This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kenny Jary of the social media account Patriotic Kenny. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Back in the day, I always said that I wanted a tattoo. I was in the United States Navy, and everyone had tattoos. But I wasn’t really ready for it. You know how it is, you just put things off until the right opportunity comes.
And the right opportunity came, many decades later, thanks to two friends.
I met Amanda Kline and Jenny Cooper in 2021 through a local coffee shop owner. They were told about me, and then spotted me the next day thanks to my scooter, which was decorated with American flags.
At 84, I got my first tattoo
My new friends surprised me on my birthday; I had no idea where we were going. We flew to San Diego, and Joey Hamilton of TLC’s “Ink Masters” did the tattoo. Joey’s quite famous. He’s also a veteran.
Courtesy of Kenny Jary
It didn’t hurt at all. If anything, it felt like a little kid scratching. It’s just a small tattoo, one that I wanted to represent the United States Navy. There’s an anchor, and then it has three stars to represent Minnesota. There are three rings to represent my three kids, and our group of three: me, Amanda, and Jenny.
I believe it’s never too late to cross something off your bucket list
I think people should cross things off their bucket lists because life goes fast. One minute you’re a teenager and the next you’re nearly 90. If you keep waiting, you might miss your chance.
When I try something I’ve always wanted to do, I feel proud and alive. Recently, I have traveled to new places, flown on big planes, met new people from all over, and now I have my first tattoo. Each time I try something new, it reminds me that I am still growing.
I’ve always been the Kenny I am, way up until right now. Nothing has changed since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I’ve always been jolly — I think you need to smile and be jolly, it makes the world go round and makes you feel better. Laughter is most important.
Courtesy of Kenny Jary
But I was not always this open to new things. When I was younger, I liked what felt safe. As I got older, I realized that trying new things makes life bigger. I have tried traveling far from home, speaking in front of crowds, and sharing my story online. At first, I felt nervous. Then I feel excited. After I do it, I feel like I’m leaving a legacy.
This friendship has changed my life
I trust Amanda and Jenny because they truly care about me. They listen to me. They protect me. They push me in a good way, not a scary way. They want me to have a full life. That trust comes from time, honesty, and love. Our relationship is important because we support each other and are family. No matter what we’re doing, we’re always having a good time together.
I tell everybody that they’re my daughters now, and I treat them just like my own daughter. Amanda and Jenny have brought me a whole new life, I mean that sincerely. I do more things at 84 years old than I thought possible. I get out of the house and do things. Don’t get me wrong — I still have COPD, I still struggle, but you have to get out and do things. Four years ago, when we started the TikTok account, I didn’t have anything. My scooter broke down. It was junk. I had bought it at a garage sale. Then I had the good fortune to meet these women.
We began a foundation three years ago, called the Patriotic Kenny Foundation. I got my scooter from online donations. We had all these fans, millions of them. I told Amanda I was going to pay it forward with scooters. We’ve been doing it for three years now, and we’ve given out 160 scooters across the country. Every quarter, we donate 12 to veterans. This year is the 250th anniversary of the United States. I’m so proud.
