California veteran sees his brother face to face for the first time in 40 years

Two veteran brothers separated by nearly 3,000 miles finally came face to face after four decades apart — thanks to the help of a Northern California county.

The siblings, one living in Grass Valley, between Sacramento and Reno, and the other in eastern Connecticut, stayed in touch by phone over the years. But Thursday was the first time they saw each other face to face – even if it was through a screen.

The Placer County Office of Veterans Services hosted this emotional video reunion, helping the brothers bridge the distance after 40 years of separation.

The office provides counseling, education, welfare benefits and advocacy services to veterans, their dependents and survivors.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to help these two veterans maybe become a little healthier in terms of their mental health,” Steve Johnson, a Placer County veterans service officer, told KCRA3.

Now the county office is working with a nonprofit to provide the brothers with internet access and tablets so they can see each other more often without having to rely solely on phone calls.

“I can’t imagine it’s a great feeling not being able to see your family for so long,” Johnson said.

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