurting from it. A lot of our donations come from TikTok for the Patriotic Kenny Foundation. [If] it’s gone, that worries me that we can’t fill the gap like we’ve been doing.”
Ever optimistic, he added, “I really think and hope it will all work out. I don’t know how, but I’m thinkin’ positive.”
To honor Jary’s life, you can donate to the @patriotickennyfoundation to support a nominated veteran receive a scooter. For uplifting content, you can revisit the channel @patriotickenny, which will continue on in his memory.
